The New York Rangers in recent years have shown willingness to go all out at the trade deadline to help their chances to win a Stanley Cup. The 2022-23 season was perhaps their most active, as they made brought in former franchise cornerstones like Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. But part of the latter trade for Tarasenko was Niko Mikkola, a 6-foot-6 defenseman. Mikkola was an underrated addition for the Rangers, as his size and toughness helped them after the trade deadline.
However, the Rangers let Mikkola walk in free agency after a short, disappointing playoff run. Instead, he signed a contract with the Florida Panthers, and won two Stanley Cup titles in his first two seasons with the team.