Each NHL trade deadline is distinct, and the 2024 iteration is made special by the specters of previous trade deadlines. In an attempt to win a Stanley Cup, many teams, including Toronto, Boston, Florida, and Tampa Bay, went all in the last few years, supporting teams who were already rather excellent.
Sadly, the drawback of putting all of your chips in at one year’s trade deadline is that you will have fewer chips available for the following year.
For example, the Lightning would be thrilled to place an offer on Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin, who would rank third behind Mikhail Sergachev and Victor Hedman in the long run. However, the Lightning lack the resources necessary to mount a competitive bid for Hanifin, having already forfeited five draft picks to acquire Tanner Jeannot a season ago.
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