The 2023 NHL Trade Deadline was a certified gong show.
61 trades broke between January 30th and March 3, starting with the New York Islanders' trade for C Bo Horvat. Of those 61, we witnessed four three-team deals in which one side brokered salary retention in exchange for draft capital.
According to Elliotte Friedman, one of those four caused quite the stir at the NHL's offices due to the complexity of the process. Friedman reported that the NHL is considering either overhauling the process by which three-way deals are made or scrapping it altogether.
Here is Elliotte's explanation:
Will we see a change with three-team deals? 🤔@JeffMarek and @FriedgeHNIC wrap up the #NHLTradeDeadline and talk about some issues that have been raised around three-team deals.
LISTEN ➡️ https://t.co/nwCoMOtCaB
Presented by @GMCCanada. pic.twitter.com/K7A23YRnX6— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 4, 2023
Although Friedman iterated that the trade in question isn't known, simple speculation has me wondering if it was the Patrick Kane trade to the New York Rangers. Of the four three-way trades, that one took the longest and has the most conditions attached.
Just one guy's perspective, though, take it with a grain of salt.
Naturally, since this year's trade deadline was absolutely insane and fun, the NHL has to intervene. It's kind of their modus operandi at this point.
No fun, all business.
Which NHL team improved the most at this season's deadline?
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