The NHL Trade Deadline has officially passed and numerous Hockey East alumni have found themselves swapping jerseys for new roles with new teams in a push for the Stanley Cup.

Since Jan. 1, HE alumni Devin Shore (Maine), Jamie Oleksiak (Northeastern), Brian Boyle (Boston College) and Christian Folin (UMass Lowell) have all been traded as teams look to improve rosters ahead of the playoffs. 

Last week, FloHockey dove into the plethora of HE alumni available and several trades came to fruition leading up to Monday’s deadline.

Kevin Hayes | Boston College

C | Winnipeg Jets

2018-19: 51 GP, 14 G, 28 A, 42 pts., plus-1

Last season, the Winnipeg Jets got a taste of what legitimate center depth can bring in the playoffs after acquiring Paul Stastny a year ago. Following the departure of Stastny over the summer, Bryan Little and high-end prospect Jack Roslovic have taken turns down the middle behind Mark Scheifele.

As a result, sniper Patrik Laine has had a roller-coaster season with rotating linemates. Enter Hayes, who in the midst of a career season with the New York Rangers, will head to Winnipeg and get an immediate chance to offer some stability to the Jets’ second line. 

The 6-foot-5 Hayes should slot in nicely with the likes of Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers, two young, extremely skilled wingers. They’ll be the strongest linemates of his career and early chemistry will help the Jets climb the standings in the final stretch as they battle the Nashville Predators in the Central Division.

Trade details: Hayes for Brendan Lemieux, a conditional 2019 first-round draft pick and conditional 2020 fourth-round draft pick.

Gustav Nyquist | Maine

RW | San Jose Sharks

2018-19: 62 GP, 16 G, 33 A, 49 pts., even

On Sunday afternoon, Nyquist fired off eight shots and scored his 16th goal of the season in a 5-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks. His strong game impressed Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, as he traded for the skilled winger hours later.

#SJSharks GM Doug Wilson on the newest addition to the team. pic.twitter.com/9HS9B4WS4K

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) February 25, 2019

A true contender—for years—the Sharks have bolstered their team this season with the extension of Evander Kane, acquisition of Erik Karlsson and new addition of Nyquist. The 29-year-old has played a consistent, top-six role this season with the Detroit Red Wings and is on pace to establish career-highs in assists and points. He’s speedy, elusive and offensively inclined, which will help bring some scoring depth to an already potent Sharks offense.

Nyquist’s ability to play both the right and left side will offer the Sharks options on the third line, where the Swede could play with a center such as Joe Thornton or Tomas Hertl, in addition to Kevin Labanc or Joonas Donskoi. Chemistry will be key, as coach Peter DeBoer finds the right combinations to carry the Sharks into the postseason.

Trade details: Nyquist for a 2019 second-round draft pick and conditional 2020 third-round draft pick.

Charlie Coyle | Boston University

C, RW | Boston Bruins

2018-19: 61 GP, 10 G, 18 A, 28 pts., even

The big, bad Bruins just upgraded as they add some middle-six depth ahead of a playoff path that likely starts off by facing the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens. Coyle posted a career-high 56 points in 2016-17, but fell out of favor in Minnesota and has a chance at a fresh start.

The 26-year-old is the prototypical frame of a Bruins forward, standing at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. He plays with his body on the line, offering some physicality and shot-blocking presence.

Coyle slotted into the lineup as the third line center during his first game in Boston, playing with wingers Peter Cehlarik and David Backes. Look for Cehlarik to be replaced with Danton Heinen or other deadline acquisition, Marcus Johansson, upon top-line winger David Pastrnak’s inevitable return from injury.

Coyle will add stability to the center depth in Boston as they push for second place in the Atlantic Division behind the uncatchable Tampa Bay Lightning.

Trade details: Coyle for Ryan Donato and a 2019 fifth-round draft pick.

Brandon Montour | Massachusetts

D | Buffalo Sabres

2018-19: 62 GP, 5 G, 20 A, 25 pts., minus-16

Montour wasn’t listed in last week’s piece, but “everyone has their price,” as they say. It’s been a lost season in Anaheim and as GM Bob Murray has made clear this season, no one was safe from being dealt. They still boast a trio of young, proven defensemen and bring in a high prospect in Brendan Guhle.

Brandon Montour led Anaheim defensemen with 25 points (5+20) through 62 games this season.

More about our new defenseman: https://t.co/Wtgc0bEkRV pic.twitter.com/K55wDIfb9t

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 25, 2019

Montour, 24, brings a hard-to-find right shot to the budding Sabres and lots of NHL experience. With generational defenseman Rasmus Dahlin already there, the Sabres stocked up the blue line and still have Rasmus Ristolainen after lots of rumors surrounding the 24-year-old Finn.

A fresh start on a better squad should help Montour raise the confidence in his two-way mentality as a top-four defender. Look for a stronger offense to help Montour continue his career-year pace for goals, assists, points and ice time.

Trade details: Montour for Brendan Guhle and a conditional 2019 first-round pick.

Don’t miss out on watching the Hockey East’s next wave of NHL stars; stream the 2019 Hockey East Tournament live, right here on FloHockey starting March 15.

Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @Jacob_Messing.