There has been a lot of trade action the past few days, with the likes of Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin, Jake Guentzel and Adam Henrique — all top trade candidates this season — off to their new teams already.
But we know the final day of trading will still be an active one.
To set the tone for the day, we’re presenting a primer for each team, with a look at the rumours around them, what’s being said about them, who they could have available, and more. It’s important to note that the “deadline day cap space” we highlight indicates how much of a full-season cap hit a team can take in on deadline day. So, for instance, having $5 million in deadline-day cap space means you can still add a $5-million AAV to the roster.
With that, here’s how every team is looking into Friday:
Status: Seller
Deadline Day Cap Space: $40,909,445
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Futures, with an eye on vets
Potentially Available: Frank Vatrano, John Gibson
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I’ve heard there’ve been teams asking a little about (Radko) Gudas and I’m under the impression the Ducks are saying no way. There’s a limit to the amount of kids you can have, you need good pros. If (Vatrano) gets traded, we’re going to look at the return and understand why he gets moved. It’s going to be big.”
Outlook: There’s no doubt the Ducks are still a couple years away from turning the corner back towards the playoffs, but as their draft picks start hitting the NHL (Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, etc.) GM Pat Verbeek will be careful not to lose too much of the veteran presence around them. The Ducks are sellers, yes, but their two moveable pending UFAs are already gone, with Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick both in Edmonton now. The question is if Verbeek can get the haul he’d be after for someone like Vatrano.
Status: Seller, accumulator of draft picks
Deadline Cap Space: $15,905,262
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Futures and a direction to what’s next
Potentially Available: Jason Zucker, Matt Dumba, Nick Bjugstad, Alexander Kerfoot
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “The one thing about the Coyotes I think is a challenge is, and I don’t know if it gets sorted out now or later, but someone said to me one of the challenges they have now is if players think they’re going to (relocate) how is that going to determine their future with the team?”
What the GM has said: “For us, picks are great. We put them in the bank and use them later either to go buy players or draft players, but we’ll see what goes down (from) now until the deadline.” – Bill Armstrong to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti.
Outlook: Look at that draft board! The Coyotes are still bulking up for the future. but at some point they’re going to have to turn some of these assets into players. NHL teams are only allowed 50 active contracts and a reserve list of 90 players and at some point in the next couple of years Arizona will be absolutely full of bodies. This is not the deadline to trade those in for players, but to keep adding to the future. Once the arena gets sorted, Arizona will be in a good place to build up the organization.
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $57,500
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Centres, defencemen, depth
Potentially Available: Jake DeBrusk, Linus Ullmark
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think Boston has a chance to be one of the really fascinating teams. They don’t have a lot of picks to move but the two-word phrase I’ve heard with Boston is ‘hockey trades.’ They’re looking for centres, I think they do something on their blue line.”
What the GM has said: “There’s a physical part of the game I think we’re lacking at times. I think when we get dragged in or drag ourselves in we respond appropriately throughout our lineup, but can we start that and survive through that is an area we’d like to try to address. Not easy. This time of the year is always difficult. But it’s something we’d like to do. We’ve tried to use our depth throughout the organization and a lot of guys have done a tremendous job, but we may have to look to the outside if it’s possible.” – Don Sweeney on NESN.
Outlook: With the Florida Panthers passing them recently, and buying Vladimir Tarasenko on the market, Boston’s most likely first-round opponent now is rival Toronto, a team they swept this season and have the playoff number of. The Bruins will continue to be as all in as they can, but without much in the way of futures to offer up, and no cap space to speak of, any deal will have to involve a body going out. They’ve gotten through without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci this season, but may still look to upgrade at centre as well as on defence. Ullmark rumours were present to make a big deal happen, though that may more likely occur in the summer.
Status: Mover
Deadline Cap Space: $34,281,458
Draft Picks
Team Needs: A new look, new mix
Potentially Available: Victor Olofsson, Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, Eric Robinson
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I believe (GM Kevyn) Adams has indicated the heavy surgery will likely come in the summer. He’s not saying no but what he is saying is ‘you’ve got to give me a real good reason to do it now.’”
What the GM has said: “I have to do my job and be open to listening and talking about anything. But the only way for me it makes sense this time of year to make a trade with a core player is if we’re going to upgrade our team maybe at a different position. Previously I would say there’s players who are part of your core, but you really need prospects and draft picks. That’s not where we are right now. That is not something I’m interested in doing, moving a core player for that type of return.” – Kevyn Adams to The Athletic.
Outlook: The Sabres really had hopes to be in the buyer’s camp this season, but their playoffless streak will extend to 13 years and leave Adams with lots to consider about the roster. They’ll try to sell their pending UFA veterans who won’t be back, but after that, we’re looking for any hockey trades that start to re-shape the current group. The deal sending Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for 22-year-old defenceman Bowen Byram is the perfect example of what Adams could do if things get interesting for the Sabres on Friday. If not then, the summer months will surely bring change.
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $6,975,726
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Draft picks, NHL ready or near NHL ready prospects
Potentially Available: Jacob Markstrom, Andrew Mangiapane
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Markstrom, his issue on one hand he’s upset it’s not the same team he signed with, but on the other I think he’s more upset because he feels he should never have been told he could be traded to New Jersey. I think that’s what this is all about … Markstrom is upset about it. We’ll see what that means.”
Outlook: Most of GM Craig Conroy’s work is already done, with all the big pending UFAs already traded. The one remaining huge question for the Flames on Friday is: will Markstrom follow them out the door? Still with another two seasons of control, Markstrom is clearly New Jersey’s top target, whether now or in the summer, and he could be the one notable player they hold on to in their faint chance at a playoff push. But how much has this relationship soured over the trade rumours?
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $5,877,189
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring forwards
Potentially Available: Martin Necas, draft picks
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “They have withstood this year, they’ve gone through you could argue an actual hurricane in net. They’ve done a real great job considering the craziness in goal. Carolina can check, defend and are very hard to play against. Last year they reached the Eastern Conference Final and why did they lose? They could not score. There’s not a single person who doesn’t look at this team and say if they get a goal scorer they could win.”
What the GM has said: “If there’s someone we could add who could fit that top nine (forwards), we certainly will look at it. But our guys have done a pretty good job all year for us. I’m not envisioning anything major happening.” – Don Waddell to the News and Observer’s Chip Alexander.
Outlook: Winners of the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes late on Thursday night, the Hurricanes got the goal scorer they so needed, losing Michael Bunting off the lineup, plus futures. Antti Raanta was placed on waivers earlier Thursday as Frederik Andersen was activated and, suddenly, this team is getting in shape for the playoffs. With cap space still to spare, might the Hurricanes seek even more scoring on deadline day?
Status: A seller without wares, broker
Deadline Cap Space: $47,237,810
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Actually everything
Potentially Available: Colin Blackwell, Tyler Johnson
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Don’t forget Chicago can help facilitate deals.”
Outlook: The Hawks actually re-signed a few veterans they could have traded as rentals this season, leaving them without much that contenders will find attractive. They’re still only retaining one salary, however, and have two slots left to use if they want to scoop up another couple of draft picks. That may be as exciting as it gets for Chicago.
Status: Cup-contending buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $2,129,257
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Experienced goalie
Potentially Available: Draft picks
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “There are teams who suspect they will try to do something big. Centre, no question about it. And someone said to me they wouldn’t be surprised if Colorado went after centres who haven’t been on peoples’ radars yet. Like people you maybe wouldn’t think of who get traded at this time.”
Outlook: It seems the Avs have found their second-line centre, picking up Mittelstadt from Buffalo, and they further bulked up their forward depth on Thursday adding Yakov Trenin and Brandon Duhaime. Colorado also replaced Bowen Byram with another puck-moving defenceman in rental Sean Walker, so a lot of the work has been done. Still, with a little cap space left and Western Conference rival Vegas aggressively adding, the Avs are still in the game.
Status: A seller with many things to consider
Deadline Cap Space: $18,656,293
Draft Picks
Team Needs: New leadership, new direction, new mix
Potentially Available: Elvis Merzlikins, Ivan Provorov, Boone Jenner, Alexandre Texier, Andrew Peeke, Adam Boqvist
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “The biggest question is does Columbus wait to make its biggest decisions when a new manager takes over. Anything major that’s franchise altering, I don’t think they’re doing that now. I think they punt that into the summer or the draft and they see what whoever new in charge of the team decides to come up with.”
What the GM president of hockey ops has said: “We’re open for business, but I don’t think it’s going to be anything earth-shattering, simply because we have a new general manager that is going to be coming in here and it gives that person a chance to put their fingerprints on the club. Whoever comes in will have an opportunity to make their own moves.” – John Davidson to BlueJackets.com’s Jeff Svoboda.
Outlook: With the GM’s seat vacant, it does appear as though Columbus will be rather quiet at this deadline, but the truth is there are huge decisions coming soon for a mix that has stalled on the ice. If the right deal can be found for Merzlikins, perhaps that can be done by Friday, given how the goalie market has completely dried up in recent days. The timing may be just right.
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,957,500
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Depth
Potentially Available: Picks, down-the-depth-chart prospects
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I still think they could look for depth. They really don’t have the ability to do much because you have to subtract now.”
Outlook: It feels like Dallas’ biggest addition has been made, with Chris Tanev coming to town for a steal of a deal to go on a playoff run and solidify the back end. Up front, the Stars are making their own additions, with rookie Logan Stankoven getting called up from the AHL and immediately going on a tear. Heck, 22-year-old Mavrik Bourque is also carving up the AHL and could be an option to call upon if they wanted more pop. The Stars are now just behind Vancouver in the West and are a solid unit up and down, backed by a solid netminder, too.
Status: Cautious buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $13,715,374
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Defence, maybe goaltending
Potentially Available: Justin Holl, picks
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I have wondered about their left-side (defence). I wonder if (GM Steve Yzerman is) looking at a goalie. And he wants to clear up a bit of the logjam on the line.”
Outlook: A playoff spot is looking promising so Yzerman may want to reward his players with an addition to help them get there, but they’re not at the all-in point yet. Last year’s Red Wings cooled off considerably around this time and took themselves out of the running, now Yzerman and Co., may have an eye on getting them in. The East is wide open for the taking.
Status: All-in buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,035,008
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Defence
Potentially Available: Cody Ceci, Warren Foegele, picks
What the GM has said: “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen. What I can tell you is, I have lots of irons in the fire. I have done lots of talking internally with my coaching staff. I’ve talked to Connor (McDavid, his captain) a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. I talk to (Oilers president) Jeff Jackson every day. Every day I’m talking to other (general) managers, on a regular basis.” – Ken Holland to Sportsnet.ca’s Mark Spector.
Outlook: The Oilers needed a third-line centre and more forward depth, and got it in Sam Carrick and Adam Henrique, two centres whose strengths are more on the defensive side. After acquiring those two players, Holland said he’d still be searching for defence depth, and then he got that too in Troy Stecher. That probably means the Oilers are done, though still with some draft picks in hand, a little cap room, and salary dump options on the roster, perhaps the old GM has one more trick up his sleeve on Friday.
Status: All-in buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $3,894,103
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring, defence depth
Potentially Available: Anton Lundell, any draft picks not nailed down
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “That’s a team that’s around on the better forwards, the Tarasenkos, the Guentzels, those kinds of players. The Toffolis if he’s available.”
Outlook: A player like Lundell would only be moved if it were a real monster of a deal, which is why he was the rumoured piece connected to a Noah Hanifin trade before he landed in Vegas. The Panthers got a scorer in Vladimir Tarasenko already, but could still search for more there as Florida tends to outscore its expected measures. Gustav Forsling signed a long-term extension Thursday, but Brandon Montour is still without one. This is why the Panthers could still seek to add on the back end. They have available cap space and GM Bill Zito’s history is to go absolutely all-in. And why not? This is the NHL’s best team right now.
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $3,357,499
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring, goaltending
Potentially Available: Matt Roy, Arthur Kaliyev, Blake Lizotte, Alex Turcotte
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “If there’s any talk about players, it’s Kaliyev and I’m not convinced the Kings are going to do that. I think if they wanted to they could have already. And I’ve wondered about a guy like Lizotte simply because I think there’s teams that like that kind of player. People seem to think the Kings will stand pat for the most part, nothing major.”
What the GM has said: “I fully understand the repercussions if this team does not win or have success,” – Rob Blake after firing Todd McLellan as head coach in February.
Outlook: Edmonton has made its moves, Vegas has as well but still could do more, and Vancouver is still actively in the market after buying a couple players already. That leaves Los Angeles as the fourth team in a crowded Pacific trying to make its way through. At the moment, the Kings are actually ahead of the Golden Knights in the standings, but may have to find some help at the deadline to actually get through this pack of teams. Scoring is a sore area, but if there’s a capable goalie out there the Kings may seek someone better than David Rittich to back up (or even usurp) Cam Talbot.
Status: Stander
Deadline Cap Space: $3,458,333
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Patience
Potentially Available: Alex Goligoski
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Definitely what Minnesota said is they’re not doing anything short term. If there’s something bigger and bolder, fine, they’ll consider it.”
What the GM has said: “I just gotta play it by ear. I haven’t made any decisions on anybody yet. I’ve had plenty of discussions about a lot of different scenarios. But you know, I don’t know yet,” – Bill Guerin to The Hockey News’ Dylan Loucks.
Outlook: Well out of the playoffs, the fact is that the Wild are still paying the price for the Ryan Suter-Zach Parise contract buyouts, which will still count for over $14 million against next year’s cap before it finally falls down to just over $1 million in 2025-26. Until those buyouts get off the books, the Wild have a self-inflicted wound that makes it difficult to maneuver.
Status: Lurker
Deadline Cap Space: $5,654,167
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Young players
Potentially Available: Jordan Harris, David Savard, Jake Allen, Tanner Pearson
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think it just depends on if he gets something he likes. I’m told it’s more likely than not the goalie stuff goes into the summer. David Savard, there’s been some interest. He’s made it clear he wants to stay and I think they’re happy to have a veteran there.”
Outlook: The Canadiens don’t really have to do much, with a valued player like Savard still signed another season, but GM Kent Hughes will be waiting to strike when the time is right. At any moment the Canadiens could turn an asset or two into another young player, like they did with Kirby Dach a couple years back. More likely it’ll be a quiet deadline for the Canadiens, as they continue a slow build back up.
Status: Standby mode/Unlikely buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $33,892,315
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Balance between buying and an eye on the future
Potentially Available: Alexandre Carrier, Tyson Barrie
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Someone said to me they might add and I’m like what? Not hugely expensive, but they might add. The predators all of a sudden are feeling something.”
What the GM has said: “If we’re in a playoff spot I owe it to our players and fans (keeping Juuse Saros). I’m going to leave a little window open if there’s some crazy deal that comes in and knocks me on my chair, then I will definitely owe that to the fans as well and the organization.” – Barry Trotz to Jared Stillman of 102.5 The Game.
Outlook: What a difference a couple weeks makes. The Predators went from a struggling outfit that had a U2 concert pulled out from under them, to a determined unit that has gotten into a wild-card spot and created separation from the teams chasing behind them. Nashville has gone from a team that could have been an exciting seller, with the like of Saros on the block, to a rental buyer, picking up Anthony Beauvillier on Thursday. Still hard to see them going on a Stanley Cup run, however.
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $8,300,000
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Defence from the back and front end
Potentially Available: Tyler Toffoli, Tomas Nosek, Alexander Holtz, Colin Miller, Brendan Smith
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I believe the New Jersey Devils have decided that Jacob Markstom is going to be their goalie, they hope. And if they don’t get Markstrom done this week they’re going to try to wait to do it in the summer.”
What the GM has said: “I am in the (goalie) market. Is there the right person out there for the right price without mortgaging the future, but understanding the short game here that it’s an important position? I’m not ignoring that. I’m not sitting here thinking it’s all great, no. Our goaltending has not been good enough and it’s on me to go out and try to upgrade. But I wish it was as easy said than done. I’m trying to do the right thing for the organization in the short window, but with the big window in my mind.” – Tom Fitzgerald after dismissing coach Lindy Ruff
Outlook: Lots of talk about a need to find a 1A goalie for this team and it’s absolutely true — it’s another season where the Devils are near the bottom of the league in team save percentage. But don’t overlook the lack of defensive determination here that exacerbates the problem in net. Seven losses in 10 games has created a really tough road to the playoffs for New Jersey and, as Calgary hopes to hang in their race, the Markstrom trade may not happen yet. Too bad, considering the Devils have the cap space to do it. If not Markstrom, the Devils are set to sell, with Toffoli being the player they can probably get the most return from.
Status: Who the heck knows
Deadline Cap Space: $2,487,500
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring, to get out of the mushy middle, make cap room
Potentially Available: Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I’d like to tell you everything the Islanders are up to, but it’s Lou Lamoriello. I’m not expecting a sell-off. His history is he doubles down. Rarely do you see him pull the chute at the trade deadline. I don’t know if they’re going to add, although they’ve been looking for a scorer for some time, but I definitely don’t think they’re going to break it up.”
Outlook: Just four points out of the playoffs with games in hand, the Islanders aren’t out by any means, but they don’t have the most inspiring lineup to break through either. The fact is that Lamoriello is loyal to this group and plays his cards so close to the vest it’s impossible to get a read on the situation. It’s hard to see this group going anywhere far as currently constructed, just as hard as it is to see Lamoriello putting up the white flag on the final day of trading.
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $2,908,333
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring wingers
Potentially Available: Kaapo Kakko, Will Cuylle, Brennan Othmann, first-round pick
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think they’re going to add. (Chris) Drury last year he operated late and with volume. He’s only been a GM for a year so there’s not a huge book on him, but based on that you’re thinking there’s the possibility this could happen again. Also the later you go the easier it is on your cap situation. He’s looking for a centre. The Blake Wheeler situation had him thinking about wingers again, too.
Outlook: The Rangers identified centre as their most pressing need and got one in the underrated Alex Wennberg from Seattle, but we shouldn’t expect Drury to be done there. The Rangers are still after a scoring winger and were believed to be in heavy on Guentzel. If a big deal like that were on the table, only then would Drury consider moving someone like Othmann or Kakko, valued young players with bright days ahead. Outside of a big move like that, the Rangers will likely be looking to add to their depth around the edges as one of the East’s top contenders.
Status: Seller with big decisions
Deadline Cap Space: $6,441,667
Draft Picks
Team Needs: New mix of blue-liners, goalie
Potentially Available: Jakob Chychrun, Erik Brannstrom, Dominik Kubalik
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I do think they’d like to do something big, I just don’t think it’s the time yet. I think it’s more likely if they do major surgery in the summer. I do think (GM Steve) Staios is willing to consider some bigger things. I also think they are taking a long look at the goalies. They have to sort this out.”
What the GM has said: “The trade deadline is one opportunity for us to look at our group, see what might be out there on the market that could suppplement our group, and maybe change the dynamic a little bit. We’re looking at all of it.” – Steve Staois after trading Vladimir Tarasenko
Outlook: Ottawa is in some ways very similar to Columbus as a team that had pre-season expectations to at least be in the playoff running until the end, but already well out of it at the deadline. Unlike Columbus, however, the Senators have their new GM calling the shots already and in place to make any bold trades that come his way. The one we all wonder about is Chychrun, as the Sens will have to make a decision soon on how to break up their three-deep collection of top-four left-shot blueliners. But the most pressing need to fix before next season is in net, where Joonas Korpisalo hasn’t been close to the answer and is now on a troubling, long-term contract.
Status: Curious seller/potential buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $4,642,619
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Keep an eye on the future
Potentially Available: Morgan Frost, Scott Laughton
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Philly might actually do a little bit of adding. I’m not talking big adds unless it’s a player who’s going to be there for a long time. I do think Philly has taken a look at Zegras, I just don’t know they have what Anaheim wants or that they’re willing to pay what Anaheim wants.”
What the GM has said: “We keep an eye on the future. We’ve said from the beginning we’ve wanted to build a team that was going to be a Stanley Cup contender for years to come and not just one in, one out, one in, one out, like has been going on. So the eye is still on the future.” – Daniel Briere to the gathered media in January.
Outlook: Third in the Metropolitan Division after missing the playoffs for a couple years, you might think the Flyers are in position to buy, but that’s only partially true. Ys, they re-signed Nick Seeler, who was a much-discussed trade candidate, but they did trade out Sean Walker to Colorado, showing management’s focus on the ongoing retool. If a big trade is to happen here, you’d have to think it’d be the Flyers bringing in a young player with a contract, but those are hard to pull off mid-season. The Flyers are more likely to be quiet on Friday, though could perhaps add a cheap veteran or two with playoffs likely.
Status: Disappointed seller
Deadline Cap Space: $3,725,000
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Young NHLers, prospects
Potentially Available: Reilly Smith, Alex Nedeljkovic, Lars Eller, Tristan Jarry
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “We can see the writing on the wall here. He’s going to move guys.”
What the GM has said: “We have to take stock of where we’re at and be realistic, and one of the issues we have is we need to get younger. We have a lot of guys in their 30s signed. Some of them are the best players in the history of the franchise. It’s tough with Jake (Guentzel) because he’s an excellent player and playing at an elite level. We have to find a way to continue to have those solid veteran guys but continue to get younger at the same time.” – Kyle Dubas.
Outlook: Dubas has never had to be a trade-deadline seller before, and probably didn’t envision being one in his first year at the helm with the Penguins, but here we are. With the Penguins set to miss the playoffs two years in a row, Dubas is between a rock and a hard place, trying to give his Hall of Fame core one more chance for a Cup, while needing to find more youth in the lineup. The Guentzel deal is done. After that, Reilly Smith is an intriguing target, and we wonder about the goalies. But, again, Dubas won’t be retreating to a rebuild — he has to restructure this thing back on track by next season.
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $12,436,334
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Skill, identity, direction
Potentially Available: Kevin Labanc, Mike Hoffman, Alexander Barabanov, Mario Ferraro, Luke Kunin, Kaapo Kahkonen, Mikael Granlund
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “One of the problems San Jose has is there’s not a lot there people are chasing. There’s interest in (Anthony) Duclair (who went to Tampa on Thursday), some interest in Mikael Granlund, some interest in Mario Ferraro.”
Outlook: When it comes to pending UFA rentals like Hoffman, Labanc or Kahkonen, the Sharks just don’t have a ton of appealing assets, so if they’re going to find a big return for someone this deadline, it’ll be a player with term. That’s where Ferraro or Granlund could potentially come in. Both players could really move the needle for an acquiring team though, for Granlund at least, the Sharks might have to weigh retaining salary, with two of their three slots already spent on Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns.
Status: Seller still hoping to re-sign some players
Deadline Cap Space: $7,285,938
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring
Potentially Available: Justin Schultz, Jordan Eberle, Tomas Tatar
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “The number one thing I’m hearing about them is people like their defence. A lot of teams have called Seattle and asked about defencemen and from what I understand what Ron Francis tells them is he’s happy with his blue line.”
Outlook: Six points back of the playoffs, it doesn’t seem likely the Kraken will be able to build on last season’s success, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to completely retreat either. Centre Alexander Wennberg has already been traded to the Rangers, but the Kraken still hold out hope they can re-sign another pending UFA in Eberle. They have a lot of signed defencemen who would help contenders, too, but nothing like that seems to be on the table. The Kraken will hope to be back again next season.
Status: Open for business
Deadline Cap Space: $2,217,083
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Blue line turnover, new mix
Potentially Available: Pavel Buchnevich, Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think a lot of it is on Buchnevich. Are they going to do that? The thing about St. Louis is Doug Armstrong has had a lot of guys available for some time this season and there’s been no bites. But the guys on his team that people really want, he hasn’t had those guys out there.”
Outlook: The Blues have a wide range of possibilities this trade deadline, all the way from a potentially exciting seller, to a team that quietly stands by. Just six points back of the playoffs, the fact is this team is woefully inconsistent and didn’t get much better after firing Craig Berube. Doug Armstrong is never afraid to make a big trade, but all of his players of interest are signed past this season, so some of this can move into the summer.
Status: Hopeful buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $2,927,083
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring, defence depth
Potentially Available: Isaac Howard
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “Tampa Bay makes bold decisions. The boldest decision here might be this is not our year. It’s not in their DNA, it’s not the way they think, but it might be the honest truth.”
Outlook: The Lightning curiously played the role of broker this week, assuming some of Adam Henrique’s cap hit in his trade to Edmonton, but they also added Duclair from the Sharks a year after he went to the final with rival Florida. This is a team you can never count out, but they feel a step behind in 2023-24 and don’t have many draft picks left this year. It’s unlikely they’ll be one of the more active teams on Friday, but there is still some cap room to work with. Tampa Bay was in on Hanifin, but couldn’t get it across the line — might they be able to get another blue-liner for further down the lineup?
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $369,166
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Right-shot defence, depth forwards
Potentially Available: Prospects, first-round pick
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think they’ve looked at everybody. I think they’re looking at depth forwards and D, preferably right shot. Name a defenceman and they’re looking at it. And I think they’re going to keep the three goalies.”
Outlook: Is this the best year for Toronto to push more of its valued future chips in? That’s what the front office is having to wrestle with. The Leafs added Joel Edmundson to the back end on Thursday, but he’s another left shot in a crowded group and it didn’t address their most pressing need. The Leafs could also use an upgrade in their bottom-six. But should they be looking to offload this year’s first, or a prospect like Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan? Or, rather, is this the year to keep those types of assets and just let the team ride?
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $125,000
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Scoring winger
Potentially Available: Elias Lindholm, Nils Hoglander, picks, prospects
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think they’re going to look at a forward. I think defence is less important but they’re still going to look at it. I think they see a need at forward more. They need to decide on Phil Kessel. (Jim) Rutherford could do anything but I think he’s already got his biggest thing done.”
What the GM has said: “If there is a deal that makes sense for us to improve our group we’ll definitely look into it. Up to this point, I think the players have earned to be in this position.” – Patrik Allvin after signing Elias Pettersson
Outlook: Before Guentzel went to Carolina, the Canucks were in on the winger and, rumour had it, the previously acquired Lindholm was being dangled as a possibility. With Lindholm, the Canucks have a strong three-deep collection of centres, which is something to be valued in the playoffs. With Guentzel off the board, perhaps the Canucks lower their sights and seek to round out the roster in some other way, though there isn’t much cap space left to work with. The West’s best team jumped the trade market early this year, as Rutherford-guided teams tend to do.
Status: Aggressive buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $4,726,683
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Another scoring winger because, why not?
Potentially Available: Any draft pick or prospect
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think they’re going to look to get the best forward they can and teams are wondering if they’ll do more. Their defence is really good, they’re really good down the middle. If you said they would do two wingers, it wouldn’t surprise people. If the goalie market was more robust I would wonder what they might think there, but don’t forget these guys won them a Stanley Cup last year.
Outlook: If there is a big deal to be had, you can bet the Golden Knights are sniffing it out. Already buying Anthony Mantha and Hanifin, it’s believed the Golden Knights still aren’t done, and we wonder if someone like Buchnevich could be a consolation prize after losing out on Guentzel. All eyes Friday will be on Alec Martinez, and whether or not the Golden Knights move him from IR to LTIR, thereby potentially opening up even more salary cap space for the day. The Golden Knights will be creative and aggressive.
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $6,767,500
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Young players
Potentially Available: Nic Dowd, Nick Jensen, Max Pacioretty
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I think they’d like to have some flexibility this summer. I think Washington has been doing their research on guys who might be available this summer. I think they want to change up their mix.”
What the GM has said: “We’re here to look for an opportunity to find more young players, add more young players, to our roster and still compete.” – Brian MacLellan one week before the deadline
Outlook: Five points out of the playoffs with games in hand, the Capitals still are alive in the race, but seemingly ready to begin pivoting to next season and beyond. Like the Penguins, the Capitals would like to add young players instead of far-off picks, since Alex Ovechkin is still contributing, chasing Wayne Gretzky’s record, and hoping to compete for a Cup again. But this is clearly the end of an era and the Capitals have to shake it up.
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $5,843,790
Draft Picks
Team Needs: Depth in the lineup
Potentially Available: Later draft picks
From the 32 Thoughts Podcast: “I don’t know I’m expecting Winnipeg to do very much here. Things are going really well for them. I don’t know off the top of my head that they’ve considered anything much larger than another defenceman.”
What the GM has said: “There’s a lot to say about chemistry. This group has really good chemistry, so if you add you want to add people who add to that chemistry.” – Kevin Cheveldayoff at the midway mark of the season.
Outlook: They needed another centre and got one in Sean Monahan, who has been a nice fit so far with the group, but there’s no other glaring need here. At this point, Kevin Cheveldayoff could be looking to put the finishing touches on what he hopes is a Stanley Cup lineup, with blue line depth.