Many Washington Capitals fans are excited to watch Ilya Kovalchuk share the ice with Alex Ovechkin. Playing together is something the star forwards have envisioned for over 20 years.

"Since we were 13 years old," Kovalchuk said to reporters when asked how long he and Ovechkin have spoken about playing for the same club. "We played together on the national team but never for the same team. Usually, we battle against each other."

The Capitals traded a third-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for Kovalchuk on Sunday. The 36-year-old potted six goals and seven assists in 22 games with Montreal this year. His contract was terminated by the Los Angeles Kings earlier this season.

"I have a great time in Montreal. I think that was one of the best decisions in my hockey life that I go there," Kovalchuk added. "Now I have a chance to play for a contender so it's a great opportunity."

While it's unclear where Kovalchuk will slot into the Capitals' lineup, he was practicing on the team's third line and second power-play unit at practice on Tuesday, according to The Washington Post's Samantha Pell.

"We'll see, it all depends on how I'm going to play," Kovalchuk said when asked how he'll handle a smaller role in Washington. "If I play well I might become the first line player you never know."

Kovalchuk is slated to make his Capitals debut on Tuesday when Washington takes on the Winnipeg Jets.

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After months of buildup, the NHL's trade deadline came and went Monday in the blink of an eye.

This year's trade season brought a surprising flurry of deals. With everything now wrapped up, we're going to hand out some awards - some serious, others, not so much - to the players and teams involved in the action.

Best sellers 🏆

Nominees: Kings, Canadiens, Sharks

All three teams did a terrific job of selling assets for draft picks leading up to the deadline. Los Angeles, Montreal, and San Jose did what they could to salvage value amid a lost season, but only one can earn the honor.

And the winner is: Montreal. Marc Bergevin did an outstanding job in acquiring Marco Scandella for a fourth-round pick before flipping him weeks later for a second. Signing Ilya Kovalchuk to briefly galvanize the fan base, then shipping him to Washington for a third-rounder shortly after was savvy work. Thanks to Bergevin's exploits, the Habs now own 14 picks in the 2020 draft.

Most overzealous spenders 🏆

Nominees: Islanders, Hurricanes, Lightning

New York, Carolina, and Tampa Bay clearly announced their intentions to go all-in. The Isles paid a king's ransom for Jean-Gabriel Pageau and awarded him with a handsome $30-million extension, while the Hurricanes made a trio of eye-popping moves. The Lightning traded two first-round picks to bolster what was already one of the NHL's best rosters.

And the winner is: New York, in a landslide. A first-, second-, and third-round pick in exchange for Pageau was the highest price any team paid on deadline day. Signing him to a $6-million cap hit during a season in which he's shooting 17.8% was another audacious move. He's a good fit, but that's steep. Had the reported trade for Zach Parise and his gigantic contract not fallen through, Monday would have been disastrous for the Isles' long-term outlook.

Funnest trade 🏆

Nominees: Kovalchuk to Capitals, Jason Zucker to Penguins, Robin Lehner to Golden Knights

Two of the most dynamic snipers of a generation teaming up, a new, high-profile winger for Sidney Crosby, and a surprise destination for one of the NHL's best goalies. We have some strong candidates in this category.

And the winner is: Kovalchuk to Washington. It may have been more fun 10 years ago, but Kovalchuk joining Alex Ovechkin in D.C. to chase a Stanley Cup is easily the best deal from an entertainment standpoint. The Capitals' power play with Kovy in the fold will be appointment viewing.

Most diligent splashers 🏆

Nominees: Golden Knights, Lightning, Hurricanes

All three of these Cup contenders made multiple additions to boost their odds. Whether they pan out remains to be seen, but Vegas, Tampa Bay, and Carolina were easily among the busiest teams leading up to the deadline.

And the winner is: Vegas. Already boasting one of the league's most lethal attacks, the Golden Knights made a series of moves to adequately fill the holes in their roster. Lehner and Marc-Andre Fleury make up one of the top goalie tandems in the NHL, while Alec Martinez, Nick Cousins, and Chandler Stephenson should serve as quality depth pieces on the club's quest for a Stanley Cup.

Most confusing trade 🏆

Nominees: Barclay Goodrow to Lightning, Wayne Simmonds to Sabres, Brady Skjei/Sami Vatanen to Hurricanes

Did you ever think we'd live in a world where Goodrow and his 24 points this season would fetch a first-rounder, the Sabres would be buyers, and the Hurricanes would add two defensemen who struggle to keep the puck out of their own end? Yeah, neither did we.

And the winner is: Simmonds to Buffalo. The Sabres have enjoyed a 7-3-1 mark in February but remain six points out of a playoff spot and, according to MoneyPuck, have a 4.4% chance of qualifying for the postseason. We're skeptical that adding the veteran Simmonds can change their fortunes.

Least consequential trade 🏆

Nominees: Brandon Davidson to Sharks, Michael Hutchinson for Calle Rosen, Matt Irwin for Korbinian Holzer

No disrespect to all the players listed here, but these certainly weren't the most exciting trades of the season.

And the winner is: Irwin for Holzer. No one batted an eye when the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks exchanged fringe bottom-pair blue-liners late Monday afternoon. Best of luck to all in their new homes.

Most surprising trade 🏆

Nominees: Lehner to Golden Knights, Vincent Trocheck to Hurricanes, Goodrow to Lightning

All the trades in this category are projected to make their new teams better, but that doesn't mean anyone saw them coming.

And the winner is: Trocheck to Carolina. Many expected the Hurricanes to be in the market for a goaltender after both their goalies went down last weekend (no disrespect to David Ayres), but instead, they added a legitimate top-six center at little cost. It's unclear why the Panthers wanted to trade Trocheck, but there's no question the Canes are a deeper team with him in the fold.

Best fit on new team 🏆

Nominees: Andreas Athanasiou (Oilers), Pageau (Islanders), Lehner (Golden Knights)

The Edmonton Oilers made a nice addition to their forward corps in Athanasiou, and while the cost for Pageau was too high, he does make the Isles a better team. We already mentioned what Lehner brings to the Golden Knights.

And the winner is: Lehner and the Golden Knights. This match is perfect. Vegas is already the best team in the Pacific Division and has now resolved its most glaring issue. Lehner has a tremendous opportunity to make an impact down the stretch and into the playoffs, and he could become the new No. 1 goalie if Fleury struggles.

Best under-the-radar pickup 🏆

Nominees: Derek Grant (Flyers), Ondrej Kase (Bruins), Vladislav Namestnikov (Avalanche)

When it comes to the trade deadline, it's often the smaller pieces that go on to make the biggest differences. Each of these players joined teams that should reach the playoffs, where the additions will have the chance to showcase their strengths on a bigger stage.

And the winner is: Kase and the Bruins. Plenty of fans were confused when Boston forked over a first-rounder for Kase, but he checks plenty of boxes. He's incredibly strong on both ends of the rink, only costs $2.6 million against the cap for another season, and can provide the scoring depth that the Bruins seek to take the pressure off their dominant top line. The former Duck is relatively unknown across the league, but that could change quickly once he suits up for the reigning Eastern Conference champs.

Best tweet of deadline day 🏆

Hockey Twitter went into a frenzy Monday afternoon when Johnny Gaudreau left Flames practice early. Speculation ran rampant as to whether Calgary traded its best player in the midst of a playoff push, and then ...

No contest here.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have inked defenseman Jake Muzzin to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.625 million, the team announced Monday.

Muzzin, 31, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. His new deal includes a no-movement clause for next season that becomes a no-trade clause and then a 10-team no-trade clause in subsequent years, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The 6-foot-3 blue-liner has arguably been the Leafs' most consistent defenseman this season despite missing time with a broken foot.

Muzzin has mustered 22 points through 52 games in 2019-20 and leads the Maple Leafs in hits (108) and blocked shots (110). He also ranks second on the team in average ice time, logging 21:43 per game.

Extending Muzzin provides Toronto with some clarity regarding the future of the blue line. Here's a breakdown of the Maple Leafs' defense corps through the 2020-21 season, along with respective players' annual cap hits:

The Maple Leafs will also have a chance to extend Travis Dermott, who is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Muzzin will play a key role down the stretch for Toronto with blue-chip rearguard Morgan Rielly sidelined with a broken foot. The Maple Leafs remain in the thick of a tight Eastern Conference playoff race with 19 games remaining.

Toronto acquired Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings in January 2019.

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With the 2020 NHL trade deadline in the rearview mirror, it's time to award winner and loser titles around the league. Deals made in the weeks leading up to the deadline were also considered for this exercise.

Winners

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers filled a huge need on deadline day, adding some much-needed speed and skill to the wings in the form of Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Ennis.

Athanasiou can absolutely fly - he has speed similar to McDavid's. He's having a rough season, but who on the Detroit Red Wings isn't? He's just a year removed from a 30-goal campaign and will undoubtedly benefit from playing alongside either McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He's also just 25 years old and a pending RFA. Acquiring him for only two second-rounders and Sam Gagner is a huge win.

Ennis is such a good fit for the Oilers. Not only is he an Edmonton native, but he thinks the game at an elite level and has enough skill to hang with the Oilers' top centers. He can also be effective playing down in the lineup. He had 14 goals and 33 points in a middle-six role with the Ottawa Senators this season. Giving up just a fifth-round pick seems like a steal.

General manager Ken Holland also landed another familiar face from his old team in defenseman Mike Green. The 34-year-old isn't the difference-maker he used to be, but he should be rejuvenated by the move to a playoff-contending team. The cost of Kyle Brodziak and a conditional fourth-rounder seems more than fair. - Wegman

Vegas Golden Knights

You can always count on the Golden Knights to make a splash. One year after landing Mark Stone, Vegas went big again, grabbing goaltender Robin Lehner to resolve a major issue.

Entering the deadline, the Golden Knights' all-situations save percentage this season was .898 - the ninth-worst mark in the league. By adding Lehner - the owner of a .918 clip in 33 appearances with Chicago - into the mix with Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas now owns arguably the best goaltending tandem in the NHL to complement an incredibly deep roster.

Vegas upgraded its bottom-six on Monday by adding Nick Cousins. The team also acquired Chandler Stephenson earlier in the year, while also nabbing Alec Martinez from the Los Angeles Kings in a recent deal to add experience to its blue line.

There's now no glaring holes in the Golden Knights' roster, and they're well-positioned to do some significant damage in a wide-open Pacific Division heading into the playoffs. - O'Leary

San Jose Sharks

Doug Wilson's Sharks are having a disastrous year, but the savvy GM made the most out of a bad situation leading up to the deadline.

In three separate deals, Wilson managed a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick while only giving up Barclay Goodrow, Brenden Dillon, and Patrick Marleau. Netting a first-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Goodrow, even though it'll be toward the end of the first round, is quite impressive.

Wilson can either use these picks to help rebuild San Jose's depleted farm system, or use them as trade bait to take another swing at things in 2020-21. Either way, it's masterful work. - Wegman

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

The Islanders made one of the biggest moves of the day in landing Pageau from the Ottawa Senators, and let's be crystal clear right off the bat: the player is the winner here, not necessarily his new team.

Having a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup after a tumultuous few seasons with the Senators is a major upgrade, but a five-year, $30-million contract to help him ease into his new surroundings on Long Island is a clear-cut win for the 27-year-old pivot.

Pageau is having a career year with 24 goals and 16 assists, but the price New York paid for him was steep. A first-, second-, and third-round pick was one of the biggest packages given up all day, and a $5-million AAV is quite pricey for a veteran player who projects to slot into the third line. - O'Leary

Somewhere in between

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes' moves on deadline day have us feeling like this gif of Larry David. There's a lot to like, but there are also some questionable decisions made by GM Don Waddell.

The Vincent Trocheck trade is a steal. Trocheck is far better than Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark; the two prospects heading to Florida aren't considered to be of the blue-chip variety. Trocheck gives Carolina an impressive trio of centers - joining Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal - and is under contract through 2021-22 at a reasonable $4.75 million.

The Sami Vatanen deal is fine, considering it only cost Waddell a conditional fourth-rounder, a prospect, and a depth defenseman. However, Vatanen has missed the last 10 games with a lower-body injury and it's unclear when he'll be ready to contribute to Carolina's banged-up blue line. Even when he is healthy, he doesn't move the needle all that much. Here's a look at his isolated impact at five-on-five over the past four seasons:

Waddell further bolstered the back end after landing Brady Skjei from the New York Rangers for a first-round pick. Skjei is just 25 years old and signed through 2023-24 at a $5.25-million cap hit. He hasn't improved since his 39-point rookie season in 2016-17, and by all accounts, isn't worth his contract:

The most puzzling part of Carolina's deadline day is that Waddell failed to address the club's biggest need between the pipes. Both James Reimer and Petr Mrazek are out with injuries, so the club will rely on the inexperienced tandem of Anton Forsberg and Alex Nedeljkovic in the meantime. Considering an elite goaltender such as Lehner was there for the taking, it seems as though Waddell missed the boat on this one. - Wegman

Losers

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago had a pair of attractive assets to sell in Lehner and defenseman Erik Gustafsson, and the returns for both players were underwhelming to say the least.

Lehner, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, only fetched a second-round pick, Malcolm Subban, and prospect Slava Demin. Could GM Stan Bowman not have received a bigger package from teams like Colorado or Carolina, who are desperate to reinforce their crease heading into the playoffs? Making matters worse regarding the Lehner situation, he reportedly offered to take a three-year contract from the Blackhawks at a "minimal price" as he approaches unrestricted free agency. Now it appears Chicago will go back to Corey Crawford, who is significantly older than Lehner and has posted worse numbers. This is a head-scratcher.

As for Gustafsson, it's bizarre he only fetched a third-rounder based on the blue-liner market this winter. Martinez cost Vegas two second-rounders, while Brenden Dillon and Marco Scandella went for a second in their respective trades as well. Gustafsson is having a down year but has shown more offensive upside in his career and is younger than all the aforementioned rearguards.

All things considered, it feels like a massive swing and miss from Bowman and Co. in the Blackhawks' front office. - O'Leary

Toronto Maple Leafs

If the Maple Leafs end up making the playoffs, it'll be a miracle if they get out of the first round, considering they'll likely face the Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lightning. This makes the decision to keep Tyson Barrie all the more confusing.

Barrie has not been a fit with the Leafs whatsoever. While moving him would've created another hole on Toronto's weak blue line and signaled a waving of the white flag on the 2019-20 campaign, it would've been far more acceptable than losing him for nothing in the offseason.

Barrie, a pending UFA, was a part of the Nazem Kadri trade in the summer, but it seems highly unlikely he re-signs in Toronto, especially after Jake Muzzin's extension Monday. GM Kyle Dubas likely could've landed a second-round pick for Barrie at the very least. - Wegman

Joe Thornton

First things first, we feel terrible for insinuating Thornton himself could ever be considered a loser. If you're reading this Jumbo Joe, it's not personal, your current situation is just less than ideal.

Thornton admitted prior to the deadline that it is tempting to join a contender and chase the Stanley Cup that's eluded him his entire career. Then, after watching his longtime buddy and teammate Patrick Marleau get traded to Pittsburgh, Thornton was reportedly disappointed he didn't get the same treatment.

We just want what's best for you, Joe, and 20 more meaningless games with the Sharks this season certainly isn't it. - O'Leary

Colorado Avalanche

The Avs had the opportunity to be big players on deadline day but ended up being awfully quiet. Colorado has boatloads of cap space and a deep prospect pool but failed to make an impact move. They landed a decent middle-six forward in Vladislav Namestnikov from the Ottawa Senators, but that was it.

Maybe they were in the hunt for Chris Kreider before the power forward re-signed with the New York Rangers for seven years at $6.5 million. However, this seems like a missed opportunity for GM Joe Sakic. At the very least, he could've acquired more depth across the lineup with the anticipation of a deep playoff run. - Wegman

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Columbus Blue Jackets phenom Elvis Merzlikins was forced to leave Monday's game against the Ottawa Senators after Anthony Duclair skated into him in the second period.

Joonas Korpisalo replaced Merzlikins between the pipes.

Merzlikins entered Monday's contest with a .922 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average in 31 games. The 25-year-old rookie became the sixth goalie in the last 90 years to record five shutouts across an eight-game span earlier in February.

Korpisalo has been stellar, too, posting a .913 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average in 32 games entering Monday.

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The Carolina Hurricanes added another defenseman at the deadline Monday, acquiring Brady Skjei from the New York Rangers in exchange for a first-round pick, the team announced.

Carolina will have the option of deciding which of its first-round selections to give to the Rangers as part of the deal prior to the draft.

The deal came shortly after the Canes traded for fellow blue-liner Sami Vatanen. The Hurricanes also added forward Vincent Trocheck from the Florida Panthers on Monday.

Skjei has accumulated 23 points, 41 penalty minutes, and 91 blocked shots across 60 games this season.

The 25-year-old, along with Vatanen, are joining a Hurricanes defense corps that includes Jaccob Slavin, Jake Gardiner, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Haydn Fleury. Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce are both out with long-term injuries.

Carolina currently holds the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot but is tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets at 74 points apiece. The Rangers and Florida Panthers are also not far behind.

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