
Deadline Grades: How Every NHL Team Fared at 2026 Trade Deadline
The Athletic’s NHL staff graded all 2026 trade-deadline moves (and non-moves) ahead of the deadline, with Minnesota Wild earning an A+ for landing Quinn Hughes and restocking depth. Across the league, teams ranged from high marks to lower grades as clubs balanced playoff ambitions, Cup contending plans, cap space, and assets—from blockbuster acquisitions to stand-pat strategies and midrange tweaks. The result is a league-wide snapshot of how teams tried to improve their situation at the deadline.












