NHL: The Top Ten Best Trade Deadline Deals From The Past Ten Years

Ten NHL moves that included some big names and that made impacts.

As the NHL’s trade deadline day looms we look at ten of the best trade deadline deals in the past ten years,

2/23/12: Blue Jackets and Kings

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded forward Jeff Carter to the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round pick. Carter would win 2 Stanley Cups with the Kings, providing both scoring depth and leadership along the way.

Johnson was invisible for the Blue Jackets, being nothing more than a bottom-pairing defenseman. The Kings win this trade hands down.

3/2/15: Lightning and Flyers

Tampa Bay Lightning sent defenseman Radko Gudas, a 2015 first-round pick, and a 2015 third-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Braydon Coburn.

That first-round pick became Ivan Provorov, who is now leading the defensive core in Philadelphia. Radko Gudas has not been spectacular but is now patrolling the blueline in Florida, where he is a solid defenseman.

3/5/14: Kings and Blue Jackets

The Los Angeles Kings traded Matt Frattin, a 2014 second-round pick, and a conditional third-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Marian Gaborik.

Gaborik would be part of the 2014 Stanley Cup champion Kings roster and, although it was later in his career, etched his name as one of the best players from 2010-2020. Frattin never made a name for himself in Columbus, as he looked out of place for the most part.

7/19/16: Senators and Rangers

The Ottawa Senators sent Mika Zibanejad and a 2018 second-round pick to the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round pick.

Zibanejad has been a prolific scorer since coming to Broadway, highlighted by scoring 5 goals against the rival Washington Capitals. Brassard has moved around since this trade but now has landed in Philadelphia with the Flyers in a bottom 6 role.

6/15/18: Canadiens and Lightning

The Montreal Canadians traded defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and a conditional 2018 second-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Jonathan Drouin and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2018.

Sergachev helped solidify the Lightning defense and has 2 Cups as a result, while making a name for himself as a well-rounded defenseman and a solid top-pairing blueliner. Drouin has struggled for the most part in Montreal but has had moments where he has shown flashes of his junior days with the QMJHL Halifax Mooseheads.

4/30/19: Hurricanes and Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes trade the rights to Adam Fox to the New York Rangers for a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL draft and a third-round pick in the 2020 draft.

The Rangers have a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman in Fox. The Rangers simply stole Fox away from Carolina, giving up only two picks. Fox has been one of the best defensemen in the league since his arrival and is showing no signs of slowing down.

2/5/20: Maple Leafs and Kings

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Jack Campbell and forward Kyle Clifford from the Los Angeles Kings for Trevor Moore, a 2020 third-round pick, and a 2021 third-round pick.

Campbell is a starter and in the Vezina Trophy discussion, playing how others expected him to play when he was drafted eleventh by the Dallas Stars. Moore has exploded since being traded to Los Angeles, becoming a solid top-six forward and producing more offense than expected.

1/23/20: Jets and Blue Jackets

The Winnipeg Jets trade center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Columbus Blue Jackets for forwards Patrick Laine and Jack Roslovic.

Big names switch places in this trade. The only thing Laine and Dubois had in common is that they both hated where they played. They are different players and Columbus does not seem like they got the best deal as Dubois has played exceptionally well in his new home, while Laine still is finding his way.

4/12/21: Panthers and Flames

The Florida Panthers traded Emil Heineman and a 2022 second-round pick to the Calgary Flames for Sam Bennett and a 2022 sixth-round pick.

Bennett has been consistent since arriving in Florida. Bennett has scored some important goals and etched himself as a top-six forward on this team. Heineman has since taken his talents overseas, playing for Leksands IF.

11/4/21: Sabres and Golden Knights

Buffalo Sabres traded Jack Eichel and a 2023 third-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights for Forwards Peyton Krebs, Alex Tuch, 2022 first-round pick, and a 2023 third-round pick.

A long-rumored trade gets done and Eichel has a new home. Eichel wanted to be moved and for months he was rumored to be going to every NHL team. This trade finally evolved with Buffalo getting some young, core pieces to build for the future.

Big names, big moves, and plenty of conversation. What are your ten best trades in the last ten years?