Deadline review

Ranking the moves of NHL playoff contenders

Activity at trade deadline isn’t necessarily a good thing for NHL teams.

While trade acquisitions might make for good fodder among media and fans, there’s the cost to consider — be it in draft picks, prospects or roster players — the actual value of the upgrade and the ripple effect he might have on a club’s lineup and style of play.

As Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving put it: “I think you’ve got to be careful at that particular time. In a lot of ways you are who you are.” Here’s a ranking of how the contenders did ahead of the March 1 deadline.

Eastern Conference 1. Washington Capitals

Addition(s): Kevin Shattenkirk, Tom Gilbert Report: Washington was already loaded when they added the biggest fish at the deadline. Shattenkirk further cements a top-notch defence core and offers the Capitals a powerful weapon next to Alex Ovechkin on the power play. The club paid a modest price: a first round pick in 2017, conditional second, modest prospect and depth forward.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Addition(s): Ron Hainsey, Mark Streit, Frank Corrado Report: The defending champs are really banged up at the moment, especially on defence. Hainsey and Streit help stem the gaps in the short-term while offering insurance into the post-season. The Penguins also got the Leafs to take on Eric Fehr’s contract — which has one more year at US$2 million — for the minimal price of a fourth round pick.

3. Florida Panthers

Addition(s): Thomas Vanek Report: Whether he plays on the second or third line, the 33-year-old Vanek offers Florida another threat to score beyond the vaunted top unit of Jaromir Jagr, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. The cost was just a third round pick in June and depth defenceman Dylan McIlrath.