There are only two words to describe this past Friday: absolute chaos. In a single day, Edmonton completely recalibrated its goaltending, while the Wild unloaded a bundle of budding stars to acquire one of the best defencemen in the game.

In the wake of Friday’s trades, it feels like an appropriate time to look back. Without further ado, here are the Top 10 blockbusters of the past ten years.

(Analysis current to the morning of December 14, 2025)

10.   Phil Kessel to PIT (July 1, 2015)

To PIT: Phil Kessel, Tyler Biggs, Tim Erixon, second-round pick (2016)

To TOR: Nick Spaling, Kasperi Kapanen, Scott Harrington, first-round pick (2016), third-round pick (2016)

Phil Kessel’s departure from Toronto was a necessary breakup for both team and player alike. In pulling the trigger, the Leafs committed fully to a rebuild (eventually leading to Auston Matthews), while the Penguins added a proven scorer to an already dangerous core.

Phil the Thrill enjoyed a remarkable tenure in Pittsburgh, helping the Pens capture back-to-back Stanley Cups in as one-third of the team’s highly successful ‘HBK Line’ alongside Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino. Looking back, this trade did not just alter the trajectory of Phil Kessel’s career, it completely redefined his legacy.

9.   Ryan O’Reilly to STL (July 1, 2018)

To STL: Ryan O’Reilly

To BUF: Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson, first-round pick (2019), second-round pick (2021)

At the time, this trade was framed as a modest reset between two teams heading in opposite directions. In hindsight, however, it was one of the most consequential deals of the last decade. Buffalo moved on from O’Reilly to prioritize its future, while St. Louis acquired him to stabilize its lineup down the middle.

St. Louis’ vision paid off immediately. In his first season with the Blues, ROR led the Blues from last place in January to its first Stanley Cup in June, capturing the Selke and Conn Smythe trophies along the way. While Buffalo eventually benefited from Tage Thompson‘s emergence, this trade is indisputable proof that acquiring the right player at the right moment can redefine a franchise’s history.

8.   Patrick Kane to NYR (February 23, 2023)

To NYR: Patrick Kane, Cooper Zech

To CHI: Second-round pick (2023), fourth-round pick (2025), Andy Welinski, Vili Saarijarvi

After three Stanley Cups with the red, white, and black, seeing Patrick Kane in anything other than a Blackhawks jersey looked plain wrong. But after over a decade of Showtime in the Chi, the Hawks officially closed the book on its dynasty, while the Rangers reunited Kane with Artemi Panarin in a bid for immediate success.

The Patty Kane run on Broadway ended rather abruptly, but the trade nonetheless marked a symbolic shift for two Original Six franchises.

7.   Quinn Hughes to MIN (December 12, 2025)

To MIN: Quinn Hughes

To VAN: Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, Zeev Buium, first-round pick (2026)

This trade is still fresh as can be, and its final verdict is years away, but the shock value – along with a sprinkle of recency bias – carves out its spot on this list.

In a move that stunned the hockey world, the Canucks parted ways with its captain and franchise defenceman in exchange for a package of young, high-end assets. Although Hughes has yet to suit up for the Wild, it’s already safe to say the deal will bear massive implications for the league, both this year and beyond.

6.   Mikko Rantanen to CAR (January 24, 2025)/Mikko Rantanen to DAL (March 8, 2025)

To CAR: Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall

To COL: Martin Necas, Jack Drury

To CHI: Third-round pick (2025)

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To DAL: Mikko Rantanen

To CAR: Logan Stankoven, first-round pick (2026), first-round pick (2028), third-round pick (2026), third-round pick (2027)

Mikko Rantanen was once synonymous with the Colorado Avalanche, but that quickly changed on one fateful night this past January. In completing the trade, Carolina brought in a bona fide superstar, while the Avs acquired a star of their own while simultaneously avoiding the risk of losing Rantanen for nothing over the offseason. Shockingly, just two months later, Canes GM Eric Tulsky – unable to sign Rantenen to a long-term extension – flipped the fantastic Finn to the Starsto avoid the same risk.

Through all the twists and turns, the Rantanen trade saga will forever be regarded as one of the strangest trade scenarios in NHL history.

5.   Erik Karlsson to SJ (September 13, 2018)

To SJ: Erik Karlsson, Francis Perron

To OTT: Josh Norris, Chris Tierney, Dylan DeMelo, Rudolfs Balcers, first-round pick (2020), second-round pick (2019), two conditional picks

The Erik Karlsson trade marked the definitive end of Ottawa’s contending era and the start of a full-fledged rebuild.

San Jose made an aggressive, all-in bet, believing Karlsson could push an already strong roster over the top. The move delivered a Western Conference Final appearance for the Sharks and a Norris Trophy for EK65, but injuries limited the long-term payoff. For Ottawa, the trade has aged better with time, particularly through the selection of Tim Stützle with one of the acquired picks. While neither team has reached the mountaintop since the deal got done, it remains one of the largest blockbusters in recent memory.

4.   Mark Stone to VGK (February 25, 2019)

To VGK: Mark Stone, Tobias Lindberg

To OTT: Erik Brannstrom, Oscar Lindberg, second-round pick (2020)

Throughout its brief (but mighty) franchise history, the Vegas Golden Knights has never shied away from rolling the dice – and this trade was no exception. Acquiring Mark Stone elevated the Golden Knights from Cup contender to eventual champion. Over time, Stone became the face of the VGK franchise, the team’s first ever captain, and a key contributor on its path to the Stanley Cup in 2023.

3.   P.K. Subban to NSH / Shea Weber to MTL (June 29, 2016)

To NSH: P.K. Subban

To MTL: Shea Weber

With two of the NHL’s top defencemen swapping jerseys, the Subban-Webber deal has to be one of the most shocking one-for-one trades in NHL history.

A year after the deal, Subban helped push Nashville to a Stanley Cup Final, while Weber eventually captained Montreal to a final of its own in 2021. Neither player won it all, but both left lasting marks on their new teams.

2. Matthew Tkachuk to FLA (September 2, 2022)

To FLA: Matthew Tkachuk

To CGY: Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, first-round pick (2025)

Few trades have altered the trajectories of two franchises more clearly than this one.

Florida took an appreciable risk to make this move, trading two core players to acquire Tkachuk. But after arriving in Sunrise, Tkachuk quickly became the emotional and competitive engine of the Panthers, helping the team capture back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, the deal sent the Flames into a tailspin – and the franchise is still vying to pick up the pieces.

1.   Jack Eichel to VGK (November 4, 2021)

To VGK: Jack Eichel, third-round pick (2023)

To BUF: Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, first-round pick (2022), second-round pick (2023)

Speaking of rolling the dice, the Golden Knights bet on Jack Eichel‘s health, elite talent, and long-term upside at a moment when Buffalo could no longer afford to wait.

And the payoff was enormous.

After returning to full health, Eichel delivered one of the most dominant playoff performances of the salary-cap era, leading the Golden Knights to its first Stanley Cup in 2023. Beyond the championship, the trade provided Vegas with a franchise centre capable of anchoring the lineup for years. While Buffalo acquired meaningful assets in return, this deal ultimately set the modern benchmark for how a bold, high-risk move can permanently elevate a team from newcomer, to contender, to champion.

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That’s all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.

Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, December 22. Have a great week everyone!