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2019 NHL Trade Deadline: Grading each team’s performance

By Jeremy Tuch

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 2: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his late third period game-tying goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Canadian Tire Centre on January 2, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 2: Mark Stone #61 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his late third period game-tying goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Canadian Tire Centre on January 2, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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2019 nhl trade deadline
Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

B+

Boston Bruins

In order to compete in the Atlantic, Boston needed to add scoring depth. Bringing Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson into the fold definitely helps that. They didn’t overpay for either one, just Ryan Donato and some picks, which is also a win.

It wasn’t an over the top win, though, but their main targets weren’t on the market at the time they were shopping, so it’s not like there was much else they could have done. Still, you have to think they got better.

Colorado Avalanche

They made a single simple trade, adding Derick Brassard for a third rounder in 2020. It’s hard to hate this move because the risk isn’t very high, and adding Brassard as center depth will help the Avalanche try to make a playoff push. Their top heavy offense needed support, and Brassard fits that to a tee. Could they have done more? Yeah. Should they have done more? No.

Nashville Predators

Nashville’s issue stems from their forward depth. Adding Mikael Granlund and Wayne Simmonds definitely helps upgrade the top nine. Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman are good young pieces each, but to get you have to give. To win now, the price should be worth it. The Predators are now loaded up for a run at the Jets as the favorite from the Central.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks’ window is this year and perhaps not far beyond. While they did nothing to address their goaltending issues, adding Gustav Nyquist is a good boost to the forward group. The team was already geared at a big run, but adding Nyquist, and not paying a super high cost was a swell move.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are this high up solely on the merit of turning Erik Gudbranson into Tanner Pearson. Gudbranson is an old school defenseman with term while Pearson is a serviceable forward who’s not old. This trade is addition by subtraction, while also adding at the same time.

Washington Capitals

Last year’s addition of Michal Kempny was low key but very helpful for the eventual champions. They pulled a similar move this year with Nick Jensen from Detroit. They also figured you can never have enough speed, and Carl Hagelin is the product of that. Madison Bowey is a solid young player, but the Capitals are in the business of winning now, so it’s worth the price.

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