The NHL Trade Deadline has officially passed, and it looks like players are starting to get their groove with new teams. General Managers were quite busy over the deadline and some came out on top, and others did not. Here are the biggest winners from the NHL Trade Deadline:
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning were already the best team in the NHL, but with GM Steve Yzerman’s additions of Ryan McDonagh and JT Miller, Tampa is now by far the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Ryan McDonagh provides consistency on the back end as well as a legit scoring threat. Tampa Bay is all in this season and these new additions to their roster should put them in the Stanley Cup Final.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators have quietly just been cruising through the Central Division, playing some of the best hockey in the league. GM Dave Poile did not need to do too much, but he decided on scooping up Ryan Hartman from their division rival Chicago Blackhawks. Ryan Hartman provides a lot of grit, and really works hard getting in on the forecheck. He will prove valuable during the course of the postseason.
San Jose Sharks
The battle for spots two and three in the Pacific Division is extremely tight, often changing every night. The San Jose Sharks have been in the thick of the battle since the start, and are still competing with Los Angeles and Anaheim. The Sharks added a legitimate scoring threat in Evander Kane to help them gear up for the division race and the playoffs. Kane should make an immediate impact and give San Jose an edge.
