A scouting report on every notable prospect moved at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline

Steven Ellis
Steven Ellis
A scouting report on every notable prospect moved at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline
Credit: Terence Leung/Calgary Wranglers

What an eventful NHL Trade Deadline we just witnessed.

It won’t go down as the busiest final day in league history, but it sure was consistently busy. Nothing will beat the Tomas Hertl trade (sorry, Sharks fans) in terms of pure insanity, but Friday saw a steady stream of notable names moved all day long.

The week leading up to it started off slow, especially after seeing names like Sean Monahan, Chris Tanev and Elias Lindholm traded earlier on. But once Wednesday hit, the fun really began, marking a more active deadline than maybe most expected.

There weren’t many high-end prospects moved, but some were still included in some interesting deals. Here’s a breakdown of the key prospects moved over the past few weeks:

Jan Mysak, C, 21 (Anaheim Ducks)

Trade: Montreal acquired Jacob Perreault from Anaheim for Jan Mysak

Mysak is currently in his second full AHL campaign, scoring 13 goals and 20 points in 48 games. Mysak split the 2020-21 COVID-impacted season between Laval and HC Litvinov in Czechia, registering just three points in 33 games between the two clubs. Mysak already has significant experience with Czechia’s world junior team, registering eight points in seven games as captain of the team that finished fourth in 2022. Mysak has the potential to be a bottom-six scoring winger, but he needs to find some consistency.

Artyom Grushnikov, LHD, 20 (Calgary Flames)

Trade: Calgary acquired Artem Grushnikov, 2024 second-round pick and a 2026 conditional third-round pick from Dallas for Chris Tanev

If there’s one thing Grushnikov does well, it’s doing what he’s paid to do – playing defense. He has almost no real offensive potential, rarely registering more than a shot or two a game. But in his own zone, Grushnikov – acquired as part of the Tanev deal – can get it done. He’s positionally sound, uses the body, and moves with solid pace. But if you’re looking for an all-around guy, Grushnikov doesn’t get it done. At best, he looks like a bottom-pairing defenseman, but the Flames liked him enough.

Riley Damiani, C, 23 (Calgary Flames)

Trade: Dallas acquire Emilio Pettersen from Calgary for Riley Damiani

Damiani started off so strong in his debut AHL season, registering a point-per-game during the 2020-21 season. But he hasn’t managed to beat that number since, and he’s actually on pace for the worst output of his pro career this season despite looking like he’ll crack the 60-game mark for the first time in his career. I don’t see an NHL future for him, as much as I used to really like his game.

Graham Sward, LHD, 20 (Colorado Avalanche)

Trade: Colorado acquire Yakov Trenin and Graham Sward from Nashville for Jeremy Hanzel, 2025 third-round pick

Sward is one of the CHL’s premier offensive defensemen. He’s having a career year for the Wenatchee Wild, but you’d expect that from a kid his age. Currently unsigned to a deal, Sward was taken 146th overall in 2022 after finishing his third season with the Spokane Chiefs thanks to his immense skill with the puck. Sward will need a few years in the AHL, but he’s a solid depth piece for a loaded Avalanche squad.

Emilio Pettersen, LW, 23 (Dallas Stars)

Trade: Dallas acquire Emilio Pettersen from Calgary for Riley Damiani

A change of scenery was needed. Pettersen was drafted 167th overall in 2018 and he had a pair of good years at the University of Denver. But the Norweigan winger has never been able to take his game to the next level, spending the past four years playing with Calgary’s AHL team. If Logan Stankoven remains in Dallas, then Pettersen is a decent replacement for Texas.

Jacob Perreault, RW, 21 (Montreal Canadiens)

Trade: Montreal acquired Jacob Perreault from Anaheim for Jan Mysak

A first-round pick by Anaheim in 2021, a change of scenery could prove fruitful for a once highly rated prospect. Perreault previously made his NHL debut during the 2021-22 season, his second year of pro hockey after an excellent run with the San Diego Gulls. But Perreault has struggled to find the same offensive success ever since, even dealing with injuries that have limited him to just 79 games over the past two years with the San Diego Gulls. Perreault was born in Montreal when his dad, Yanic, played for the Habs, so there’s a hometown connection there.

Jeremy Hanzel, LHD, 20 (Nashville Predators)

Trade: Colorado acquire Yakov Trenin and Graham Sward from Nashville for Jeremy Hanzel, 2025 third-round pick

Hanzel has had a career year in his fourth season of major junior, proving to be one of the league’s most impressive 20-year-olds. He was exceptionally great during the Seattle Thunderbirds’ 2023 playoff run en route to a WHL title. A bit of a late-bloomer, Hanzel has great vision and often makes smart decisions with the puck. Defensively, his game is still a work in progress, but he can do a bit of everything in a lineup. I think he’s a long-shot of becoming a full-time NHLer, but he gives the Predators some depth to work with.

Vasili Ponomaryov, C, 21 (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Trade: Carolina acquires Jake Guentzel from Pittsburgh for Michael Bunting, Vasili Ponomarev, Ville Koivunen, Cruz Lucius, conditional first-round pick in 2024, conditional fifth-round pick in 2024

Ponomaryov has noticeable skill and has impressed in the AHL. He looked great when he first got called up with the Hurricanes, registering two points in his first two games. He has middle-six potential, especially on Pittsburgh where the team could use as much depth scoring as possible.

Ville Koivunen, LW, 20 (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Trade: Carolina acquires Jake Guentzel from Pittsburgh for Michael Bunting, Vasili Ponomarev, Ville Koivunen, Cruz Lucius, conditional first-round pick in 2024, conditional fifth-round pick in 2024

The 20-year-old has had a monster season with Karpat in the top Finnish league, putting up close to a point-per-game throughout the season while being in the top five in league scoring. That’s very rare for a player his age. Defensively, though, he needs work, but I think Koivunen could be a really nice complementary scoring option for this club.

Cruz Lucius, RW, 19 (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Trade: Carolina acquires Jake Guentzel from Pittsburgh for Michael Bunting, Vasili Ponomarev, Ville Koivunen, Cruz Lucius, conditional first-round pick in 2024, conditional fifth-round pick in 2024

After playing catch-up due to a wrist injury in his draft year, Lucius has had a pair of excellent seasons as an offensive leader with the University of Wisconsin. He’s not a great skater, and that knocks him down a few pegs, but he’s got enough all-around skill that I think he can overcome it at least be a depth scorer.

David Edstrom, C, 18 (San Jose Sharks)

Traded: Vegas acquired Tomas Hertl, 2025 and 2027 third round picks from San Jose for David Edstrom and 2025 first-round pick

The Tomas Hertl trade was insane, but Edstrom instantly becomes one of San Jose’s best prospects. He was Vegas’ top name, with many scouts considering him a steal in the first round last year. Edstrom is known for being an excellent skater with good hockey IQ. At 6-foot-3, he has great size for a power forward, and he’s a good dual-threat as a shooter and a passer. Even if he’s a third-line center behind Will Smith and William Eklund, I love it.

Jack Thompson, RHD, 21 (San Jose Sharks)

Trade: San Jose acquired Jack Thompson and a 2024 third-round pick for Anthony Duclair and 2025 seventh-round pick

I really like Thompson. He’s an excellent puck-mover on pace for 45 points as a second-year AHLer and even has an NHL game to his credit. Thompson was always a solid point producer in the OHL, but he’s also aggressive and can eat minutes. He fits the mold of a modern-day blueliner who can do a little bit of everything, and instantly makes San Jose’s defensive depth better. I feel confident in him at least being an impactful third-pairing defenseman whom you can use on the power play.

Cade Webber, LHD, 23 (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Trade: Toronto acquired Cade Webber from Carolina for 2026 sixth-round pick

For the cost, acquiring Webber is a low-risk move for the Maple Leafs. At 6-foot-7, Webber takes up a lot of space and has a great reach for poke checks. He’s a senior at Boston University, but if you’re looking for offense, you’re not finding it here. As a pure shutdown defenseman, this just feels more like the Leafs looking for help with the Toronto Marlies more than finding someone who’ll impact the NHL team in any way.

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