The NHL commerce deadline is normally one thing everybody builds up of their heads to be this loopy day, however in the long run, falls effectively wanting everybody’s expectations. Nonetheless, this time, that wasn’t the case.
The 2025 NHL commerce deadline was one for the ages with all of the insanity that befell, and Elliotte Friedman certainly wasn’t the one one with 21 hours of display screen time.
However at 3:01 p.m., everybody besides Florida Panthers followers had the identical response as Paul Bissonette when Friedman dropped the bomb that Brad Marchand was headed to Florida. NHL social media instantly in contrast it to John Cena turning heel.
Particularly Toronto Maple Leafs followers, who have been dissatisfied for an entire 10 minutes earlier than discovering out the jaw-dropping, all-in transfer to get Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins and presumably kind the very best defensive pairs the Maple Leafs have ever had.
All through the week main as much as the commerce deadline and the day itself, it felt like groups (particularly within the Central and Atlantic) have been saying, “that’s cute, however watch this,” and following it by including one other large piece.
So listed below are a number of the offers that left us surprised:
Marchand (the Rat) joins the defending Stanley Cup Champions (additionally the rats)
Florida Panthers purchase: Brad Marchand (LW)
Boston Bruins purchase: Conditional 2027 second-round decide, retain 50 per cent of Marchand’s contract
Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins really did it.
As we approached the three p.m. ET deadline, it didn’t seem like Marchand was going to be moved.
*The Vegas Golden Knights have entered the chat*
After making a number of big-time strikes within the final couple years on the commerce deadline, together with Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl, the Vegas — one of many groups rumoured to be in on Marchand — social media crew had everybody fooled after they struck once more by posting “hello” on X at 2:48 p.m.
So, when Elliotte Friedman got here on air and mentioned, “Brad Marchand might change into a…” everybody was anticipating the Golden Knights to be the subsequent phrases out of his mouth.
As a substitute, we received a shock that also hasn’t left anybody’s physique.
Maple Leafs load up backend with Brandon Carlo
Toronto Maple Leafs purchase: Brandon Carlo (D)
Boston Bruins purchase: Fraser Minten (C), conditional 2026 first-round decide, 2025 fourth-round decide, retain 15 per cent of Carlo’s contract
Earlier than 1 p.m. on deadline day, Maple Leafs followers couldn’t perceive why their basic supervisor Brad Treliving hadn’t made any strikes whereas everybody was getting higher round them. Seems he had a plan, a great one I would add.
After being in on the Mikko Rantanen sweepstakes, it appears Treliving had an inside deadline time, and as soon as it hit, he moved on to the subsequent smartest thing.
After buying Scott Laughton earlier within the afternoon, it appeared that may be the lone massive transfer for the Maple Leafs. It appeared like an amazing plan till the Panthers acquired Marchand.
Whereas the precise second followers have been attempting to wrap their head round listening to the information, Conor Timmins was summoned off the ice at follow, main everybody to consider the Leafs had made a deal.
No one, not even Friedman, anticipated what would come subsequent, although: Brandon Carlo being dealt to the Maple Leafs, leaving everybody on the surface in shock, whereas the Maple Leafs entrance workplace mentioned, “checkmate.”
Oilers surprisingly add one other offensive defenceman in Jake Walman
Edmonton Oilers purchase: Jake Walman (D)
San Jose Sharks: Carl Berglund (C), conditional 2026 first-round decide
Is it stunning the Edmonton Oilers traded for a defenceman? No, however what’s shocking is who they traded for.
The Oilers desperately wanted an improve on defence earlier than gearing up for one more run on the Stanley Cup. All season lengthy, the issue with the Oilers has been their lack of defence, led by Evan Bouchard, who appears to be on the unhealthy finish of each spotlight towards the Oilers.
So, when the deal for Jake Walman was formally introduced early Friday morning, it was certainly a shock contemplating the offensive-defenceman fashion of recreation Walman was taking part in on the Sharks.
Regular Staios will get the ‘workhorse from Whitehorse‘
Ottawa Senators purchase: Dylan Cozens (C), Dennis Gilbert (D), 2026 second-round decide
Buffalo Sabres purchase: Josh Norris (C), Jacob Bernard-Docker (D)
Exterior of Stars Elias Pettersson and Mikko Rantanen, Dylan Cozens might need been probably the most talked about commerce goal heading into the deadline, with groups just like the Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Canucks and Pink Wings all within the combine for him.
However out of nowhere, the Senators change into the crew to land him, sending shock all through the dressing room after realizing Josh Norris was the person to go away.
Transferring for Cozens sends a message to the followers and different groups that Ottawa just isn’t solely speaking concerning the subsequent step, however taking motion by making a blockbuster commerce the crew will look again on in years to return.
The Moose lastly has a brand new everlasting dwelling in Dallas
Dallas Stars purchase: Mikko Rantanen (RW)
Carolina Hurricanes purchase: Logan Stankoven (C), conditional 2026 first-round decide, conditional 2028 first-round decide, 2026 third-round decide, 2027 third-round decide
Do you assume the Colorado Avalanche entrance workplace thought after they traded Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes he would find yourself again of their division not even two months later, signed to a deal that is available in with a much less AAV than Nathan MacKinnon?
Whereas it was anticipated for the Hurricanes to look to maneuver Mikko Rantanen, it’s nonetheless a shock contemplating the magnitude of the participant and what has occurred since Jan. 24 when he was first traded to Carolina from Colorado.
The Dallas Stars pulled off what no person thought can be executed and now are the betting odds favorite to win the Stanley Cup.
Zetterlund goes to Ottawa in a sneaky whole lot
Ottawa Senators purchase: Fabian Zetterlund (LW), Tristen Robins (C), 2025 fourth-round decide
San Jose Sharks purchase: Noah Gregor (LW), Zack Ostapchuk (C), 2025 second-round decide
The Sharks surprisingly traded away Fabian Zetterlund, who appeared like a core piece of their future. At simply 25 years outdated, Zetterlund now joins the Senators in a top-six function that may assist enhance their five-on-five scoring, which presently ranks second final within the league.
This was a participant no person anticipated to maneuver, however it could be the very best one once we look again on it.
Panthers add yet one more former prime draft decide in Seth Jones
Florida Panthers purchase: Seth Jones (D), 2026 fourth-round decide
Chicago Blackhawks purchase: Spencer Knight (G), 2026 or 2027 first-round decide, retain 26 per cent of Jones’ contract
When Seth Jones spoke after the sport towards the Utah Hockey Membership, everybody knew he can be traded, it was only a matter of the place.
The Panthers answered that for us, buying and selling for him in what was the primary massive deal of deadline week. The shock got here from the truth that it was the defending Stanley Cup champions who pulled the set off on Jones.
Kyle Dubas likes to make trades
Pittsburgh Penguins purchase: Luke Schenn (D), Tommy Novak (C)
Nashville Predators purchase: Michael Bunting (LW), 2026 fourth-round decide
This one was manner out of left subject. Not as a result of Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators traded Tommy Novak or Luke Schenn, however as a result of the crew receiving them was the Penguins. In a yr the place Dubas was seeking to do a “hearth sale,” he ended up making trades to as a substitute carry extra gamers into the fold.
Johnson goes dwelling to Colorado within the feel-good shock of the day
Colorado Avalanche purchase: Erik Johnson (D)
Philadelphia Flyers purchase: Givani Smith (RW)
Actually, this deal will in all probability don’t have any impression for the remainder of the season for both crew when it comes to product on the ice, however the Flyers did one thing particular. They traded Erik Johnson again to the Avalanche, the place he spent 12-and-a-half seasons and gained the Stanley Cup in 2022. Johnson in all probability gained’t play loads for the Avalanche throughout this try and go deep within the playoffs, however one factor is for certain: The vibes within the locker room simply received 10 occasions higher.
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