7 shocking trades and the 7 worst deals of the modern era at the NHL trade deadline

In hockey language, we often say that the best trades are the ones you don't make. This expression and the 2025 trade deadline inspired us to gather the 7 most shocking trades and the 7 worst trades of the modern era. So let's take our time machine.

On February 26, 2008, the Pittsburgh Penguins caused a surprise, acquiring the services of Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis, via the Atlanta Thrashers. Thus, Ray Shero, GM of the Penguins at the time, was able to bring help to Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh gave up Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a first-round pick, to get Hossa.

On January 31, 2010, the Calgary Flames sent their star defenseman, Dion Phaneuf, to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie, in exchange for the services of Jamal Mayers, Niklas Hagman, Matthew Stajan and Ian White.

On February 4, 2010, the Thrashers traded then-captain Ilya Kovalchuk, along with Anssi Salmela and a 2010 second-round pick (Jon Merrill) to the Devils. Johnny Oduya, Nicklas Bergfors, Patrice Cormier, a 2010 first-round pick (Kevin Hayes), and a second-round pick (Justin Holl) that year went the other way.

On March 4, 2014, the Vancouver Canucks traded Roberto Luongo to the Florida Panthers, along with Steven Anthony, in exchange for Shawn Matthias and Jakob Markstrom. Thus, the Québécois was able to finish his career with the Florida team.

On March 8, 2025, the Sharks traded their star forward, Tomas Hertl, to a division rival, the Vegas Golden Knights, and a third-round pick in 2025, for prospect David Edstrom and a first-round pick in 2025.

In terms of a transaction that came out of nowhere, the one involving Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes was one. On January 24, 2025, Rantanen was traded to Carolina, along with Taylor Hall, in exchange for Martin Necas and Jack Drury, who took the direction of Denver, notably.

On February 23, 2012, after just a few months in Columbus, Jeff Carter was traded to Los Angeles for Jack Johnson and a first-round pick in 2013 (Marko Dano). He notably won two Stanley Cups in California. Johnson was not bad in Ohio, but Carter helped the Kings be dominant for a long time.

On April 3, 2013, the Lightning parted ways with its rookie forward, Cory Conacher, sending him to Ottawa with a fourth-round pick in 2013, in exchange for Ben Bishop. Let's just say the Senators looked very bad, given the rapid decline of Conacher and the exceptional career Bishop had.

On April 3, 2013, the Washington Capitals made a big mistake, letting go of their top prospect, Filip Forsberg, in exchange for the aging Martin Erat and Michael Latta. From Nashville's perspective, it's rather the steal of the decade, nothing less.

On March 5, 2014, the Columbus Blue Jackets practically gave Marian Gaborik to the Kings, as they only received a second-round (Travis Dermott) and third-round (Dominic Turgeon) picks in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Gaborik did great service in Los Angeles that season, winning the Stanley Cup.

On February 25, 2018, the Boston Bruins paid dearly for the services of Rick Nash, for the last miles of his career. The Rangers therefore received Matt Beleskey, Ryan Spooner, Ryan Lindgren, a first-round pick in 2018 (Jacob Bernard-Docker) and a seventh pick (Massimo Rizzo). Nash will have only amassed 5 points in 12 playoff games.

On February 26, 2018, the Golden Knights emptied their bank of draft picks to have Tomas Tatar, from the Red Wings, offering first, second, and third round picks in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Tatar ultimately collected 6 points in 20 games in Vegas, in addition to being left out for most of the playoff run in 2018. A true fiasco all around for Vegas.

On February 25, 2019, the Senators traded Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights, and he eventually became the team's captain. Ottawa received Erik Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg and a 2020 second-round pick (Egor Sokolov) in return, which was no match for the impact of a Mark Stone. Pierre Dorion missed out on that one.

On March 19, 2022, the Panthers, looking to make a big push in the playoffs, brought out the big guns to acquire Claude Giroux, via the Flyers. Owen Tippett was sent to Philadelphia with a third-round pick in 2023 and a first-round pick in 2024 (Sam O'Reilly). Claude Giroux, Connor Bunnaman, German Rubtsov and a fifth-round pick in 2024 went the other way.