NHL trade deadline winners and losers: Ducks, Blues shine while Bruins, Rangers fall short

NHL trade deadline winners and losers: Ducks, Blues shine while Bruins, Rangers fall short originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, with the playoff picture taking clear shape.

Friday was the final time for teams to add to their rosters ahead of the sprint to the finish, hoping to make the postseason. Meanwhile, other teams saw this as an opportunity to add assets for the future, realizing that this wasn't their year.

However, not every team was successful in their venture. While a few contenders seized the opportunity properly, others couldn't take advantage of the day to strengthen their clubs. Meanwhile, a few sellers were able to rise above the rest and get great returns for players they don't need anymore.

Here's a look at the biggest winners and losers from the NHL trade deadline.

MORE: Every deal completed before 2026 NHL deadline

NHL trade deadline winners

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks pulled off a stunner by acquiring defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. Carlson, who has spent his entire 17-year career in Washington, is still a top-pair defenseman with 46 points in 55 games.

Anaheim now has a strong combination of young talent and veteran experience as it looks to hold onto a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Ducks can send out three legitimate defensive pairs, which could give them a big edge in the playoffs.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars made two key moves before the deadline passed, acquiring defenseman Tyler Myers and forward Michael Bunting. Myers gives the team a reliable defensive option to go along with some skilled players in Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, while Bunting adds even more depth to the bottom six.

The Central Division is sprinting to the finish line, as the Stars, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild are all fighting for the top spot. For a skilled team like the Stars, Myers and Bunting add different elements of physicality and reliability.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues were the best sellers ahead of the deadline, moving Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk for a combined two first-round picks and two third-round picks. It could've been more if Colton Parayko waived his no-trade clause to go to Buffalo, but that was out of the Blues' hands.

St. Louis has just 55 points on the season and is set to miss the playoffs, putting the team in a prime position to recoup some assets. Of all the sellers, the Blues did the best.

NHL trade deadline losers

Boston Bruins

The Bruins currently hold the final playoff spot in the East, but they only traded for Lukas Reichel before the deadline. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets, sitting right behind them, added Conor Garland, while the Senators added Warren Foegele and David Perron.

Boston may have decided that this wasn't the year to be aggressive, but this quiet deadline could end up being the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

New York Rangers

Despite an abysmal season, the Rangers chose to hold on to their players who are under contract beyond this season. After sending Artemi Panarin to the Kings for a light return, the team held onto Vincent Trocheck, who has three years left on his contract.

The prices around the league were high, and the Rangers were no different. Still, this could've been an opportunity for New York to shed salary and add more draft capital for future offseasons.

MORE: Grading the Artemi Panarin deal to the Kings

New Jersey Devils

Another team that has disappointed this year, the Devils have only made minor trades that were completed weeks ago. The only trade of significance that the Devils made was trading two picks to get off Ondrej Palat's contract, a costly way to clear cap space.

New Jersey's decision to stand pat will conclude another wasted season of Jack Hughes' prime, and the team now must regroup in the future.