As the NHL's 2025 trade deadline approaches, teams weigh their decisions on whether to acquire or offload players in hopes of securing a playoff spot. However, not all trades yield the expected results. The deals from last season highlight the risks involved, as some teams paid steep prices for underwhelming performances.

The Vancouver Canucks' acquisition of Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames was particularly costly, involving multiple assets including a first-round pick. Lindholm's lackluster regular season and his subsequent departure to the Boston Bruins left Canucks fans questioning the move. In contrast, the Flames capitalized on the deal, selecting promising talent Matvei Gridin with Vancouver's draft pick.

Similarly, Sean Monahan's tenure with the Winnipeg Jets proved disappointing. Though initially appearing to be a great fit, he was unable to produce in the playoffs, leading to a costly first-round pick heading to Montreal without any return. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights' trade for Anthony Mantha saw him fail to impact the postseason, leading to a quick exit against the Dallas Stars.

On the flip side, some teams, like the Carolina Hurricanes, benefited from smart acquisitions that paid off in playoff scoring. The lessons learned from these trade deadline moves could significantly influence strategies as the deadline looms once more.

The waiver wire continues to offer intriguing options for fantasy hockey players. With players like Elias Lindholm of the Boston Bruins enjoying a resurgence, now back on the top power-play unit, he's racking up 2.29 fantasy points per game over his last seven. Boone Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets made an impact in his season debut, while Pierre-Luc Dubois is steadily improving his stats with the Washington Capitals, making him a must-roster candidate.

Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche is on the verge of returning, which could bolster the Avalanche's struggling offense. Meanwhile, Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a key player on a potent power-play unit, is widely available and should be picked up quickly. Lastly, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers is showing promise, contributing significantly to his line's performance. These players could play a pivotal role in your fantasy team's success this season.

Mark Scheifele propelled the Winnipeg Jets to a commanding 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, marking his 30th and 31st goals of the season. This victory reflects the Jets' solid performance, now riding a five-game winning streak and leading the Western Conference. In addition to Scheifele's stellar showing, contributions came from Vladislav Namestnikov, Nikolaj Ehlers, Parker Ford, and Kyle Connor, while Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves. The Jets have dominated the Bruins this season, previously defeating them 8-1 in December. For Boston, Brad Marchand and Elias Lindholm managed to score, but defensive miscues continued to plague the team, leading to a second consecutive loss.

The game featured a critical turning point early in the third period when Pavel Zacha's faceoff win set up Lindholm, who tied the game at two. However, Scheifele quickly responded, scoring just 24 seconds later, reinstating Winnipeg's lead. The Jets capitalized on this momentum, strengthening their position with Ehlers' goal shortly thereafter.

Mark Scheifele showcased his scoring prowess by netting two goals, bringing his season tally to 31, as the Winnipeg Jets dominated the Boston Bruins with a 6-2 victory. Alongside Scheifele, Vladislav Namestnikov contributed with a goal and an assist, while Nikolaj Ehlers, Parker Ford, and Kyle Connor also found the back of the net. Connor Hellebuyck was solid in goal, stopping 27 shots to secure the win for the Jets, who have now won five consecutive games and completed a two-game sweep against Boston this season.

Despite the loss, Brad Marchand and Elias Lindholm scored for the Bruins, who have struggled defensively, yielding yet another defeat. In the closing period, Pavel Zacha's assist allowed Lindholm to tie the game momentarily, but the Jets quickly regained the lead through Scheifele's second goal. The Jets' offensive onslaught proved too much for the Bruins, who fell short once again in a challenging season.

Charlie Coyle showcased his scoring prowess with two key third-period goals that led the Boston Bruins to a 6-3 victory against the San Jose Sharks at TD Garden. Coyle's performance overshadowed that of fellow Boston University alumni Macklin Celebrini, who was making his NHL debut. The Bruins’ win marked their 14th consecutive victory over the Sharks.

Coyle's first goal tied the game 3-3 after receiving a slick backhanded pass from Matt Poitras, followed by a second goal that put the Bruins ahead. The game also featured an own goal by Sharks’ Jake Walman, as David Pastrnak's shot hit him before going into the net.