The NHL’s 2022 trade season is here! While there hasn’t been much activity in recent weeks, it has picked up now that the trade deadline is less than a week away.
Our trade tracker will keep you up to speed on all of the current moves, but for this week’s Power Rankings, we’re looking back at each team’s finest trade from the previous decade (or a little more, in a couple of cases).
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey pundits, analysts, reporters, and editors rank teams against one another based on game results, injuries, and the upcoming schedule, and the results are collated to generate the list seen above.
Note: For each team, the previous rating corresponds to the most recent edition, which was released on March 9. The following are the point totals for Tuesday’s games.
1 Points Percentage: 0.746 Previous ranking: 1 Previous ranking: 1 Previous ranking: 1 Previous ranking: 1 Previous ranking: Next seven days: vs. EDM (March 18), @ SJ (March 18). (March 21)
Nazem Kadri is a top trader. This trade was made late on July 1, 2019, and it was a big one: Kadri, Calle Rosen, and a 2020 third-round selection to the Avalanche in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Alex Kerfoot, and a 2020 sixth-round pick to Toronto. Kadri was excellent in Colorado’s first two seasons (30 goals, 68 points in 107 games), but this season he’s been outstanding, with 73 points in 57 games. If the Avalanche make a comeback, Kadri will be at the helm.
Previously ranked at 3 points, with a percentage of 0.737. against. WSH (March 18), vs. NYR (March 20), vs. TB in the next seven days: @ TOR (March 17), vs. WSH (March 18), vs. NYR (March 20), vs. TB in the next seven days (March 22)
Teuvo Teravainen is a top trader. Bryan Bickell’s $4 million cap hit had to be unloaded by the Blackhawks. Carolina cherished their 2012 first-round draft pick. The Hurricanes acquired Teravainen in exchange for swallowing Bickell’s salary and returning a second- and third-round selection to Chicago, and it was a match made in heaven. Carolina was correct in pursuing Teravainen. He’s developed into a point-per-game guy who can play on the power play or penalty kill and can fit in just about everywhere.
Previously ranked: 2 points, 0.733 percent Next seven days: VGK (17 March), ANA (17 March), ANA (17 March), ANA (17 March), ANA (17 March), ANA (17 March), ANA (March 18)
Sam Reinhart is the best trade. This isn’t even an example of recency bias. After being moved from Buffalo to Florida in July for seventh-round selection Devon Levi and a 2022 first-round pick, Reinhart is enjoying his greatest season ever. Reinhart has proven to be a wise investment. He is third on the Panthers in scoring and will play a role in the Panthers’ extended playoff run. This is a great bargain.
Previous position: 5 points, 0.670 percentile against. NJ (March 16), vs. BUF (March 18), At VAN (March 19), vs. SJ (March 20). (March 22)
Elias Lindholm is the best trade. This was a significant one: In June 2018, Calgary traded Noah Hanifin and Lindholm to Carolina for Adam Fox’s rights (he was still an unsigned college player), Michael Ferland, and Dougie Hamilton. The Flames signed the latter two to team-friendly contracts and they’ve been crucial players since the move. Lindholm has been especially impressive, steadily improving as he approaches his career year in 2021-22. Since Jarome Iginla in 2006-07, he was the quickest player on the squad to reach the 30-goal mark in 58 games. It’s nice to be in good company.
Previous position: 4 points, 0.695 percentile The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: At SEA (March 16), vs. NYR (March 19), and @ CAR (March 22)
Mikhail Sergachev is a top trader. When the Lightning selected Jonathan Drouin third overall in 2013, they expected him to be a franchise cornerstone. Instead, Tampa traded Drouin to Montreal for Sergachev in 2016, and it paid off handsomely. Sergachev, who is just 23 years old, has already shown to be a crucial part of Tampa’s blue line for years, winning two Stanley Cups along the way, and looks to continue to improve in the future.
2 Related
Previously ranked at #8 with a percentage of 0.664. Next seven days: vs. CBJ (March 17), At STL (March 19), @ ARI (March 20). (March 22)
Phil Kessel was the best trade. Pittsburgh was betting everything on winning the Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs were in desperate need of a new start. Toronto dealt Kessel to the Penguins on July 1, 2015, keeping his contract in the process. Pittsburgh handed up a first-round pick and other assets in exchange for Kessel, who scored 303 points in four seasons and 45 points in 49 games during two Stanley Cup campaigns.
Previously ranked at #7, with a percentage of 0.675. Next seven days: against. CAR (17 March), @ NSH (17 March) (March 19)
James van Riemsdyk is a top trader. In 2012, Toronto traded their 2008 first-round selection Luke Schenn to Philadelphia in exchange for van Riemsdyk, another previous first-rounder. Van Riemsdyk was the Leafs’ most prolific forward over the following six seasons, scoring 30 goals twice and totaling 294 points in 413 games. During the team’s Centennial Season in 2016, Van Riemsdyk was named one of the 100 greatest players in franchise history. Not bad at all!
Previously ranked at 6 points, with a percentage of 0.675. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. NYI (March 17), At TB (March 19), @ CAR (March 20), and @ NJ (March 22)
Adam Fox is the best trade. In 2019, the Rangers took a chance by obtaining Fox’s rights from Carolina. Fox was a junior in college at the time, and returning to Harvard for his senior year would make him an unrestricted free agent. In any case, New York took a chance and traded a second-round selection and a conditional third for Fox. The Rangers’ risk paid off: Fox has rapidly established himself as New York’s best defender, signing a seven-year, $66.5 million deal and winning the Norris Trophy (in 2021).
Previous position: 12 points, 0.658 percentile The following events are scheduled over the next seven days: @ MIN (March 16), @ WPG (March 18), and @ MTL (March 20). (March 21)
Martin Jones is a top trader. I’m sure you’re thinking something along those lines. Jones was never a member of the Boston Red Sox. And you’re absolutely correct! But bear with me: Don Sweeney, the general manager, had an elderly Milan Lucic to transfer in 2015. Sweeney sent Lucic to the Kings in exchange for a first-round pick (Jakub Zboril), Colin Miller, and the rights to pending restricted free agent Jones (after an 18-goal season). Sweeney transferred Jones to San Jose for Sean Kuraly’s rights and a first-round selection four days later (Trent Frederic). In a nutshell, Boston unloaded Lucic and restocked its cabinets at critical points in the future. Plus, they had Tuukka Rask in net, so Jones’ departure wasn’t insurmountable.
Previous position: 15 points, 0.623 percentile The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: At CBJ (March 17), @ CAR (March 18), against. DAL (March 20), vs. STL (March 21). (March 22)
T.J. Oshie is the best trade. T.J. Oshie was exactly what the Capitals needed. They already have talent and ability (hello, Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin), but they lacked spirit. Oshie was a whole bundle. Washington acquired him from St. Louis in July 2015 for Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley, and a third-round selection. Since then, Oshie has lived up to his billing as a dynamic powerhouse who helped the Capitals win their first Stanley Cup in 2018 and has been their second-leading goal scorer for the last seven seasons.
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previous position: 14 points percentage: 0.617 previous position: 14 points percentage: 0.617 previous position: 14 points percentage: 0.6 The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: at PHI (March 17), vs. TOR (March 19), At ANA (March 21), and @ LA (March 22)
Filip Forsberg is the best trade. This has to be one of the most profitable transactions ever. Any team can do it. Forsberg was acquired from Washington in April 2013 in exchange for Michael Latta and Martin Erat. In Forsberg, the Predators gained a dynamic young forward who has been their best point-per-game player (in almost 500 games) since his arrival. The Capitals got almost little in return: Latta had 17 points in 113 games and Erat had 27 points in 62 games before moving on. Isn’t it a little lopsided?
Previously ranked at 9 points, with a percentage of 0.644. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. PIT (March 17), At CBJ (March 19), and @ WSH (March 22)
Ryan O’Reilly is the best trade. What hasn’t O’Reilly done for the city of St. Louis? Since joining the Blues from the Buffalo Sabres on July 1, 2018, O’Reilly has been the team’s leading scorer, captain, Conn Smythe winner during the team’s 2019 Stanley Cup run, and one of the league’s top two-way centers. The cost of acquiring O’Reilly was high — a first-round selection and Tage Thompson, who is having a breakout season in Buffalo — but you can’t deny how much the Blues have profited from the deal.
Previously ranked: 10 points, 0.597 percentile The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: vs. SJ (March 17), At VGK (March 19), and against. NSH (March 22)
Jeff Carter is the best trade. Dean Lombardi, the former general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, sought a game-changer. His squad was clinging to a playoff berth in February of 2012. Lombardi acquired Carter from Columbus in exchange for Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round selection because L.A. needed scoring depth. Carter threw everything into disarray. While leading L.A. to a Stanley Cup victory, he scored six goals in 16 regular-season games and eight goals in 20 postseason games. Carter was a top performer for the Los Angeles Lakers for the following nine seasons (including another Cup run), making him a fantastic short-term and long-term investment.
Previous position: 11; percentage: 0.578; previous ranking: 11; previous ranking: 11; previous ranking: 11; previous ranking: Next seven days: against. EDM (March 17), vs. MTL (March 19), vs. NYI (March 20). (March 22)
Tyler Seguin was the best trade. Essentially, after being hired in 2013, Stars GM Jim Nill pulled off (perhaps) the finest deal in organization history, obtaining potential top-line center Seguin from Boston in return for four players (Loui Eriksson and Reilly Smith among them). Since then, Seguin’s record in Dallas speaks for itself: he’s averaged almost a point per game while developing into a fantastic two-way player and versatile asset both at even strength and on special teams.
Previously ranked at 16 points, with a percentage of 0.621. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. BOS (March 16), vs. CHI (March 19), and vs. VGK (March 21)
Devan Dubnyk is the best trade. The deal was straightforward enough. Minnesota traded a third-round selection to Arizona for Dubnyk in January 2015. The Wild, on the other hand, received no ordinary goalkeeper in exchange. Dubnyk had a 177-113-28 record in six seasons, with a.918 save percentage and 2.41 goals-against average. During his time with Minnesota, he was regarded as one of the best players in the league, and he was instrumental in the team’s recent success.
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Previous position: 17 Percentage of points: 0.583 The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. BUF (March 17), vs. NJ (March 19), At COL (March 21), and @ DAL (March 22)
Adam Larsson is the best trade. The well-known one-for-one deal. In June 2016, Edmonton traded Taylor Hall to New Jersey for Larsson, gaining a guy who wasn’t showy but was precisely what the team needed. Larsson swiftly rose through the Edmonton Oilers’ ranks to become an alternate captain in 2017-18, where he played a shutdown role and helped to stabilize the Oilers’ blue line for five seasons. It’s no surprise that Seattle selected Larsson in the expansion selection and quickly signed him to a four-year contract.
Previous position: 19th percentile: 0.549 vs. DET (March 17), against. CGY (March 19), vs. BUF (March 21). (March 20)
J.T. Miller is the best trade. In the recent decade, the Canucks haven’t made many transactions. This one worked out in the end, although Miller’s purchase in June 2019 was very contentious. To obtain a middle-six forward in Miller, Vancouver handed up a conditional first pick, a third, and goaltender prospect Marek Mazanec to Tampa. Miller has above expectations for the Canucks, developing into a top-line player who has regularly teamed up with Elias Pettersson and has averaged more than a point per game as the team’s most productive forward this season.
Previously ranked at 13 points, with a percentage of 0.548. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. FLA (March 17), vs. LA (March 19), At MIN (March 21), and @ WPG (March 22)
Mark Stone is a top trader. Please don’t come after us because of Jack Eichel. Before we can completely appraise the deal, we need additional information. What we do know is Mark Stone’s worth. Since being acquired from Ottawa in February 2019 for two players and a second-round pick, he’s been the team’s heart and soul. Stone has been the team’s highest scorer and most consistent forward, earning the Golden Knights’ first-ever leadership. Do you need further proof? Take a look at Vegas’ recent struggles, which have been exacerbated by the fact that Stone is on long-term injured reserve. The Golden Knights need the return of their golden boy on the rink!
Previously ranked: 20 points, 0.541 percentile The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. BOS (March 18), At CHI (March 20), and vs. VGK (March 22)
Paul Stastny is a top trader. This has to win the day for Winnipeg in terms of sheer, instant effect (we can circle back later on the Pierre-Luc Dubois-for-Patrik Laine trade another time). By acquiring Stastny from St. Louis for a conditional first-rounder, a fourth, and Erik Foley before the February 2018 deadline, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff sent a message that his squad may be a contender. Stastny immediately improved the Jets, allowing them to play with a real three- or four-line offensive. And the veteran developed chemistry with Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers, which was important in Winnipeg’s 2018 playoff run to the Western Conference finals.
Previously ranked at 18 points, with a percentage of 0.516. The following games are scheduled over the next seven days: vs. FLA (March 18), and vs. NSH (March 21)
The draft selection that became John Gibson was the best deal. Yes, this transaction occurred somewhat before the 10-year span, but we’ll make an exception here. The Maple Leafs had a strong desire to pick Tyler Biggs in 2011. As a result, they climbed up the big board to No. 22 in the first round, giving the Ducks back selections 30 and 39. Biggs was never a member of the NHL. With a career.915 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average, Gibson has been effective as Anaheim’s starting goaltender. Rickard Rakell, who has been a regular in Anaheim’s top-nine and has over 150 goals, was also chosen at No. 30. This was a swindle.
2 Related
Previously ranked: 24 points, 0.500 percent The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: At NYR (March 17), vs. DAL (March 19), @ PHI (March 20), and vs. OTT (March 22)
Cal Clutterbuck is the best trade. There’s a picture of Cal Clutterbuck in the dictionary entry for “glue people” (probably). In June 2013, the Islanders traded Nino Niederreiter and a third-round pick to Minnesota for Clutterbuck and a third-round pick; since then, Clutterbuck has been one of the team’s genuine heart-and-soul players while ruling over the team’s aptly dubbed Identity Line.
Previously ranked at 22 points, with a percentage of 0.508 The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: At LA (March 17), against. COL (March 18), vs. ARI (March 20), and @ CGY (March 22)
Brent Burns was the best trade. We were unable to make any other decision. Since being acquired in a trade with Minnesota in June 2011, Burns has been a key member of San Jose’s blue line. Burns has become so well-known in the Bay Area that it’s difficult to recall him ever performing anywhere. Burns has won the Norris Trophy and averaged about 24 minutes of ice time per game since joining the Sharks, while also contributing offensively. He’s done it everything, and he’s done it well.
Previously ranked at 21 points with a percentage of 0.525. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: At OTT (March 16), vs. WSH (March 17), vs. STL (March 19), and @ PIT (March 22)
Sergei Bobrovsky is a top trader. It’s difficult to top a blockbuster like this. Bobrovsky was instrumental in putting Columbus on the map. In June 2012, the Blue Jackets acquired him from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for two fourth-round selections and a second. Bobrovsky would win two Vezina Trophies over the following seven seasons, winning 213 of 374 starts and leading Columbus to the playoffs four times. Although the conclusion was a little sour, Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets had it oh-so-sweet for a long time.
Previously ranked: 27 points, 0.400 percentile Next seven days: @ EDM (17 March), @ CGY (18 March), @ VAN (19 March) (March 20)
Jeff Skinner is the best trade. In terms of timing, the Jack Eichel deal that brought in Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs may be preferable (as could the one for Tage Thompson). However, for the time being, Buffalo has benefited greatly from Skinner’s acquisition. Skinner has been the Sabres’ fourth-leading scorer since joining them from Carolina in 2018, and he remains a high-end talent they can develop around in future seasons.
Previously ranked at 32 points, with a percentage of 0.367. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. PIT (March 19), At SJ (March 20), and vs. SEA (March 21). (March 22)
Darcy Kuemper is the best trade. Kuemper provided some decent goaltending in the desert for a time. Arizona acquired Kuemper from Los Angeles in February 2018 in exchange for Scott Wedgewood and Tobias Rieder. Kuemper took over as the Coyotes’ starting in 2018-19, posting a 27-20-8 record with a.925 save percentage. But it was in the 2020 COVID bubble tournament that Kuemper had the most impact on the Coyotes, stopping 305 of 334 shots he faced in nine games. That is quite a feat. Oh, and he aided them on their way out as well, earning a first-round selection and young defender Conor Timmins in a July 2021 trade return from the Avs.
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Previously ranked: 25 points, 0.408 percentile Next seven days: against. NYR (March 16), At CGY (March 19), @ EDM (March 20). (March 22)
Taylor Hall is a top trade. Hall only stayed in New Jersey for four seasons after Edmonton sold him for Adam Larsson in 2016. Hall’s presence, though, had a significant influence on the Devils. Hall won the NHL’s Hart Trophy for his 93 points in 76 games in 2017-18, propelling New Jersey to their second playoff participation in the past 12 years.
Previously ranked at 23 points, with a percentage of 0.458. Next seven days: vs. PHI (March 17), At VAN (March 19), @ SEA (March 20). (March 22)
Alex Nedeljkovic was the best trade. There’s a good possibility Detroit will see the Nedeljkovic deal as a bargain for years to come. Last July, a third-round pick and Jonathan Bernier were all it took to pull Nedeljkovic away from Carolina. With a save % above.900 in his first season as a starter, the 26-year-old Nedeljkovic has already shown to be a valuable asset for the rebuilding Red Wings. He should progress as the squad does.
Previously ranked at 26 points with a percentage of 0.434. Next seven days: vs. WPG (March 19), @ MIN (March 19). (March 20)
Antoine Vermette was the best trade. I’m here to have a nice time, not to stay for a long period. That was the case with Antoine Vermette and Chicago. The Blackhawks made a significant trade for Vermette in February 2015, sending Klas Dahlbeck and a first-round selection to Arizona. Vermette recorded four goals and three assists in 20 playoff games that season, but three of those goals were game-winners that aided the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup run. Chicago could not have done better in terms of value for money.
Previous position: 29 points, with a percentage of 0.398. against. CBJ (March 16), vs. PHI (March 18), At MTL (March 19), @ NYI (March 20). (March 22)
Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Brown were the top trades. In July 2019, Ottawa dealt Cody Ceci to Toronto in exchange for Zaitsev and Brown, and the Senators came out on top. Ceci only lasted one (mediocre) season with the Leafs, but Zaitsev has played significant minutes on the blue line for Ottawa, and Brown has emerged as the club’s second-leading scorer (112 points in 172 games) since the deal.
Previous position: 31 0.344 percentile points The following games are scheduled over the next seven days: against. TB (March 16), vs. DET (March 19), and At ARI (March 22)
Top trade: a second-round selection in 2023. In their brief existence, the Kraken have only executed three transactions, with the second-rounder they received from Washington for Vitek Vanecek (whom they chose in the expansion draft from the Caps) standing as the Kraken’s greatest return on a deal so far. So that’s a victory!
Previous position: 30 points; percentage: 0.333; previous ranking: 30 points; previous ranking: 30 points; previous ranking: 30 The following games are scheduled over the next seven days: vs. DAL (March 17), vs. OTT (March 19), and vs. BOS (March 21)
Nick Suzuki is a top trader. This one should set the tone for years to come in Montreal. The Canadiens traded then-captain Max Pacioretty to the Vegas Golden Knights in September 2018 for Nick Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a second-round selection. Fast forward to present, and Suzuki, who is 22 years old, has established himself as a legitimate offensive danger for the Canadiens. Suzuki is not only the team’s top scorer, but he’s also shown a maturity that bodes well for Montreal’s high hopes for his future.
Previous position: 28 points, with a percentage of 0.398. The following games are scheduled for the next seven days: against. NSH (March 17), At OTT (March 18), vs. NYI (March 20), and @ DET (March 22)
Jakub Voracek and a first-round pick are the most notable trades. This was a watershed event in Philadelphia’s history. The Flyers moved Jeff Carter to Columbus in June 2011 in order to acquire Voracek and the first-round draft pick that would become Sean Couturier. Couturier has grown into a franchise cornerstone and one of the league’s top two-way centers in the years afterwards. Meanwhile, until he was sold to Columbus last summer, Voracek was the Flyers’ second-leading scorer (604 points in 727 games).