The NHL commerce deadline (March 7) is a bit more than a month away and groups are already beginning to place themselves as consumers and sellers.
So let’s check out 4 groups that may very well be positioned to be essentially the most aggressive consumers, and 4 groups that may very well be seeking to promote essentially the most.
Patrons
Toronto Maple Leafs
There is no such thing as a staff 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 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 might use a third-line middle and a few complementary scoring.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina might not be going through the stress that Toronto is, however it isn’t far behind. The Hurricanes have been one of many NHL’s greatest groups the previous six years however have been unable to interrupt by way of the ceiling that’s the Jap Convention Closing. The Hurricanes have been linked with the Vancouver Canucks in the case of veteran middle J.T. Miller, and whether or not it’s him or any person else they need to be available in the market for one more impression scorer. Offense has been a relentless thorn for them deeper within the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers
After going to Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Closing a yr in the past the Oilers are undoubtedly in a win-now scenario. Particularly with two of the league’s greatest 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 might use an improve, goaltending depth remains 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 must be an “all-in” type of yr.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are a mix of all three groups above — They’ve star gamers of their prime, certainly one of them (Mikko Rantanen) is a free agent after this season and so they have some huge wants to deal with. The largest of these wants is perhaps a second-line middle 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 would — and will — be moved. Ahead Taylor Corridor, a pending free agent, figures to be on the prime of that checklist, and they might virtually actually prefer 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 will not be going anyplace. However they’ve a number of pending free brokers that must be moved, together with defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Matt Grzelyck and forwards Drew O’Connor and Anthony Beauvillier.
New York Islanders
Common supervisor Lou Lamoriello hates to surrender on a season, however he must be good right here and turn into a vendor. The Islanders are close to the underside of the Jap Convention standings and have two important pending UFA’s in forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Provided that each gamers are over the age of 33 and have seemingly already performed their greatest hockey, buying and selling them must be a prime 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 more likely to transfer, whereas youthful gamers like bowen Byram and and Dylan Cozens might additionally discover themselves on the transfer because the Sabres look to re-tool but once more.
