NHL Trade Deadline Recap

By: Garret Kryzanowski

The 2023 NHL trade deadline was one of the most exciting and memorable trade deadlines in a long time.

Leading up everyone knew that some of the biggest names in hockey could be on the move, but where would they go? Who would go? Those questions were answered, as some of the most prominent players in the NHL were moved. Stanley Cup Champions, Conn Smythe Trophy winners, allstars and the great american born player were on the move. I will recap the biggest tardes from the deadline and have one dark horse move that I think sets up a team to finally make a deep playoff run.

Patrick Kane to the Rangers

The greatest american born player of all time and three time Stanley Cup Champion Patrick Kane waived his no trade clause so he could become a New York Ranger, a move that everyone saw coming. Patrick Kane was involved in a three team trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes. The Rangers received Kane and defenceman Cooper Zech from the Blackhawks who will retain 50% of Kane's salary. While the Blackhawks got a conditional second round pick in 2023 that could be a 2024 first round pick that is top 10 protected if the Rangers make the Conference Finals. They also received a fourth round pick in 2025 and defenseman Andy Welinski and Vii Saarijarvi. While the Coyotes will take the other 50% of Kane's salary and received a conditional third round pick in 2025 for their part. Kane to the Rangers was the biggest move of the deadline, will the Rangers be able to make a cup run? We will see.

Jonathan Quick to the Golden Knights

Now Kane may be the greatest american born hockey player, but Quick in my opinion is the greatest american born goalie of all time. The two time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner was dealt originally to the Columbus Blue Jacket along with a first round pick in 2023 and a third round pick in 2024 for defencemen Vladislav Gavrikov and goalie Joonas Korpisalo. This trade came at a shock for me personally, especially when I heard how upset Quick was with the move. He did not want to play for the last place Blue Jackets. Thankfully, Quick's time as a Blue Jacket was short lived as the Vegas Golden Knights sent goalie Michael Hutchinson and a 2025 seventh round pick for Quick. The Blue Jackets also retained 50% of Quick's salary. Even though Quick is having an off year and his prime is behind t=him the Golden Knights got much needed experience in net. Will he play much? Only time will tell, however, I think Quick in the playoffs is a great move. His experience and ability to win games is still there and in my opinion makes the Golden Knights as favourite to make a deep playoff run.

Bo Horvat to the Islanders

Everyone that follows the NHL knew that Horvat wasn't happy in Vancouver and that the potential of a blow it up and rebuild plan was almost imminent for the Canucks, but where would he go? That answer, the New York Islanders. With the Islanders making a playoff push they were looking for a big piece to help with that. That piece, Horvat. The Islanders sent forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Aatu Raty along with a conditional first round pick in 2023 for Horvat. The first round pick is top 12 protected. As of right now the Islanders hold the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Vladimir Tarasenko to the Rangers

Patrick Kane may have been the biggest move made by the Rangers, but he wasn't the first big name they traded for. Tarasenko, a Stanley Cup champion in 2019, was traded from the St. Louis Blues to the New York Rangers on February 9 along with defenceman Niko Mikkola in exchange for forward Sammy Blais, defenceman Hunter Skinner and a conditional first round pick in 2023, as well as a conditional fourth round pick in 2024. The Blues will also retain 50% of Tarasenko's salary. The Rangers have went all in and have a lot of star talent on their roster, but I think it may be to much talent to win a cup. What I mean by that is I don't know if the chemistry will be there come playoff time. With the Eastern Conference being as strong as it is, even teams with great chemistry and talent could be bounced from the playoffs early.

Ryan O'Reilly to the Maple Leafs

In what I found to be the most surprising move of the trade deadline, the St. Louis Blues traded there captain Ryan O'Reilly to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A Conn Smythe winner and Stanley Cup champion, O'Reilly was traded to the Maple Leafs along with forwards Noel Acciari and Josh Pillar. In exchange the Blues received a huge haul of players and picks. Forwards Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette along with a first round pick in 2023, a third round pick in 2023 and a second round pick in 2024. The Blues will also retain 50% of O'Reilly's salary, while the Minnesota Wild were given a fourth round pick in 2025 for retaining 25% of O'reilly's salary. This move is huge for the Maple Leafs. They received a former Stanley Cup champion and get a great locker room guy. Could this be the year for the Maple Leafs? Maybe.

Luke Schenn to the Maple Leafs

This is my dark horse trade of the deadline, Luke Schenn is heading back to the team that drafted him, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Schenn was traded to the Maple Leafs from the Vancouver Canucks for a third round pick in 2023. People may think I'm crazy for thinking this is such a great trade but I don't care. Every year the Maple Leafs have a great talented team just to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Why? They lack size and toughness. Marner and Matthews are phenomenal, but they aren't the big bodies needed in gritty playoff games. We saw this in the 2021 playoffs when Muzzin went down for the Maple Leafs. After the injury the Maple Leafs went on to blow a 3-1 series lead. Schenn provides that size and toughness. Will it be the final piece to finally make a run? Yes, I think so.

The NHL trade deadline did two things for fans. It either gave them hope that there favorite team is going to build something in the future. Or the more fun option, got them excited for their team to make a run in the playoffs. With only a month left until the playoffs games are going to start meaning more. Teams are fighting for playoff position. Excitement is in the air as playoff hockey is around the corner.

The NHL season ends on Thursday April 13. I will provide my playoff picks right before the start of the 2023 NHL playoffs.