With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away, General Managers are working the phones to see how they can improve their clubs, or for some, how much they can get in return for their players.
Trade Deadline Outlook for the Atlantic Division
Montreal Canadiens
Record: 38-16-5, 81 Points
The East-leading Canadiens have allowed the fewest goals in the entire league with 131. That is largely due to the play of goaltender Carey Price, who should be considered a lock for a Vezina nomination, and could possibly be in the running for the Hart trophy too.
Deadline moves: Montreal will be looking to add a top-six right wing, as well as a top-four defenseman. Perhaps Lars Eller could be part of a package that brings in a player to address one of those needs. As it stands, Montreal has the 25th ranked powerplay (16.7%), so any player brought in should be someone that can help improve their play with the man-advantage.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 37-19-6, 80 Points
From the league’s best defensive team, to the league’s best offensive team, Tampa Bay’s 203 goals show they have no problem finding the back of the net. The Lightning have more home wins than any other team in the East, so getting home-ice advantage in the playoffs could be a key factor as to how much success they will have this spring.
Deadline moves: With the uncertainty of when Radko Gudas will return to the lineup, the Lightning could be looking to add a bottom-four defenseman. If Zbynek Michalek returns from injury before the trade deadline, he could be what the Lightning are looking for.
Detroit Red Wings
Record: 33-14-11, 77 Points
The Red Wings always find a way to be competitive year after year, and it looks like they are in good shape to keep their playoff streak alive. They have many young players playing key roles, and sport the league’s best powerplay. With Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk leading the way, the Red Wings should not be overlooked.
Deadline moves: Detroit was looking to sign a top-four defenseman during free agency last summer, so they will try to address that need at the deadline. There are a few names out there that could fit in nicely, such as Andrej Sekera, Marek Zidlicky, and Jeff Petry.
Boston Bruins
Record: 29-21-9, 67 Points
After winning the President’s Trophy just last year, the expectation was for the team to breeze through the regular season, with the main focus being on how to improve on last year’s playoff outing. That hasn’t been the case though, as instead the Bruins find themselves fighting for their playoff lives. They still hope to be competitive if they do make it in, but they can’t look that far ahead just yet.
Deadline moves: They have been looking to add a right wing all season to fill the void left by Jarome Iginla, and might be more willing to part with draft picks and/or prospects at the deadline to bring one in. Being without David Krejci for 4-6 weeks could also force them to look for a center as well, since they can’t afford to lose any ground in the standings.
Florida Panthers
Record: 26-21-12, 64 Points
Florida has surpassed the expectations of many, and find themselves on the heels of the Bruins for the final wildcard spot. The Panthers are a team on the rise, and the success they are having this season is a very encouraging sign for what is to come in the near future.
Deadline moves: There are a number of players on expiring contracts including Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tomas Kopecky, and Sean Bergenheim, all of whom could be dealt. Trading away players might seem counter-intuitive to a playoff push, but the Panthers main focus will be on trying to acquire players to help now and in the future, as opposed to only helping this season.
Ottawa Senators
Record: 24-23-10, 58 Points
Despite parting ways with Jason Spezza, there are still reasons for fans to be excited. Mark Stone and Matt Hoffman have been having excellent rookie campaigns, and Andrew Hammond is coming off of back-to-back wins, the first two of his career.
Deadline moves: Marc Methot’s future has been cloudy all season, so getting him signed was the number one priority. The Senators don’t have many upcoming unrestricted free agents, but they might look into moving David Legwand, who has another year left on his contract but could be a good depth player on a contending team.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 24-31-5, 53 Points
The Maple Leafs were still in the playoff race when they decided to fire head coach Randy Carlyle, and since then the team has been continuously dropping in the standings. It’s time for the full rebuild, which includes moving out big names such as Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf, but with the contracts those players have, they likely don’t get moved until the summer.
Deadline moves: Toronto already traded Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli, and the team should continue to sell at the deadline. There should be plenty of interest in Daniel Winnik, and perhaps newly-acquired Olli Jokinen as well.
Buffalo Sabres
Record: 17-38-5, 39 Points
Buffalo is in the midst of a rebuild, and are looking to be the favorite to finish last in the NHL standings. Even if they don’t win the draft lottery, having the second overall pick would still give them another cornerstone piece to build around.
Deadline moves: The Sabres already made the big trade that brought in Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian, and they dealt goaltender Jhonas Enroth shortly after. They have been waiting all season for the right offer to come along for Chris Stewart, and they might just get that on March 2nd.
If you missed the outlook for the Central Division, you can find it here.
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