Ranking the best NHL trades since 2000: Florida Panthers have two
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Ranking the best NHL trades since 2000: Florida Panthers have two
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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5 min read
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Editor's note: This is a part of an occasional USA TODAY Sports series on the best moments, teams, players and figures in sports over the last 25 years.
Now, the NHL trade window will go dark again with the arrival of the holiday roster freeze.
No trades, waivers or loans can take place between 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 19 and 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 28. The trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 6.
With no trades taking place for a while, let's take a look back at the best trades since 2000:
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
April 7: Tusky, the Utah Mammoth mascot, rides on the Zammoth (Mammoth Zamboni) on the ice after an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
April 5: A Toronto Maple Leafs fan attends the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
April 4: Fans of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche bang on the glass during the second period of the game between the Stars and Avalanche at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans' signs welcoming him back to Toronto.
(Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images)
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.
(Lon Horwedel, Imagn Images)
Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.
(Bob Kupbens, Imagn Images)
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.
(Kevin Ng, Imagn Images)
Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)
A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers
(Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
(Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images)
Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
1/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
1/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
(Justin Berl, Getty Images)
2/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 7: Tusky, the Utah Mammoth mascot, rides on the Zammoth (Mammoth Zamboni) on the ice after an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
3/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 5: A Toronto Maple Leafs fan attends the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
(Marc DesRosiers, Imagn Images)
4/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 4: Fans of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche bang on the glass during the second period of the game between the Stars and Avalanche at the American Airlines Center.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
5/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
March 5; Fans in the stands during the first period between the Calgary Flames and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Saddledome.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
6/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)
7/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) skates during warmup in front of fans' signs welcoming him back to Toronto.
(Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images)
8/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) poses for a photo with a fan as he comes off the ice after warmups.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
9/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A fan cheers during the third period in the 2026 Winter Classic ice hockey game between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
10/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)
11/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty and members of the Dance Team perform before game against the Vancouver Canucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
(Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)
12/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Young Detroit Red Wings fans make as much noise as they can during the third period at Little Caesars Arena.
(Lon Horwedel, Imagn Images)
13/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Carolina Hurricanes and former Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) tosses a puck to a fan in his return to Canada Life Centre.
(James Carey Lauder, Imagn Images)
14/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A young fan watches the action during the third period of the game between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose.
(Bob Kupbens, Imagn Images)
15/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
16/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Hockey fans hold up signs before a Global Series ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Avicii Arena.
(Per Haljestam, Imagn Images)
17/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
18/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy celebrates with goalie Joey Daccord (35) after a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Climate Pledge Arena.
(Kevin Ng, Imagn Images)
19/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Colorado Avalanche fans cheer in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena.
(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)
20/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
21/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A young fan sees her reflection in the arena glass during a game between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
22/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Minnesota Wild mascot Nordy poses for photos with fans during the first period of the game against the Winnipeg Jets at Grand Casino Arena.
(Matt Blewett, Imagn Images)
23/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A San Jose Sharks fan dresses in costume for Halloween during a game against the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
24/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Tusky, the new Utah Mammoth mascot, is introduced to the fans before the game against the Calgary Flames at Delta Center.
(Rob Gray, Imagn Images)
25/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A San Jose Sharks fan reacts after her team scores during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
(Stan Szeto, Imagn Images)
26/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
27/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty performs before a game against the Florida Panthers
(Eric Hartline/Imagn Images)
28/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
(Russell LaBounty, Imagn Images)
29/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Fans reach for a puck flipped over the glass by Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) during warmup before a game against the St. Louis Blues.
(Bob Frid, Imagn Images)
30/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound before a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
(Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)
31/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston signs autographs for the fans as he walks the green carpet before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild.
(Jerome Miron, Imagn Images)
32/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug celebrates after beating the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
33/33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) skates past fans holding signs during warmups before the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Fleury suited up for the Penguins one last time during the preseason game.
Details:The Predators acquire Subban from the Canadiens in exchange for Weber.
Analysis:This was a shocker based on the magnitude of the players involved. Subban was a former Norris Trophy winner. Weber was always in the mix, was Predators captain and the team had recentlymatched a big offer sheetto him.
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This trade helped both teams.Nashvillereached the Stanley Cup Final in Subban's first season and won the Presidents' Trophy the following season. Weber helped the Canadiens reach the 2021 Final and has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Analysis:Eichel and the Sabres disagreed over his desire to have a certain type of neck surgery. Eventually, he was moved to the Golden Knights and had the surgery. The Golden Knights missed the playoffs for the lone time in franchise history but the following season, the team and Eichel won the Stanley Cup for the first time. Eichel was in the mix for playoff MVP in 2023 and set a franchise points record in 2024-25. Tuch has been a solid contributor for the Sabres, who need to re-sign thepending free agent.
Details:The Ducks acquire Pronger from the Oilers for two first-round picks, a second-rounder,Joffrey LupulandLadislav Smíd.
Analysis:TheEdmonton Oilers(2005), Ducks (2006) andPhiladelphia Flyers(2009) traded for the future Hall of Famer and he helped lead them to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season there. The Ducks snared Pronger right after his run to the 2006 Final and they won it all in 2007.
Details:The Avalanche acquire Bourque and Dave Andreychuk from the Bruins for a first-round pick, Martin Grenier, Samuel Pahlsson and Brian Rolston.
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Analysis:This trade was made in a bid to get five-time Norris Trophy winner Bourque his first Stanley Cup. It didn't work out in 2000, but the Avalanche won it all in 2001 after general manager Pierre Lacroix made another aggressive move at the trade deadline to land Rob Blake. Bourque retired not long after lifting the Cup.
Details:The Panthers acquire Marchand for a conditional second-round pick in 2027 that will become a first-rounder in 2027 or 2028.
Analysis:Floridaprobably would not have repeated without Marchand. He was injured at the time of the trade, but scored key goals in the playoffs, including a pair oftwo-goal gamesin the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthersre-signed himand he has been their best player as the teamdeals with major injuries.
Details:The Penguins acquire Kessel, a second-round pick,Tyler BiggsandTim Erixonfrom the Maple Leafs for a first-round pick, third-round pick, Scott Harrington,Kasperi KapanenandNick Spaling.
Analysis:Three-time All-Star Phil Kessel had been to the playoffs only once with the Maple Leafs, but he was the missing piece as the Penguins won back-to-back titles. He averaged nearly a point a game and had a playoff-best five power-play goals in 2016 and 2017. Kessel topped 300 points in his four seasons inPittsburghand went on to become the league's record ironman.
Details:The Sharks acquire Thornton from the Bruins for forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau and defensemanBrad Stuart.
Analysis:This deal was another shocker because Thornton was the Bruins captain and had topped 100 points two seasons earlier. But the trade worked out great for the Sharks. He won the Hart Trophy that season and led the league with 125 points. He also led the league in assists in his first three years with the Sharks and helped them to nine consecutive playoff berths, plus the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. He wasinducted into the Hall of Fame. Sturm isnow the Bruins coach.
Matthew Tkachuk's arrival in a trade helped the Florida Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Analysis:The Flames moved Tkachuk because they didn't want a repeat ofJohnny Gaudreau's free agent departure. The Flames appeared to get a good haul, especially since Huberdeau was a 100-point scorer like Tkachuk. But Tkachuk has been the best player in the deal. His physical presence changed the Panthers into a contender and they made the Final three times, winning the last two seasons. He was among the 2025 playoff scoring leaders while playing through a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia. He's working his way back from offseason surgery.
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Huberdeau and Weegar signed extensions, but Huberdeau dropped from 115 points to 55 his first season inCalgaryand hasn't topped 62 points. Weegar had two good seasons but his numbers are down in 2025-26. Schwindt is back with the Panthers.
