The NHL trade deadline looks to be going down to the wire with multiple trades going down on Thursday. Three interesting swaps took place, with various contenders loading up on depth pieces. Another playoff hopeful continues to sell off despite claims they’re still in the postseason hunt.
So, let’s jump in.
Florida Panthers Jump into NHL Trade Deadline
The Florida Panthers made their first deal of this year’s NHL trade deadline. The Cats haven’t officially waived the white flag, but are pretty much there.
As such, the club has begun moving veteran pieces, with the first being depth defenseman Jeff Petry. The Panthers sent the 38-year-old to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The condition attached to the piece states that if the Wild win at least two playoff rounds this year, the pick converts to a fifth-round selection. Also, Petry must play at least half of the Wild’s games during those two rounds.
In short, this deal may fly under the radar at this season’s NHL trade deadline. But it has the potential to become a sneaky-good deal with Petry becoming a solid depth piece for Minnesota.
Dallas Stocks Up on Offensive Depth
A day after landing Tyler Myers from the Vancouver Canucks, the Dallas Stars continue to make waves at the NHL trade deadline. This time, the Stars added some much-needed offensive depth. The club landed winger Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators. In return, the Predators acquired a third-round pick in this year’s draft. The pick originally belonged to the Seattle Kraken and went to the Stars in the Mason Marchment trade.
Now, the Stars have another middle-six forward the team can use to offset the absence of Tyler Seguin. It’s worth pointing out that Seguin is out for the remainder of the season. There was no retention involved in this deal, hence the reason for the mid-round pick instead of a higher one.
Senators Overpay for Depth Forward
In what has become an ongoing trend at this year’s NHL trade deadline, the Ottawa Senators overpaid for a depth forward. This time, it was LA Kings’ winger Warren Foegele heading to the Canadian capital, along with a 2026 third-rounder, in return for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick. The second rounder belonged to the Buffalo Sabres. Ottawa landed the pick in the Dylan Cozens trade last season.
Meanwhile, both third-round picks are conditional. The Kings will send either their own pick or the Stars’ third-rounder, depending on which one is worse. Under those circumstances, the Sens likely get Dallas’ pick.
As for the Kings, they’ll either get the Senators’ or the Washington Capitals’ third-rounder, depending on which one is better. But if both Washington and Ottawa fail to make the postseason, the Kings will get the worst one. That situation means that this NHL trade deadline deal will see the Kings get the third-rounder of the club with the better record when the season is over.
It’ll be interesting to see how things play out, as keeping track of all of these conditions can make NHL trade deadline deals confusing at times.