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2023 Trade Grades

The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline is approaching and with it will come a flurry of moves that will result in big-name players switching teams. The Hockey Writers has you covered with grades and analysis of all the major moves ahead of the deadline. Follow along as our writers provide you with expert analysis of each key trade, and make sure to click on the links to read the trade grade articles in their entirety.

Wild Get John Klingberg in Last-Minute Deal

The Deal: The Minnesota Wild have acquired defenseman John Klingberg from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Andrej Sustr, the rights to Nikita Nesterenko, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

Wild Grade: B+
Ducks Grade: C

NHL Trade Deadline Day was mostly a dud, but that’s because most of the big names had already come off the board in the days and weeks prior. Still, there were a couple of players you’re likely familiar with who got traded before the 3 P.M. deadline, with John Klingberg being the most notable.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Stars Acquire Max Domi From Blackhawks

The Deal: The Dallas Stars have acquired forward Max Domi and goaltender Dylan Wells from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and goaltender Anton Khudobin.

Stars Grade: B
Blackhawks Grade: B

It’s been an arms race in the Eastern Conference but not so much in the West. The Vegas Golden Knights did acquire Ivan Barbashev from the St. Louis Blues, but for the most part, Western Conference teams have been the sellers. At least one team has stepped up, though.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Bruins Trade for Tyler Bertuzzi

The Deal: The Boston Bruins have acquired forward Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The Red Wings will also retain 50% of Bertuzzi’s cap hit.

Bruins Grade: A-
Red Wings Grade: A-

Bertuzzi was expected to be moved due to his pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) status, and now he is joining the top team in the NHL because of it. The Bruins’ already-strong forward group has gotten even better, while the Red Wings are continuing to add draft picks.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Canucks Land Filip Hronek From the Red Wings

The Deal: The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenseman Filip Hronek and a 2023 fourth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a conditional 2023 first-round pick (originally the New York Islanders) and a 2023 second-round pick.

Canucks Grade: C+
Red Wings Grade: A-

With this move, the Canucks made it known that they will add players to their roster if they feel that they will make a long-term impact. Hronek will now be a big part of the Canucks’ defensive group, but it is a little surprising that they forfeited draft capital when looking at where they currently are as a franchise.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Senators Complete Blockbuster Trade for Jakob Chychrun

The Deal: The Ottawa Senators have acquired defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 second-round pick, and a conditional 2026 second-round pick.

Senators Grade: A
Coyotes Grade: C-

It’s clear the Coyotes came down from their price, originally thought to be two first-round picks and a top prospect. That gave the Senators an opportunity to pounce and find a much-needed upgrade on defense.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Maple Leafs Deal for Luke Schenn

The Deal: The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Luke Schenn from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick.

Maple Leafs Grade: A-
Canucks Grade: B-

Schenn was one of the top defenseman trade targets on the market, so several teams were linked to him. Yet, the Maple Leafs are the lucky team to land him, and now he will add more physicality and experience to their blue line. 

Read the full trade grade article here.

Kings Trade for Korpisalo and Gavrikov; Give up Quick

The Deal: The Los Angeles Kings have acquired goaltender Joonas Korpisalo and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for goaltender Jonathan Quick, a conditional 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick.

Kings Grade: B-
Blue Jackets Trade: B+

The Kings seem to have improved their team with this trade, but at what cost?

Read the full trade grade article here.

Oilers Acquire Mattias Ekholm From the Predators

The Deal: The Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenseman Mattias Ekholm and a 2024 sixth-round pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Tyson Barrie, left winger Reid Schaefer, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick.

Oilers Grade: A
Predators Grade: A

With this move, the Oilers have acquired a very good top-four defenseman as they gear up for the postseason. However, the Predators also received a big return for the 12-year veteran.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Capitals Add Rasmus Sandin From the Maple Leafs

The Deal: The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Erik Gustafsson and a 2023 first-round pick.

Capitals Grade: A-
Maple Leafs Grade: A-

With this move, the Capitals have landed a young defenseman with good potential, while the Maple Leafs have acquired a first-round pick and a veteran defenseman who will help them more this season. 

Read the full trade grade article here.

Hurricanes Trade for Jesse Puljujarvi

The Deal: The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired forward Jesse Puljujarvi from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forward prospect Patrik Puistola.

Hurricanes Grade: B+
Oilers Grade: A-

The Hurricanes were one of the teams linked to Puljujarvi before this trade, and now they have officially landed their guy. He will now have the opportunity of a fresh start with Carolina and aim to help them win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers, on the other hand, have landed a solid prospect in Puistola and freed up some much-needed space. 

Read the full trade grade article here.

Rangers Land Patrick Kane

The Deal: The New York Rangers have acquired winger Patrick Kane and defenseman Cooper Zech from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for defenseman Andy Welinski, a conditional 2023 second-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The second-round pick can become a first-round selection in 2024 or 2025 if the Rangers reach the 2023 Eastern Conference Final. The Arizona Coyotes were also part of the deal, retaining a portion of Kane’s contract in exchange for a conditional 2025 third-round pick.

Rangers Grade: B+
Blackhawks Grade: B-
Coyotes Grade: B

The Rangers already made one splash by acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues. Now, they’ll add Kane to bolster what’s already a strong top-six. However, Kane does not come without some concerns, specifically in the defensive end. 

Read the full trade grade article here.

Maple Leafs Add Jake McCabe & Sam Lafferty From Blackhawks

The Deal: The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Jake McCabe and forward Sam Lafferty from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick, forward Joey Anderson, and forward Pavel Gogolev. The Blackhawks are retaining 50% of McCabe’s $4 million cap hit.

Maple Leafs Grade: A-
Blackhawks Grade: B+

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going for it. Ten days after acquiring Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues, general manager Kyle Dubas made another splash. This time, he traded for Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a couple of picks, a prospect, and a roster player. 

Read the full trade grade article here.

Lightning Pay Steep Price for Tanner Jeannot

The Deal: The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired winger Tanner Jeannot from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Cal Foote, a 2023 third-, fourth-, and fifth-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick, and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round pick.

Lightning Grade: D
Predators Grade: A+

The Lightning were one of the many teams linked to Jeannot before this move, and they now have won the sweepstakes. He will be a big part of their bottom six moving forward, but there is no question that the Predators did a fantastic job in this trade.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Devils Complete Blockbuster Trade for Timo Meier

The Deal: The New Jersey Devils have acquired forward Timo Meier, defenseman Scott Harrington, defenseman Santeri Hatakka, forward Timur Ibragimov, goalie Zach Emond, and a 2024 fifth-round draft pick from the San Jose Sharks. In exchange, the Devils sent the Sharks a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 conditional first-round pick, defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin, forward Fabian Zetterlund, defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk, forward Andreas Johnsson, and a 2024 seventh-round pick.

Devils Grade: A-
Sharks Grade: B

The Devils were missing a bonafide top-six winger to complement Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. They acquired that in Timo Meier, who’s on pace for 45 goals and 75 points this season. 

Read the full trade grade article here.

Golden Knights Acquire Barbashev From Blues

The Deal: The Vegas Golden Knights have traded for center Ivan Barbashev from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for forward prospect Zach Dean.

Golden Knights Grade: B+
Blues Grade: A-

It is well-known that the Golden Knights are aiming to improve their forward group, and they have started that process by landing Barbashev. The Blues, on the other hand, have moved the pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and landed a promising prospect in the process. Here are the grades for both teams.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Bruins Land Orlov & Hathaway From Capitals

The Deal: The Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlov and right winger Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals as well as the rights to prospect Andrei Svetlakov in a three-team trade that included the Minnesota Wild. In exchange for Orlov and Hathaway, the Bruins sent the Capitals forward Craig Smith, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 third-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick. The Capitals also retained 50% of Orlov’s salary. The Wild were involved in the trade by retaining 25% of Orlov’s salary. For their part in the trade, the Wild receive a 2023 fifth-round pick from the Bruins.

Bruins Grade: A
Capitals Grade: B+
Wild Grade: B

With the Bruins sporting the best record in the NHL, they have Stanley Cup or bust expectations. Due to this, they were linked to notable players, and now they have landed their big fish with Orlov. They have added an effective bottom-six forward in Hathaway.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Maple Leafs Add O’Reilly in 3-Team Trade with Blues & Wild

The Deal: The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired centers Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for prospect Mikhail Abramov, Adam Gaudette, 2023 first- and third-round picks, and a 2024 second-round pick. The Blues will retain 50% of O’Reilly’s salary, while the Wild will retain 25%. For their part, the Wild will receive a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Maple Leafs, while the Wild sent Toronto prospect Josh Pillar.

Maple Leafs Grade: B+
Wild Grade: B
Blues Grade: B+

With first-round exit after first-round exit, it’s not a surprise Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas went out and made a splash. O’Reilly’s counting totals (12 goals and 19 points in 40 games) aren’t much to write home about, but his underlying numbers suggest the drop in production isn’t just age-related decline. They also get a decent bottom-six forward in Acciari.

Read the full trade grade article here.

Rangers Add Tarasenko & Mikkola From Blues

The Deal: The New York Rangers have acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues. In exchange, the Blues receive a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, winger Sammy Blais, and defense prospect Hunter Skinner.

Blues Grade: B-
Rangers Grade: A-

Our second major trade of the 2022-23 season involved the New York Rangers trading for Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues. In return, the Blues received a conditional 2023 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, Sammy Blais — who was part of the Pavel Buchnevich deal two years ago — and prospect Hunter Skinner. The condition on the first is it’ll be the later of the Rangers’ two firsts between their own and the Dallas Stars’ first, which New York obtained when they traded Nils Lundkvist to Dallas. The fourth becomes a third if the Rangers make the playoffs this year. Here are some initial thoughts and trade grades for each of the Blues and Rangers. 

Read the full trade grade here.

Islanders Get Horvat; Canucks Add Futures

The Deal: New York Islanders acquire center Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for winger Anthony Beauvillier, prospect Aatu Raty, and a conditional 2023- first-round pick.

Islanders Grade: C
Canucks Grade: B+

The Vancouver Canucks dealt Bo Horvat, who had long been in the rumor mill, to the New York Islanders in exchange for a conditional 2023 first-round pick, Anthony Beauvillier, and the Islanders’ top prospect — Aatu Raty. The first-round pick the Islanders gave up is top-12 protected and becomes an unprotected 2024 first if the Islanders end up with a top-12 selection in 2023. Who came out as the winner in this trade?

Read the full trade grade article here.