Predicting Whether Each NHL Team Will Be a Trade Deadline Buyer or a Seller
Do you know what your team plans to do on Leap Day 2016—the NHL's trade deadline day? Will they be buying or selling? Perhaps dabbling in a bit of both?
That's a question some of the teams' general managers are asking themselves with a few weeks to go.
Where they sit in the standings in the days leading up to the final hours, whether they risk losing players for nothing at the end of the season and realistic assessments of their chances in the postseason will all play into their decisions.
Click ahead for a look at where each team stands and a prediction for what they might land before the trade deadline. It should be quite a ride.
Anaheim Ducks
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Buyers or sellers: Although they are battling for a playoff spot rather than a division title, the Anaheim Ducks have been a much-improved team over the past few weeks, which puts them in the buyer's position. They should still believe they can compete for the Stanley Cup with another key addition.
Roster needs: The Ducks need offense. They have already made some early moves, swapping Carl Hagelin for David Perron in a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins and grabbing some grit with the addition of Ryan Garbutt, but more scoring is critical to their chances this spring.
Bargaining chips: Logic suggests defenseman Sami Vatanen is the most reasonable because of his ability, age and the fact he is set to become an RFA after this season deserving of a hefty raise. But Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman mentioned a couple of names in one of his 30 Thoughts columns in mid-January that are equally intriguing: winger Nick Ritchie and defenseman Brandon Montour. Both are having great AHL seasons.
Arizona Coyotes
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Buyers or sellers: The Arizona Coyotes are in a dogfight for a playoff spot the rest of the way, but we'll bank on them falling further out of the race over the coming weeks and landing more in the seller department.
Roster needs: With a number of good young forwards finding ways to score this season, offense has been fairly consistent. Defensively, though, the Coyotes are atrocious. The depth of the blue line behind Oliver Ekman-Larsson is severely limited, and they need to add a true top-pairing partner for OEL sooner rather than later.
Bargaining chips: If they can't sign impending free agent Mikkel Boedker, the team would be wise to get a decent return for him now. He could fetch a first-round pick and a player or prospect. Shane Doan is another summer UFA who would be in demand if the Coyotes decide to give him a shot at a Cup somewhere else.
They've added youth along the way this season, and GM Don Maloney told the Arizona Republic's Sarah McLellan they won't make moves that take away from the experience of their up-and-comers: "If we can tweak a little bit and help, we’ll help. I’m not going to do anything that will box out our younger people from getting meaningful minutes."
Boston Bruins
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Buyers or sellers: The Boston Bruins are in a bit of a transitional phase of development after missing the playoffs last season but have veterans performing well enough to keep management believing a playoff run is possible—as long as they get in. We consider them a buyer.
Roster needs: Dealing away Dougie Hamilton in the summer left the Bruins with a need for a top-four defender—preferably one for the top pairing.
Bargaining chips: The Bruins are one of four NHL teams, alongside the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils, with double-digit picks at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, including four in the first two rounds. The team may also feel forced to do something with impending UFA Loui Eriksson if a new contract can't be signed before the trade deadline. Boston Herald reporter Steve Conroy suggested the team could package Eriksson with picks to improve now and in the long run.
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Buffalo Sabres
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Buyers or sellers: The rebuilding continues in Buffalo, where the Sabres are among the three worst teams in the Eastern Conference standings. They should be expected to sell at the deadline.
Roster needs: Because of previous trades made to bring in Evander Kane and Ryan O'Reilly, a couple of key pieces of the rebuild, the Sabres are short on prospects. They could look to improve the depth there with some project players at the deadline.
Bargaining chips: No names jump out as big tickets, but the Sabres could draw interest by dangling the likes of defenseman Josh Gorges, who at $3.9 million a year for the next two seasons could help a contender in the depth department. If willing to be moved to a contender, captain Brian Gionta could attract attention. So too would impending UFA Jamie McGinn.
Calgary Flames
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Buyers or sellers: The Calgary Flames are a long shot to make the playoffs for a second year in a row and should be looking to get what they can for their impending free agents.
Roster needs: Despite the presence of some great young offensive talents such as Johnny Gaudreau, Sam Bennett and Sean Monahan, the Flames still have a need for more punch among the top six forwards.
Bargaining chips: Winger Jiri Hudler is having an awful year if you compare it to his career best from a season ago, but he still has the skill to make an impact for a contending team willing to bank on a change of scenery re-energizing the 32-year-old.
Other summer UFAs include winger David Jones and defenseman Kris Russell. Russell, though, is a player the Flames wish to re-sign, according to Ottawa Sun reporter Bruce Garrioch.
Carolina Hurricanes
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Buyers or sellers: The Carolina Hurricanes are in a bit of a hybrid position and may try to dabble on both the selling and buying side at the deadline. They have a number of impending free agents and could try to get value for some while keeping others for a playoff push. Ultimately, we'd put them in the seller side barring a really strong February from the inconsistent club.
Roster needs: The young defensive group has been surprisingly solid and has plenty of potential, but solid young prospects up front are lacking in a big way behind Elias Lindholm and Jeff Skinner.
Bargaining chips: Their biggest chip would be captain Eric Staal if a new contract can't be hammered out before Feb. 29. The team would have plenty of suitors for the center, but as long as the Canes remain in the playoff hunt, things remain muddy on that front.
Even if they decide to keep Staal for the year and keep trying to bring him back at a discount, they could dangle other impending UFAs Kris Versteeg and defenseman John-Michael Liles. Goaltender Cam Ward is in the same boat, but the return likely wouldn't be big for his services at this stage of his career.
Chicago Blackhawks
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Buyers or sellers: The Chicago Blackhawks will be buyers, but will have to be frugal about it thanks to about $3.5 million in cap space at the deadline, according to General Fanager.
Roster needs: The Hawks could use another scoring winger (really, who couldn't at this time of year?) but maybe more important is a top-four defenseman to take the pressure off the heavy horses on the back end down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Bargaining chips: In order to land a guy such as, say, Keith Yandle of the New York Rangers, the Blackhawks would probably have to package one of their younger defenders along with another asset. Same goes for any attempts being made at bringing in a rental such as Andrew Ladd. Skilled forward Marko Dano would be their biggest non-roster bargaining chip up front, but they targeted him in their deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the offesason.
Colorado Avalanche
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Buyers or sellers: An aggressive organization that finds itself in a wild-card spot with a few weeks to go, the Colorado Avalanche will probably be looking to buy and help themselves out at the deadline. It could be tough for them to find a partner, though.
Roster needs: A puck-moving defenseman who can play in the top four is still the big need in Denver and has been for years. They have plenty of skill up front and some up-and-coming defensive prospects such as Chris Bigras and Nikita Zadorov they like for the future, but they need help in the present on the back end.
Bargaining chips: This is where things get tricky. Jarome Iginla has a no-movement clause and has already taken his shot at the Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins and is nicely settled in the Rockies. He told Bleacher Report's Adrian Dater he wasn't interested in moving again.
Because of their contract numbers, using a pick or two to make hay is only a starting point, and a body would have to be on the move as well. Maybe Alex Tanguay could be convinced to move. He might have some sleeper value to a contender.
Columbus Blue Jackets
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Buyers or sellers: The NHL's worst team so far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets will be a seller at the deadline. No question about it.
Roster needs: Having given up their top center Ryan Johansen in the deal for defenseman Seth Jones in January, the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to be searching for that elusive No. 1 pivot for a while. They are also generally running very low on top prospects not playing at the NHL level and have just five draft picks this spring.
Bargaining chips: The Blue Jackets do have some players with term and value. Scott Hartnell has three more years at $4.75 million annually, and while that might seem a little steep, the Jackets can offer to retain some of the salary to get a deal done. Journeyman Rene Bourque could land them a low draft pick. If the right offer comes in for Fedor Tyutin, it may be time to deal the 32-year-old defenseman too.
Dallas Stars
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Buyers or sellers: GM Jim Nill will be looking to add to his already elite group at the deadline to solidify the Dallas Stars' chances of a deep playoff run.
Roster needs: They're solid up front but could use a top four defenseman with size and some ability to move the puck to fit in with their fast-paced style of play. Someone like the Winnipeg Jets' Dustin Byfuglien would be an ideal fit. Keith Yandle of the New York Rangers could work for a lesser price.
Bargaining chips: The Stars have their first-round pick and would need to use it for any big fish. Winger Valeri Nichushkin is playing fourth-line minutes, and if the team isn't going to give the skilled Russian any time on the top lines, they might want to consider using him to land a top player who could help them win the Cup.
Detroit Red Wings
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Buyers or sellers: Right in the hunt for either an Atlantic Division playoff spot or one of the wild-card positions, the Detroit Red Wings will be kicking tires as buyers come deadline.
Roster needs: The Red Wings have a decent roster but could use another high-end upgrade at forward and on defense. They haven't scored as much as you'd expect for a team armed with elite players such as Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.
Bargaining chips: It makes little sense for the Wings to part with goaltender Jimmy Howard because if something were to happen to starter Petr Mrazek down the stretch, the hope would be Howard steps in seamlessly. In order for the Red Wings to make any upgrades, they will have to part with a young roster player. Someone such as Tomas Jurco might be packaged for forward help. Perhaps a defenseman such as Alexey Marchenko would help land a top blueliner.
Edmonton Oilers
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Buyers or sellers: Once again, the Edmonton Oilers are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race. They will be sellers and have plenty to offer teams in need willing to pay premium prices.
Roster needs: Defense and goaltending have been the bane of the Oilers' existence for years. But the big needs can be addressed in the offseason if not at the deadline. For now, the Oilers may be looking for prospects and picks that could pan out and strengthen the young core.
Bargaining chips: Sportsnet's Mark Spector confirmed the Oilers dangled center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins before defenseman Seth Jones was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. His injury could delay any deal ahead of the deadline. Jordan Eberle would be an attractive player for others to shoot for, but he has five points in two games since the return of Connor McDavid. Best bets for the deadline are defenseman Justin Schultz, an impending RFA, and soon-to-be UFAs Eric Gryba and Teddy Purcell.
Florida Panthers
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Buyers or sellers: The Florida Panthers are leading the Atlantic Division and having a stellar season. They'll be buyers at the deadline unless they choose not to mess with a winning formula. There's plenty of cap space available if ownership is willing to spend.
Roster needs: If GM Dale Tallon wants to take advantage of his team's incredible season with a serious Stanley Cup push, he could look to go big with a top forward or another veteran defender.
Bargaining chips: The Panthers paid second- and third-round picks for Jaromir Jagr last year and the team didn't even make the playoffs. You have to think they'd be willing to move a package of picks, players and prospects for the right players.
In terms of warm bodies, perhaps Brandon Pirri, who is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, could be pried away. He has been a healthy scratch as a streaky scorer, and the Florida Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov wrote Pirri is drawing interest from around the league.
Los Angeles Kings
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Buyers or sellers: The Los Angeles Kings have already done some bargain shopping, bringing aboard a rejuvenated center Vincent Lecavalier and defenseman Luke Schenn. But if they can add more pieces, they will. They are running away with the Pacific Division title race.
Roster needs: Schenn didn't quite satisfy the need on the blue line in Los Angeles. The Kings could use another top-four defender.
Bargaining chips: Picks are out of the question. The Kings have just three in the upcoming draft and none in the first and third rounds. Maybe the underachieving Tanner Pearson, who's just 23, would be the kind of player who could be packaged for immediate help. He's playing on the fourth line and struggling with consistency.
Minnesota Wild
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Buyers or sellers: In danger of dropping right out of the playoff race with some terrible play of late (1-8-1 in the past 10 games), the Minnesota Wild are buyers. Because of high expectations, it's unlikely they'll decide to sell with just a few weeks to play before the deadline.
Roster needs: The Wild are desperate for some scoring punch. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN suggested they were dangling Jonas Brodin while in on the Ryan Johansen bartering and are curious about Jonathan Drouin as well. The team is in the bottom third in scoring this year, averaging under 2.5 goals per game.
Bargaining chips: Because of their defensive depth, Brodin would be a good choice if the return is big enough and not a rental. Perhaps the Edmonton Oilers' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would be a consideration.
Montreal Canadiens
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Buyers or sellers: At this point, it might be best for the Montreal Canadiens to shut down injured goaltender Carey Price for the season—or at least as long as it takes to truly heal—and sell off some parts to prepare for a rebound campaign next year. Things have gone so poorly, we're looking at the Habs as sellers at the deadline. They've fallen a long way since their 19-4-3 start to the year.
Roster needs: Scoring. A lot of it. The team is averaging less than two goals per game in their last 26 contests, according to the Montreal Gazette's Stu Cowan.
Bargaining chips: There are some easily justifiable swaps to be made here, with impending UFAs Tom Gilbert, Tomas Fleischmann and Dale Weise all likely to go for picks. If the Canadiens want to make bigger waves, guys with term remaining, such as Andrei Markov or David Desharnais could be shopped.
Nashville Predators
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Buyers or sellers: The Nashville Predators made a big splash already, landing big center Ryan Johansen for defenseman Seth Jones. But if they can add another piece for the right price, they will be buyers.
Roster needs: The Preds are still in need of an impact forward and depth defenseman. They've got Mike Fisher on the top line in the left-winger spot, and replacing him so he can play a lower line at center would be ideal.
Bargaining chips: Draft picks are a possibility. Beyond that, perhaps one of Colin Wilson or Craig Smith would be enticing. There's probably no appetite for dealing prospect Kevin Fiala.
New Jersey Devils
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Buyers or sellers: Somehow, the New Jersey Devils find themselves in the mix for a playoff spot. But the team has been overreliant on one line, and the driving force, Michael Cammalleri, is hurt and things could go south quickly. We're projecting the Devils as a seller.
Roster needs: There are a lot of holes behind the likes of Cammalleri and Kyle Palmieri up front. The defense is also light on top-end talent. About the only spot securely set up for the future is goal.
Bargaining chips: Lee Stempniak, who turned 33 on Thursday, is an impending free agent having arguably the best season of his career. He's on pace for 60 points and would generate a ton of interest from teams looking for a rental. Another guy with an expiring deal is defenseman David Schlemko—who offers safe play and depth on defense.
New York Islanders
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Buyers or sellers: The New York Islanders are back on track to return to the postseason again this year and look like they'll be buyers.
Roster needs: The defense could use another player capable of playing in the top four in order to spread minutes out and increase depth. Offensively, things look good for the Isles unless they find themselves moving an impending UFA and need to plug that hole.
Bargaining chips: Kyle Okposo is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July, and the two sides don't even sound as if they're speaking about an extension, according to journalist Chad Graff on Twitter. The team could use him to secure a pretty solid defenseman from a team that is dealing from strength in that position.
New York Rangers
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Buyers or sellers: The New York Rangers are definitely not the Stanley Cup finalists of the past, but they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and could do damage from there. However, they look like they might be sellers when it comes to impending UFAs and buyers for their future.
Roster needs: The prospect cupboard needs replenishing, and they are without a first-round pick.
Bargaining chips: Keith Yandle is the prize on this roster. The offensive defenseman is set to become unrestricted this summer, and New York Post columnist Larry Brooks suggested the team has to get something for him before he walks for free.
Ottawa Senators
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Buyers or sellers: The Ottawa Senators look like a team that has to make a move just to have a shot at making the playoffs. For that reason, they should be sellers at the deadline and look to build their young core for the future.
Roster needs: The defense could use another top-four presence, and the forward group is in need of another top-six winger.
Bargaining chips: Sadly, there isn't a great deal of value on the roster, with Chris Neil the most likely to get something in return at the deadline as a rental player set to become a UFA. A healthy Milan Michalek may be able to get a look, but a broken finger has him out indefinitely.
Philadelphia Flyers
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Buyers or sellers: Despite a strong stretch of play recently, it's tough to imagine the Philadelphia Flyers doing anything but selling at the deadline, especially with Michal Neuvirth hurt and the burden solely on Steve Mason's shoulders in goal.
Roster needs: Another top-four defenseman is an important part of the Flyers' future. A top-six forward who is comfortable playing the left wing would also help balance the lines and spread the depth up front.
Bargaining chips: The Flyers have a number of promising prospects on the blue line, including Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, and Samuel Morin. A package including some of their extra picks in the coming draft could get them a nice return. As for impending UFAs, Michael Raffl and defenseman Evgeny Medvedev could replenish the picks.
Pittsburgh Penguins
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Buyers or sellers: Sidney Crosby has been heating up, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are within striking distance of a playoff spot, so they should be buyers at the deadline. However, their cap situation leaves them with little room, so any deal would have to be a bargain.
Roster needs: Injuries have hit the forward group pretty hard over the year, and the Pens are in need of depth among the bottom six. Another defenseman would be a luxury addition as well.
Bargaining chips: The Penguins are without a first-round pick but have two in the second to use as bait.
San Jose Sharks
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Buyers or sellers: The San Jose Sharks have played well enough to earn the right to be buyers at the trade deadline. They're in second in the Pacific Division.
Roster needs: The most desperate need is defensive depth. It doesn't have to be top-four talent, but serviceable third-pairing guys would be extremely valuable down the stretch.
Bargaining chips: A pair of fourth-round picks are about the only chips on the draft front with the team already without picks in the first and third rounds. Patrick Marleau asked for a trade earlier this season, according to Sportsnet (h/t NHL.com), and if the team finds a partner, the return could plug holes on the back and and not be hurt too badly up front.
St. Louis Blues
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Buyers or sellers: The St. Louis Blues are still in their prove-it year after another disappointing playoff exit. They are settled in third place in the toughest division in hockey, the Central, and they should be looking to buy at the deadline to improve their chances this spring.
Roster needs: A need for a top-six winger has writers such as ESPN's Craig Custance linking them with guys like Jonathan Drouin in the rumor circle.
Bargaining chips: Kevin Shattenkirk is the name most often bandied about as a big chip. He's going to get a big raise when his deal expires after next season, but the team could wait to trade him for another year if needed.
Tampa Bay Lightning
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Buyers or sellers: The Tampa Bay Lightning are in a position of power with the hottest commodity on the market, Jonathan Drouin, and another potential blockbuster if they feel they won't be able to hammer out a contract with their captain, Steven Stamkos. They're buyers with big bargaining chips.
Roster needs: Another top-four defenseman would be beneficial.
Bargaining chips: Drouin should be able to bring in a big return. It's not out of the realms of possibility he could bring in a top-pairing blueliner. If GM Steve Yzerman decides he wants to make a deal for Stamkos because re-signing him seems unlikely, he could bring in even more—pick, prospect and player.
Toronto Maple Leafs
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Buyers or sellers: In Year 1 of the total rebuild, the Toronto Maple Leafs are right where we expected them to be. They're ready to sell to the highest bidder, and it's a total clearance sale.
Roster needs: Name it, they need it. It's that bad in Toronto.
Bargaining chips: Stay-at-home defenseman Roman Polak is getting a lot of attention as an impending UFA. He's a bruiser with a reasonable salary-cap number and a plus-10 rating for one of the league's worst teams.
The Leafs have a large number of soon-to-be free agents, including Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Brad Boyes and Michael Grabner. They could also look to deal goaltender James Reimer, who has taken over the starting duties, according to James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail.
Vancouver Canucks
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Buyers or sellers: The Youth Movement has already begun with the Vancouver Canucks, and in order to give their young players even more playing time and experience for the future, they have a number of players they can peddle as sellers. They're not completely out of the playoff race, but it would take a strong few weeks to convince them to go the other way.
Roster needs: More high-end prospects to fill in the gaps now their best ones are suiting up for the NHL club early on.
Bargaining chips: Impending UFAs Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis could fetch draft picks. Chris Higgins may have some value for a contender as well.
Washington Capitals
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Buyers or sellers: The Washington Capitals are the Presidents' Trophy favorites and will cruise into the playoffs. They had a big offseason with the additions of T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams, and they brought in center Mike Richards as a free agent midseason. They will look to see whether they can buy anything of value at the deadline.
Roster needs: No major holes, but another top-nine forward would help with depth. An injured Brooks Orpik on the back end means another veteran or two on defense is more important.
Bargaining chips: The Capitals have picks in all but the third round of this year's draft.
Winnipeg Jets
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Buyers or sellers: It's been a disappointing season fro the Winnipeg Jets. They are tied on the bottom of the Western Conference and will be sellers at the trade deadline.
Roster needs: A scoring winger would be helpful to round out the top-six forward group. Because of their situation in the standings, this could be a prospect that projects in that role or draft picks high enough to select one themselves.
Bargaining chips: The Jets have the luxury of two big names available as impending free agents. Both captain Andrew Ladd and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien are on expiring contracts. Ideally, the Jets would be able to sign at least one of them, but the other could fetch a big return. Byfuglien sits atop TSN's Trade Bait list, with Ladd No. 4.
All stats via NHL.com; salary information from General Fanager.
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