The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Schenn in a trade from the Nashville Predators earlier this week and have immediately flipped him to the Winnipeg Jets. The Predators signed Schenn to a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.75-million ahead of the 2023-24 season. The 35-year-old defenseman registered five points (1G / 4A), 76 blocks, and 228 hits in 61 games this season.
Bernard-Docker has been limited to only 25 games this season, averaging 13:06 time-on-ice, but has been effective when in the lineup. The 24-year-old defenseman has four points (1G / 3A), 25 blocks, and 21 hits this season.
Norris was on a roll in his final games as an Ottawa Senators, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in his final five games. The 25-year-old Norris has battled injuries issues over the previous few seasons but has been productive when he is healthy. Norris will likely fit into the top-six on Buffalo's roster, effectively taking over the role of Dylan Cozens.
Gilbert has only played 25 games this season, averaging 10:04 time-on-ice, but will add needed depth the the Senators blueline. The 28-year-old defenseman has five points (0G / 5A), 29 blocks, and 52 hits this season.
After a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring 68 points (31G / 37A) in 81 games, Cozens has not lived up to expectations in Buffalo, scoring only 78 points (29G / 49A) in 140 games in two seasons since. The 23-year-old Cozens will get the opportunity to re-establish his game in Ottawa with a group of talented young forwards. Cozens will likely take Josh Norris' former spot on Ottawa's top line, playing between David Perron and Drake Batherson.
Kuzmenko began the season with the Calgary Flames, was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has now been dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2027 third-round pick. The Flyers are retaining 50% of Kuzmenko's contract. The impending UFA only had 15 points (4G / 11A) in 37 games with the Flames this season but was much more productive after joining the Flyers, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in seven outings.
With the Pittsburgh Penguins effectively out of the playoff race, they have traded Beauvillier to the Washington Capitals for a 2025 second-round pick. The 27-year-old Beauvillier averaged 13:00 time-on-ice and scored 20 points (13G / 7A) in 63 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Walman made a big impact in 50 games with San Jose this season, averaging 23:11 time-on-ice and scoring 32 points (6G / 26A), earning a coveted first-round pick for the Sharks. The 29-year-old Walman likely won't see the powerplay exposure he had in San Jose now, behind Evan Bouchard on Edmonton's depth chart, but he is still poised to suit up as one of their top-four defensemen.
After being rumored in a trade all season, Nelson has been dealt to the Colorado Avalanche. The 33-year-old Nelson averaged 19:21 time-on-ice and scored 43 points (20G / 23A) in 61 games this season. He scored 20 or more goals in nine of his 12 seasons in New York and will provide some much needed depth down the middle for Colorado. Nelson will likely suit up on Colorado's second line with Valeri Nichushkin and Jonathan Drouin.
With the emergence of Elias Nils Pettersson on the Canucks blue-line this season, Soucy was deemed to be an expendable asset by Vancouver. Soucy leaves the Canucks after appearing in 99 games across parts of two seasons, registering five goals and 11 assists.
Driedger has struggled at the AHL level this season and will be hoping for better results with a change of scenery, likely reporting to the Manitoba Moose (AHL). The 30-year-old Driedger has a 2.97 GAA and .878 SV% in 20 games with Charlotte (AHL) this season (10-6-4).
Kahkonen has spent most of the previous two seasons in the AHL but is no stranger to the NHL, providing some solid goaltending depth for the Panthers. The 28-year-old goalie has a 3.34 GAA and .898 SV% in 140 career NHL games (49-68-15)
NHL trades are decided between two or more team general managers. The front office’s job is building a winning team. Building a winning team means discussing trades with other general managers across the league.
During the NHL regular season, players can be traded up until the trade deadline. The deadline is the official cutoff point for when teams can no longer make moves between each other. Players can also be traded throughout the offseason.
Teams trade players in hockey for a variety of reasons, but generally, it is done to find success, whether that is in the short term or long term. Teams may trade their top players in search of draft picks if they are undergoing a rebuild, whereas contending teams may look to acquire talent to boost their playoff chances.
Trades are a common occurrence throughout the NHL and happen often. Some years feature less trades than others, it all depends on each teams needs and the availability of attractive talent.
