How the NHL trade deadline impacts the playoffs, draft lottery for all 32 teams

The 2024 NHL trade deadline was Friday at 3 p.m., and the finish included a shocking deal: Tomas Hertl, the San Jose Sharks‘ All-Star representative, was moved to the Vegas Golden Knights, who had already acquired Noah Hanifin and Anthony Mantha.

But while the Knights’ moves generated a sizable amount of the attention, most of the league’s 32 teams took part in the festivities to some degree. And all of those trades will have an impact on the playoff races, as well as the “race” for the draft lottery standings, with Boston University freshman Macklin Celebrini the likely No. 1 pick this summer.

Which teams did the best in setting themselves up, in either direction, with their moves this trade season? Using the Elias Lindholm trade on Jan. 31 as our starting point, here are grades for all 32 GMs, along with our analysis on how those deals will impact the remainder of the 2023-24 season — and the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Cap space figures are per Cap Friendly.