The NHL trade deadline only comes around once every year. Many teams make moves to benefit their future and some make moves to make a playoff push. A lot of these NHL trades have teams that are crowned winners and some that are crowned losers, but very rarely do we get a trade where both teams get equal value out of the trade.
So, join us as we look over 10 blockbuster NHL trades that had equal benefits and were considered a “win-win” for both sides!
Yes, there were 10 blockbuster NHL trades, that were a HUGE win for both teams.
Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis Blues, 2018
Not only did this trade see the Buffalo Sabres send Ryan O’Reilly to the St. Louis Blues, but the Blues would send a hefty package back the other way.
Part of what the Sabres would receive would be forward Tage Thompson, who at the time was not a great prospect. Thompson would go on to have a break-out season with the Sabres in 2021-22 scoring 68 points in 78 games adding a further 94 points in 78 games in 2022-23.
O’Reilly would end up helping the Blues win the 2019 Stanley Cup.
Jack Eichel to Vegas Golden Knights, 2021
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NHL stories via Google! Follow Us
Eichel was sent to Vegas for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and 2 NHL Draft picks. Eichel would join the Knights after having neck surgery earlier in the 2021-22 season. Eichel would be a part of the Knights’s 2023 Stanley Cup-winning roster.
In Buffalo, the main part of the “win-win” aspect of this deal was Alex Tuch. Tuch would head back to Buffalo, instantly becoming a fan favorite, and a productive player all while playing close to home.
Erik Karlsson to San Jose Sharks, 2018
Karlsson was traded from his longtime team Ottawa, which he had captained since early in the 2014-15 season in the 2018-19 season. Karlsson’s success would continue in San Jose, where he would win the James Norris Trophy for best defender in the 2022-23 season before being traded to Pittsburgh in the 2023 off-season.
Ottawa would acquire, among others, defenseman Josh Norris in the trade. Norris would be named to the NHL all-rookie team in 2021 and has been a productive defender ever since.
Shea Weber to Montreal Canadiens, 2016
Weber was sent to Montreal in a one-for-one swap seeing fellow defenseman P.K. Subban heading to the Nashville Predators. Weber would aid the Canadiens in their 2021 Stanley Cup run netting 1 goal and 6 points through 22 games.
Subban would go on to score 2 goals and 12 points in 22 games on the Predators’ 2017 Stanley Cup run.
Also Read: 10 Active NHL Players Who Are No Longer Superstars
Jarome Iginla to Calgary Flames, 1995
Jarome Iginla and Joe Nieuwendyk are known as two of possibly the best-ever players in Calgary Flames franchise history, but not many fans know that Nieuwendyk was used to acquiring Iginla in 1995.
The deal altogether saw the Flames receive Iggy and Corey Millen in exchange for Nieuwendyk. Nieuwendyk would continue to be productive aiding Dallas on their 1999 cup run, where he would win the prized trophy.
Iginla, on the other hand, would go on to captain the Flames for 16 seasons beginning in 2004. Igina remains the team’s all-time leader in games played, goals, and points.
Eric Lindros to Philadelphia Flyers, 1992
Known as one of the best NHL players to ever step foot on the ice, Lindros was traded to the Flyers on June 30th, 1992 for a plethora of assets. Lindros would end up playing with the Flyers for 8 seasons scoring 372 goals and 865 points in 760 regular season games.
Among the group heading back to Quebec would be Peter Forsberg. After relocating to Colorado in 1995, the Nordiques would become the Avalanche and Forsberg being one of the top players on the team, would lead them to a Stanley Cup championship.
Nazem Kadri to Colorado Avalanche, 2019
Nazem Kadri would be traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Colorado Avalanche along with Calle Rosen and a 2020 3rd-round pick for Tyson Barrie, Alex Kerfoot, and a 6th-round pick in 2020.
Kadri would aid the Avs on their 2022 Stanley Cup run scoring 7 goals and 15 points in 16 games, ultimately winning the prized trophy.
Barrie would go on to have a productive season in Toronto scoring 39 points in 70 games, helping the Leafs to the playoffs.
Mark Stone to Vegas Golden Knights, 2019
Stone was traded to Vegas in a blockbuster on February 25th, 2019. After putting up 62 points through 59 games, Stone would head to Vegas in exchange for Erik Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg, and a 2020 2nd-round pick.
Stone would remain in Vegas helping the team to win the 2023 Stanley Cup.
Brannstrom, after coming over from Vegas, has remained a steady option on the Ottawa blue line, having averaged over 15 minutes of ice time over his first 5 full seasons.
Seth Jones to Chicago Blackhawks, 2021
Seth Jones was traded to the Blackhawks along with a 1st and 6th round pick in exchange for Adam Boqvist and 3 NHL draft picks. Jones would play in the 2023 NHL All-Star game. While he may be on a down streak, Chicago is not a super competitive team at the moment so it’s hard to fault the defenseman.
With one of the picks Columbus acquired in the trade, they would select forward Cole Sillinger. Sillinger would put up 31 points in his rookie season for the Jackets before having a down sophomore year, however, Sillinger does look poised to hit the 30-plus point mark again in the 2023-24 season.
Jacob Trouba to New York Rangers, 2019
Trouba would be sent to the Rangers in exchange for Pionk and a 2019 first-round pick. Trouba would be named captain of the Rangers on August 9th, 2022 becoming the 28th in Rangers history. In both of his last 2 seasons with the team, Trouba hit the 30-point mark and is on pace to do so this season as well.
Pionk has also been a serviceable defenceman in Winnipeg. Pionk has accumulated 30-plus points in all of his seasons with the Jets, leading them to the playoffs in each of the last 3 seasons.
Also Read: All 32 NHL Teams’ MOST Underachieving Player Right Now
