Stanley Cup Odds for 2019 and Trade Deadline Winners: Western Conference

Although not as active as some of the other teams in the league during the deadline, the Golden Knights managed to pick up arguably the biggest player rumoured to be available for a deal. Las Vegas was able to pull off a deal with the Ottawa Senators that sent defenseman Erik Brannstrom, forward Oscar Lindberg, and a 2020 second-round draft pick to the Sens in exchange for forward Tobias Lindberg and the highlight of the deal: Mark Stone.

Stone was Ottawa’s second-highest point getter this season behind only Matt Duchene. He recorded 62 points in 59 games with the Sens. He had 53 blocked shots and 51 hits to go along with his astounding 88 takeaways. He also averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game this season. Stone has one point, two blocked shots, nine hits, and six takeaways already in his first three games with the Golden Knights.

Post-deadline, the Las Vegas Golden Knights sit at a +1500 to win the Stanley Cup.

2. Nashville Predators

The Predators started their deadline day with a deal that sent forward Kevin Fiala to the Minnesota Wild for forward Mikael Granlund. Granlund’s entire NHL career has been spent in Minnesota and now he moves to a team that was already considered a Cup contender. Granlund had 49 points in 63 games this season with the Wild. He has now played one game with Nashville and has registered one point and two hits.

Nashville’s next move was an even bigger one. As one of the last deals made before the deadline, the Preds acquired Wayne Simmonds from the Philadelphia Flyers for Ryan Hartman and a conditional 2020 fourth-round pick. Simmonds had 27 points in 62 games this season with the Flyers. The gritty forward also has 21 blocked shots, 22 takeaways, and an incredible 113 hits this season. Should the Preds make another run to the Cup finals, Simmonds durability and toughness will be a key factor. He has three blocks, one hit, and is a +1 through his first two games with Nashville.

The Nashville Predators odds of winning the Stanley Cup are now listed at +1000 and are one of the league’s more favoured teams to win.

1. Winnipeg Jets

The Jets were busy beavers during this year’s deadline. They made their first big splash when they sent Brendan Lemieux, a 2019 first-round pick, and a conditional 2022 fourth-round pick to the New York Rangers for forward Kevin Hayes. The 26-year-old Hayes has spent his whole career in New York. This season he has 42 points in 51 games. He has 51 hits and 48 takeaways with a 53 per cent success rate in the faceoff circle. In only two games with the Jets so far, Hayes has managed three points, is +2, with four shots on goal.

Winnipeg’s next move came shortly after when they struck a deal with the Minnesota Wild. The Jets sent a 2020 seventh-round draft pick to the Wild in order to bring back veteran Matt Hendricks to the team. Hendricks brings 39 games of playoff experience to a young team hoping for their next playoff appearance.

A few more minor deals were then struck. The Jets acquired defenseman Bogdan Kiselivich from the Florida Panthers for a 2021 seventh-round pick. They then made a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets, adding forward Alexander Broadhurst to the roster for future considerations. Following this, the Jets traded forward Nic Petan to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Par Lindholm.

Winnipeg finished their flurry of deadline deals with another big name. The Jets were able to land defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2019 sixth-round pick. The 26-year-old defender has two games under his belt now with the Jets and has three shots, two blocked shots, four hits, and one takeaway.

The Winnipeg Jets’ odds at winning the Stanley Cup now sit at +1000.

Honourable mention: San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks made two notable moves during this season’s trade deadline. The first was a deal with the Vancouver Canucks in which San Jose sent forward Linus Karlsson in exchange for 21-year-old prospect Jonathan Dahlen.

The Sharks were also able to pull off a deal with the Detroit Red Wings. Sending a 2019 second-round pick and a conditional 2020 third-round pick to Detroit, the Sharks were able to snag up Gustav Nyquist. Nyquist has 49 points in 62 games this season.

The San Jose Sharks’ odds also sit at +1000 this season.