Predicting the Biggest Buyers at the 2017 NHL Trade Deadline

As the NHL's March 1 trade deadline approaches, playoff contenders could become buyers in hopes of bolstering their rosters.

Some, such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, could look for additional depth to improve their championship hopes. Bubble teams, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, might be in the market for players to help them secure a postseason berth. 

Each potential buyer has their reasons to get into the trade market. The Penguins and Leafs both need to add experienced blue-line depth. The Anaheim Ducks, meanwhile, need some scoring punch and the Calgary Flames a goaltending upgrade. 

The following predicts the NHL clubs that could be the biggest buyers at this year's trade deadline. We'll examine the reasons why they could go shopping and the players that could be on their radar. 

Montreal Canadiens

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While the Montreal Canadiens still sit atop the Atlantic Division, they've stumbled through the schedule in recent weeks. The Bruins and Ottawa Senators are closing the gap, threatening to send the Habs tumbling out of a playoff berth. 

The Canadiens made a big move behind the bench, replacing Michel Therrien as head coach with former Boston Bruins bench boss Claude Julien. General manager Marc Bergevin still must bolster his depth at center. Alex Galchenyuk and Phillip Danault are struggling to score, and age is catching up with 34-year-old Tomas Plekanec. 

Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene would be a great fit, but he carries a $6 million annual salary-cap hit through 2018-19. The Avs will also want a substantial return. More affordable rental options could include Martin Hanzal of the Arizona Coyotes or Brian Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Ottawa Senators

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

After missing the playoffs the previous two years, the Ottawa Senators could secure a postseason berth this season. Their offense, however, is a significant weakness. Among the teams holding playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, they're the second-lowest scoring club (2.67 goals per game).

Senators management could get into the market for a top-six forward. On Feb. 15, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported team owner Eugene Melnyk is willing to take on additional salary if general manager Pierre Dorion finds a suitable player. However, they're unwilling to sacrifice top prospects such as Thomas Chabot and Colin White. 

That will take the Sens out of the market for notable stars such as Colorado Avalanche forwards Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog. They could instead pursue more affordable rental options, such as Detroit Red Wings left wing Thomas Vanek or Dallas Stars right wing (and former Senator) Patrick Eaves.

Nashville Predators

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

The Nashville Predators have 64 points in 58 games, holding one of the two wild-card berths in the Western Conference. Consistency, however, is an issue this season. On Feb. 13, The Tennessean's Joe Rexrode reported wild swings in performance have affected the Preds this season. 

Secondary scoring is also a problem. They're not getting much from veteran wingers such as Colin Wilson (23 points) and Craig Smith (16). The Preds are in the middle of the pack in goals per game (2.79) and power-play percentage (18.8).

Rexrode speculated Colorado Avalanche forward Matt Duchene could be on general manager David Poile's radar but doubted Poile would sacrifice a top-four blueliner to get him. More affordable targets could include Detroit's Thomas Vanek, Patrick Sharp of the Dallas Stars or Radim Vrbata of the Arizona Coyotes.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Mary Schwalm/Associated Press

Entering this season, the rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs weren't expected to be playoff contenders. However, they're jockeying with several clubs for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Management could be prompted to swing a deal or two to boost their postseason hopes. 

The Leafs need an experienced puck-moving defenseman with a right-handed shot. St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk would fit the bill, but the asking price could include a good young forward such as William Nylander. Arizona Coyotes blueliner Michael Stone would be a more affordable rental option. 

Salary-cap space at the trade deadline could be a significant factor in the Leafs' potential moves at the trade deadline. With forwards Nathan Horton and Joffrey Lupul and defenseman Stephane Robidas on long-term injured reserve, the Leafs have over $18 million in projected cap room. That gives them the flexibility to add a high-salaried rental player or two. 

Los Angeles Kings

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The Los Angeles Kings are jostling with the Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks for one of the two Western Conference wild-card berths. They must improve their scoring punch if they're to secure a postseason spot come April. 

By averaging 30.9 shots per game, the Kings are among the top 10 in the category. Unfortunately, those efforts aren't translating into goals. Their goals per game of 2.45 is among the NHL's lowest, as is their power-play percentage (16.9). 

The Kings' biggest scoring need is at left wing, where the depth drops sharply beyond Tanner Pearson's 33 points. They recently called up Adrian Kempe, but so far he's failed to generate any offense. Trade options could include Detroit's Tomas Vanek or Dallas wingers Patrick Eaves or Patrick Sharp. 

Calgary Flames

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

After missing the playoffs last season, the Calgary Flames are jockeying with the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference. To improve their chances, management could pursue a goaltending upgrade in the trade market.

The struggling efforts of goaltenders Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson could jeopardize Calgary's playoff hopes. Among the Western Conference teams holding playoff spots, the Flames have the second-worst goals against per game (2.80). 

Before acquiring Elliott from the St. Louis Blues at last year's NHL draft, the Flames looked at Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Ben Bishop. On Feb. 16, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported they're revisiting their interest in Fleury. Perhaps they'll also do the same with Bishop before the deadline. 

Anaheim Ducks

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With 72 points in 60 games, the Anaheim Ducks sit third in the Pacific Division. Scoring depth, however, could be an issue that hurts their efforts to stage a lengthy playoff run. 

Of the teams holding a postseason berth, the Ducks hold the second-lowest goals per game (2.53). They're in need of a scoring winger on the left side. Their highest-scoring left wingers are Andrew Cogliano (26 points) and Nick Ritchie (19 points). 

The Ducks have several good young defensemen, including Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler and Josh Manson. Rather than lose one to the expansion draft in June, perhaps one could be used to acquire a scoring left wing. Rental options include Detroit's Thomas Vanek and Dallas' Patrick Eaves, while Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog could be a long-term solution. 

Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The defending Stanley Cup champions are perched near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. However, they could use some experienced defensive depth to improve their chances of repeating as champions. 

With a shots against per game of 32.2, the Penguins give up the fifth-most shots in the league. That would explain why they sit close to the bottom third in goals against per game (2.81). It's also why their penalty-killing percentage (80.3) is among the league's worst.

On Feb. 18, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Jonathan Bombulie reported Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford's been on the lookout for defensemen who can log big minutes. Rutherford didn't indicate who he could be targeting. Rental options could include Arizona's Michael Stone, the Caroline Hurricanes' Ron Hainsey or the Buffalo Sabres' Dmitry Kulikov. 

Player and team stats (as of Feb. 19) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.