As the annual NHL holiday trade freeze approaches, teams across the league are actively adjusting their rosters in preparation for the rest of the 2024 season. This follows a period of relatively subdued activity in the trade market, with only five trades recorded in November and a further two in early December.
The trades executed so far involve a mix of players and draft picks moving between teams. On November 8, the Minnesota Wild acquired 33-year-old defenseman Zach Bogosian from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a 2025 NHL Draft 7th-round pick. That same day, the Wild also traded defenseman Calen Addison, 23, to the San Jose Sharks, receiving 22-year-old forward Adam Raska and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Later in November, the New Jersey Devils traded for forward Arnaud Durandeau, 24, sending Tyce Thompson, also 24, to the New York Islanders. The Vancouver Canucks made two trades, sending forward Anthony Beauvillier, 26, to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2024 NHL Draft 5th-round pick and defenseman Nikita Zadorov, 28, from the Calgary Flames for a 2024 NHL Draft 5th-round pick and a 3rd-round 2026 Draft pick.
December saw continued activity, with the Buffalo Sabres acquiring forward Eric Robinson, 28, from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and the St. Louis Blues trading defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, 34, to the New York Islanders for a 2024 NHL Draft seventh-round pick.
These moves reflect the strategies of the involved franchises as they seek to optimize their rosters for the upcoming challenges of the season. While some teams aim to bolster their lineups in pursuit of improved performance, others are adjusting their strategies based on the current standings and future prospects.
The moves had little impact on Stanley Cup odds so betting in your state was likely not impacted. The Boston Bruins (+750) lead as favorites for the title, followed closely by the New York Rangers (+800) and the Colorado Avalanche (+800). The reigning champions, the Vegas Golden Knights (+850), also remain strong contenders. Among the teams involved in recent trades, the Tampa Bay Lightning (+2000) and the Vancouver Canucks (+2200) are considered outsiders for the title, but the impact of their recent trades on their season performance remains to be seen.
As the holiday trade freeze nears, the possibility of additional trades adds an element of anticipation, with teams considering last-minute adjustments to strengthen their chances for a playoff spot and potentially improve their odds in the Stanley Cup race.