It’s trade season once again and NHL is getting excited about the big moves of the cards for 2025.
If the last decade is anything to go by, we could see some shocks that affect the league in following years. Some moves have rocked the league thanks to their controversy, unexpectedness, or even just old-fashioned success.
Let’s take a closer look at 5 trades that NHL fans and media spoke about for months.
Patrick Kane – From Chicago Blackhawks to New York Rangers
The departure of Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks marked the end of an era for the player and the franchise. Kane had earned the nickname “Showtime” thanks to his appetite for the big occasion, and became only the 38th player in NHL history, and the second American-born star, reaching 1,300 career points.
Rumours of his departure seemed surreal. For years, Kane was the face of the Blackhawks, a player who embodied the city’s hockey spirit. But in 2022 Chicago parted ways with their iconic star in a three-team trade involving the Rangers and Coyotes.
The Rangers, in pursuit of playoff glory, acquired Kane, reuniting him with Artemi Panarin. Despite the brief Broadway spectacle, the Rangers’ playoff journey ended abruptly, leaving fans with only a glimpse of Kane’s magic.
The trade was a paradigm shift for Chicago, who steadfastly looked forward to a new chapter without their star.
Kane has since completed a move to Detroit Red Wings and even scored the game-winning goal when he came up against his old side at the United Center. Chicago fans gave him a standing ovation, though, as they paid respect to their former hero.
Jack Eichel – From Buffalo Sabres to Vegas Golden Knights
Normally when people travel to Las Vegas, they have very little on their mind apart from having a good time and trying to figure out how to beat the slots.
However, things were much more complicated for Jack Eichel in late 2021. His move to the Knights was clouded by a surgery requirement of a herniated disk on his neck. Sabres refused to let him undergo the treatment, Eichel complained and was stripped of the team captaincy subsequently.
However, once he got his move to Vegas, his new team let him undergo the surgery. Since then he has repaid them with several seasons of stunning form.
Since his move, Eichel has helped the Golden Knights win the 2023 Stanley Cup, followed up with a run of 26 points in 22 games.
Mikko Rantanen – From Colorado Avalanche to Carolina Hurricanes
The hockey world reeled as the Colorado Avalanche, seemingly content with their core, pulled off a late-night blockbuster.
Star turn Mikko Rantanen and his teammate Taylor Hall moved to Carolina Hurricanes. The unexpected move sent ripples through the league after most people thought Rantanen would stay and continue lighting up Denver.
Carolina, hungry for elite talent, seized the opportunity. They added offensive firepower to their ranks with a top-tier winger. Colorado, in turn, secured the promising centers Martin Necas and Jack Drury.
Chicago also played a pivotal role by retaining a portion of Rantanen’s hefty cap hit, earning a valuable draft pick.
The immediate assessment leaned heavily in Carolina’s favour, but the franchise struggled to fend off interest in the forward.
Indeed, Rantanen has recently signed contract with Dallas Stars with a huge eight-year extension worth $96 million, making Stars one of the favourites for this year’s Stanley Cup.
Matthew Tkachuk – From Calgary Flames to Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk’s contract dispute with the Calgary Flames ignited a trade that sent shockwaves through the NHL.
The Florida Panthers, in a daring move, traded Jonathan Huberdeau, fresh off a record-breaking season, and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar for Tkachuk, who promptly signed an eight-year contract.
The trade was a gamble for Panthers, but it turned out to be a calculated risk that ultimately paid off with a Stanley Cup victory. Tkachuk’s impact was immediate, and he became a key player in the Panthers’ success.
For the Flames, the trade, while initially seen as a loss, got them a big return and mitigated the damage of losing a player who expressed a desire to leave.
Ryan O’Reilly – From St. Louis Blues to Toronto Maple Leafs
The 2022-23 NHL trade deadline saw the Toronto Maple Leafs pushing all their chips into the centre of the table under the high-stakes leadership of GM Kyle Dubas.
Facing a contract year, Dubas made a series of bold moves, with the acquisition of Ryan O’Reilly standing as the most significant.
O’Reilly’s journey to Toronto, however, was a unique detour, involving a brief stint with the Minnesota Wild, who acted as a crucial intermediary in the complex transaction.
The Leafs, in their pursuit of playoff glory, secured both O’Reilly and Noel Acciari, and added experience and grit to their roster. In return, St. Louis Blues received a package of assets, including promising prospects Mikhail Abramov and Adam Gaudette, along with a collection of valuable draft picks.
For O’Reilly, the trade fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing for the Maple Leafs. Despite his short stay, he made a big impact by contributing to crucial goals and points during the regular season and playoffs.
The highlight was the crucial role he played in the Leafs’ long-awaited victory in a playoff series, ending a 19-year drought.
Though his time in Toronto was short, it was a brief and memorable chapter in the Maple Leafs’ narrative.
