The longest trade deadline in NHL history recently concluded. Beginning January 30th with Bo Horvat being dealt to the Islanders to James van Riemsdyk staying put on March 3rd. The actual deadline day had little drama but the week leading up to last 
Friday saw tons of talent change hands. The top teams in the East engaged in an arms race. I will not grade teams on what they gave up only what they got. Tampa Bay Lightning GM Patrice Brisbois maybe gave away company secrets when he explained that draft picks ( other than Connor Bedard) really aren’t that valuable. I will not be grading bottom feeder teams and those with no chance of making the playoffs. I don’t understand why teams didn’t trade for Arizona’s Lawson Crouse. Every team could use him. He’s big, fast, tough, can score and is under contract. Arizona’s window is not open for the foreseeable future unless they draft Connor Bedard.
EASTERN CONFERENCE-
BOSTON A, Bruins GM Don Sweeney had a fantastic deadline week. The Bruins acquired a top 4 defenseman in Dmitry Orlov and a nasty 4th liner in Garnet Hathaway. After Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall got injured he pivoted and brought in Tyler Bertuzzi. All three of the newest Bruins have contributed already. He also squashed any distractions by signing would be free agent David Pastrnak to an eight year deal.
Toronto A-, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas finally admitted he has never constructed a team that wins in the playoffs and went out and got size, grit and former Stanley Cup winners. Ryan O Reilly (now injured) finally gives the Leafs a skilled forward who has won the Cup and not an individual award. Jake McCabe and Luke Schenn put some snarl and beef on the Leafs blueline. Noel Accairi and Sam Lafferty do the same for Toronto upfront. Dubas did not however do anything to straighten out his goaltending situation.
TAMPA BAY B-, GM Patrice Brisbois gave up a ton for rugged winger Tanner Jeannot. I love Jeanot but he should have used some of that trade capital on a defenseman. The Bolts appear to be a man short on defense.
BUFFALO B, The Sabres deserved a shot in the arm. Jordan Greenway is that shot in the arm. Riley Stillman is a little jab.
OTTAWA A, The Ottawa Senators are the Canadian Media’s Cinderella team. Although I think Jacob Chychrun is overrated, they did get the biggest fish in the sea on defense.
DETROIT C-, I understand cutting Tyler Bertuzzi loose but not Filip Hronek. Wait !!! Why am I questioning Steve Yzerman?
CAROLINA B-, The Canes acquired Shayne Gostisbehere and Jesse Puljujarvi. They could have done more.
RANGERS B, Rangers GM Chris Drury swung for the fences twice and hit two homeruns. Problem is he only needed one run. Who doesn’t want Patrick Kane and Vlad Tarasenko on their team? There is only one puck tho and the Rangers already have a ton of offense and a good power play. Who is going to backcheck ? Niko Mikkola is a huge, rugged defenseman and Tyler Motte is a gritty fourth liner. Mikkola and Motte were all they really needed. The Rangers are reminding me of the 2013 Penguins and the 2004 Maple Leafs. Both teams loaded up and both didn’t win the Cup.
NEW JERSEY A, The Devils got Timo Meier, the best forward available.
ISLANDERS A, GM Lou Lamoriello struck first with Bo Horvat who in one month has become the Islanders most important skater. Pierre Engvall adds some much-needed speed on the wings.
PITTSBURGH D, Ron Hextall has been horrific as Penguins GM. Nick Bonino and Dmitry Kulikov are fine accessories for this year’s playoff run but Mikael Granlund is exactly what the Penguins didn’t need a small, slow, soft perimeter player under a big contract for the next two years.
WASHINGTON B, The Capitals moved some unrestricted free agents but not all of them to keep fans and Alex Ovechkin engaged this spring.
WESTERN CONFERENCE-
VEGAS A, The Knights trading for quintessential bottom six forward Sammy Blais was shrewd and trading for goalie Jonathan Quick was genius.
LOS ANGELES A, Kings GM Rob Blake shored up his goaltending with Joonis Korpisalo and his defense with Vladislav Gavrikov. Zack MacEwen beefs up the 4th line.
SEATTLE C+, GM Ron Francis invoked the if it ain’t broke…..
EDMONTON B+ GM Ken Holland got Matitas Eckholm, the best defensive defenseman available. Nick Bjugstad is an unreliable forward.
DALLAS B+, All year Dallas seemed like they were one player away. Max Domi might be that player. Evgenii Dadonov is not.
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WINNIPEG B+, Nino Neiderreiter gives the Jets another big body with decent hands. Vlad Namestikov is a warm body. Winnipeg had no glaring holes to fill.
COLORADO B-, The Avalanche had been looking for a 2nd line center to replace Nazem Kadri all season. Lars Eller can replace Kadri’s physicality but not his scoring touch. Jack Johnson was brought back for sentimentality. The Avs need one more forward.
MINNESOTA B, GM Bill Guerin was able to improve his team and not put them further in to cap hell by acquiring John Klingberg, Marcus Johansson, Gustav Nyquist and Oskar Sundqvist. Guerin is throwing a lot against the wall. Something will stick.
CALGARY C-, The Flames got Troy Stecher, Nick Ritchie and Dryden Hunt. It’s too little too late to save their season.
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