Grading NHL Trade Deadline Performances: Central Division

The NHL Trade Deadline is officially behind us, and rosters are set as teams jockey for position in the race for the postseason.

For the vast majority of the 2021-2022 campaign, the Central Division has been led by the Colorado Avalanche, a team that most expect to win the Stanley Cup. Following not-so-closely behind, yet still very much in a playoff position, are the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild.

From there, things get a little murky as the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars are both fringe teams in the current playoff picture. The Winnipeg Jets, though not quite as competitive this season, cannot be counted out either.

The division is rounded out by the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes, two teams that will be irrelevant in the playoff race long before the season is finished.

How did each Central Division team do at the trade deadline?

Several teams in this division were busy making a multitude of moves, while the rest were either trying to find the perfect fit or a big name.

Colorado, Dallas, and St. Louis succeeded in identifying ways to make their rosters better and making trades that accomplished that. Meanwhile, Minnesota made the biggest splash of any team in the Central in a bid to close the gap between themselves and the Avs.

Further down the standings, things got a little fuzzier as big names were moved, a variety of trades were made, and to me, there may have been more questions introduced than answered as the clubs prepare to finish the season.

Though these teams approached the trade deadline with different mindsets and goals, any team can emerge as a winner at the end of the NHL’s most hectic handful of hours. So, with that said, how did each Central Division squad fare this March?

Here are trade deadline grades for each team in the Central.