NHL Trade Deadline: Maple Leafs, Jets Make Bold Moves Before Final Hour

TORONTO, Canada — As the clock ticked down to the 3 p.m. ET trading deadline, NHL teams scrambled to finalize deals, highlighting a frantic day in the league. Key players like Scott Laughton, Brandon Tanev, and Dylan Cozens changed teams as organizations sought to bolster their rosters for a playoff push.

With just over two hours remaining before the deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a significant addition, acquiring Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers. Laughton, a versatile center/winger known for his physical play, will join the Leafs’ third line at a reduced cap hit of $1.5 million, as Philadelphia is retaining 50% of his salary. He has recorded 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games this season.

In exchange, Toronto sent a first-round pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to the Flyers. Analyst Jason Bukala remarked on Grebenkin’s potential, acknowledging his competitive edge and skill set, but noted that his future in the NHL remains uncertain. ‘He needs at least another season in the AHL to further define himself,’ Bukala said.

Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets were active as well, making two trades today. They first acquired Brandon Tanev from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a second-round pick. Tanev, a pending unrestricted free agent, has a history with the Jets, having played for the team from 2016-19.

Shortly afterward, Winnipeg finalized a deal to bring in defenseman Luke Schenn from Pittsburgh. Schenn was recently traded from Nashville to the Penguins and will now be added to the Jets’ defensive lineup. Winnipeg is sending second- and fourth-round picks back to Pittsburgh for the veteran.

In a surprising turn, the Ottawa Senators completed a blockbuster trade with the Buffalo Sabres, acquiring forward Dylan Cozens, defenseman Dennis Gilbert, and a second-round pick in 2026. In return, the Sabres received Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk expressed his dismay over losing Norris, stating, ‘It sucks losing a guy like that.’

Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Kings acquired Andrei Kuzmenko from the Flyers for a third-round pick, further strengthening their scoring capabilities. Kuzmenko had previously been viewed as a key asset for Philadelphia after his trade from Calgary earlier this season.

As other teams made moves, the Dallas Stars were engaged in discussions about Mikko Rantanen but faced hurdles in contract negotiations. An eight-year extension with a $12 million annual average value would be needed for the trade to proceed, which would make Rantanen the highest-paid winger in the league.

Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals acquired winger Anthony Beauvillier from Pittsburgh in exchange for a second-round pick. This deal adds depth to the Capitals’ scoring lineup as they look to secure a playoff position. The market remains fluid as teams continue to weigh their options ahead of the deadline.

As transactions unfold, teams continue to evaluate their competitive standings and make strategic moves to enhance their rosters.