With the 2023-24 NHL regular season set to kick off in just a few weeks, the NHL announced that the 2024 NHL trade deadline has officially been set for 3 p.m. ET on March 8.
Last season’s trade deadline saw 21 trades made on the deadline day itself, but plenty of action was flying for two weeks leading up to the deadline. Some of the biggest names moved around that time were Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers, Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils, Ryan O’Reilly to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jakob Chychrun to the Ottawa Senators, Mattias Ekholm to the Edmonton Oilers, and Joonas Korpisalo and Vladislav Gavrikov to the Los Angeles Kings.
Teams have used the trade deadline to bolster their lineups as they head into the playoffs; just look at the 2021-22 Colorado Avalanche. General Manager Joe Sakic executed trades to acquire Artturi Lehkonen, Josh Manson, Andrew Cogliano and Nico Sturm. The Avs went on to win Lord Stanley.
The days leading up to the deadline are some of the wildest times in hockey as playoff contenders look to add skill, toughness and veterans to their lineups on their quests to capture the Stanley Cup. At the same time, sellers aim to gain back draft capital and prospects for pending free agents and players looking for a change of scenery.
Teams can still make moves after the deadline on March 8; the rule indicates that any player traded after the deadline is not eligible to play in regular season or playoff games. If any deals are done post-deadline, they typically involve AHL players, prospects and future considerations.
Hockey fans can circle this date on their calendar as one that could be as important as any other this year for contending and rebuilding clubs. With the season-opening up on Oct. 10, it will come quicker than you think.
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