Identifying All 30 NHL Teams as Buyers or Sellers Ahead of 2015 Trade Deadline

Is your team buying or selling with less than a week to go before the 2015 NHL trade deadline on March 2?

That's a question some of the teams are asking themselves. Determining that status depends on where they sit in the standings, how many players they risk losing for nothing at the end of the season and whether they want to load up for a playoff run this year as a contender or look to the long-term future as a rebuilding franchise.

Of course, you always have plenty of teams that fall somewhere in between.

Click ahead for a look at where each team stands with days to go before the deadline. It should be a busy week.

As always, add your own thoughts in the comments.

Anaheim Ducks

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Buyers or sellers: The Ducks made a small move this week, via NHL.com, but will be buyers in the coming days in preparation for the playoffs as one of the Western Conference's top seeds.

Roster needs: Sami Vatanen's injury makes the team's need for another defenseman, especially a right-handed shot, even more critical. More scoring depth would also help bolster the lineup, which is top-heavy in terms of goals.

Bargaining chips: Barring a blockbuster, the Ducks would probably be more inclined to dish out second- or third-round selections or players they see as expendable as opposed to first-round picks. Someone like pending restricted free agent Emerson Etem could be up for grabs. In addition, the team could dangle soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Matt Beleskey, who is currently injured, according to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, via Luke Fox.

Arizona Coyotes

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Buyers or sellers: The only race the Coyotes are in is the one for the first overall pick in 2015. They should be plenty active on the selling front over the coming days.

Roster needs: Pick a category and the Coyotes need help. They have a little more depth on defense but are hurting on the forward front, where prospects like Max Domi could help in the future but a real gap of players in their early-to-mid 20s exists.

Bargaining chips: Pending unrestricted free agents Antoine Vermette, Martin Erat and Zbynek Michalek are their Big Three. Vermette is arguably the hottest name on the rental market, and the others are solid depth players for a contending team.

Boston Bruins

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Buyers or sellers: The Bruins will be desperate to buy thanks to a precarious hold on a wild-card spot at the moment and a depleted roster dealing with another injury to star forward David Krejci, via ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald. ESPN's Pierre Lebrun suggests they are pushing hard to make a deal.

Roster needs: The Bruins were already looking to add a top-six winger to take pressure off rookie David Pastrnak to perform over his pay grade down the stretch and into the playoffs. With Krejci out, they could use another center as well or a player like Vermette, who is capable of playing either position.

Bargaining chips: Salary-cap space is tight, so the team would have to move out salary in order to bring in anything significant. Loui Eriksson is an option, although the Bruins may need him in a bigger role with Krejci out. Alternatively, they could look for a cheaper contract that costs a draft pick.

Buffalo Sabres

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Buyers or sellers: The Sabres have already been active on the market as buyers, acquiring the injured Evander Kane from the Winnipeg Jets. They'll be more on the selling side now, though, as the worst team in the NHL standings.

Roster needs: They gave up some solid prospects to get Kane, so restocking the cupboard there will be a starting point. The team has good up-and-comers in the ranks already but needs more help to improve long-term.

Bargaining chips: Winger Chris Stewart is the pending unrestricted free agent with the most value. Torrey Mitchell is a strong bottom-six forward who might fetch a mid-round pick. Goalie Anders Lindback also has an expiring contract. On defense, Andrej Meszaros is a pending unrestricted free agent whom teams might kick the tires on.

Calgary Flames

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Buyers or sellers: Technically the Flames could be both. They are on the cusp of a surprise qualification for the playoffs but still want to get value for guys they don't see as part of their long-term future.

Roster needs: Top-end scoring talent is not something the Flames have much of, with youngsters like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan needing some secondary support. For this season, another defenseman would help with their depth.

Bargaining chips: Curtis Glencross is a pending unrestricted free agent who, according to Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun, is unhappy in his role and has submitted a list of teams he would waive his no-trade clause to join. Devin Setoguchi has offensive skills but is buried in the minors after a disappointing season. A team may want to take a flier on him. Sven Baertschi is a first-round prospect who might be in need of a fresh start.

Carolina Hurricanes

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Buyers or sellers: The Hurricanes will be sellers thanks to a disappointing season that has seen them fall to fourth worst in the NHL standings.

Roster needs: There are plenty of holes on the roster—notably a lack of offensive forwards behind captain and face of the franchise Eric Staal.

Bargaining chips: Staal would be their best, but he said back in January he wasn't interested in waiving his no-trade clause, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. They still have a couple of guys who will draw interest and bring in picks, prospects or both; winger Jiri Tlusty and defenseman Andrej Sekera are capable of providing secondary offense, and each is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

There has also been talk the Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in bringing back Jordan Staal, according to Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (h/t Charlotte News Observer's Chip Alexander).

Chicago Blackhawks

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Buyers or sellers: The Blackhawks haven't been playing well of late, losing three in a row and five of their last seven prior to Tuesday night. As a result, the team faces more pressure to make a deal to bulk up for the stretch drive and playoffs.

Roster needs: Another top-nine forward in the mix who can play with some grit and add secondary scoring would help round out the lineup, especially now that Patrick Kane has been knocked out indefinitely. More defensive depth is also on the menu of most teams with a realistic shot at a championship. Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune tweeted that he has been told Curtis Glencross of the Calgary Flames and Andrej Sekera of the Carolina Hurricanes could be targets.

Bargaining chips: The Blackhawks don't have a lot of salary-cap space but also can't afford to give up current roster players without bringing in better value. If they can work out an affordable import, they'd be looking at their draft picks as compensation if possible.

Colorado Avalanche

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Buyers or sellers: At this point, things are looking grimmer for the Avalanche's playoff hopes. They're well behind the wild-card spots, and time is running out, which could trigger a deadline sale.

Roster needs: The Avs have struggled defensively for the last couple of seasons and could use one or two legitimate top-four blueliners. They've allowed the third most shots against per game this year despite blocking the fourth most in total in the NHL. That's a lot of shots.

Bargaining chips: Daniel Briere, a veteran with a solid playoff track record, is an obvious choice but won't get much of a return. According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the team is also reportedly listening to offers on center Ryan O'Reilly, who could fetch a massive return either now or in the offseason.

Columbus Blue Jackets

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Buyers or sellers: Languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Blue Jackets will likely dump a few bodies for picks and prospects to continue a promising rebuild that stalled this year thanks to a lot of injury issues.

Roster needs: The Jackets are thin on the right flank and could use a prospect who projects as a top-line winger.

Bargaining chips: Because he has an exceptionally affordable cap hit this year but is about to get a significant raise as a restricted free agent, it may suit the Blue Jackets to get value for Cam Atkinson now if the right offer comes along. The same goes for Matt Calvert. Center Mark Letestu is a pending unrestricted free agent, as is veteran defenseman Jordan Leopold.

Dallas Stars

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Buyers or sellers: Even when they appeared to be potential buyers heading down the stretch last season, the Stars chose to sell pieces. This year, chances are much slimmer they'll qualify, so they'll be sellers once again.

Roster needs: Goaltending has been costly this season, and their forward depth has been tested by injuries. They are still trying to find the right mix of defensemen as well.

Bargaining chips: A couple of veterans set to hit the free-agent market, Shawn Horcoff and Erik Cole, might draw interest. Cole is a former Cup winner who has had a resurgence this season at age 36 with 18 goals and 32 points in 56 contests.

Detroit Red Wings

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Buyers or sellers: The Red Wings are still in contention for a division title and will be buyers at the deadline if they can find a few pieces at the right price.

Roster needs: There aren't many holes. The Wings have a nice blend of youth and veteran leadership. They have been seeking a right-handed defenseman for the top four for years, but it has eluded them. The Edmonton Oilers' Jeff Petry could be a fit.

Bargaining chips: With plenty of prospects in the system, the Red Wings can afford to part with one if needed, as long as the return is worth it. Perhaps a seller can talk them into dealing someone like Landon Ferraro or Xavier Ouellet.

Edmonton Oilers

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Buyers or sellers: Definitely sellers. The Oilers need change in a big way, whether big moves come now or in the offseason.

Roster needs: Center depth has been such a problem the Oilers felt the need to keep rookie Leon Draisaitl for a big chunk of the season even though he wasn't ready for the NHL. They still need a top defenseman as well. Their last good goaltender was Nikolai Khabibulin.

Bargaining chips: A core player could go. Teams are unlikely to want Nail Yakupov, whom the team would probably prefer to part with. Jordan Eberle or Taylor Hall might be someone other teams inquire about, but they may just have to deal with pending unrestricted free agents Jeff Petry (defenseman), Derek Roy (center) and Viktor Fasth (goalie).

Florida Panthers

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Buyers or sellers: The Panthers are one of those teams in a position to do both and still compete for a playoff spot. They are within striking distance of the Boston Bruins and a wild-card spot but have a number of impending unrestricted free agents they might want to deal.

Roster needs: Only six NHL teams have yet to reach 150 goals on the season, and the Panthers are one of them. They are getting by on their defensive play and goaltending right now, and upgrading some pieces at forward would be a big help.

Bargaining chips: They got good value in trading Sean Bergenheim to the Minnesota Wild for a third-round pick Tuesday night, via Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel and may get more for one or more of fellow unrestricted free agents Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall and Tomas Kopecky.

Los Angeles Kings

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Buyers or sellers: If they can find a way to afford it, they will be buyers. They have stormed into a playoff spot with eight straight victories.

Roster needs: Defensive help is critical with the team still completely in the dark over what Slava Voynov's future holds. Cap space is a problem, though, with Voynov's salary having to be accounted for if he returns.

Bargaining chips: Center Mike Richards is playing in the minors, and getting him off their books would free up the space needed for them to make moves for depth. The incentive for other teams would be picks and/or second-tier prospects with upside.

Minnesota Wild

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Buyers or sellers: Buyers. The Wild have already begun adding with the deal Tuesday night to bring Sean Bergenheim in from the Florida Panthers after a move to solidify the goaltending panned out with the Devan Dubnyk addition.

Roster needs: Bergenheim offers forward depth, but the team could add a more prominent scorer. A top-four defenseman would be beneficial as well, although Minnesota could settle for someone who pushes for a third pairing.

Bargaining chips: The Wild have picks and older prospects who might entice teams. Michael Keranen and Zack Mitchell may be the most attractive and are having decent seasons in the AHL.

Montreal Canadiens

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Buyers or sellers: With their eyes on an Eastern Conference title, the Canadiens will be buyers. They made a lateral move with the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, bringing in the beefier Devante Smith-Pelly in exchange for the slighter and more skilled rookie Jiri Sekac. They could look to do more.

Roster needs: The Habs may consider the move up front to be enough, although another winger isn't out of the question if the price is right. Defensive depth for a marginal cost is more likely, however.

Bargaining chips: For a big-name forward they would probably have to part with someone like Alexei Emelin, which may be too steep a price considering they want to add defensively, not take away. They could package a forward like Lars Eller as well. General manager Marc Bergevin probably won't give up a top pick, but a third-rounder for depth has been established in the case of Bergenheim.

Nashville Predators

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Buyers or sellers: Early purchasers. The Predators brought in Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson earlier this month but may still be looking for more if they find the right price. They are the top team in the league and looking to get stronger.

Roster needs: Another top-nine forward with some size—someone like Buffalo Sabres pending unrestricted free agent Chris Stewart—and a depth defenseman would be ideal.

Bargaining chips: Soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Matt Cullen could be too valuable for his faceoff prowess to be dumped for a pick. However, the team could part with its own for someone like Stewart, Curtis Glencross or Jaromir Jagr.

New Jersey Devils

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Buyers or sellers: Even with a four-game winning streak, the Devils are bound to be sellers by the time next week rolls around. They're eight points out of a playoff spot, and two teams are in front of them.

Roster needs: Youth. Prospects. Picks. The Devils are a veteran group in need of a rebuild.

Bargaining chips: There are plenty of pending unrestricted free agents on the roster right now. Jaromir Jagr is at the top of that list, with Michael Ryder, Martin Havlat, Steve Bernier, Scott Gomez and Marek Zidlicky also in the mix.

New York Islanders

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Buyers or sellers: After missing the playoffs a year ago, the Islanders are in a position where they could win the Eastern Conference. They'll be buyers if they can find the right price that doesn't involve draft picks. The high ones have already been dealt away. Standing pat is entirely possible.

Roster needs: With injuries to Mikhail Grabovski and Kyle Okposo, the team might want to bring in a top-nine forward or two. A defenseman like Zbynek Michalek would be a good fit to round out the defensive depth and balance, too.

Bargaining chips: It's possible teams might cover someone like Michael Grabner given his reasonable cap hit, although his actual salary is higher over the next season before unrestricted free agency. The team can probably afford to give him up or others instead, has no high picks this year and has dealt away many of them in the future to create this youthful and strong team in the present.

New York Rangers

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Buyers or sellers: With a mad dash to the finish in store, the Rangers are giving the Islanders a real battle for the Metropolitan Division title.

Roster needs: The Rangers miss Brian Boyle, who signed with Tampa during the offseason. He was a solid bottom-six forward who provided points on occasion in addition to the sandpaper play needed down the stretch and into the playoffs. Someone like Daniel Winnik in Toronto, Boyd Gordon in Edmonton or Jarret Stoll in Los Angeles would fit the role, although Stoll and Gordon aren't likely to go anywhere.

Bargaining chips: Similar to the way the Canadiens and Ducks dealt different types of players for a better fit, the Rangers could trade pending restricted free agent Carl Hagelin or impending unrestricted free agent Mats Zuccarello for a grinder with upside.

Ottawa Senators

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Buyers or sellers: It's time for the Senators to pack it in on their season. They are nine points behind the Boston Bruins, and three more teams are between them and that last wild-card spot. They should be sellers.

Roster needs: Outside of Bobby Ryan, who was really more of a product of the Anaheim Ducks playmakers, the Senators have no proven talent up front. They need an impact forward like Phil Kessel or another guy who has term on his contract and needs a change of scenery. Perhaps Ryan O'Reilly would be a fit.

Bargaining chips: Both David Legwand and Colin Greening—the team is showcasing the latter, according to Ottawa Sun writer Bruce Garrioch—have one more year on their current deals but don't have a long-term future in Ottawa. Neither does Erik Condra, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Philadelphia Flyers

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Buyers or sellers: Only four points out of the playoffs despite some inconsistent play, the Flyers could be looking at a mixture of buying and selling to remove pieces that could help them add value in the long run and short term.

Roster needs: Salary-cap flexibility is an issue, as well as the lack of top talent on the back end.

Bargaining chips: Vincent Lecavalier's big cap hit might make him too tough to move, but the disgruntled center could produce elsewhere, and that savings could help the Flyers add somewhere else. Michael Del Zotto has been playing well lately and is a restricted free agent this summer. If they plan to re-sign him, they could try to unload Luke Schenn and brother Brayden or another young forward like Matt Read for upgrades.

Pittsburgh Penguins

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Buyers or sellers: When was the last time a trade deadline passed without the Penguins being buyers?

Roster needs: Another scoring winger would give the Pens a legitimate third-line threat. Defensive depth could be handy considering the health track record on their blue line.

Bargaining chips: They are so tight to the cap they may have to settle for a smaller-salaried contributor that costs them a draft pick, like an under-the-radar Martin Havlat or Curtis Glencross.

San Jose Sharks

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Buyers or sellers: As long as the Sharks are within a few points of a wild-card spot they won't be selling, even though that's probably a direction they should go sooner than later.

Roster needs: Depth on defense is probably a little more important than the top-nine forward position they need to fill.

Bargaining chips: If the team is confident in Alex Stalock, you could see goaltender Antti Niemi on the move. James Sheppard and Andrew Desjardins were good lower-line players, and both are pending unrestricted free agents. The Sharks could move one of them in order to upgrade the scoring. If they decide to sell, perhaps it's time to see Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau in a new uniform.

St. Louis Blues

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Buyers or sellers: "Opportunistic buyers" is the way to classify the Blues at the deadline. In a salary-cap pinch, they may only be able to land one player without dumping a body the other way, if he comes cheaply enough both in dollars and trade cost.

Roster needs: They have one of the deepest forward groups in the league, but one more scoring winger to round out the top nine could put them over the top in the playoffs. The defense could use more depth with the injury to Kevin Shattenkirk.

Bargaining chips: The Blues have not been afraid to move draft picks the past couple of years but might have to send one of the many talented forwards away in order to bring back a body. Versatile forward Patrik Berglund has been bouncing around the lineup this season and could be a big chip.

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Buyers or sellers: Battling the Montreal Canadiens for top spot in the Atlantic Division, the Lightning will look for a piece or two who could push them over the top.

Roster needs: Defensive depth would be priority No. 1. The team has been stricken by injuries at the position all season.

Bargaining chips: The Bolts are loaded with blue-chip prospects who are already making an impact at the forward position. The team could make one of them available in order to fill a need on the back end, but don't expect GM Steve Yzerman to make a move for a rental unless it's for a draft pick—second round and later.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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Buyers or sellers: Do you hear that ticking noise? That's the sound of the Maple Leafs getting ready to blow things up.

Roster needs: The team has terrible chemistry and could use help all throughout the lineup. The aim should be top players, starting with a true No. 1 center.

Bargaining chips: The Leafs already dealt pending defenseman Cody Franson and wound up with a No. 1 pick coming back. They won't be limited to future free agents like Daniel Winnik, Olli Jokinen or David Booth, however. They could ship out Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak and big-dollar boys Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf for the right return. There aren't many, if any, untouchables.

Vancouver Canucks

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Buyers or sellers: With an on-again, off-again relationship with the playoffs right now, the Canucks should be looking to buy some help for the final weeks of the season and into the spring.

Roster needs: Their blue line is battered and bruised, and they are in desperate need of a second-line winger for more scoring support.

Bargaining chips: Winger Zack Kassian was expected to be moved at the deadline because he was scratched often. Now he's playing on the top line with the Sedin Twins and performing at a high level. Does that drive his price up or take him off the market? They could part with a blue-line prospect when everyone is healthy back there.

Washington Capitals

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Buyers or sellers: In good standing in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Capitals will likely be bargain buyers at the deadline but will have to wait for prices to potentially drop.

Roster needs: The top spot on the right side has been a revolving door this season, and Patrick Greissing of TheFourthPeriod.com suggests the Caps were in on the Evander Kane bidding.

Bargaining chips: With Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggesting the team will hang onto pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Mike Green, the Caps may stick with draft picks as their biggest currency.

Winnipeg Jets

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Buyers or sellers: The Jets are definitely buyers. They made a strong move for the future in dealing away Evander Kane but need more for the playoff run this season.

Roster needs: More scoring forwards. Drew Stafford coming over in the Kane deal helped replace the injured and pouting winger's presence, but more was lacking before that trade took place.

Bargaining chips: They could use the first-round pick from the Kane deal, and potentially the prospects as well, to advance their current position.

All stats via NHL.com and salaries courtesy of NHLNumbers.com.