Re-grading the Biggest Deals 1 Month Since the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline

It's been a month since the March 7 NHL trade deadline. The day finished with 21 trades, down slightly from last year's 23.

The 2024 version saw notable players such as Tomáš Hertl, Tyler Toffoli and Jake Guentzel changing teams. This year saw bigger moves involving noteworthy stars like Mikko Rantanen, Brad Marchand and Brock Nelson.

Unlike previous trade-deadline moves involving notable talent, not all the deals were lopsided with the "gaining" team only parting with draft picks. Some were actual “hockey trades," with the "losing" club getting quality returns that could help them now and in the future.

Interestingly, the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Toronto Maple Leafs were involved in several of the deadline's notable trades.

We have reviewed the biggest deals from the deadline, grading each as they occurred. Here, we re-evaluate those trades and re-grade them where applicable.

The Trade: Colorado Avalanche acquire forwards Brock Nelson and William Dufour from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Calum Ritchie, defenseman Oliver Kylington, a first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL draft and a third-round pick in 2028.

Initial reaction: "The Avalanche got the best center available in this year's trade market...He will fill the second-line center role, bringing invaluable skill and depth to their forward lines...

“Meanwhile, the Islanders received a substantial return for Nelson. Ritchie, 20, was the Avs' top prospect and has the potential and size (6'2”, 185 lbs) to become a first-line center in the near future. They now have two first-rounders in the 2026 draft, which can be put toward replenishing their prospect pipeline."

Grades: Avalanche: B+, Islanders: A-

The Aftermath: As expected, Nelson is centering the Avalanche's second line. His play was a little uneven as he needed some time adjusting with his new club. He seems settled in now, netting 11 points in 15 games.

Before the deadline, the Islanders flipped Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations. Our assessment of the remainder of their return remains unchanged.

Current Grades: Avalanche: A-, Islanders: A-

The Trade: Dallas Stars acquire forward Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Logan Stankoven, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 draft, a conditional first-rounder in 2028, a third-round pick in 2026 and a third-rounder in 2027.

Initial reaction: "Rantanen believes he's best suited with the Stars, providing them with an elite scorer and proven playoff performer. His addition should improve their chances of winning the Stanley Cup...his new contract ensures they'll remain a contender for several years...

“The Hurricanes didn't want to risk losing Rantanen to free agency for nothing. However, this return doesn't move them closer to the Cup this season...Stankoven is a promising young player who should have a bright future with the Hurricanes, but he won't produce at Rantanen's level this season."

Grades: Stars: A+, Hurricanes: C+

The Aftermath: Rantanen had only six points in 13 games with the Hurricanes as he struggled to adjust to their style of play. He's finding the Stars' game more to his liking with 13 points in 14 games, including nine in his last seven games skating alongside Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson on the first line.

Stankoven has seen action on Carolina's second and third lines. He's done OK with his new club, collecting six points in 13 games. The Hurricanes have improved since the trade, partly because the uncertainty over Rantanen's future is no longer a distraction.

Current Grades: Stars: A+, Hurricanes: B-

The Trade: Colorado Avalanche acquire forward Charlie Coyle and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 draft from the Boston Bruins for forwards Casey Mittelstadt and William Zellers, and a second-round pick in 2025.

Initial Reaction: "Coyle provides more size and experienced depth to the Avs middle-six forward lines for two playoff runs. Meanwhile, the Bruins get younger with Mittelstadt, hoping that playing under their system will make him a more consistently effective playmaking center."

Grades: Avalanche: B+, Bruins: B

The Aftermath: Coyle only has six points in 15 games with the Avalanche centering their third line. However, Colorado Hockey Now's Colleen Flynn indicated on March 27 that he has fit in well and is becoming a force on both sides of the puck.

Mittelstadt has seen second- and third-line duty with the Bruins. The 26-year-old has two goals and four points in 13 games. Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reported on March 28 that Bruins coach Joe Sacco praised Mittelstadt's offensive skills, but felt he had to improve his defensive game.

Grades: Unchanged

The Trade: Toronto Maple Leafs acquire forward Scott Laughton, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft and a sixth-rounder in the 2027 Draft from the Philadelphia Flyers for forward Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round pick in 2027.

Initial reaction: “Laughton carries an affordable $3 million average annual value, made more tolerable for the Leafs by the Flyers retaining 50 percent of his cap hit. He'll provide invaluable depth to the Leafs for this season and next, as they attempt to end their long Stanley Cup drought."

"The rebuilding Flyers were reportedly reluctant to part with Laughton because of his experience and leadership. Toronto met the asking price of a promising young player and a first-rounder."

Grades: Maple Leafs: B+, Flyers: B

The Aftermath: Laughton has struggled since joining his hometown club with two points in 14 games. He recently conceded he was having difficulty adjusting to a new team after 12 seasons with the Flyers. He's been shifted to left wing on the third line but more remains expected of him.

It's still too early to determine how the return for the Flyers pans out. Nevertheless, it bolsters their prospect pipeline and adds another first-rounder they can keep or use as a trade chip.

Current Grades: Maple Leafs: B-, Flyers: B

The Trade: Detroit Red Wings acquire goalie Petr Mrázek and forward Craig Smith from the Chicago Blackhawks for forward Joe Veleno.

Initial Reaction: “Mrázek...joins a crowded crease in Detroit, where veterans Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon and promising Sebastian Cossa share the duties.

"Smith is a 35-year-old checking-line forward with plenty of NHL regular season and playoff experience...

"Veleno struggled to play up to expectations in Detroit and might benefit from a change of scenery with Chicago."

Grades: Red Wings: B, Blackhawks: C

The Aftermath: Mrázek posted a record of two wins and two losses in his first four games with the Wings (including a shutout) before suffering a lower-body injury against Utah on March 24. He's yet to return to action. Smith has two points in 12 games for the Wings.

Veleno has tallied two goals and four points in 12 games with Chicago.

Current Grades: Red Wings: B-, Blackhawks: C

The Trade: Ottawa Senators acquire forward Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert and a second-round pick in the 2026 draft from the Buffalo Sabres for forward Josh Norris and defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker.

Initial reaction: "These are two teams swapping second-line centers who've had some difficulties."

"The Senators hope Cozens can regain his scoring form and provide another measure of defensive depth to their forward lines. The Sabres will look to Norris to provide more offensive depth."

Grades: Sabres: B+, Senators: B+

The Aftermath: Cozens turned into a significant addition for the Senators. Centering the second line between David Perron and Drake Batherson, he has 10 points in 15 games. It's no coincidence the Senators won 10 of those 15 games, holding a solid grip on the first Eastern wild-card spot.

The oft-injured Norris had two points in three games with the Sabres before being sidelined again. Bernard-Docker had a visa issue before coming to Buffalo, but he has three points in eight games and has looked keen to earn a regular roster spot for next season.

Current Grades: Sabres: B, Senators: A

The Trade: Toronto Maple Leafs acquire defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins for forward Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Initial reaction: "The 28-year-old Carlo is a big, physical shutdown defenseman with a right-hand shot...The 6'5”, 220-pounder will be a welcome addition to the (Leafs) defense corps, likely slotting in alongside Morgan Rielly on their top pairing."

"It took a three-team deal for the Leafs to land Carlo, as they cleared cap room by shipping defenseman Conor Timmins and forward Connor Dewar to the Pittsburgh Penguins."

Grades: Bruins: C+, Maple Leafs: B+

The Aftermath: After a shaky start, Carlo has settled into the role we expected he'd play. In 14 games, he has two points, averaging 18:25 of time on ice per game, including 1:51 of shorthanded ice time, 21 hits, and 27 blocked shots.

The Bruins return features a promising young forward (Minten), who could crack the roster on a full-time basis next season and potentially an extra first-rounder in next year's draft.

Current Grades: Unchanged

The Trade: Florida Panthers acquire forward Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins for a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 draft.

Initial reaction: "Now 36, Marchand isn't the high-scoring winger of his youth but remains an effective, pesky two-way winger...Marchand and (Matthew) Tkachuk should make their opponents' lives miserable once the latter returns to action in the postseason."

Grades: Panthers: A, Bruins: D

The Aftermath: It was subsequently revealed the Bruins worked with Marchand to find a suitable trade destination. His preference to go to Florida severely limited the type of return they would receive. It's still not great, but at least it explains why they moved him for such a low price.

Marchand returned to action on March 28, collecting an assist on the game-winning goal against Utah. However, he's been held off the scoresheet since as he attempts to return to game shape while adjusting to his new club. Marchand should improve as he grows more comfortable in his surroundings.

Current Grades: Panthers: B+, Bruins: D

Stats and standings (as of Apr. 6, 2025) via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com.