Making a big move in-season is not a prerequisite to winning at the highest level. The bulk of Cup champs attacked the middle to lower half of the roster in quality.
Year | Cup Winner | Notable Mid-season/Deadline Moves |
05-06 | Carolina | Recchi, Weight |
06-07 | Anaheim | May |
07-08 | Detroit | Stuart |
08-09 | Pittsburgh | Kunitz, Guerin |
09-10 | Chicago | Johnsson (Didn't play in the playoffs) |
10-11 | Boston | Kaberle, Kelly, Peverley |
11-12 | L.A. | Carter |
12-13 | Chicago | Handzus |
13-14 | L.A. | Gaborik |
14-15 | Chicago | Vermette, Desjardins |
15-16 | Pittsburgh | Daley, Hagelin, Schultz, Lovejoy |
16-17 | Pittsburgh | Hainsey |
17-18 | Washington | Kempny |
18-19 | St. Louis | - |
19-20 | Tampa | Bogosion, Goodrow, Coleman |
20-21 | Tampa | Savard |
21-22 | Colorado | Manson, Lehkonen |
Bold denotes 1st for a rental.
Italics denotes hockey trades (player for player).
I'm expecting that they feel pressure and buckle at the deadline at some point. However, watch it be the year that they don't do much of anything that they break through (if they're meant to break through).