The 2025 NHL trade deadline has concluded, and teams contending for the Stanley Cup in both conferences have strengthened their rosters in a competitive rush. The deals finalized in the past week are expected to significantly influence which team will hoist the Cup in the coming months.
Despite a somewhat slow initial pace, this year’s trade deadline ultimately delivered considerable excitement. In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche engaged in a series of significant acquisitions, preparing for a potentially intense first-round playoff series.
In the Eastern Conference, the Atlantic Division has solidified its status as a formidable battleground. The Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning have enhanced their already impressive lineups. The team emerging from this challenging playoff bracket will have truly earned their place in the conference final, and beyond.
Looking back at recent Stanley Cup champions, it’s evident that proactive roster moves have been rewarded. Teams like the Panthers, Golden Knights, and Avalanche all made bold trades that culminated in championships. The teams featured on this list have the potential to continue this trend in 2025.
Let’s examine the top five most impactful acquisitions of the 2025 NHL trade deadline. For clarity, only trades completed after the 4 Nations Face-Off break are considered.
5. Yanni Gourde | C | Tampa Bay Lightning
Former team: Seattle Kraken
Reuniting familiar players can yield varied results, but this particular reunion has the potential to be exceptionally successful. Gourde has firmly established himself as a premier defensive forward, playing a crucial role in Tampa Bay’s consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. Now back with the Lightning, they are poised to contend with the top teams in the East.
With Gourde on the ice during five-on-five play, the Kraken conceded just 2.31 expected goals against per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick. This was the team’s best statistic in this category, significantly better than their team average of 2.64. While Tampa Bay undoubtedly possesses the offensive talent to win numerous games, defense is paramount in winning championships, and Gourde is capable of matching up against any opponent’s top offensive line.
4. Seth Jones | D | Florida Panthers
Former team: Chicago Blackhawks
The reigning Cup champions already possessed a defensive unit well-suited for the postseason, and they further strengthened it by acquiring Jones from the Blackhawks. Jones’s tenure with the Blackhawks was not without its challenges, and at times he struggled, but he was also playing within a team environment that was among the most difficult in the NHL. Nevertheless, Jones has the potential to be a significant contributor at both ends of the ice, benefiting from stronger teammates and a more structured system in Florida.
Jones brings size and notable mobility to the Panthers’ defense. This combination is a common trait among Florida’s defensemen. The smallest defenseman on their roster, Uvis Balinskis, is 6-foot and 196 pounds. Jones adds further size, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 213 pounds. Florida’s defensive corps is well-prepared for another extended playoff run.
3. Brad Marchand | LW | Florida Panthers
Former team: Boston Bruins
Jones was not the only acquisition for the Panthers, nor was he their most significant. In the final moments leading up to the trade deadline, Florida completed a trade for the Bruins’ captain. While Marchand may no longer be the elite winger of his prime, he still brings considerable tenacity and skill to the Panthers. Marchand’s current season total of 21 goals would instantly place him third on the team, and he also adds 157 games of playoff experience.
Florida coach Paul Maurice has numerous options for integrating Marchand into the lineup. The most intriguing option would be to pair Marchand with Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk (once healthy). Opposing defensemen might audibly groan at the prospect of facing that line. Alternatively, he could be placed on the third line with the skilled young center Anton Lundell. Regardless of his line assignment, Marchand is positioned for success.
2. Brock Nelson | C | Colorado Avalanche
Former team: New York Islanders
The Avalanche have been consistently seeking a top-tier second-line center, and they have acquired the best available option on the trade market in Nelson. Whether Nelson represents a long-term solution at that position remains uncertain, but he immediately addresses a pressing need and significantly strengthens Colorado’s forward group behind Nathan MacKinnon in the center position.
Nelson has averaged nearly 25 goals per season throughout his career, and he is likely to excel with more favorable matchups now that opponents must prioritize containing MacKinnon on the top line. If Nelson takes over Casey Mittelstadt’s previous role on the second line, he will be playing alongside Valeri Nichushkin. This pairing has the potential to be very exciting to watch in the postseason and could be a key factor in pushing the Avalanche to greater heights.
1. Mikko Rantanen | RW | Dallas Stars
Former team: Carolina Hurricanes
The Dallas Stars, already a strong team, have become even more formidable. Before acquiring Rantanen, the Stars already had eight players who had scored at least 15 goals. This number has now increased to nine, and Rantanen is recognized as one of the NHL’s premier goal-scorers in recent seasons. Since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Rantanen has scored 160 goals, ranking fifth-most in the league during that period.
Similar to his situation in Colorado, Rantanen will now play alongside highly skilled offensive players in Dallas. He might be paired with his fellow Finn, Roope Hintz, and Jason Robertson on the other wing. At 6-foot-4, Rantanen would bring size and physicality to that line, or any line he joins. Regardless of his line assignment, Rantanen elevates the Stars to the status of the team to beat in the Western Conference, even considering the significant acquisitions made by the Avalanche.
