Which 2025 NHL Trade Deadline deals aged the best?
It hasn’t been a full year since the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, but we’ve had enough time to look back at how the deals have blossomed.
Some deals haven’t aged particularly well – Josh Norris hasn’t found a way to stay healthy for Buffalo, for example. The Carolina Hurricanes could have probably used Mikko Rantanen this season. But beyond that, many teams that bet big came out quite happy with their returns – especially the Florida Panthers.
Ahead of the 3:00 PM ET NHL Trade Deadline on March 6, here is a look at five deals that panned out well for one, or both, teams from last winter:
5. Fraser Minten to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins acquired: Fraser Minten, C; conditional 2026 first-round pick; 2025 fourth-round pick (Vashek Blanár); retained 15 percent of Brandon Carlo’s contract
Toronto Maple Leafs acquired: Brandon Carlo, D
After the Maple Leafs acquired Scott Laughton earlier on deadline day, the team made its final big splash of the day by acquiring Brandon Carlo from the Bruins. Carlo has had his ups and downs, but in the end, it’s looking like they paid a significant price for a top-pairing defenseman playing more like a third-pair guy. And he definitely didn’t have the impact the team was hoping he’d have for the playoff run.
Minten, meanwhile, has turned into quite the third-line center for Boston. Center depth has been an issue for the Bruins in recent years, but Minten’s line with Alex Steeves and Morgan Geekie has been one of the most dangerous third units in the league this year. Minten is tracking for a 40-point rookie season, which is remarkable. He’s not likely going to be a big-time producer – 50 points might be his single-year max. But he’s currently playing with so much confidence, and he has been one of the team’s top two-way forwards. The 21-year-old’s physical strength is great for his age, too – he’s a tough cookie.
Given the Bruins are still trying to get their pipeline in a better spot, having another first-round pick is huge – assuming they don’t swap it for help at the deadline. Toronto, meanwhile, is just fighting to stay alive in the Eastern Conference race and would probably love to have its pick back.
4. Jake Walman to the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers acquired: Jake Walman, D
San Jose Sharks acquired: Carl Berglund, C; conditional 2026 first-round pick
Remember when the Sharks acquired Jake Walman and a second-round pick (Leo Sahlin Wallenius) for future considerations? Yeah, it was weird. But Walman used that opportunity to become an impact player, and he was ultimately traded to the Oilers in exchange for Carl Berglund and a conditional first-round pick in 2026 just prior to the 2025 deadline. The Oilers needed someone with a bit more defensive responsibility, so getting Walman – known more for his play with the puck – was a bit of a surprise.
But, hey, it worked out well for the Oilers. Walman went on to register 10 points in 22 playoff games to help the Oilers reach the Stanley Cup final. He was even damn good in his own zone, too. Walman ultimately parlayed that performance into a seven-year extension back in October, and while he has missed significant time due to injury, his play has been a net positive for the Oilers.
Berglund is now a depth player in the Czech league, but the first-rounder this year will be nice to have for San Jose. The Sharks likely didn’t want to sign Walman to a long-term deal, and moving him to a contender allowed him to truly show how valuable he can be. Overall, it was a nice pickup for the Oilers.
3. Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks; Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers
Chicago Blackhawks acquired: Spencer Knight, G; 2026 first-round pick; retained 26 percent of Jones’ contract
Florida Panthers acquired: Seth Jones, D; 2026 fourth-round pick
Florida wanted to shore up their blueline for the team’s run at a second Cup, and Jones’ strong play came up big when it mattered. He had less defensive responsibilities for the Panthers than he did in Chicago, where he had to do a little bit of everything for a poor team. On Florida, though, he was able to focus on getting the puck into high-danger areas, and it paid off with the Stanley Cup.
Chicago, meanwhile, was chasing after their goalie of the future, and they got it with Knight. The 24-year-old wasn’t able to get the playing time he needed in Florida, but had the opportunity to change everything the second he got traded to Chicago. Knight not only emerged as a potential Vezina Trophy winner this season, but he outperformed many of the United States’ top goaltenders heading into the Olympic roster selection.
This is one of the deals where it worked out for both sides – one guy won the ultimate prize, while the other solved a serious positional need.
2. Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars acquired: Mikko Rantanen, RW
Carolina Hurricanes acquired: Logan Stankoven, C; conditional 2026 first-round pick; conditional 2028 first-round pick; 2026 third-round pick; 2027 third-round pick
Wowza. What a crazy few weeks it was for Rantanen, who was traded by the Colorado Avalanche less than two months before he was re-shipped to Dallas. It became clear that a long-term deal wasn’t in the cards for Rantanen in Carolina, so the team wanted to recoup as much as they could on the trade market. Logan Stankoven still has time to become an impact player, and the pick capital for a team known for betting high on draft day definitely didn’t hurt.
But for Dallas, Moose became an instant star. Rantanen had a hat trick and an assist in Game 7 of Dallas’ opening-round playoff series against none other than the Avalanche. It was a made-for-TV moment, with one of Colorado’s former top players coming back to haunt the franchise. Rantanen is one of the NHL’s highest-paid players this season with a cap hit of $12 million until 2033. He’s tracking for 109 points, which would be the best output of his career, as well. For Dallas, this couldn’t have worked out better.
1. Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers acquired: Brad Marchand, LW
Boston Bruins acquired: Conditional 2027 second-round pick, retain 50 percent of Marchand’s contract
This one is a no-brainer. Marchand didn’t look like himself in Boston last year, registering just 47 points in 61 games. An injury from the 4 Nations Face-Off didn’t help, either, and he struggled with just four points in 10 regular-season games with Florida. But when the playoffs rolled around, everything changed. Marchand was impossible to contain, scoring 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games en route to his second Stanley Cup. “The Rat” became an instant fan favorite in Florida, giving the third line the scoring depth the team desperately needed. It was arguably his most impressive playoff run to date, which, given his history as a big-time performer, was huge.
The energetic 37-year-old forward signed a six-year deal during the offseason, and he’s tracking for 88 points this season, which would be his best output since registering 100 back in 2018-19. Injuries have plagued Florida’s season, but Marchand has stepped up to become the real difference-maker most know he’s capable of. He’s been so good that he brute-forced his way onto Canada’s Olympic roster for the first time. For Boston, the return wasn’t great, but given where the team was in the standings, they at least let one of their all-time greats chase another title.
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