With the NHL’s trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, we’re going to pinpoint below the league’s teams that are shaping up as true Stanley Cup contenders. In alphabetical order:

Let's take a look at which NHL teams improved the most, which took the biggest chances and which fell flat on its face on deadline day.

The Hurricanes had seemingly as good of a chance to win a Stanley Cup this season as they've had in quite some time with Rantanen. Instead, they traded him for pieces that might end up helping them down the line, but not much in 2025. Stankoven has promise, but has just 29 points in 59 games this season.