The NHL trade deadline is just three weeks away. Its almost always a busy time in the league as contenders gear up for a run at the Stanley Cup, and those out of the race try to sell off current assets for pieces that will help them in the future. Recent years have seen more and more deals happen, not just on trade deadline day itself, but in the weeks leading up to it. With that in mind we look around the league at what the contenders need, and what might be available.
Trade Deadline Outlook for the Metropolitan Division
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Record: 34-18-1, 69 Points
The division leading Islanders are having an outstanding season, although there are still some concerns with the team. The loss of Kyle Okposo for an extended period of time could put them in the hunt for a top six forward. The other noticeable fault in their game is their penalty kill, which is worst in the league with a 73.3% rating. That will need to improve if they expect to have any playoff success.
Deadline moves: Acquire a top six forward that can help with the penalty kill.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Record: 30-15-8, 68 Points
Despite all the injuries they have had to battle through, the Penguins remain near the top of the division. They have made a couple of moves already, including trading for winger David Perron, and swapping Marcel Goc for Maxim Lapierre. They could use some extra depth for the playoffs, but they may want to wait until Blake Comeau and Christian Ehrhoff are back in the lineup to fully assess their needs.
Deadline moves: Bring in a depth forward that can play left wing, and a veteran defenceman for the bottom pairing.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Record: 28-16-10, 66 Points
The first season under new head coach Barry Trotz has been a successful one thus far. The Capitals are right in the thick of things and are part of a four team logjam competing for the division lead. If Washington were to bring in a bona fide second line centre, that could greatly improve their chances of regular season and post season success.
Deadline moves: Aside from a second line centre, Mike Green’s future should be decided. If the Capitals don’t plan on re-signing him in the summer, they could move him out by the deadline.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Record: 30-16-5, 65 Points
The Rangers will be put to the test being without Henrik Lundqvist for at least the next three weeks. Cam Talbot has been good in the games he’s played, but this will be the first time he’s relied on to be the sole starter. He should be able to keep the Rangers afloat in Lundqvist’s absence, but this could jeopardize New York’s chances of getting home ice in the first round.
Deadline moves: Add a bottom six forward that can improve their faceoff percentage (46.3%), as well as a defenseman that could play on the third pairing.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Record: 23-22-8, 54 Points
The 2014-15 season has not gone quite as well as the Flyers had hoped. They are nine points back of the final wildcard spot, and at this point in the season that might just be too much to come back from. However, they have won five of their last six games, and might get a boost on defence soon. Kimmo Timonen is set to resume skating, and if he can get back into the Flyers lineup, there is a chance that they go on a run and challenge for a playoff spot.
Deadline moves: Try to find a trading partner for Vincent Lecavalier or RJ Umberger, otherwise stand pat.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Record: 21-23-9, 51 Points
The Devils hoped that adding Mike Cammalleri, and giving Cory Schneider the reigns in net, could bring them back to the playoffs. However, New Jersey has struggled, and Peter DeBoer lost his head coach position as a result. With Scott Gomez centering the top line, it’s clear that the Devils could greatly benefit from injecting youth into their forward group.
Deadline moves: The Devils have a number of upcoming unrestricted free agents, most notably Jaromir Jagr and Marek Zidlicky. If neither of them sign an extension by March 2nd, they could potentially be dealt.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Record: 23-25-3, 49 Points
After making the playoffs last year, the Blue Jackets looked to be on the upswing, and were hoping to build on their successful 2013-14 campaign. Unfortunately for them, they have been ravaged by injuries all season long, and it has put them out of the playoff race.
Deadline moves: Columbus has a good young team that should be able to compete next year, so they don’t need to do anything major at the trade deadline. At most, they could move Artem Anisimov or Jordan Leopold for draft picks to teams looking to improve their depth for a playoff run.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Record: 19-26-7, 45 Points
With the Hurricanes set to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight year, the main focus will be on which players they can sell, and how much they can get in return. Despite having only 2 goals and 16 assists this season, Andrej Sekera should gain plenty of interest from teams around the league. Last year Sekera had 11 goals and 33 assists for 44 points in 74 games (15 of which came on the powerplay). Sekera could certainly produce at that rate again if he were to be traded to a contending team.
Deadline moves: Sekera is the most coveted piece they can move, but the Hurricanes also have Jiri Tlusty and Jay McClement on expiring contracts. Both of which could be cheap options for teams looking to improve their forward depth.
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