NHL Teams Using Trade Deadline for Deep Playoff Runs

Even in the heat of summer, NHL teams are already thinking about the March 2025 trade deadline.

Teams that didn’t spend much in July might be saving their money for big trades later. They use a special rule to save up cap space and make important moves when it matters most. Some teams have done this really well before, like Tampa Bay in 2018 and 2020.

Here are some examples of teams that used the trade deadline to improve their chances in the playoffs:

1. Colorado Avalanche | 2022
Artturi Lehkonen, winger (Montreal)
Josh Manson, defenseman (Anaheim)
Nico Sturm, center (Minnesota)
Andrew Cogliano, winger (San Jose)

Colorado made some bold moves at the 2022 trade deadline. They picked up four key players: a top-six forward (Lehkonen), a strong defenseman (Manson), and two solid forwards for depth (Sturm and Cogliano). They kept everyone except Sturm after the season ended. Even though Lehkonen had some bad luck with his shots during the Stanley Cup Finals run, he still scored the winning goal .

Trade Deadline Strategy:

Teams often wait until the last moment to make big trades. This strategy can pay off if they get just the right players to boost their playoff hopes. Fans think this approach is exciting because it can change everything quickly.

Sometimes these trades work out perfectly, but other times they don’t make much difference. It’s always a gamble .

In conclusion, what do you think about these strategies? Are they worth it or too risky?