2020 NHL trade deadline: Top 5 biggest winners and losers

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 18: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators looks on during a break in a game against the Buffalo Sabres at Canadian Tire Centre on February 18, 2020 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images /

WINNER: Ottawa Senators

I’ll admit, I was a bit worried about the Ottawa Senators when Monday began. They got an underwhelming return for Dylan DeMelo earlier in February and though they got something for Vladislav Namestnikov, it wasn’t much.

And then the Senators did it. They managed to get a massive haul for Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Senators now have three first-round picks in the 2020 NHL Draft (assuming the Islanders don’t finish with a top 3 pick) and four second-round picks. That’s one heck of a way to rebuild what’s already a quickly improving prospect pipeline.

Granted, Eugene Melnyk will probably just trade those players he drafts later once he can’t afford them, but for now, this is good!

LOSER: Winnipeg Jets

The Jets got a really good deal when they traded for DeMelo earlier in February. He’s a legit top-four defenseman and he’s right-handed. Ergo, DeMelo’s going to be an upgrade for the Jets. Heck, he might even be a top-pairing defenseman alongside Josh Morrissey. And there’s always the possibility of re-signing him.

But here’s the thing – the Jets didn’t really do anything else of consequence. Cody Eakin is a fine player, but they gave up a third-round pick to get him. It should have been the other way around considering the Golden Knights had been shopping him for quite some time.

The Jets did fine at the deadline, but they needed to be more than fine to have a shot at being Stanley Cup contenders. Unless Vezina Trophy candidate Connor Hellebuyck has more magic of his sleeves, the Jets aren’t contenders.

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