The NHL commerce deadline (March 7) is a bit more than a month away and groups are already beginning to place themselves as patrons and sellers.
So let’s check out 4 groups that might be positioned to be essentially the most aggressive patrons, and 4 groups that might be trying to promote essentially the most.
Consumers
Toronto Maple Leafs
There isn’t a group within the NHL below extra stress to go on a deep playoff run than the Maple Leafs, and they’re going to little question be busy forward of the deadline. They’ve misplaced within the first spherical in seven of the previous eight seasons and have two huge pending unrestricted free brokers in Mitch Marner and John Tavares.
Merely making the playoffs and shedding is now not acceptable, and there’s no assure Marner or Tavares return subsequent season. The time to win is now, and the Maple Leafs have some huge wants. They may use a third-line heart and a few complementary scoring.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina is probably not going through the stress that Toronto is, however it’s not far behind. The Hurricanes have been one of many NHL’s finest groups the previous six years however have been unable to interrupt via the ceiling that’s the Jap Convention Remaining. The Hurricanes have been related with the Vancouver Canucks relating to veteran heart J.T. Miller, and whether or not it’s him or someone else they need to be out there for one more influence scorer. Offense has been a continuing thorn for them deeper within the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers
After going to Sport 7 of the Stanley Cup Remaining a yr in the past the Oilers are undoubtedly in a win-now scenario. Particularly with two of the league’s finest gamers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However for pretty much as good as that duo is, they nonetheless have some huge wants within the decrease half of their lineup. Defensive depth may use an improve, goaltending depth continues to be a query relying on how a lot they belief Stuart Skinner and depth scoring is all the time a priority right here. So long as McDavid and Draisaitl are of their prime each season needs to be an “all-in” form of yr.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are a mix of all three groups above — They’ve star gamers of their prime, one among them (Mikko Rantanen) is a free agent after this season they usually have some huge wants to handle. The most important of these wants could be a second-line heart as Casey Mittelstadt has struggled to fill that function.
Sellers
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are nonetheless deep of their rebuild and stay on the backside of the league standings. They’ve a number of veteran gamers that might — and will — be moved. Ahead Taylor Corridor, a pending free agent, figures to be on the high of that checklist, and they might nearly actually wish to discover a taker for defenseman Seth Jones and his huge contract.
Pittsburgh Penguins
This is not going to be a complete sell-off as stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin should not going anyplace. However they’ve a number of pending free brokers that needs to be moved, together with defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Matt Grzelyck and forwards Drew O’Connor and Anthony Beauvillier.
New York Islanders
Normal supervisor Lou Lamoriello hates to surrender on a season, however he must be good right here and change into a vendor. The Islanders are close to the underside of the Jap Convention standings and have two vital pending UFA’s in forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Provided that each gamers are over the age of 33 and have possible already performed their finest hockey, buying and selling them needs to be a high precedence.
Buffalo Sabres
That is acquainted territory for the Sabres as they head for a 14th consecutive non-playoff season. Veteran free brokers Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway appear prone to transfer, whereas youthful gamers like bowen Byram and and Dylan Cozens may additionally discover themselves on the transfer because the Sabres look to re-tool but once more.
