Every year at the NHL trade deadline, teams can usually be split into two groups: buyers and sellers.
But with the deadline still a month away, there are some teams on the bubble that don’t know which group they’ll be in yet.
These teams are the ones to watch heading out of the all-star break. A winning streak could propel them into a playoff spot and give them reason to add. But a string of losses could sink their season and force them to consider tearing it all down.
With the trade deadline set for Feb. 25, here are six teams that could still go either way.
Vancouver Canucks
Players they could buy: Wayne Simmonds, Andre Burakovsky, Joel Edmundson, Micheal Ferland, Jake Muzzin, Jakob Silfverberg
Players they could sell: Alex Edler, Chris Tanev, Josh Leivo, Nikolay Goldobin
The Canucks were expected to be racing to the bottom of the standings by the all-star break but instead they find themselves competing for a wild card spot. Thanks to the massive breakout of Elias Pettersson, the Canucks’ rebuild appears to be ahead of schedule.
With many key contributors on reasonable contracts the Canucks have just under $10 million in cap space for a rental player. Wayne Simmonds or Micheal Ferland would be a nice complementary piece to their forward group, while Joel Edmundson or Jake Muzzin (signed one season beyond this one) could bring some playoff experience to their blue line.
And if they wanted to take a big swing, they have the cap room for pending UFAs Matt Duchene or Mark Stone.
On the other hand, the Canucks have some valuable pieces of their own that could be flipped for picks or prospects. It’s up to GM Jim Benning to decide if his team is ready to compete in the west.
Montreal Canadiens
Players they could buy: Tyler Toffoli, Micheal Ferland, Ryan Dzingel, Kevin Hayes, Andre Burakovsky
Players they could sell: Karl Alzner, Mike Reilly, Matthew Peca
After missing the playoffs last season and trading captain Max Pacioretty, few expected the Montreal Canadiens to still be in the race at the all-star break. But now that they are, GM Marc Bergevin has a chance to add another offensive weapon to his team.
Bergevin says he isn’t interested in parting with his first-rounder or his top prospects, so any trade he makes will be on a smaller scale. That being said, the Canadiens could look to a player like Tyler Toffoli or Ryan Dzingel to spark their league-worst power play.
Micheal Ferland might be another option, although a bidding war could price the Canadiens out on him.
Montreal has a tough schedule in February that includes four straight games against the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning. If they get to the trade deadline further down in the standings, then selling off some players might be a better option.
Anaheim Ducks
Players they could buy: Matt Duchene, Wayne Simmonds, Mats Zuccarello, Brayden Schenn, Micheal Ferland
Players they could sell: Josh Manson, Nick Ritchie, Jakob Silfverberg, Ryan Miller
GM Bob Murray has been the busiest manager in the NHL this season, but it’s still not clear which direction his team is headed.
The Ducks have made nine trades since October, but all have been minor moves that haven’t addressed any major needs. They also lead the NHL in man-games lost to injury by a lot, and recently snapped a 12-game losing streak during which Murray had to endorse his coach and say “We have higher expectations for this group, and (the players) should expect more from themselves.”
With injuries to Corey Perry and Ryan Kesler, the Ducks could make some room under the cap to add a rental like Wayne Simmonds for a playoff push. But if the losing continues, they could consider moving some bodies to the open door for younger players such as Troy Terry and Max Jones to get NHL experience.
Buffalo Sabres
Players they could buy: Ryan Dzingel, Wayne Simmonds, Micheal Ferland, Alex Edler, Joel Edmundson, Andre Burakovsky, Chris Tanev
Players they could sell: Jeff Skinner, Nathan Beaulieu, Zemgus Girgensons
The Sabres got off to a very fast start this season and through their first 24 games were first place in the entire league. In the next 24 games though, they’ve posted a disappointing 8-12-4 record and their 20 points are the fewest by any team in that span. They’ve also dropped out of the playoffs completely.
With the additions of Rasmus Dahlin and Jeff Skinner, and the great play from captain Jack Eichel, the Sabres have the pieces to hang in the race, but a trade deadline addition could be a real difference maker.
The Sabres are a bit tight to the cap but both Wayne Simmonds and Micheal Ferland would provide value as an extra body in their top six. They could also bring in a defenceman like Alex Edler or Chris Tanev to be a mentor with playoff experience for their young defence corp.
But if things don’t improve before the deadline, pulling the plug on this season and recouping some future assets is a plan GM Jason Botterill could consider. Skinner as a rental in the middle of a 30-goal-season could bring back a big return, if he’s not going to sign an extension with Buffalo first.
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Carolina Hurricanes
Players they could buy: Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, Mats Zuccarello, Wayne Simmonds, Jakob Silfverberg, Cam Talbot
Players they could sell: Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland, Justin Faulk, Brett Pesce, Curtis McElhinney
Outspoken new owner Tom Dundon wants results and, right now, the Hurricanes aren’t getting them and risk missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. With more than $15 million in cap space and loads of talent on the blue line, the Hurricanes could be busy in the market leading up to the deadline.
The team enters the all-star break ranked 27th in goals-per-game, 24th in total goals and 23rd in power play success. They need more scoring and have the cap space to bring some in.
Their AHL affiliate in Charlotte currently has a massive lead atop the Atlantic Division standings and two first-round picks Jake Bean (2016) and Martin Necas (2017) have been key contributors. One of those prospects, perhaps packaged with other pieces, could bring in a superstar like Matt Duchene, Mark Stone or even Artemi Panarin if he’s made available.
But before that happens, Dundon and the rest of the management group needs to see that the team is ready to win now. They’ve been one of the hottest teams in January, tied with the New York Islanders for the second-most points (17) in the new year. But they’re still four points out of a wild card spot, so the team as a lot of work to do to get in.
If things fall apart in February, management will be forced to consider selling off players like pending UFA Micheal Ferland or Justin Faulk (UFA in 2020) for more future assets.
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Arizona Coyotes
Players they could buy: Cam Talbot, Jimmy Howard, Micheal Ferland, Mats Zuccarello, Brayden Schenn
Players they could sell: Jordan Weal, Richard Panik, Kevin Connauton, Calvin Pickard, Josh Archibald
Like the Hurricanes, the Coyotes are trying to snap a playoff drought after missing the tournament the previous six seasons. Arizona has been hot in the new year, posting a 6-3-2 record, and they find themselves in a very competitive race for the wild card spots in the west.
GM John Chayka isn’t afraid to make trades — he’s already made 41 in the three seasons he’s been on the job. The Coyotes also are dealing with a lot of injuries, and have six regulars currently on injured reserve. Getting an experienced goalie to replace the injured Antti Raanta should be a priority. Adding another forward to replace the recently acquired Nick Schmaltz, who is out for the season with a knee injury, should also be high on their shopping list.
However, Chyaka has a reputation for taking a big-picture view. So if their success in January disappears in February, he’ll probably turn some of his expiring contracts into draft picks and prospects with the future in mind.
“We’re on the right track but there’s a small margin for error right now and we have to thread the needle,” Chyaka said on the 31 Thoughts Podcast recently.
Spoken like a true bubble GM.
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