15 NHL blockbuster trades that led to Stanley Cup glory

Blockbuster trades always add to the excitement around the NHL, especially leading up to the trade deadline. And it is even better when they result in a championship during the same season.

We have already seen a handful of superstars change teams this season, including Patrick Kane, Timo Meier, Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko and Bo Horvat, with each respective general manager hoping it’ll put their club over the top.

Acquiring an All-Star player hasn’t always translated into championship success in the past, although there have been numerous instances where it has. For teams like the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils, each is banking on history repeating itself in 2023.

What constitutes a blockbuster? In this case, we are focusing on deals involving bona fide top six forwards, top pairing defensemen or elite starting goalies. Let’s explore the NHL’s rich history of when a blockbuster trade correlated with a team winning it all in the same campaign.

Blues salvage season by acquiring Ryan O'Reilly (2018)

To St. Louis: Ryan O’Reilly

To Buffalo: Tage Thompson, Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, 2019 1st-round pick (Ryan Johnson), 2021 2nd-round pick (Ben Roger)

St. Louis’ improbable Stanley Cup run in 2019 remains one of the best stories in NHL history, and understandably so, as the Blues were sitting in last place as of Jan. 3 before turning their storybook season around. But it undoubtedly wouldn’t have been possible without the Ryan O’Reilly summer blockbuster.

Following three less-than-impressive campaigns with Buffalo, the 2013-14 Lady Byng Trophy winner received a fresh start in 2018-19 and finished with a career-high 77 points. That was a precursor to his incredible postseason performance, as he led the Blues with eight goals and 23 points, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The deal, of course, also ended up working out for the Sabres as Thompson has emerged as one of the game’s top scorers, with 41 goals and 80 points through 59 games this season.

Penguins acquire Phil Kessel (2015)

To Pittsburgh: Phil Kessel, 2016 2nd-round pick (Kasper Bjorkqvist), Tyler Biggs, Tim Erixon

To Toronto: Kasperi Kapanen, Scott Harrington, Nick Spaling, 2016 1st-round pick (Sam Steel), 2016 3rd-round pick (J.D. Greenway)

After reaching the top of the mountain in 2009, the Penguins were met with six straight seasons of playoff disappointment afterwards, finishing shy of their goal each time. But everything changed during the 2015 offseason, which saw them welcome Kessel to the team.

Kessel was a fresh of breath air offensively, contributing 26 goals and 59 points over his first 82 games with the franchise. The six-time 30-goal scorer proved his worth in the postseason, though, as he recorded a team-high 10 goals and 22 points, marking the beginning of consecutive Stanley Cup celebrations in Pittsburgh.

Kings acquire Marian Gaborik (2014)

To Los Angeles: Marian Gaborik

To Columbus: 2014 2nd-round pick (Dominic Turgeon), 2015 2nd-round pick (Travis Dermott), Matt Frattin

A few years after securing their first Stanley Cup, the Kings restocked for another deep playoff run by procuring Gaborik from the Blue Jackets, adding another scoring threat to the mix. It certainly paid off down the stretch.

After producing five goals and 16 points in 19 games, Gaborik was brilliant in the playoffs, racking up a league-leading 14 goals and 22 points, earning Los Angeles its second championship in three seasons.

Kings receive Mike Richards, Jeff Carter (2011-12)

To Los Angeles: Mike Richards, Rob Bordson

To Philadelphia: Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, 2012 2nd-round pick (Devin Shore)

To Los Angeles: Jeff Carter

To Columbus: Jack Johnson, 2013 1st-round pick (Marko Dano)

The Kings’ core of Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty received a massive boost following the additions of Richards (June 2011) and Carter (February 2012), providing head coach Darryl Sutter with extra firepower in search of the franchise’s first championship.

Carter finished tied with Brown and Kopitar for the team lead in playoff goals (eight), with all three skaters also ranking tied for the league lead. Richards, meanwhile, brought Selke-caliber defensive play and immense leadership, and chipped in offensively with four goals and 15 points.

Bruins acquire Nathan Horton (2010)

To Boston: Nathan Horton, Gregory Campbell

To Florida: Dennis Wideman, 2010 1st-round pick (Derek Forbert), 2011 3rd-round pick (Kyle Rau)

Despite being headlined by Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron up front, Horton was one of the most impactful players on the 2011 Stanley Cup champs, ranking second in goals (26) and fourth in points (53) during the regular season.

The former Panther was even more meaningful once the postseason arrived, netting eight goals and 17 points, including a trio of game-winners, one of which occurred in overtime during Game 7 versus Montreal.

Horton's post-season, and eventually his career, was cut short as a result of a brutal hit he took from Aaron Rome in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Ducks strike blockbuster for Chris Pronger (2006)

To Anaheim: Chris Pronger

To Edmonton: Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, 2007 1st-round pick (Nick Ross), 2008 1st-round pick (Jordan Eberle), 2008 2nd-round pick (Travis Hamonic)

In need of a suitable partner for Scott Niedermayer, Ducks general manager Brian Burke did exactly that when he acquired Pronger from the Oilers over the 2006 offseason, giving his club a legendary one-two punch on the backend. And the four-time All-Star didn’t disappoint.

Pronger posted 13 goals and 59 points across 66 regular-season games, then led Anaheim in scoring (15 points) throughout the playoffs while logging over 30 minutes per game and shutting things down on the defensive end. He also redeemed himself after losing to the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final the previous season.

Red Wings make splash for Dominik Hasek (2001)

To Detroit: Dominik Hasek

To Buffalo: 2002 1st-round pick (Jim Slater), Vyacheslav Kozlov

At 37, Hasek aged like fine wine during the back half of his career, winning four Vezinas and two Hart Trophies following his age-30 season, including a sixth Vezina in his final season in Buffalo. But one thing he was missing was a Stanley Cup, at least that is until he was traded to Detroit on July 1, 2001.

Even with plenty of miles on his odometer, the Hall of Famer still played a key factor in the Red Wings’ championship run, recording a league-leading six shutouts with a 1.86 GAA and .920 SV% over 23 games. Hasek’s final NHL season (2007-08) wasn’t nearly as impressive, though he did walk off into the sunset with a second championship ring.