NHL · 8 hours ago

Ranking the Top 5 Trades Ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline

Grant White

Host · Writer

5. Sharks Add Scoring Bite With Sherwood
San Jose Sharks Receive: Kiefer Sherwood

Vancouver Canucks Receive: Cole Clayton, 2026 2nd-Round Pick, 2027 2nd-Round Pick

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Sharks have emerged as playoff contenders. To expedite their rebuild, they acquired a talented scoring winger from the Canucks.

Kiefer Sherwood has quietly established himself as a premier scoring option. The 30-year-old totaled 17 goals in 44 games with the Canucks, putting him two below last year's career-best 19 tallies. That scoring depth will be invaluable for a San Jose team on the cusp of a playoff spot.

The Canucks' master plan continues, as they look to offload any movable pieces for future assets. They got exactly that in this trade, landing two second-round picks in the deal. Cole Clayton has yet to make his NHL debut, but could be called upon if Vancouver's blueline gets any thinner.

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1. Hughes Going Wild in Minnesota
Vancouver Canucks Receive: Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, 1st-Round Pick 2026 NHL Draft

Minnesota Wild Receive: Quinn Hughes

Undoubtedly, the biggest trade of the season was the Wild's acquisition of All-World defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Hughes is the prototypical modern-day rearguard. He's a possession-driven player with immense upside, without compromising defensive responsibility in his own end. Minnesota's play improved immediately with Hughes in the lineup, vaulting them to legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

Still, Vancouver made out great with the return. The Canucks acquired four future pieces, including 2024 first-round pick Zeev Buium.

Both teams accomplished something with this trade, setting the stage for another hectic NHL Trade Deadline.

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2. Breadman Bringing the Heat
New York Rangers Receive: Liam Greentree, Conditional 3rd-Round Pick

Minnesota Wild Receive: Artemi Panarin

Conditions: Rangers retain 50% of Panarin's salary. If LA wins a playoff series, the pick becomes a 2nd-round selection. If LA wins two playoff series, the Rangers receive an additional 4th-round pick in 2028.

Artemi Panarin's time with the Rangers came to an unceremonious conclusion. New York elected to hold its star scorer out of the lineup before his trade to Los Angeles.

The Kings get an immediate boost to their offensive production and scoring. Panarin has recorded 105 goals over the last three seasons, contributing 266 points along the way.

Liam Greentreen may one day match Panarin's production, but he's still a year away from making the professional jump.
3. Andersson Joins A Division Rival
Calgary Flames Receive: Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe, 2027 1st-Round Pick, Conditional 2028 2nd-Round Pick

Vegas Golden Knights Receive: Rasmus Andersson

Conditions: 2027 1st-Round Pick is top-10 protected. Conditional 2nd-Round pick upgrades to a 2028 1st-Round pick if Vegas wins the Stanley Cup in 2025-26.

Somehow, the Golden Knights always find a way to land one of the biggest names on the trade board. This year, that meant acquiring Rasmus Andersson.

Andersson is a defensive stalwart with tremendous offensive upside. The Swede is a former 50-point scorer and has 10 or more goals in three of his past four seasons. Insulated by Vegas' vastly superior roster, Andersson will be a difference-maker come playoff time.

The Flames deserve credit for maximizing return. They get a proven NHL talent in Zach Whitecloud and a top-end prospect in Abram Wiebe. The picks will also yield foundational pieces in years to come.
4. Palat Crosses the River
New York Islanders Receive: Ondrej Palat, 2026 3rd-Round Pick, 2027 6th-Round Pick

New Jersey Devils Receive: Maxim Tsyplakov

Eager to rid themselves of Ondrej Palat's $6-million contract, the Devils paid a premium to ship their scoring winger to a division foe. Palat was dealt to the Islanders, with New Jersey sending two picks to New York to facilitate the transaction.

Palat struggled with the Devils this season. The former 20-goal scorer mustered just four tallies in 51 games, precipitating a move to the Islanders. He's already got one goal and three points in six games on Long Island, boosting the Islanders' playoff chances.

Maxim Tsyplakov went the other way, but the Russian has yet to find his scoring touch in the NHL. After mustering 10 goals in his first season stateside, Tsyplakov has just one goal in 31 games this season.
5. Sharks Add Scoring Bite With Sherwood
San Jose Sharks Receive: Kiefer Sherwood

Vancouver Canucks Receive: Cole Clayton, 2026 2nd-Round Pick, 2027 2nd-Round Pick

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Sharks have emerged as playoff contenders. To expedite their rebuild, they acquired a talented scoring winger from the Canucks.

Kiefer Sherwood has quietly established himself as a premier scoring option. The 30-year-old totaled 17 goals in 44 games with the Canucks, putting him two below last year's career-best 19 tallies. That scoring depth will be invaluable for a San Jose team on the cusp of a playoff spot.

The Canucks' master plan continues, as they look to offload any movable pieces for future assets. They got exactly that in this trade, landing two second-round picks in the deal. Cole Clayton has yet to make his NHL debut, but could be called upon if Vancouver's blueline gets any thinner.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Hughes Going Wild in Minnesota
Vancouver Canucks Receive: Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, 1st-Round Pick 2026 NHL Draft

Minnesota Wild Receive: Quinn Hughes

Undoubtedly, the biggest trade of the season was the Wild's acquisition of All-World defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Hughes is the prototypical modern-day rearguard. He's a possession-driven player with immense upside, without compromising defensive responsibility in his own end. Minnesota's play improved immediately with Hughes in the lineup, vaulting them to legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

Still, Vancouver made out great with the return. The Canucks acquired four future pieces, including 2024 first-round pick Zeev Buium.

Both teams accomplished something with this trade, setting the stage for another hectic NHL Trade Deadline.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Ranking the Top 5 Trades Ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline

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