NHL Post-Deadline Grades: Jets, Stars and Avalanche Aced Their Moves in the Central
Tyler ToffoliJames Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports The 2024 NHL trade deadline is now nearly a week in the past, and we’re continuing our look at each team in all four NHL divisions. We looked at which teams in the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions were trending upward or downward earlier this week. Today, we’re grading each team in the Central Division based on how effectively they’re pursuing their season goals. Here they are in their place in the division standings: 1.
COLORADO AVALANCHE, 42-20-5, 89 PTS, .664 POINT PERCENTAGE Post-Deadline Grade: A The Avalanche were already an elite team before the deadline. GM Chris MacFarland made big moves to add to their team, landing defenseman Sean Walker and forwards Casey Mittelstadt, Brandon Duhaime, and Yakov Trenin to shore up Colorado’s second and third lines. The additions, along with the return to action of Valeri Nichuskin, give the Avalanche a dynamic, fast and talented lineup from top to bottom. While there’s still a question about the franchise’s backup goaltending – youngster Justus Annunen has looked good in seven games this year, but he’s only had four career games of NHL experience before this season – the Avs are going to be fearsome to any team they take on in the first round of the post-season.
Colorado is setting the bar very high for itself, but its top-end talent could well prove to be the difference-maker this year. Related: Which NHL Teams Are the Ultimate Stanley Cup Contenders After the Trade Deadline? 2. DALLAS STARS, 40-18-9, 89 PTS, .664 POINT PERCENTAGE Post-Deadline Grade: A The Stars entered the deadline as one of the NHL’s strongest teams. Adding veteran defenseman Chris Tanev now makes Dallas’ defense corps one of the best groups of blueliners in the league.
Young forward Logan Stankoven has also been very solid in his initial NHL run, generating five goals and eight points in his first nine NHL games. With a few additions, the Stars are now as talented and deep as any Central team. They’re expected to enjoy another deep playoff run, and if they can stay healthy, there’s no reason they can’t pull off what would be the second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. 3. WINNIPEG JETS, 41-19-5, 87 PTS, .669 POINT PERCENTAGE Post-Deadline Grade: A The Jets added good depth with the pre-deadline additions of veteran forwards Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli, as well as defenseman Colin Miller.
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