The trade deadline was full of surprises and excitement. Several teams made big moves to improve their chances of winning the LTP Championship, while others decided to rebuild for the future. Among the teams that made trades, the Hitmen arguably did the best on the deadline day. They acquired five other players from the North Stars, including Jeff Skinner and Kris Letang. The Hitmen added more scoring, grit and experience to their roster, while giving up only draft picks, prospects and young players. The Hitmen are now only 15 points behind the first-place Blackhawks, and have a realistic shot at overtaking them by the end of the season.
Deadline Deal #1:
The Hitmen, who are currently second in the standings, added some defensive depth and leadership by acquiring veteran defenceman Devon Toews from the Canucks. Toews, who has 21 points in 52 games this season, is also a solid contributor on the power play and penalty kill. The Hitmen also received a third-round pick in 2024 and a fifth-round pick in 2025 from the Canucks.
The Canucks, who are ninth in the standings, received a young and talented forward in Timo Meier from the Hitmen. Meier, who has 26 points in 50 games this season, is a former ninth overall pick and has the potential to be a top-line winger. The Canucks also received a first-round pick and a second-round pick in 2024 from the Hitmen, giving them more assets for the future.
Hitmen Receive:
D. Toews
3rd Canucks 2024
5th Canucks 2025
FOR
Canucks Receive:
T. Meier
1st Hitmen 2024
2nd Hitmen 2025
Deadline Deal #2
The Hitmen made another blockbuster trade, acquiring five players from the North Stars, who are third in the standings. The Hitmen received Jeff Skinner, Vincent Trocheck, Ryan Hartman, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust, adding more scoring, grit and experience to their roster. Skinner, Trocheck and Rust are all 20-goal scorers, while Letang is one of the best offensive defencemen in the league. Hartman is a versatile and physical forward who can play in any situation.
The North Stars, who are looking to the future, received Troy Terry, Owen Tippett, Kirill Marchenko, Aaron Ekblad and Jakub Kulich from the Hitmen. Terry, Tippett and Marchenko are all young and skilled forwards who have shown promise in the NHL or overseas. Ekblad is a former first overall pick and a franchise defenceman who is recovering from a serious injury. Kulich is a prospect who plays in the Czech Republic.
Hitmen Receive:
J. Skinner
V. Trocheck
R. Hartman
K. Letang
B. Rust
For
North Stars Receive:
T. Terry
O. Tippett
K. Marchenko
A. Ekblad
J. Kulich
Deadline Deal #3
The Canucks made another trade, acquiring Alex Tuch from the Blackhawks, who are first in the standings. Tuch, who has 16 goals and 23 points in 52 games this season, is a big and fast winger who can play in the top six. Tuch is also signed to a team-friendly contract that runs until 2026.
The Blackhawks, who are looking to add some depth to their defence, received Erik Gustafsson from the Canucks. Gustafsson, who has 11 points in 50 games this season, is a mobile and offensive-minded defenceman who can quarterback the power play. Gustafsson is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, giving the Blackhawks some flexibility.
Canucks Receive:
A. Tuch
FOR
Blackhawks Receive:
E. Gustafsson