As the NHL season progresses towards the March 6 trade deadline, the rumor mill is churning with activity, speculation, and potential deals. Several teams are positioning themselves as buyers, while others are contemplating whether to wait or become sellers. Here's a breakdown of the latest buzz around the league:
Who's Buying?
Several teams are expected to be active buyers as they gear up for a playoff push. The Washington Capitals, spurred by Alex Ovechkin's continued strong performance, are potentially going all-in for another Stanley Cup run. The Carolina Hurricanes, after acquiring Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall, may still be looking to add pieces, potentially leveraging their prospect pool to address specific needs. The Winnipeg Jets, leading the Western Conference, are reportedly seeking an upgrade at the center position to bolster their top lines.
Who's Waiting?
Several teams are in a state of flux, carefully evaluating their performance and market conditions before committing to a specific direction. The Calgary Flames remain a closely watched team, with speculation that Rasmus Andersson could be moved regardless of the team's competitiveness. The Nashville Predators are also in a period of evaluation, with potential interest in Ryan O'Reilly, although the GM is seemingly not willing to trade O'Reilly.
Potential Sellers and Trade Candidates
Some teams appear ready to sell off assets in exchange for future gains. The St. Louis Blues and Seattle Kraken are expected to make moves sooner rather than later, potentially offering middle-six forwards and depth defensemen. The Pittsburgh Penguins, struggling with their recent performance, possess valuable rental pieces and tradeable veterans like Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. The Columbus Blue Jackets already acquired Mason Marchment from the Kraken, but are still at the bottom of the conference. Jonathan Marchessault of the Maple Leafs is quietly drawing interest from other teams.
Fleury's Potential Return
Multiple teams have reportedly reached out to Marc-André Fleury about a potential return from retirement. Contenders seeking playoff insurance in goal, such as the Oilers, Canadiens, and Tampa Bay Lightning, have shown interest.
Other Rumblings
The Maple Leafs are considering acquiring Jonathan Marchessault, with the Montreal Canadiens also a potential landing spot. Connor Murphy is viewed as a potential defensive upgrade, with the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights as possible destinations. David Tomasek and the Edmonton Oilers have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, with Tomasek returning to Europe.
As the trade deadline approaches, expect increased activity and more rumors to surface as teams finalize their strategies for the remainder of the season and beyond.
