Trade Deadline biggest impact players

The impact of the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline is, as expected, being felt in the Stanley Cup Playoff races.
Deadline day, exactly one month ago on Feb. 26, featured 18 trades involving 37 players. There were an additional four trades featuring 12 players on Feb. 25, a blockbuster three-team, six-player trade on Feb. 23 and another big one on Feb. 13.

Many of the players who were traded at the deadline or in the days preceding have gone on to make significant contributions to their new teams, several of which have already clinched a berth into the playoffs or are on the verge of doing so.
Here is a list of 10 players (in alphabetical order) involved in high-profile trades who have made a meaningful impact on their new teams:

DERICK BRASSARD, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

How acquired: Three-way trade with the Ottawa Senators (via the Vegas Golden Knights) on Feb. 23
Since acquired: 13 games played, 8 points (three goals, five assists)

The skinny: Brassard is adjusting to the Penguins' up-tempo, aggressive style, a change from the Senators' more methodical, passive style. He has points in six straight games (two goals, four assists). Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has used him some on the wing to get him more minutes than what a third-line center normally plays behind Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Brassard is a regular on the Penguins' second power-play unit. Pittsburgh is 7-4-2 with Brassard in the lineup
Brassard acquired by the Penguins

IAN COLE, D, COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

How acquired: Trade with the Senators (via the Penguins) on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 14 games played, 6 points (two goals, four assists), plus-11
The skinny: Cole is sixth in average ice time among Columbus' defensemen (18:17 per game), but he's one of three (Zach Werenski, David Savard) who has played in all 14 games since Feb. 26. He is averaging 1:50 shorthanded minutes per game, meaning he has played a role in the Blue Jackets' improved penalty kill. They are 81.6 percent on the PK in 14 games since Cole arrived. They were 76.7 percent in 62 games before acquiring him. Columbus is 12-2-0 with Cole.
Cole acquired by the Blue Jackets

RYAN HARTMAN, RW, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

How acquired: Trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 13 games played, 6 points (three goals, three assists)
The skinny: The Predators wanted Hartman for depth and versatility. He has delivered. Hartman has played on all four lines and has scored two game-winning goals. Of late, he's been on the third line with center Nick Bonino, meaning he often starts his shifts in the defensive zone. He is a positive possession player by the metric available (shot attempts percentage) with a 50.79 SAT percentage. The Predators are 10-2-1 since the trade.
Hartman acquired by the Predators

EVANDER KANE, LW, SAN JOSE SHARKS

How acquired: Trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 12 games played, 12 points (seven goals, five assists)

The skinny: Kane had five points (one goal, four assists) in his first three games and then scored four goals in a 7-4 win against the Calgary Flames on March 16. He scored two more against the Flames in a 5-1 win Saturday. He's been playing with center Joe Pavelski, who has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in the past 12 games. San Jose has won seven games in a row and is 10-2-0 since acquiring Kane.
Kane acquired by the Sharks

PATRICK MAROON, LW, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

How acquired: Trade with the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 10 games played, 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists)
The skinny: Maroon has been a bottom-six forward, but he's given the Devils' power play a boost. Five of his eight points (one goal, four assists) have come on the power play. He's averaging 2:56 on the power play, second among New Jersey forwards behind Taylor Hall (3:07), since making his Devils' debut on March 1. New Jersey is 5-6-0 with Maroon in the lineup.
Maroon acquired by the Devils

RYAN MCDONAGH, D, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

How acquired: Trade with the New York Rangers on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 7 games played, 3 points (two goals, one assist), 20:36 ice time per game
The skinny: McDonagh has already scored as many goals with the Lightning as he did in 49 games with the Rangers this season. He has been reunited with Dan Girardi, his longtime defense partner in New York, and they've been a shutdown pair since McDonagh made his Tampa Bay debut on March 10. He missed his first six games after the trade because he was still recovering from a hand injury. He has played 21 or more minutes in four of his seven games. Tampa Bay is 4-3-0 with McDonagh in the lineup.
McDonagh acquired by the Lightning

J.T. MILLER, LW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

How acquired: Trade with the Rangers on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 12 games played, 12 points (seven goals, five assists), plus-4

The skinny: Miller, who went to Tampa Bay with McDonagh, is on the Lightning's top line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. He has nine points (six goals, three assists) in nine games since moving to the top line after playing his first three games on the second line with Yanni Gourde and Brayden Point. Miller does the so-called dirty work for his linemates, including puck retrievals down low and in the corners. Tampa Bay is 8-3-1 with Miller in the lineup.
Miller acquired by the Lightning

RICK NASH, RW, BOSTON BRUINS

How acquired: Trade with the Rangers on Feb. 25
Since acquired: 11 games played, 6 points (three goals, three assists)
The skinny: Nash got off to a strong start with the Bruins, who were 8-3-0 in his first 11 games from Feb. 25-March 17. However, Nash has missed the past three games with an upper-body injury. The hope is that he can return before the end of the regular season and get back on Boston's second line with David Krejci and Danton Heinen.
Nash acquired by the Bruins

DION PHANEUF, D, LOS ANGELES KINGS

How acquired: Trade with the Senators on Feb. 13
Since acquired: 19 games played, 7 points (three goals, four assists)
The skinny: Phaneuf has helped to stabilize the Kings' blue line and has found chemistry with Alec Martinez. He had a strong start with three goals in his first four games, using his powerful shot to make an instant impact. He hasn't scored in 16 games since Feb. 22, but he's playing regularly on the power play (1:55 per game), which is 21.7 percent since Feb. 15, when Phaneuf made his Kings' debut. It was 19.4 percent prior to Phaneuf's debut. The Kings are 11-7-2 with Phaneuf in the lineup.
Phaneuf acquired by the Kings

PAUL STASTNY, C, WINNIPEG JETS

How acquired: Trade with the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 26
Since acquired: 12 games played, 10 points (three goals, seven assists), plus-7

The skinny: Stastny has been a key cog in the middle of the Jets' most productive line with Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine on his wings. That line combined for 35 points (18 goals, 17 assists) in its first 11 games together. Stastny has given the Jets veteran leadership and made their depth down the middle deep enough to allow the team to still go 2-2-1 without center Mark Scheifele from March 8-15. Winnipeg is 9-3-1 with Stastny in the lineup.
Stastny acquired by the Jets