The March 3rd National Hockey League trade deadline has come and gone, but its legacy lives on. Albeit largely uneventful, trading day boasted an entertaining two-week lead-up that saw more than a handful of noteworthy players landing on new teams.

With all these trades, one can’t help but wonder: who’s the biggest winner?

The East is no worse for wear following a flurry of transactions featuring big names. Timo Meier joined a formidable New Jersey Devils roster and brings with him his respectable goal-scoring ability — 32 goals and 53 points in 58 games played. The long-time San Jose Sharks winger wasted no time in hopping on the scoresheet early on in his Devils debut against the Arizona Coyotes. Did somebody say “Timo Time!”?

In other news, forward Tyler Bertuzzi, traded from the Detroit Red Wings, brings his gritty style of play combined with a certain finesse to a stacked Boston Bruins roster, making him a perfect replacement for an injured Taylor Hall. Also brought over was defenseman, Dmitry Orlov, from the Washington Capitals, who offers even further offensive production along with his skillful mobility with the puck. Already past the 100 points mark on the season, it’s hard to imagine the Bruins falling off anytime soon, especially given these new additions. 

Sticking to the trend of Eastern teams beefing up their rosters, the New York Rangers got in on the action with a couple notable pick-ups. Vladimir Tarasenko was acquired from the St. Louis Blues, and three-time Stanley Cup Champion Patrick Kane was dealt from Chicago for a cheap package of picks. With this added star power, the Rangers bolster their chances in what is sure to be a challenging Eastern Conference come playoffs.

Young defenseman, Jakob Chychrun, was finally granted his freedom from the Arizona Coyotes. This follows a year sitting on the trade block when he was dealt to the Ottawa Senators in an underwhelming trade returning a few picks. Exciting for a team already overflowing with draft selections, isn’t it? It’s hard to see what value the Coyotes gain from selling Chychrun for such a low price, but it’s possible they tanked his value by holding onto him for so long or by asking for too much. If Ottawa isn’t in the race for a Wild Card spot this season, they’re well off with Chychrun now buffing their defensive lineup. 

As the playoff push in the East remains in full force, it’ll be interesting to see how things pan out with all the new talent they’ve collected. Playoffs are right around the corner, and primed to kick off mid-April. Not to mention the Western teams, who’ve also taken advantage of the trade deadline to reinforce their own ranks. One thing for certain; the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs is a tournament you won’t want to miss.