The dust of the trade deadline is finally beginning to settle.
Deals involving Thomas Vanek, Jarome Iginla, and Mark Streit were among the most lucrative and biggest trades reported in the hour before and after the 3:00 p.m. ET mark.
While those moves are expected to have the biggest payoffs for the teams that acquired those players, even the smallest deadline transaction can eventually make a huge impact on the NHL landscape.
Here are three minor trades from Wednesday that could pay off big:
Parenteau to Predators
(Photo courtesy: USA Today Sports)
The Nashville Predators made a safe move to improve their eighth-ranked offense.
The Predators acquired P.A. Parenteau from the New Jersey Devils, giving up just a sixth-round pick for his services. In exchange, Nashville gets a player who has proven - wherever he's played - that he can put the puck in the net.
Related: Devils send Parenteau to Predators for 6th-round pick
Parenteau had amassed the fourth-most goals for the Devils this season with 13, firing 109 shots on goal. He's an asset on the power play, collecting four goals and eight points with the extra man.
The Predators' power play currently sits 12th overall, so upgrading that unit could pay dividends down the stretch and into the postseason.
Stafford to Bruins
Drew Stafford was having a season to forget in Winnipeg, but a deal to the Boston Bruins could bring the 31-year-old winger new life.
The Bruins acquired Stafford for the low price of a conditional sixth-round selection. While he's amassed only four goals and 13 points in 49 games, history shows Stafford can thrive as a rental.
He first joined the Jets ahead of the trade deadline during the 2014-15 season. After scoring just nine goals and 24 points in 50 games with the Buffalo Sabres, he went off for nine goals and 19 points in 26 games down the stretch, adding another two points in four playoff contests.
If he can even approach replicating that type of production with the Bruins, he could be vital in Boston not just making the playoffs, but potentially going on a run.
Andrighetto to Avalanche
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
While the Montreal Canadiens were set on being buyers at the deadline, the Colorado Avalanche may have got the better of the club Wednesday.
The Avalanche were able to acquire forward Sven Andrighetto from the Canadiens in exchange for forward Andreas Martinsen.
The Canadiens certainly add size through the transaction - Martinsen, who's 26, has 5 inches and 32 pounds over the 23-year-old Andrighetto. However, in doing so, they may have given up the more skilled player.
Andrighetto's experienced only marginal success with the big club this season - he has just two goals and eight points in 22 games - but last season he posted a respectable 17 points in 44 games. This season with the St. John's IceCaps, Andrighetto has 22 points in 20 games.
Martinsen, meanwhile, has collected seven points in 55 games this year and just 18 points in 110 career games.
If Andrighetto can continue to develop his game, the Avalanche could have themselves a serviceable forward for the future.
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