The NHL trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m. ET. Several contenders are looking to add the final pieces to their Stanley Cup puzzles. Other teams are seeking to capitalize on the value of pending free agents before they walk away.
The 2022 deadline is highlighted by the potential availability of a few high-profile names such as Philadelphia Flyers star Claude Giroux, Chicago Blackhawks goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm. There are plenty of defensemen in play. But if a team needs a goalie, this might not be the best deadline for making a deal.
Get caught up on the players and picks in play, as well as the restrictions and potential moves for every NHL team ahead of the deadline with this comprehensive guide. Who stays? Who goes? Find out below.
Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey. Cap space figures are per CapFriendly, and are as of March 14.
Note: Kristen Shilton provided the guide for the Atlantic and Central teams, while Greg Wyshynski handled the Metropolitan and Pacific clubs.
Jump to a team:
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF
CGY | CAR | CHI | COL
CBJ | DAL | DET | EDM
FLA | LA | MIN | MTL
NSH | NJ | NYI | NYR
OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ
SEA | STL | TB | TOR
VAN | VGK | WSH | WPG
Atlantic Division
Deadline status: Room for one more
Cap space: $5,220,374
Players, picks in play: LW Jake DeBrusk ($3.675 million, RFA in 2022), C Oskar Steen ($809,167, RFA in 2022)
What they should do: The Bruins have just enough cap space to reel in a big-name rental for maximum impact on the weeks ahead. What Don Sweeney & Co. don’t seem to have are many players they are either eager to part with (think prospects like Fabian Lysell) or would move the needle in a big way on the trade market (like Steen). They do have a full complement of picks for the next two drafts (their third-round pick this year is Calgary’s).
Where does that leave Boston? The team’s most obvious need is left-side defense, and the Bruins have been looking to P.K. Subban ever since New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald stated publicly the club doesn’t have the pending UFA in its plans for the future. Sure, he’s a right shot, but Subban’s a versatile veteran who can patch the holes and take some pressure off, could come on the cheap, and he’ll be motivated by Boston’s contender status.
Other options for Boston’s D corps: Calvin de Haan, Nick Leddy or Mark Giordano, who could all slide in as relatively affordable short-term solutions.
Also, keep an eye on Winnipeg’s Andrew Copp. If Boston is losing DeBrusk, it’ll need a potential reinforcement, and Copp (a pending UFA) could fit the Bruins’ needs.
Deadline status: Ready to unload
Cap space: $57,600,672
Players, picks in play: C Cody Eakin ($2.25 million, UFA in 2022), D Robert Hagg ($1.6 million, UFA), D Colin Miller ($3.875 million, UFA in 2022), D Mark Pysyk ($900,000, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: Buffalo started its spring cleaning early this season with the Jack Eichel trade back in November. Now it’s time to continue making room for the next wave of young talent that will be the Sabres’ future building blocks.
To make long-term gains, Buffalo has to sacrifice short-term success. Offloading veterans (not named Jeff Skinner) and other contracts not projected to be part of the ongoing rebuild will be critical, and there’s no time like the present to get started. The Sabres can then get a look at some of their promising prospects in late-season games that won’t have much meaning in the standings, but could go a long way in establishing the franchise’s direction into next season.
And Buffalo has a few solid pieces to offer up in a trade, particularly to contending teams that want to shore up their bottom six or third pairing. If those skaters can get an opportunity to play for a Stanley Cup, and the Sabres can acquire some assets in return, that’s a true win-win.
Deadline status: Facing reality in a rebuild
Cap space: $45,684,009
Players, picks in play: D Nick Leddy ($5.5 million, UFA in 2022), F Vladislav Namestnikov ($2 million, UFA in 2022), D Marc Staal ($2 million, UFA in 2022), D Troy Stecher ($1.7 million, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: Detroit already made a move this month when it plucked Olli Juolevi off waivers from Florida. That gave the Red Wings nine defensemen and seemingly made it clear GM Steve Yzerman is looking to relocate one or two blueliners already in the mix.
The rest of Detroit’s deadline plans will likely be influenced by their steady slide out of the wild-card race. Even a few weeks ago it seemed feasible that, with the right addition or two, Detroit could make a push for one of those two spots. That’s less likely now, a disappointing but common occurrence for teams navigating the final dregs of a rebuild.
Yzerman’s best path at the deadline would be to leverage veterans not in his future plans for players he can plug in down the road. Come summer, he might have more luck locking up a top-four defenseman and middle-six forward to complement the Red Wings’ stable of young talent.
Deadline status: Full steam ahead
Cap space: $2,920,014
Players, picks in play: F Grigori Denisenko ($925,000, RFA in 2022), RW Patric Hornqvist ($5.3 million, UFA in 2023), RW Owen Tippett ($863,000, RFA in 2022)
What they should do: This is not the time for Florida to stand pat. The Panthers have used great depth to be one of this season’s highest-scoring teams. They’re expected to be serious playoff contenders. It’s GM Bill Zito’s job to push the right buttons at the deadline to ensure that happens.
While Florida tops the league in average goals scored this season, it’s a middle-of-the-road club in goals against. Zito should be looking at the crop of available defensemen, including Jakob Chychrun, Mark Giordano and John Klingberg. All three would bring the stabilizing, veteran presence the Panthers need to complement their high-flying offense. And it would be good insurance in front of the goalie tandem of Sergei Bobrovsky and rookie Spencer Knight.
To bring in a significant player now, Florida will probably have to part with a valued prospect. Tippett would be the choice to move over an Anton Lundell — although Lundell might fetch more on the trade market — and the 23-year-old’s depth of untapped potential is a nice chip for Zito to toss around. That’s also the case with Denisenko, a first-round pick by Florida in 2018 who has yet to pan out in the NHL.
Deadline status: Stock the cabinets
Cap space: $7,886,396
Players, picks in play: RW Joel Armia ($3.4 million, UFA in 2025), D Ben Chiarot ($3.5 million, UFA in 2022), RW Artturi Lehkonen ($2.3 million, RFA in 2022), D Jeff Petry ($6.25 million, UFA in 2025), D Shea Weber ($7.9 million, UFA in 2026)
What they should do: GM Kent Hughes got to work early when he traded Tyler Toffoli to Calgary in February. Since then, the focus around Montreal has been Ben Chiarot, and which of his serious half-dozen suitors around the league will be willing to pay the Canadiens’ asking price. Outside of that, Hughes has repeated that Montreal isn’t in a fire-sale situation or even a full-on rebuild, but the club is taking calls and evaluating how various offers might support their future goals.
And Hughes himself is still in an interesting spot. He’s getting to know the Canadiens’ players and how they operate under interim head coach Martin St. Louis. Swinging for the fences to acquire some prominent player(s) at the deadline, as opposed to free agency, doesn’t make a lot of sense if Hughes is still in that evaluation process. Montreal’s place in the standings also allows Hughes to be patient; he doesn’t have to force a transaction.
Outside of Chiarot, Artturi Lehkonen could be the most appealing player for a contender. Gathering more young talent and draft picks should be what’s on Hughes’ mind. The Canadiens could also target inexpensive players in need of fresh starts, like Anaheim’s Max Comtois or the Rangers’ Vitali Kravtsov.
Deadline status: Reluctantly unloading (again)
Cap space: $46,794,626
Players, picks in play: D Josh Brown ($1.2 million, UFA in 2022), D Michael Del Zotto ($2 million, UFA in 2023), G Anton Forsberg ($900,000, pending UFA), C Nick Paul ($1.35 million, UFA in 2022), RW Zach Sanford ($2 million, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: Ottawa thought its rebuild was over. And then, it thought again.
The Senators are facing another deadline far outside the playoff picture, taking calls on assets other teams would like to leverage on a Stanley Cup run. Zach Sanford is generating the most buzz, and GM Pierre Dorion would be smart to flip Sanford for all he can.
What Dorion will need to do at this deadline is start collecting more high draft picks so he can mold the Senators back into a long-term contender. Ottawa’s roster isn’t close to that right now, but it does have ample talent (including Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto, Brady Tkachuk, etc.) on the rise. The team has been patient in cultivating its next generation, and drafting a few more impact players has to be a priority.
If Dorion does want to take a swing, Travis Konecny could be an intriguing option. He has a $5.5 million cap hit for the next three seasons, and could use a new opportunity. Bringing in one or two established players on reasonable contracts would appease the fanbase as this rebuild rolls on.
Deadline status: No real needs — only wants
Cap space: $0
Players, picks in play: First-round pick in 2022, 2023
What they should do: The Lightning have no glaring needs to address before the trade deadline. But Tampa knows from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups that it takes a village. If there’s depth to be had on the market, the Lightning could well be involved in acquiring it.
Consider how GM Julien BriseBois brought in Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman previously because he knew that type of player — gritty, physical — would give Tampa the snarl every long playoff run inevitably requires. Without much cap room available, the Lightning probably won’t be targeting a marquee name, either.
What about Seattle’s Calle Jarnkrok, though? He’s the prototypical jack-of-all-trades who can play up and down the lineup, chip in on special teams and is low maintenance. Christian Fischer is another bottom-six skater who wouldn’t be too expensive to pry away from Arizona, and is used to being the kind of energy guy Tampa would need.
For the Lightning, it’s all about enhancement, just the slight nip or tuck that can really put them back over the top.
Deadline status: Seeking a blue line boost
Cap space: $3,719,166
Players, picks in play: First-round pick in 2022, D Travis Dermott ($1.5 million, RFA in 2023), D Joseph Duszak ($750,000, RFA in 2022), Timothy Liljegren ($863,000, RFA in 2022)
What they should do: The Leafs had goaltending issues even before Jack Campbell was sidelined by a rib injury last week. What they don’t have is the means to do much about that area before the trade deadline. A flat-cap world means setting priorities and sticking to them, and Toronto’s No. 1 concern that can be addressed is the blue line.
As you can see, the Leafs have a handful of defensemen they’d be willing to swap. Toronto’s defending has been in steady decline since its COVID-19 pause earlier this season, and upgrading is not only their best hope of holding Boston at bay in the standings, but of getting over that first-round hump.
At present, Toronto expects Jake Muzzin will be back from injury (and off long-term injured reserve) by mid-April, affecting how much cap space they can devote to a trade. Would GM Kyle Dubas target expiring contracts like Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson, who come with high upside but potentially larger asking price? Or lean more towards veteran pending UFAs in Mark Giordano and John Klingberg, adding value on the ice but perhaps at a lower cost?
One thing is certain: If there’s a defenseman available on the market, he will, at some point, inevitably be tied to Toronto. Because no team needs a playoff round win like the Leafs, and this blue line won’t cut it.
Metro Division
Deadline status: Searching for one final piece … maybe
Cap space: $1,792,500
Players, picks in play: 2022 second-round pick; prospects
What they should do: The Hurricanes are pretty good as is, with a .737 points percentage through 59 games. They’re good in all areas. They could do nothing at the trade deadline and feel fine about it.
That said, their biggest need is defensive depth. The Hurricanes have been missing injured defensemen Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Smith. But even without the injuries, bolstering the blue line would be the deadline goal. “If we were going to spend some money in any place at this point, I think it’d be at defense,” GM Don Waddell told NHL Network Radio recently.
The question is what they’d surrender for that defensive help. Both of their big-name pending unrestricted free agents — C Vincent Trocheck ($4.75 million AAV) and F Nino Niederreiter ($5.25 million AAV) — are integral parts of their team. Their 2022 first-round pick was shipped out after the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet. They have a pool of prospects that can be leveraged for a trade. But ultimately, this feels like a spot for a depth defenseman rather than a puck-moving game-changer whose cost seems greater than what the Hurricanes can manage at the moment.
Deadline status: Garage sale
Cap space: $46,003,791
Players, picks in play: F Max Domi ($5.3 million AAV, UFA this summer); G Joonas Korpisalo ($2.8 million, UFA this summer); cap space
What they should do: GM Jarmo Kekalainen‘s teams have a life cycle. They contend, they lose significant talent, we write them off and then in an instant the Blue Jackets are back to being a pesky team with a path to the future. This season was a glimpse at forward Cole Sillinger. Next season could prominently feature forwards like Liam Foudy, Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko, as well as goalie Daniil Tarasov.
It will not feature Domi, a pending UFA who’ll be pushed out by the younger players. It’s unlikely to feature Korpisalo, a 27-year-old pending UFA who’s kept the seat warm for Tarasov. Both have value on the trade market; it speaks volumes about the goalies available that Korpisalo, with the fifth-worst goals saved above average (minus-6.2) could be one of the most sought-after netminders available this trade season.
But the biggest move for the Blue Jackets could be to take on someone else’s contract headache. They have a ton of cap space to leverage, and could easily be the third party to facilitate a trade, picking up a draft pick or a prospect for the effort.
Deadline status: Waiting to be impressed
Cap space: $32,064,115
Players, picks in play: G Mackenzie Blackwood ($2.8 million AAV, RFA in 2023); D P.K. Subban ($9 million AAV, UFA this summer); D Damon Severson ($4,166,666, UFA in 2023); C Pavel Zacha ($2.25 million AAV, RFA this summer); cap space
What they should do: The Devils don’t have the same level of urgency at this deadline as they did in 2021, when Kyle Palmieri had value and an expiring contract. Could they move Zacha ahead of restricted free agency? Could they find a way to bring down Subban’s elephantine cap number and move him to a contender? Sure, but neither move is mandatory … or in Subban’s case, mathematically compelling.
The Devils’ approach to the deadline is likely one of consideration. If someone makes an offer they can’t refuse for a player with term like Severson or Blackwood, they’ll listen, deliberate and determine if the best move for the franchise is to get ahead of a move they’ll eventually need to make. (In Blackwood’s case, we’re seeing real-time market correction courtesy of rookie goalie Nico Daws.)
But New Jersey is also going to have its eyes on players shaking free from cap-strapped teams, which is a specialty of GM Tom Fitzgerald‘s front office. The Devils landed defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler from the Capitals last trade deadline, despite being a country mile from the playoffs. Expect to see the same type of move this year, with an eye towards 2022-23.
Deadline status: Tough decisions amid bummer season
Cap space: $11,804,677
Players, picks in play: D Zdeno Chara ($750,000 AAV, UFA this summer); F Cal Clutterbuck ($3.5 million, UFA this summer); D Andy Greene ($750,000 AAV, UFA this summer); D Scott Mayfield ($1.45 million AAV, UFA in 2023); LW Zach Parise ($750,000, UFA this summer); G Semyon Varlamov ($5 million AAV, UFA in 2023).
What they should do: What the Islanders should do and what they will do are two separate things, because no one is really sure what GM Lou Lamoriello has cooked up at the deadline. Logic would dictate that the Islanders should work with Chara, Greene and Parise to find contenders for their low-cap services. Clutterbuck should have his suitors, as contenders love a fourth-line, forechecking demon.
Things get a little more complicated with Varlamov and Mayfield. In Mayfield’s case, he’s a strong, right-shot defensive defenseman with a very manageable cap number signed beyond this season. There’s a lot of value there … to the Islanders as well.
In Varlamov’s case, he would clearly be the second-best goalie available behind Marc-Andre Fleury in a market that lacks experienced, effective options. He makes $5 million against the cap, but only $4 million in real dollars next season. This is Ilya Sorokin‘s team now; dealing Varlamov would clear cap space for other uses, and get a nice return. The challenge is that he can block a trade to half the league, which could include some teams (Edmonton, Toronto) that could really use an upgrade.
Deadline status: Maximizing their cap moment
Cap space: $27,276,647
Players, picks in play: 2022 first-round pick; G Alexandar Georgiev ($2.425 million, RFA this summer)
What they should do: The Rangers remain a team carried by the best goalie on Earth this year (Igor Shesterkin) and a torrid power play (26.5%, second in the NHL) while posting horror-show metrics in 5-on-5 play. They’re a playoff team, but not a contender, and there’s a difference.
That said, Shesterkin gives them a chance to win any playoff series they’re in. They have the cap space to make a significant short-term addition to their top-six forward group, before their financial landscape changes significantly next season: Defenseman Adam Fox‘s cap hit jumps by $9.25 million, and they’ll either give pending UFA Ryan Strome a salary increase or upgrade at center via free agency.
The trade deadline target should be on right wing, where the Rangers can search for a veteran rental. Of course, there’s always the option of trading for a center and sliding someone like Strome to the wing; Tomas Hertl of the Sharks would be ideal for that. The Rangers will have options, including teams that might want to take Georgiev off their hands. Ultimately, their splashiest moves will likely come during the summer.
Deadline status: Way open for business
Cap space: $6,536,989
Players, picks in play: C Derick Brassard ($825,000, UFA this summer); D Justin Braun ($1.8 million AAV, UFA this summer); C Claude Giroux ($8.275 million AAV, UFA this summer); G Martin Jones ($2 million, UFA this summer); LW James van Riemsdyk ($7 million AAV, UFA in 2023).
What they should do: GM Chuck Fletcher will do what he should do, which is trade everyone that’s tradeable. That starts with Giroux, who has spent all 15 seasons of his tremendous NHL career with the Flyers, but is now the biggest name available at the trade deadline. While it hasn’t been explicitly stated that Giroux will waive his no-movement clause for a deadline deal, it’s hard not to infer that from everything he and Fletcher have said in recent weeks. The field for Giroux includes Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and St. Louis. The conversation starts with a first-round pick and a pair of prospects.
Braun is going to get a lot of interest as a veteran defensive defenseman. So will Jones, considering how thin the goalie market is at the deadline.
Then there’s van Riemsdyk, the 32-year-old winger. His salary would necessitate some level of retention, but he could excel on a team that needs a net-front presence and power-play help.
Deadline status: Money in, money out
Cap space: $4,750,000
Players, picks in play: 2022 first-round pick; F Kasperi Kapanen ($3.2 million AAV, RFA this summer); D John Marino ($4.4 million AAV, UFA in 2027)
What they should do: The Penguins would like to add a physical forward to their group ahead of the playoffs, but it’s likely a “money in, money out” situation given their cap space. The most likely “money out” candidate is forward Kasperi Kapanen, a pending RFA. There has also been speculation that former Penguins GM Jim Rutherford and assistant GM Patrik Allvin — now both with Vancouver — might seek to acquire 24-year-old defenseman John Marino.
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to reinforcements: The Penguins like some of their young options inside the organization, like defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph and forward Valtteri Puustinen, who was recently called up. But the lure of adding players from outside the organization is strong, especially when considering this aging group’s window to win.
Deadline status: Dealing for a playoff run
Cap space: $155,834
Players, picks in play: 2022 first-round pick; F Daniel Sprong ($725,000, RFA this summer)
What they should do: There seems to be two schools of thought about the Capitals at the deadline. The first is that they approach it with moderation, keeping their first-round pick and prospects like Hendrix Lapierre and Connor McMichael as they seek a veteran rental forward for their middle six. The second is that they throw their hooks in the water and try to reel in Marc-Andre Fleury or Claude Giroux, provided either veteran agrees to join the team.
It’s more likely the Capitals go with the moderate approach, with names like Calle Jarnkrok of Seattle, Andrew Copp of Winnipeg, Artturi Lehkonen of Montreal and Tyler Motte of Vancouver as potential targets.
Central Division
Deadline status: Willing to help — for a price
Cap space: $27,684,464
Players, picks in play: D Jakob Chychrun ($4.6 million, UFA in 2025), LW Lawson Crouse ($1.53 million, RFA in 2022), C Johan Larsson ($1.4 million, UFA in 2022), RW Phil Kessel ($8 million, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: Ah, Arizona. Where NHL contracts that don’t age well go to retire.
Expect cap-strapped teams to take full advantage of the Coyotes’ room, and help Arizona add players with term or valuable future assets. Given that goal, the Coyotes will also try moving on from guys that don’t factor into their long-term plans to continue building a foundation. Phil Kessel, for example, would be a prime top-six option for a contending team.
The real focal point for Arizona though will be Chychrun. Last season’s breakout — 18 goals and 41 points in 56 games — feels a long way off for Chychrun after this injury-plagued, less productive campaign. But regardless, there’s a major market for Chychrun’s services because of his age (23) and reasonable cap hit. The Coyotes will want to cash in now while the iron is still (relatively) hot, ideally reeling in multiple pieces that can benefit them down the road.
Deadline status: Building for the future
Cap space: $3,203,318
Players, picks in play: C Henrik Borgstrom ($1 million, RFA in 2023), D Calvin de Haan ($4.55 million, UFA in 2022), G Marc-Andre Fleury ($7 million, UFA in 2022), LW Brandon Hagel ($1.5 million, UFA in 2024), F Dominik Kubalik ($3.7 million, RFA in 2022), C Dylan Strome ($3 million, RFA in 2022)
What they should do: The Blackhawks have more than a few carrots dangling on the trade market. In return, Chicago needs the two P’s: picks and prospects.
It’s no secret the Blackhawks’ cupboards are pretty bare. What they do have is cap space that should be put to good use in a league where most contenders don’t have enough of it. Would eating a bad contract or two also net the Blackhawks a high draft choice this season, or a prospect with potential? They’ve got to entertain that idea.
Brandon Hagel and Dominik Kubalik also need to be traded now if new GM Kyle Davidson doesn’t see them as part of the team’s rebuild. Hagel is young, productive and is a great competitor. Why would you want to lose that? You wouldn’t — unless you’re a team like Chicago staring down a three- to five-year-long retooling and you can get an A-plus package in exchange for Hagel.
Los Angeles or Minnesota could be ideal trade partners. Both clubs want to make a run and need some secondary scoring (for now and the future). Hagel or Kubalik could fit the bill. Strome is there too, but he’s been spotty and never quite lived up to expectations. Depending on the return, there could be a solid trade partner out there for him in the playoff mix.
Deadline status: Win-now mode
Cap space: $3,309,979
Players, picks in play: D Sean Behrens (unsigned draft pick), D Bowen Byram ($894,167, RFA in 2023), D Samuel Girard ($5 million, UFA in 2027), RW Martin Kaut ($863,333, RFA in 2023)
What they should do: The Avalanche got to work already, adding defenseman Josh Manson from Anaheim in exchange for prospect Drew Helleson and a 2023 draft pick. That shouldn’t be all Colorado does, either.
These Avalanche have been incredible all season. They also have some key players — including Nazem Kadri and Valeri Nichushkin — on expiring contracts. Not to mention that Nathan MacKinnon is still on his team-friendly deal (with an average annual value of $6.3 million) for one more year. If there was ever a time to go all-in, this is it.
Colorado has run into some injury troubles lately, which could affect their deadline dealings. Gabriel Landeskog is out indefinitely after knee surgery (they hope he’ll be back for the playoffs) and Samuel Girard is out four weeks with an injury too (not that it would preclude Colorado from trading him). The bottom line is, the Avalanche are too talented not to do everything they can to win a Cup.
The team is definitely interested in Claude Giroux. They’ve called about J.T. Miller. Tomas Hertl isn’t out of the question, either. That’s the caliber of player they should be eyeing, a real difference-maker who can put them over the top and set up a long postseason. Colorado would also benefit from a depth forward with some sandpaper, as most long-running playoff teams do.
What would the Avalanche part with? That’s where the club’s pool of prospects and young talent comes into play. Bowen Byram is the intriguing one here, given his history of concussions, and the fact he hasn’t played since Jan. 10. Byram is also just 20 years old. Given that much runway still in his career, moving him would require a major return.
Deadline status: Don’t stop now
Cap space: $50,000
Players, picks in play: G Braden Holtby ($2 million, UFA in 2022), D John Klingberg ($4.25 million, UFA in 2022), F Alex Radulov ($6.25 million, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: It’s really impressive how Dallas has forced its way back into the playoff picture after a slow start. Even in the highly competitive Central, the Stars are looking increasingly like a contender. So why hold back now?
Much of what Dallas should get done here hinges on Klingberg. It’s a safe bet he won’t be re-signing with the Stars, and the defender’s unhappiness over seeing teammates get new deals before him may be playing a role in his poor season. But Klingberg could be a real asset for a contender, as a new opportunity creates proving ground for his next contract. Win-win.
Miro Heiskanen‘s contracting mononucleosis and being out indefinitely could slow the trade processes for Dallas, though. The team may want to wait and see how he’s progressing in another week. While they’re figuring that out, the Stars should be eyeing some middle-six forward help — perhaps in the form of Vegas’ Reilly Smith or Detroit’s Vladislav Namestnikov — who could make an impact right away.
Deadline status: One move away
Cap space: $10,654,472
Players, picks in play: Second-round draft pick in 2022, F Jack McBain (unsigned draft pick), C Nico Sturm ($725,000, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: Bill Guerin knows what’s coming. Buying out the contracts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter forces the Wild to carry $12.7 million and $14.7 million in dead money over the next two seasons. That’s the cost of doing business. Does it mean Guerin should go all-in and acquire a top-line center or top-six forward for a serious playoff push this season, while he still has the cap space?
It’s an intriguing thought, made more so by Minnesota’s recent slide in losing eight of 10 games. Suddenly a club that previously looked rock-solid is showing serious holes. At the same time, Guerin has been vocal publicly about not wanting to disrupt locker room chemistry, which inserting a big-name (and potentially big-voiced) player into the mix could do.
Minnesota has some promising young prospects to use in any deal, with teams that may be eyeing more future success than present. Should Guerin have full faith that this year is Minnesota’s chance to chase a Stanley Cup, he should trust his players to absorb the right addition without losing what already makes the Wild great.
Deadline status: To go all-in, or to not go all-in?
Cap space: $44,653,932
Players, picks in play: LW Filip Forsberg ($6 million, UFA in 2022), D Luke Kunin ($2.3 million, RFA in 2022)
What they should do: GM David Poile has one question to answer before the deadline: Does Nashville have a real shot in the postseason?
The Predators have overachieved this season. There’s been positive growth all over the ice. But Nashville is streaky, going from volcanic hot to glacier cold overnight. If Poile believes the Predators could go on a run, then Filip Forsberg has to stay and Nashville needs to add another winger to bolster its often non-existent secondary scoring.
Phil Kessel or Max Domi could be attractive choices on the rental market. Brandon Hagel would also add some youthful enthusiasm to the mix.
The other area Nashville would need to improve is its third-pairing defense options. John Klingberg has been able to play well at both ends of the ice in years past, and could provide a little more offense from the blue line for Nashville too.
That caliber of move would cost Nashville, though. The onus remains on Poile to either push his chips in and bet on the Predators at their best, or leverage Forsberg now for assets and see what Nashville can do without him.
Deadline status: Deep diving for a defenseman
Cap space: $113,333
Players, picks in play: First-round pick in 2022, C Zach Bolduc ($925,000, RFA in 2024), LW Jake Neighbours ($866,667, RFA in 2024), D Marco Scandella ($3.275 million, UFA in 2024)
What they should do: The Blues needed another defenseman even before rookie Scott Perunovich had left wrist surgery last week (he’s expected to miss at least eight weeks). Perunovich was also a player St. Louis could have put out there as available in trade (and they still could), but one way or another, the Blues look to be at least one blue-line addition away from another serious run at the Cup.
St. Louis’ lack of cap space will likely keep their focus on the rental market. They’ll also have to move a larger contract — ideally Marco Scandella’s — to bolster the blue line in the short term. The emergence of Jake Walman would make losing Scandella more palatable, even with Perunovich out, and the Blues should be targeting a significant player to bring on board too.
The usual pending free-agent suspects — Mark Giordano and Ben Chiarot specifically — would slide in well for a contending club like St. Louis. But the Blues may also need some salary retained in a trade, and that’s where their draft pick(s) could come into play; they are down their second-rounder this year from the Pavel Buchnevich trade, but have the rest of their early-round picks in the next three drafts. Depending on how serious GM Doug Armstrong is about giving his club the best chance, it could be worth going all-in on a player he truly believes will make the difference.
Deadline status: Hoping to hold out
Cap space: $669,167
Players, picks in play: D Nathan Beaulieu ($1.25 million, UFA in 2022), C Andrew Copp ($3.64 million, UFA in 2022), C Paul Stastny ($3.75 million, UFA in 2022)
What they should do: In a perfect world, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff doesn’t do much at the trade deadline. If Winnipeg can keep winning, he may not have to. If they don’t, the Jets are likely to unload.
Andrew Copp’s name is the most discussed among Winnipeg’s pending UFAs. The 27-year-old’s versatility (he can excel as a second- or third-line guy at center or on the wing) is coveted by contenders on a short-term basis, and he wants to play himself into a big contract somewhere — and that may not be with the Jets. Winnipeg is mindful of adding more cap-friendly contracts, something they could acquire in a Copp trade, or he could even fetch a first-round pick.
Beaulieu is another expiring contract but is currently on LTIR, making it more difficult — but not impossible — to orchestrate a trade with the right partner.
Would it benefit the Jets to acquire a rental? Probably not. There’s too much risk in giving up an asset to bring on a temporary fix when your team has been inconsistent all season. Better to let this group fight for each other, and see where it takes them, while looking to move players you know won’t be part of the future.
Pacific Division
Deadline status: You’re either in or you’re out
Cap space: $47,882,209
Players, picks in play: D Hampus Lindholm ($5,205,556 AAV, UFA this summer); F Rickard Rakell ($3,789,444 AAV, UFA this summer)
What they should do: Newly installed GM Pat Verbeek brings an outsider’s perspective to a team that’s run it back with the same veterans for the last few years. He arrived as a crossroads for the Ducks — a duck crossing? — as the next generation of Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale and others take, over while a trio of veterans approached free agency.
Verbeek indicated that he wasn’t going to let his free agents walk away for nothing, and on Monday he backed that up by trading pending UFA defenseman Josh Manson to the Avalanche for prospect defenseman Drew Helleson and a second-round selection in the 2023 draft.
Lindholm would be a coveted rental if he doesn’t come to terms on a new deal with the Ducks — the Panthers would be one interesting option. He hasn’t been able to recapture the magic of his best seasons, but he’s still a solid defenseman who plays 22:35 per game. As for Rakell, who’s battled an injury recently, he can play both wings, has 5.9 goals above average and sees a lot of power-play time for Anaheim.
Deadline status: Big business done, now it’s on to finishing touches
Cap space: $627,872
Players, picks in play: 2022 second-round picks, F Brett Ritchie ($900,000 AAV, UFA this summer)
What they should do: What they’ve already done. They acquisition of winger Tyler Toffoli on Valentine’s Day will end up better than the majority of the trades that’ll be made between now and Monday’s deadline. He has 13 points in 14 games with the Flames and they avoided the volatility of the deadline market to lock in their trade early.
At the deadline, the Flames have their own second-round pick and that of the Panthers to ante up for a bottom-six forward or a depth defenseman on an expiring contract. The way Calgary is playing, it’s hard to imagine they want to break up the band — a depth player like Ritchie moving on to create a little more cap space could be the extent of it.
Deadline status: Deciding on the investment
Cap space: $591,304
Players, picks in play: 2021 first-round pick; F Josh Archibald ($1.5 million AAV, UFA this summer); G Mikko Koskinen ($4.5 million, UFA this summer); F Kyle Turris ($1.65 million AAV, UFA this summer)
What they should do: What can they do? GM Ken Holland has been steadfast in saying that he’s not looking to trade his first-round pick in 2021 or his top prospects for a rental. Would he trade it for a player with term? That’s the question. If it’s a “money in, money out” situation then the Oilers could trade Koskinen, who has trade protection, if it meant a significant upgrade in goal. Seeing as there isn’t one, we’d expect the Oilers to chase a defenseman at the deadline instead.
More likely, they could attempt to trade Archibald, but that’s complicated. He recently returned to the lineup after missing most of the season due to post-COVID-19 myocarditis. Complicating his status is that Archibald remains unvaccinated.
The Oilers will get a boost when injured players return after the deadline, as forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi are due back. But there’s pressure from local media to do more and not squander another season of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Deadline status: It’s complicated
Cap space: $5,315,834
Players, picks in play: 2022 first- and second-round picks; prospects
What they should do: This has become a more complicated question recently. The Kings, who remain in a playoff seed, have a pretty good hockey team on injured reserve at the moment: Forwards Dustin Brown, Viktor Arvidsson, Andreas Athanasiou and Brendan Lemieux; and defensemen Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson. Does GM Rob Blake have to make a move or two to fill in the gaps before the playoff start?
Blake and the Kings have played at their own pace for the last few seasons. They started to ramp up last offseason when they brought on Arvidsson and Phillip Danault, but we expect the conservative and measured approach will continue at the trade deadline … unless there’s a player that Blake can’t pass up using his bevy of picks and prospects to acquire. One name that’s been linked for a while with L.A.: Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun, the 24-year-old signed through 2024-25 with a $4.6 million AAV. The cost to acquire him is sky-high, but the Kings could get into the ballpark better than others.
Deadline status: Approaching the Hertl
Cap space: $22,325,489
Players, picks in play: F Alexander Barabanov ($1 million AAV, UFA this summer); C Andrew Cogliano ($1 million AAV, UFA this summer); C Tomas Hertl ($5.625 million, UFA this summer)
What they should do: The Sharks have a real conundrum on their hands with Hertl. As a trade piece, he’s probably the second most coveted forward available at the deadline behind Claude Giroux. For some teams, he’d be a better fit: He’s younger (28), a significantly more physical presence and has similar offensive output. He also has 24 points in his last 29 playoff games. He’s a game-changer and would bring back to the kind of picks and prospects the Sharks need as they continue to rebuild around their immovable veteran contracts.
If that sounds like the kind of player the Sharks may want to retain rather than trade, well, that’s why Hertl’s agent and the Sharks have been grinding away on a contract extension. How that goes will determine how their deadline goes, although they do have a couple of other players on expiring contracts to move too.
Deadline status: Building for Year 2
Cap space: $30,270,706
Players, picks in play: F Colin Blackwell ($725,000, UFA this summer); D Mark Giordano ($6.75 million, UFA this summer); F Calle Jarnkrok ($2 million, UFA this summer); F Marcus Johansson ($1.5 million, UFA this summer); cap space
What they should do: Seattle’s inaugural season finds them in the basement of the Pacific Division. Needless to say, they won’t have the moral quandary that the Golden Knights had in their inaugural season at the trade deadline, when they had the chance to flip expansion draft players or hold onto them for a playoff run. The Kraken will be unloading.
Giordano, who has a limited no-trade clause, has the most value as a veteran puck-moving power-play quarterback with leadership intangibles — a quintessential rental. Jarnkrok and Johansson could bring back mid-level draft picks as depth forward acquisitions for contenders.
Keep in mind that the Kraken also have significant cap space they can use to pick up picks and prospects while facilitating trades for other teams.
Deadline status: Playoff push with an eye to future
Cap space: $2,375,000
Players, picks in play: F Brock Boeser ($5.875 million, RFA this summer); G Jaroslav Halak ($1.5 million AAV, UFA this summer); C J.T. Miller ($5.25 million AAV, UFA in 2023); F Tyler Motte ($1.225 million, UFA this summer)
What they should do: It’s hard to separate the rumors from reality with the Canucks. Is J.T. Miller available? Or does the rest of the league just covet a versatile forward with his offensive pop, grittiness and playoff-ready game? Is 24-year-old Brock Boeser part of the core moving forward, or will they move him before he’s due a $7.5 million qualifying offer this summer? Is Tyler Motte going to be another team’s depth acquisition or continue helping the Canucks’ playoff push?
Jaroslav Halak, 36, is an interesting option for teams searching for goaltending help. He has a full no-movement clause, but if the right situation is presented to him — that works for his family, his playing time and his chance to win — it’s not out of the question he’ll waive it. But again: Vancouver’s in a playoff race and might want to hang onto him, even if it hasn’t been his strongest season.
Deadline status: Tensions are rising
Cap space: $1,210,833
Players, picks in play: F Mattias Janmark ($2 million AAV, UFA this summer); F Reilly Smith ($5 million AAV, UFA this summer); 2022 second-round pick
What they should do: Conditions have certainly changed for the Golden Knights since their big trade coup in Jack Eichel returned to the ice. Their playoff chances are down to 55%, per FiveThirtyEight. Reilly Smith and Robin Lehner have joined Brayden McNabb, Mattias Janmark, Mark Stone and Alec Martinez on injured reserve. It’s a bit of a mess, and at the wrong time.
Even with players on long-term injured reserve, the Knights don’t have much cap space at the deadline. They do have two players on expiring contracts they could move — although losing original “Golden Misfit” Smith might hurt more than help. If Vegas is looking anywhere, it might be for goaltending help at the deadline, but their options are limited, especially since the top goalie available, Marc-Andre Fleury, isn’t coming back to Sin City to bail them out.