An early look at deadline pay-offs

Obviously, now is not the time to evaluate the trades made at the NHL deadline. After all, the players have been in the line-up of their new teams for only a game or two so far. Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller haven’t even put on their jerseys.

At the same time, here is what we learned from the first impressions of some of the bigger names that moved.

PAUL STASTNY, WINNIPEG

The Jets blew a two-goal lead in the third period and lost 6-5 to the Predators on Tuesday, but there was a lot to like about Stastny’s debut. For one, he scored a goal and picked up an assist. Best of all, he looked comfortable centring a line with Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers, who each had a two-point night.

EVANDER KANE, SAN JOSE

Against Edmonton on Tuesday, Kane cross-checked Matt Benning from behind into the boards and then, with Benning down, fired a shot that Joe Pavelski tipped in to tie the game 1-1. The Sharks won 5-2. “He brings a good element to our team with the edge he plays with,” said Pavelski.

RICK NASH, BOSTON

Nash took nine shots — five on net and four that missed — in his debut, but he was far more accurate in his second game with the Bruins. With Patrice Bergeron out with a foot injury, Nash stepped up with a goal in a 4-3 overtime win against the Hurricanes.

TOMAS PLEKANEC, TORONTO

The former Hab showed flexibility — rather than offence — in his first two games with the Leafs. Plekanec centered the fourth line in a shootout loss to Tampa Bay on Monday, but with Auston

Matthews still nursing a shoulder injury was moved ontoalinewith William Nylander and Zach Hyman for Tuesday’s overtime loss to Florida.

DERICK BRASSARD, PITTSBURGH

Logging a minute or two than what he was used to in Ottawa, Brassard didn’t exactly make an immediate impact in his first game with the Penguins. He had two shots on goal, won six of his 13 faceoffs in a 3-2 loss to the Devils. But with

Phil Kessel (70 points) and Conor Sheary as linemates, don’t expect him to remain quiet for long.