NHL Trade Deadline: Grading the Rangers, Devils, and Islanders moves

The NHL trade deadline was Monday at 3:00 p.m. ET. The New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders are all heading in different directions and approached it differently. Let us grade each team’s deadline moves!

The NHL trade deadline came and went on Monday and the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders all approached things differently. How did they do?

The criterion of the grading is simple. I will use an A-F scale (not every letter will be used). I will not give out any +’s because all trades at least have minimal risk. Other than that, we will evaluate it as is. So, an A is the best you can get.

The grade also reflects on if the team met their de-facto deadline goals. The Rangers were sellers at the deadline, shoveling off talent for picks and prospects. As for the Devils, they were buyers trying to bolster their team for a playoff push. And of course, the Isles did nothing to get worse or drastically improve.

The tides of these teams switched up from what we have seen the last few years. Recently the Devils were sellers and the Rangers were buyers. The Islanders always stay relatively quiet.

So, with each team being in different spots and dealing with different circumstances, the 2018 NHL trade deadline was important.

New York and New Jersey fans were on the edge of their seats. Even though the teams made moves before Monday, they still saved some for the 3:00 p.m. ET deadline.

Rangers fans knew what they were in for. They sent out a letter to their fans saying how they were looking into the future. But not knowing exactly who was staying or going brought great anticipation.

The Islanders fans expected very little and that is essentially what they got. However, the optimistic Isles fans always hope GM Garth Snow has something up his sleeve.

Now, with some of the basics cleared up, let’s get to the grades!