OK so we’ve started to see some trades made and names taken off the board this week, notably on Saturday when Hampus Lindholm and Claude Giroux found their way to new teams.
But a number of movable players remain available and, of course, we’re all looking for this year’s surprise deal, a la the Mantha-Vrana trade from 2021.
In preparation for what’s to come, we’ve compiled all the details you might need to know about each of the NHL’s 32 teams at the deadline. From all the 2022 draft picks they hold, to possible trade candidates, an Elliotte Friedman quote from the 32 Thoughts Podcast deadline episode, and projected deadline-day cap space (per CapFriendly), we give you an idea of what each team has and wants.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Status: Seller, but suitor for Jakob Chychrun
Deadline Cap Space: $58,154,385
2022 Draft Picks: ANA 1, BOS 1, ANA 2, ANA 4, ANA 5, TOR 5, NSH 6
Team needs: Futures, defencemen
Potentially available: Rickard Rakell, Maxime Comtois, Isac Lundestrom, Andrej Sustr, John Gibson
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “There was someone who told me Thursday night they thought Rakell might re-sign. There was someone else who told me Thursday night it’s not going to happen. The same agent, Claude Lemieux, represents both (Rakell and Lindholm) and he’s not talking. But it sounds like both of these guys are going to be moved.”
Outlook: Anaheim hasn’t won a playoff game since 2017, was near the bottom of the league standings two years in a row, and now had to sell a high-value player in Hampus Lindholm as a rental seller. Rickard Rakell, a deadline rumour target two years running, is similarly now at the end of his contract. Did Anaheim wait too long to move them? New GM Pat Verbeek, hired Feb. 4, inherits a young team with some pieces in place, but at a delicate time that requires veteran turnover. The Ducks have just five players signed beyond next season and so will have off-season cap space at their disposal, but must also keep in mind what the second contracts will be for their young stars.
ARIZONA COYOTES
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $32,454,245
2022 Draft Picks: ARI 1, CAR 1, COL 1, ARI 2, NYI 2, PHI 2, SJ 2, VAN 2, ARI 3, ARI 4, ARI 5, ARI 6
Team needs: Draft picks, prospects
Potentially available: Phil Kessel, Lawson Crouse, Jakob Chychrun, Karel Vejmelka
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “The thing is if you’re a contender and you like Chychrun you know there are teams (like Columbus or Anaheim) that have really looked at it and you could lose him to a team that’s not going to make the playoffs this year.”
Outlook: We know the Coyotes are rebuilding — just look at that collection of draft picks — but if you have a 23-year-old (soon to be 24) top-four defenceman signed cheap and with term available for trade, you know it’s going to be a long way back. The Chychrun deal would be the biggie if it happens, but may linger into the summer. The Coyotes should be able to find a playoff buyer for Kessel. Vejmelka is an interest add to the goalie market — a 25-year-old who came out of nowhere to post a pretty decent season.
BOSTON BRUINS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $6,152,085
2022 Draft Picks: BOS 2, CGY 3, BOS 4, BOS 5, BOS 6, BOS 7
Team needs: Forward, defenceman, winger
Potentially available: Jake DeBrusk, Draft picks, prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They’re hunting for D. Boston I think has a chance to be really busy.”
Outlook: Time to push some more chips in. Who knows how many more runs the Patrice Bergeron-Brad Marchand duo have, and the Bruins are very much a factor again even sitting fourth in the Atlantic Division. They’ve been one of the NHL’s best teams for the past two months now. The Bruins already got into the market by adding Hampus Lindholm on Saturday, but it’s an arms race in the Atlantic right now — will Don Sweeney do more?
BUFFALO SABRES
Status: Seller, but could add a defenceman
Deadline Cap Space: $68,524,540
2022 Draft Picks: BUF 1, FLA 1, VGK 1, BUF 2, BUF 3, BUF 4, NJ 5, BUF 6, BUF, 7
Team needs: Draft picks, prospects, youngish top-four defenceman
Potentially available: Colin Miller, Mark Pysyk, Craig Anderson
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “The thing I’ve heard about Anderson is they really feel he’s been good for their culture and I think they would like to keep him if they can.”
Outlook: It’s another miserable year for the Sabres, but this time there have been some good developments later in the season. They’re still rebuilding, will need their picks and for the players they have drafted to develop, but the fact they’re being talked about as a potential buyer for a long-term defenceman is the first bit of light that, maybe, the rebuild is starting to bear some fruit.
CALGARY FLAMES
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $627,000
2022 Draft Picks: CGY 2, CGY 5, CGY 7
Team needs: Defenceman
Potentially available: Sean Monahan, any 2022 draft pick, Jakob Pelletier
Outlook: The Flames have already bought a couple of forwards, bringing in Tyler Toffoli and Calle Jarnkrok, and may not want to mess with chemistry much further — after all, they’ve been one of hockey’s best teams this season. But there is also a clear window open here for them, and after last season and the contract decisions that await this summer, there’s no telling for how long it will stay open. Is Treliving done, or does he have something else up his sleeve?
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,792,500
2022 Draft Picks: CAR 2, CHI 3, CAR 4, CAR 5, CAR 6, ANA 6, CAR 7, CBJ 7
Team needs: Defenceman
Potentially available: Draft picks, prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I do think there are people in the organization who are like ‘if we can upgrade our defence a little bit we have a real shot here.’ So I think that’s what they’re going to look at doing is upgrading their D.”
Outlook: It seems the Canes are always looking for blueliners even though they have great groups all the time. The one main thing that had been holding this team back recently was the lack of a game-changing goalie, but Frederik Andersen has filled that desire. When you watch the Canes, you see immediately why they are one of the top teams in the NHL — they are a high-event team that does a good job of keeping shots against to a reasonably low level. They had one of the more complete teams coming into the season and could just see how far this group can go, but as teams around them add, Carolina might be persuaded to get into the game.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $6,119,985
2022 Draft Picks: CHI 2, EDM 3, TOR 3, VGK 3, CHI 6, CBJ 6, CHI 7
Team needs: Anything for the future
Potentially available: Marc-Andre Fleury, Calvin de Haan, Patrick Kane, Dominik Kubalik, Dylan Strome, Ryan Carpenter,
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I am curious, Chicago’s veteran players, how are they going to react to (the Brandon Hagel trade). I think as for franchise direction though it’s exactly what Chicago needs to do and wants to do.”
Outlook: The Blackhawks are hard selling and the offer for 23-year-old Brandon Hagel was just too good to pass up. But moving him indicates this is going to be a very long process. All of their expiring contracts could go, including a couple of RFAs. There’s blockbuster potential here, too, if the Hawks really want to lean into the rebuild, though those calls could be made in the off-season. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have one year left on their deals after this season.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
Status: Buyer, big-game hunter
Deadline Cap Space: $2,997,975
2022 Draft Picks: COL 3, COL 5, COL 6, COL 7
Team needs: Forwards
Potentially available: Shane Bowers, Bowen Byram, Justin Barron, picks, prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they’re going to add another forward. I don’t think they’re done. This is their year. I think they’re going for it.”
Outlook: The Avs have had a window to win for a couple of years now, but still haven’t been deadline day’s biggest buyer, or even a particularly aggressive one. GM Joe Sakic has built up his team mostly in the off-season, or very early in a year. Nathan MacKinnon has one year left on his contract before he’ll command big dollars and Nazem Kadri may have priced himself out of their future this season. The goaltending has turned the corner, the defence is full — is this the deadline Sakic takes a more traditional all-in approach?
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Status: Seller, with buying potential
Deadline Cap Space: $54,054,455
2022 Draft Picks: CBJ 1, CHI 1, CBJ 2, TB 3, CBJ 4, TOR 4, TOR 6, ANA 7
Team needs: Futures
Potentially available: Joonas Korpisalo, Max Domi, Dean Kukan, don’t say Patrik Laine
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I wouldn’t be surprised if a young player with term got traded, if Columbus wasn’t on the receiving end of that.”
Outlook: Jarmo Kekalainen has some very interesting pieces in place to move forward with, including a Blackhawks first-rounder in 2022 that’s only top-two protected and should be a good prospect. The biggest question is around Laine, one year from UFA status and an arbitration-eligible RFA in the summer. He’s started producing a lot again recently, though, and could be their centrepiece star.
DALLAS STARS
Status: Likely buyer, possible seller
Deadline Cap Space: $50,000
2022 Draft Picks: DAL 1, DAL 2, DAL 3, DAL 4, DAL 5, DAL 6, DAL 7
Team needs: Defence, forward, backup goalie
Potentially available: John Klingberg, Braden Holtby, Alexander Radulov, picks, prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “All of a sudden it looks like Dallas has gone from seller to potentially buyer in just a couple days.”
Outlook: Even though they’re three points out of a playoff spot, the math remains in Dallas’ favour since it has four games in hand on the Vegas team it’s chasing. Dallas has been tough to measure since reaching the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. While John Klingberg has been a trade candidate almost all season, Miro Heiskanen’s bout with mono has made Klingberg less disposable. Braden Holtby’s injury maybe even puts them in the market for a third goalie, especially after the news that Anton Khudobin’s season is done. Or, the Stars sell their expiring contracts. They really could go either way, or perhaps straddle the buyer/seller divide as they wiggle through the deadline.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Status: Seller with surprise potential
Deadline Cap Space: $55,197,460
2022 Draft Picks: DET 1, DET 2, WSH 2, DET 3, DET 4, COL 4, VGK 4, DET 5, DET 7
Team needs: Futures, young NHLers
Potentially available: Nick Leddy, Thomas Greiss, Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, Filip Zadina, Marc Staal
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “The thing with Yzerman is that he doesn’t think like a lot of us do. He’s very analytical, determined in his thinking. He’s not afraid to make decisions that the rest of us aren’t willing to make.”
Outlook: GM Steve Yzerman shocked us all last season with the last-minute trade of Anthony Mantha for Jakub Vrana (and futures). The Red Wings are better this season, though still a distance away from challenging for the playoffs. Yzerman undoubtedly will keep his eyes on the future here, but nothing should surprise us.
EDMONTON OILERS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,704,637
2022 Draft Picks: EDM 1, EDM 2, EDM 5, EDM 6, EDM 7
Team needs: Snarly defenceman, goalie
Potentially available: Non-first-round picks, Josh Archibald, Dmitri Samorukov, Tyson Barrie
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I don’t think Edmonton does anything major. I think if they do anything it’s a depth move.”
Outlook: The Oilers are in a much better position now than earlier this season when the panic-metre was off the charts, but they’re still not a playoff lock and GM Ken Holland has said he’s not interested in trading a top pick or prospect for a rental. A goalie would be nice, but that’s been a need all season and they haven’t been able to figure that one out yet. A defenceman seems like the most likely addition. If Ken Holland gets creative, maybe there’s a surprise value add here.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Status: Buyer, blockbuster potential
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2022 Draft Picks: FLA 3, FLA 4, FLA 5, FLA 6, CGY 6, FLA 7
Team needs: Top-four defenceman, more forwards because why not?
Potentially available: Spencer Knight, Mackie Samoskevich, whatever draft picks they have left
Outlook: The Panthers have made two big adds already: Ben Chiarot for blue line muscle and Claude Giroux to make their deep collection of forwards even more ridiculous. Are they done? It seems like nothing is off the table for this team and that they could still look to add to the blue line.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $319,084
2022 Draft Picks: LAK 1, LAK 2, PIT 3, LAK 4, LAK 5, LAK 6, LAK 7
Team needs: Defenceman or forward with term
Potentially available: Alex Turcotte, prospects, picks
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they’re very active behind the scenes. I think they’ve talked to the Canucks about Garland.”
Outlook: The Kings are ahead of schedule sitting second in the Pacific, and though they still aren’t really in their winning window, they might want to try and add since a couple of important pieces (Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar) can’t waste many more years here. Scoring is a need.
MINNESOTA WILD
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $10,002,755
2022 Draft Picks: MIN 1, MIN 2, MIN 3, MIN 4, MIN 5, SJ 5, MIN 6
Team needs: Defence, goaltending
Potentially available: Kevin Fiala, picks, non-Marco Rossi prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they’re looking to add some beef on defence and up front.”
Outlook: The Wild were one of the best early-season stories, but they have been sagging for some time now, 9-10-1 and 22nd in the NHL by points percentage since Feb. 1. There is more than just one reason for that, but the goaltending is on the hot seat. The Wild have done well to repel high danger chances in that span, but Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen have combined for an .876 save percentage over the past seven weeks, 30th in the NHL. Talbot, the No. 1, has allowed four or more goals in seven of his past 10 starts. The team defence, meantime, has done rather well to repel high danger opportunities, though the Wild’s expected goals against is still in the middle of the pack. So, they could seek to bulk up the blue line a little, but the main question is whether they’ll see goaltending as a priority to address, and what they’ll pay to do it. Beginning next season the Wild will have three years of crushing cap penalties due to the Zach Parise/Ryan Suter buyouts ($12.7 million in dead cap space next season, $14.7 million in 2023-24 and 2024-25) so GM Bill Guerin might be inclined to try and give this team a boost. He added Nic Deslauriers on Saturday, who will add physical moxie up front.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $10,603,062
2022 Draft Picks: MTL 1, CGY 1, MTL 2, MTL 3, ANA 3, CAR 3, MTL 4, NYR 4, TB 4, MTL 5, MTL 6, MTL 7, STL 7
Team needs: Anything for the future
Potentially available: Artturi Lehkonen, Shea Weber, Jeff Petry, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, Jonathan Drouin, Christian Dvorak,
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Basically Kent Hughes has said ‘give us what we want and we’ll do it. Don’t give us what we want and we won’t.’ And I think that’s the case with guys like (Arturri) Lehkonen.”
Outlook: GM Kent Hughes has said they would trade Petry if the exact right offer came along, but wouldn’t force it, and that goalie Jake Allen would be staying put. It would seem, though, that if the team got an explosive offer for anyone, then just about any course could be on the table. They’re rebuilding a whole organization in Montreal and are just accumulating for the future, but also recognize they do have some pretty good players who could help support a young team in the near future.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Status: Buyer, but could sell
Deadline Cap Space: $50,893,370
2022 Draft Picks: NSH 1, NSH 2, NSH 3, LAK 3, NSH 4, NSH 5, NSH 7
Team needs: Forward, defence
Potentially available: Filip Forsberg, picks, prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “David Poile’s not afraid to make big swings. But I’m not expecting that here.”
Outlook: Probably more likely than not to be relatively quiet, GM David Poile nonetheless always has big move potential. Coming off a Saturday win against Toronto, The Preds are seven points into a playoff spot and right on Minnesota’s heels for third in the Central. But, Filip Forsberg is hanging out there without a contract for next season, and Tomas Hertl’s eight-year extension ($8.1375 million AAV) makes him an expensive re-sign. What will Poile do if Forsberg still hasn’t signed Monday afternoon?
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Status: Seller and buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $37,675,335
2022 Draft Picks: NJ 1, NJ 2, NJ 3, NJ 4, EDM 4, NYI 4, CBJ 5, NJ 6, NJ 7
Team needs: Goaltending
Potentially available: Mackenzie Blackwood, Pavel Zacha, P.K. Subban, Ty Smith
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “The Devils have to sort out their goaltending. I think that’s the No. 1 priority.”
Outlook: While the Devils could sell and keep accumulating futures, they also might be interested in trying to settle their goaltending position. Injuries to Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier have forced the Devils to go six goalies deep into the depth chart this season, and there is some wonder if Blackwood really is the long-term answer in net (.902 save percentage last season, .894 this season).
NY ISLANDERS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $13,870,495
2022 Draft Picks: NYI 1, COL 2, NYI 3, NYI 5, NYI 6
Team needs: Reset for next season
Potentially available: Zdeno Chara, Anthony Beauvillier, Semyon Varlamov, Cal Clutterbuck, Scott Mayfield, Josh Bailey
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think (Semyon Varlamov’s) name had been out there, but someone called me the other day and said they don’t think he’s going to end up moving. But it’s Lamoriello who knows.”
Outlook: If the Isles wanted, they could sell a defenceman or two, or try to move Varlamov to one of the few goalie-needy teams if the price for him (and his contract through next season) makes it worth it. But Lou Lamoriello will keep his intentions close to the vest. While the Islanders are well out of it, they could view this season as a uniquley challenging one where just no bounces went their way, and rather than sell off, they could try to reposition for a better 2022-23 instead.
NY RANGERS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $31,196,935
2022 Draft Picks: NYR 1, NYR 2, STL 2, WPG 4, NYR 5, NYR 6
Team needs: Defenceman, right winger
Potentially available: Alexandar Georgiev, Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, Braden Schneider, Nils Lundkvist, picks
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “This is a go for it year for the Rangers. I think they’re also looking for players who don’t jam up their cap for next season. So I think they’re going to look at some more rentals.”
Outlook: The Rangers have some underlying concerns by the numbers, but are no doubt a skilled team and backed by the best goalie in the league this season. That alone can take you far. The question is how much they get involved in the developing Eastern Conference arms race, and what they’ll pay for a top remaining rental like Mark Giordano.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $54,995,520
2022 Draft Picks: OTT 1, OTT 2, TB 2, OTT 3, BOS 3, VAN 3, OTT 5, OTT 6, OTT 7, NYI 7
Team needs: Prospects, picks
Potentially available: Nick Paul, Anton Forsberg, Chris Tierney, Zach Sanford, Austin Watson, Tyler Ennis, Erik Brannstrom, Victor Mete
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I would be curious if Ottawa thinks there’s a shot Giroux plays there next year…Are they waiting to take a shot at him?”
Outlook: Nick Paul has been held out of recent action and though a re-sign remains a possibility, they may have to trade him and give up a spirit player who would be good for them to have around a young core, but will also be a strong depth pick up for a contender. There doesn’t seen to be a big move in store for Ottawa this deadline, and more of a pick collecting opportunity.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $9,924,489
2022 Draft Picks: PHI 1, PHI 3, PHI 4, PHI 5, PHI 6, PHI 7
Team needs: Anything for the future
Potentially available: Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Justin Braun, Keith Yandle, Martin Jones
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Provorov’s name is out there a little bit. I’m not sure it will be now. They’re at a crossroads with Provorov and he’s at a crossroads with them.”
Outlook: The Flyers have been trying to straddle the rebuild/push for the playoffs line and it just hasn’t worked out. After trading a first-rounder for Rasmus Ristolainen last year, they decided to extend him rather than flip him and that move will be analyzed for years to come. Bigger moves may come in the summer again, but the Flyers really have to think about making more meaningful change. Last off-season’s move and an unclear direction just aren’t working.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $4,750,000
2022 Draft Picks: PIT 1, PIT 2, PIT 4, PIT 5, PIT 6, PIT 7
Team needs: Second line winger, mobile defenceman
Potentially available: Draft picks, John Marino, Marcus Pettersson
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I’ve heard they don’t want to tinker.”
Outlook: The big debate around the Pens is: should they trade their first-round pick and can they do it for a rental? GM Ron Hextall has a reputation as a builder and didn’t have to move a prime asset to pick up Jeff Carter last season. Can he protect this one? The Penguins are a hot team and are just as capable of going on a playoff run as any other in the Metro. The core is getting older, a few important contracts are expiring and that need to win now will be balanced with the fact they have made one pick in the first round over the past seven years.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
Status: Soft seller
Deadline Cap Space: $26,232,450
2022 Draft Picks: SJ 1, SJ 3, SJ 4, BUF 5, SJ 6, SJ 7, ARI 7, MIN 7
Team needs: Futures
Potentially available: Jacob Middleton, James Reimer
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think if they do anything it’s going to be smaller.”
Outlook: If the Sharks were going to be a true seller, they wouldn’t have re-signed Tomas Hertl for eight years — he was the player who could have brought back the most significant return. The Sharks are locked into him, Logan Couture, Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns at over $8 million each for the long term and the more pressing concern needs to be how they fill out around them. The Sharks have been a shadow of their former selves for a few years now — really since Joe Pavelski left.
SEATTLE KRAKEN
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $37,585,910
2022 Draft Picks: SEA 1, SEA 2, FLA 2, SEA 3, SEA 4, CGY 4, SEA 5, SEA 6, SEA 7
Team needs:
Potentially available: Mark Giordano, Marcus Johansson, Colin Blackwell, Carson Soucy, Haydn Fleury
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Ron Francis wants a first rounder for Giordano. I think he’s very much on Toronto’s radar.”
Outlook: The Kraken didn’t use their expansion draft leverage to build up any draft pick capital, but as Year 1 crawls to a disappointing close, GM Ron Francis can use his first deadline to start building up that cupboard. Calle Jarnkork started the process and he certainly won’t be the last.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $113,333
2022 Draft Picks: STL 1, STL 3, STL 4, OTT 4, STL 5, STL 6
Team needs: Defenceman
Potentially available: Jordan Binnington, Futures
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I’m mentioning (Ivan) Provorov’s name not because I’m convinced he’s getting traded, but because that’s the kind of player I could see St. Louis being interested in and they have a coach who knows him.”
Outlook: The Blues are well, well back of division leader Colorado, but this is a tough team that will be a difficult out in the playoffs and if GM Doug Armstrong makes an add or two that makes them even harder to handle, he will. If the Blues see themselves as Cup contender — and every indication is that they do — then adding more muscle to the blue line is a likely outcome.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $16,666
2022 Draft Picks: TB 1, CHI 4, TB 5, TB 6, DET 6, TB 7, NYR 7
Team needs: Depth
Potentially available: 2022 first-rounder, prospects
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They gave up a lot to get (Brandon Hagel) in terms of futures and picks, but Tampa doesn’t care about that. They care about winning and this player will help them win.”
Outlook: Their core is well-defined and after back-to-back championships there’s probably no need for a jaw-dropping addition here. Brandon Hagel boosts their third line for now and the next couple of years, which is exactly the sort of deal GM Julien BriseBois could chase again before the deadline. Depth defenceman? Another depth forward? That could be in play for Tampa who, it should be noted, still have their upcoming first-rounder. That could help buy them any rental they’d want, or be used to find more cheap term.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $3,719,166
2022 Draft Picks: TOR 1, TOR 2, TOR 7
Team needs: Fourth line forward, top-four defenceman, goalie
Potentially available: Travis Dermott, Nick Robertson, Justin Holl, Timothy Liljegren, Petr Mrazek
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think (Dubas) goes for a D. I’m not convinced he’s going for a goalie. I don’t think he wants to trade his first-rounder.”
Outlook: GM Kyle Dubas has stated his focus is to add to the blue line and it’s clear they need more experienced defenders back there. But there’s also a need for a faster fourth line forward or two and, though Erik Kallgren calmed the goalie waters for a few days, a 6-3 loss to Nashville on 34 shots against Saturday may stir that debate up again. The Leafs also, reportedly, aren’t crazy about moving their first, or top prospects Matthew Knies or Topi Niemela. At least for a rental. It seems Toronto has a lot of needs and the buyers around them have increased the urgency to do something.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Status: Seller for the right offer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,625,000
2022 Draft Picks: VAN 1, WPG 3, VAN 4, VAN 5, VAN 6, VAN 7
Team needs: Re-shape the team for the future, but not to rebuild
Potentially available: Conor Garland, Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller, Tyler Myers, Jaroslav Halak
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I don’t think Miller’s getting traded. Boeser is a complicated one.”
Outlook: A Saturday loss to Calgary was a setback for sure and Sunday’s game against Buffalo looms large — a loss there and perhaps the Canucks are a more inspired seller than they otherwise would be. There’s no doubt this team will turnover some of Jim Benning’s work, it’s just a matter of what they decide to do now versus save for the summer.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Status: Dice roller
Deadline Cap Space: $4,413,333
2022 Draft Picks: VGK 2, NYR 3, VGK 5, CHI 5, VGK 6, VGK 7
Team needs: Goaltending, maybe defence or forward depending on injury outlooks
Potentially available: Reilly Smith, draft picks
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think injuries are going to determine all of their time lines and I think they’re looking at a goalie and if they have to do that and that might be their most pressing need.”
Outlook: The fact Jack Eichel returned to the lineup right after getting shaken up this week was the best injury news this team had all season and their 5-1 win over Los Angeles Saturday brought a sigh of relief. The Golden Knights have been hammered by the injury bug this season and the more players on LTIR for the rest of the regular season, the more room they’ll have to do something. Of course, when everyone is healthy they’re well over the cap and will have to be sure no one comes back in April — and have next season in mind. The biggest question is in net, where Robin Lehner has a very unclear injury situation with an uncertain return timeline. Whether he returns or not, it seems they’ll need a more secure backup than Laurent Brossoit.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $155,834
2022 Draft Picks: WSH 1, WPG 2, WSH 3, WSH 4, WSH 5, WSH 6, WSH 7
Team needs: Goalie, depth forward
Potentially available: Ilya Samsonov, futures
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They’re happy with (Vitek) Vanecek. He’s really stabilized them. But I still think they’re going to try to add Fleury or another goalie.”
Outlook: Vitek Vanecek has stepped up big for the Capitals, but he’s completely untested in the playoffs, which is why GM Brian MacLellan still might want to add a veteran to the mix. But the goalie market is difficult without a lot of great options. At the very least, perhaps we should look at them to add some middle-six forward depth.
WINNIPEG JETS
Status: On the fence
Deadline Cap Space: $1,563,334
2022 Draft Picks: WPG 1, CBJ 3, WPG 5, WPG 6, WPG 7
Team needs: Pieces to reset with
Potentially available: Andrew Copp, Paul Stastny
From 32 Thoughts, The Podcast: “My guess: I think the offers on (Andrew) Copp will be too difficult to pass up. I just think they’re going to intensify and you know you’re probably not going to keep him.”
Outlook: They were in the running to be “Canada’s best team” at the start of this season, but it has been nothing sort of a bumpy right from the get go. Blake Wheeler has seen decline, Mark Scheifele’s defensive game has waned and Connor Hellebuyck — not to blame for any of this — also hasn’t been at his best. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff traditionally is not a busy deadline dealer, but they’re far enough out that he has to think long and hard about at least dealing his expiring contracts and effectively throw in the towel on the season. The off-season should be fascinating, where they’ll have to consider more sweeping changes.
