Every Team's Reason for Optimism Post-2024 NHL Trade Deadline
News just in: Not everyone will challenge for the Stanley Cup this spring.
Some teams will merely be speed bumps along the way to the celebratory parade.
However, that doesn't mean there isn't at least something fans of each of the 32 NHL franchises ought to wake up and feel good about now that the trade deadline has passed.
The B/R hockey team has taken a lap around the league to look at those reasons, city by city and division by division, and whether they're because of a significant acquisition, departure or an important step toward the future.
Take a look at what we came up with and drop a thought of your own in the comments.
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins: They're Still Good
The bad news is that Bruins didn't make any earth-shattering moves to augment their team, but the good news is they didn't really need to. Boston has gone 3-1-0 since the deadline and enters the season's final month in first place overall. It's all about the tournament.
Buffalo Sabres: They'll Be Better
It's another fruitless springtime in Western New York given the football team's disappointment and the hockey team's prolonged agony. That said, acquiring Bowen Byram from Colorado adds another high-end young piece. It's got to pay off eventually, right?
Detroit Red Wings: There's Still Time
Just when it looked like the Yzerplan was paying off and the Red Wings would make the playoffs with room to spare, the wheels came off and they lost seven straight. But fear not: GM Steve Yzerman's charges steadied themselves with a win Saturday, and the teams behind them aren't exactly juggernauts.
Florida Panthers: They're Fully Loaded
Forget finding reasons for optimism. It would be harder to find reasons not to be optimistic about the Panthers as they move into late March. General manager Bill Zito didn't touch the core at the deadline, and newly added Vladimir Tarasenko has two goals in his first five games in the fold.
Montreal Canadiens: Return on Investment
The Canadiens have some internal issues to deal with now that coach Martin St. Louis has stepped away for a while for family reasons, but GM Kent Hughes did his job by not only getting a first-round pick when Sean Monahan arrived but also in getting one when he left.
Ottawa Senators: Retaining an Asset
It's been a miserable season in Canada's capital city for a team that was expected to challenge for an Eastern spot this season. So, while it's not easy to find positives with a 28-33-4 record, perhaps being patient when it comes to a Jakob Chychrun deal qualifies.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Patched Some Holes
The Lightning don't strike fear into the hearts of Eastern foes like they did during three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final, but they solidified their position as a likely No. 7 seed with the deals that brought in Matt Dumba and Anthony Duclair. And come April, who knows?
Toronto Maple Leafs: They're Still Playing
Let's face it, it's different when it comes to this time of year. And it's particularly different when it comes to the Maple Leafs. Nothing will boost the spirits of a fanbase that's been tortured for more than a half century outside of a title. As long as they're not eliminated, hurrah.
Central Division
Arizona Coyotes: They're Winning Again
Just when it seemed safe to be content being an Arizona hockey fan, the bottom dropped out and the Coyotes lost 14 in a row, including a full-on 0-for-February. But while the deadline wasn't memorable they have started winning again, going 5-4-0 in their last nine.
Chicago Blackhawks: They've Got Bedard
Let's face it, any discussion of optimism when it comes to Chicago hockey begins with the presence of Connor Bedard. He's been everything advertised and looks ready to be a generational star. And they kept veterans such as Nick Foligno to stabilize the rebuild.
Colorado Avalanche: Rich Get Richer
The Avs are a season removed from a Stanley Cup hoist, and they're on any respectable short list of contenders this spring. And team president Joe Sakic dealt from a position of strength when he moved defenseman Bowen Byram to add center depth in 25-year-old Casey Mittelstadt.
Dallas Stars: Preparing a Run
If you don't consider the Stars a serious contender to emerge from the West and play for a title, there's an excellent chance you don't know what you're looking at. Bringing in Chris Tanev addressed what could only be described liberally as a weakness and their depth is immense.
Minnesota Wild: Maybe a Spot
The Wild didn't make any splashy moves at the deadline, unless trading Patrick Maroon and not Marc-Andre Fleury qualifies as splashy. They were the first team south of the Western cutline entering Sunday's games and are playing well enough to make things interesting.
Nashville Predators: The Dark Horse
Just when you think the Predators will hop back on their treadmill of barely qualifying for the playoffs and exiting in one round, they reel off a run that's got them playing better than anyone in the league. No regulation losses since February 15 have a way of inspiring hope.
St. Louis Blues: Staying the Course
The Blues had won three straight entering Sunday and inched into the Western wild-card conversation, so a late charge trumps anything else. Outside of that, being patient on a Pavel Buchnevich deal until the time and return was right was GM Bill Armstrong's best move.
Winnipeg Jets: Playing the Role
It feels like it's been awhile since we got to this time of the year and the Jets were this involved in the conversation. Adding Tyler Toffoli and Sean Monahan boosts a deep offense. Connor Hellebuyck is a series-stealing goalie. Watch out, Winnipeg is acting like it belongs.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes: Looking Big Picture
OK, let's clarify. The term big picture means different things based on standings. For those in the bottom tier, it means a long-term future. For those where Carolina is, it means looking at 16 playoff wins. Getting Jake Guentzel puts the Hurricanes in the latter place.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Tearing it Down
The Blue Jackets won't make the playoffs. In fact, a season in which they're currently 29th overall and fired a GM won't be remembered fondly. But the good side is that a new face will be behind the desk this summer, and he'll likely start off with a premium draft pick in July.
New Jersey Devils: It's Almost Over
The Devils went from the dregs in 2021-22 to third overall, and fans couldn't be blamed if visions of a fourth Stanley Cup crept into dreams last summer. But it's been a disaster and the best news after a flaccid deadline is that only 14 games remain in this nightmare season.
New York Islanders: Making a Charge
The Islanders didn't do anything memorable at the deadline, but they have gained seven points on the final wild-card spot in their last 10 games and entered Monday just a point behind the skidding Red Wings. Maybe Patrick Roy has some coaching magic, after all.
New York Rangers: Happy 30th Anniversary
It's not like the old days with the Rangers when, as the Stanley Cup drought neared a half century, it looked like it would never end—before it did at 54 years. As the 30th anniversary of that win approaches, New York looks like a genuine contender.
Philadelphia Flyers: Present and Future
Who'd have guessed? The Flyers are doing good things in multiple ways. They snatched a first-round pick from Colorado for Sean Walker and have 13 selections in the first three rounds of the next three drafts. Plus, keeping Scott Laughton keeps this season relevant, too.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Won't Go
The most jarring element in the Jake Guentzel drama was chatter that an upset Sidney Crosby might leave when he is eligible for free agency in July 2025. But it ain't happening. Asked by The Athletic's Rob Rossi if he'll stay put, Crosby replied "Yeah. I've said that forever."
Washington Capitals: More Ovechkin, Please
The fact that the Capitals have pulled within a point of the Eastern cutline with a game in hand on the Red Wings means the late season will be meaningful for Alex Ovechkin. The "Great 8" was ordinary early in 2023-24 but has 10 of his 19 goals in his last 19 games.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks: Staying the Course
Though it's frustrating for a long-denied fanbase and surely for a guy as competitive as GM Pat Verbeek, simply getting good value was the priority at the deadline and the Ducks did it. Adding a first-round pick for Adam Henrique gives them four in the next three drafts.
Calgary Flames: Staying Within Reach
The Flames haven't bottomed out like some others in the West, so getting six picks and five players for three guys who were almost certainly going to leave in the summer was a strong showing. And if they manage to sneak in as the conference's final wild card, even better.
Edmonton Oilers: Two More Tries
GM Ken Holland's deadline grades depend on who's asked. So, whether Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick and Troy Stecher pass muster with the fans or not, the Oilers will enter April with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid under contract as teammates for two more playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings: Things Have Stabilized
Even the most optimistic Kings fan had to think the sky was falling when a prolonged skid cost coach Todd McLellan his job in early February. But the team is 11-7-1 under Jim Hiller, a playoff spot seems safe, and the goaltending (2.13 GAA in March) is coming around.
San Jose Sharks: Paging Macklin Celebrini
Trading Anthony Duclair, Kaapo Kähkönen and Tomáš Hertl probably guaranteed the Sharks, who have won once in their last 10 games, will finish last overall. And that ups their chance at Macklin Celebrini, who's got 30 goals in 32 games as a 17-year-old at Boston University.
Seattle Kraken: Always the Future
The Kraken spiked expectations last season and reached the playoffs in their second year, but it's back to reality now they're 23rd overall. The kids are coming, though, and Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and David Goyette ought to be mainstays going forward.
Vancouver Canucks: It's Cup Time
The Canucks arrived alongside the Sabres in 1970-71, and neither franchise has won a Cup. Vancouver is close, though, and adding two-way forward Elias Lindholm didn't hurt. Rick Tocchet's team is fifth in goals per game and sixth in goals-against average. Stay tuned.
Vegas Golden Knights: Undisputed Deadline Champs
Look at any deadline grade piece and you'll find a common thread: The Golden Knights did better business than anyone. And they were already the defending champs. Getting to the playoffs is no lock, but once they're in, look out. Beating them four times out of seven will be a task.