NHL trade deadline winners and losers
WINNERS
Jake Muzzin, Toronto
No one was expecting Muzzin to contribute offensively when the Leafs acquired the defenceman from the Kings. But with Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott both out with injuries, his four goals and 14 points in 23 games — he had four goals and 21 points in 50 games with Los Angeles — have been a welcome bonus.
Mark Stone, Vegas
Though Stone is actually producing less in Vegas (four goals and eight points in 10 games) than he was in Ottawa (28 goals and 62 points in 59 games), his impact has been huge. Since acquiring him, the Golden Knights have picked up 18 of a possible 20 points.
Kevin Hayes, Winnipeg
Patrik Laine hasn’t benefited from the addition of Hayes in the way that he did last year with Paul Stastny. In fact, the two aren’t even playing on the same line. But while Hayes has scored three goals and six points in 10 games, linemates Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers have also combined for six goals and 10 points.
Erik Gudbranson, Pittsburgh Wrestling Tom Wilson to the ground in a recent game against Washington was a big part of why Pittsburgh acquired Gudbranson. But it turns out he can play a little defence, too, as his plus-5 rating in 10 games illustrates. It’s a marked improvement from the minus-27 rating that he had in Vancouver.
LOSERS
Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund, Nashville
The Predators got bigger with the addition of Simmonds, who was acquired from Philadelphia for Ryan Hartman. But they might not be any better. Simmonds entered Tuesday night’s game with no goals and one assist in eight games, while Mikael Granlund (acquired from Minnesota for Kevin Fiala) had one goal and four points in seven games.
Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel, Columbus
The Blue Jackets, who also acquired defenceman Adam McQuaid and goalie Keith Kinkaid, are 5-5-1 since acquiring Ottawa forwards Duchene (three goals and six points in 13 games) and Dzingel (one goal and six points in 11 games). So far, that’s good enough for the final wild card spot.
Derick Brassard, Colorado
Three times hasn’t exactly been a charm for Brassard. After struggling in Pittsburgh (nine goals and 15 points in 40 games) and Florida (one goal and three points in 10 games) this season, the third-line centre has managed just two goals with the 10th-place Avalanche, who are 4-5-1 since the deadline and fading out of playoff contention.