The Kyle Palmieri/Travis Zajac trade this week got the deadline season started and was the first big move from a buyer. On Saturday we saw David Savard, Devan Dubnyk and Brandon Montour get traded to Tampa Bay, Colorado and Florida, respectively. On Sunday, the Maple Leafs went big and sent a first to Columbus for Nick Foligno and then Boston swooped in and scooped Taylor Hall from Buffalo.
But we’re not done yet, so what’s next?
There are still plenty of names available and the buyers and sellers are beginning to settle into their roles. As always, there are some wild cards, too, who have the potential to really blow up deadline day.
In preparation for what’s to come, we’ve compiled all the details you might need to know about each of the NHL’s 31 teams at the deadline. From all the 2021 draft picks they hold, to possible trade candidates and projected deadline-day cap space (per CapFriendly), we give you an idea of what each team has and wants.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: ANA 1, ANA 2, ANA 3, ANA 4, ANA 5, EDM 5, ANA 6
Team needs: Futures, specifically prospects in the 19-23 age range
Potentially available: Rickard Rakell, Josh Manson, Danton Heinen, Ryan Miller, Ryan Getzlaf
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they’re pretty active trying to see if they can create a market on some things. They want 19-23-year-old guys who can play. Then again, a lot of people do.” – Elliotte Friedman
Outlook: The rebuild is still on and the Ducks have four pending UFAs they could deal, though whether Ryan Getzlaf is available will ultimately be up to him — GM Bob Murray has played down that possibility. Aside from that, Rickard Rakell’s name has been in the rumour mill, but will the asking price in this market be too high for a player signed through next season?
ARIZONA COYOTES
Status: On the fence
Deadline Cap Space: $6,048,606
2021 Draft Picks: ARI 2, CLB 2, ARI 4, PIT 4, ARI 5, ARI 6
Team needs: Draft picks, prospects
Potentially available: Niklas Hjalmarsson, Alex Goligoski, Darcy Kuemper, Antti Raanta, Conor Garland, Derick Brassard, Jason Demers
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they were going to blow it up and now they can’t.” – EF
Outlook: Perhaps no team is in a tougher spot than the Coyotes, who desperately need picks and prospects, have eight pending UFAs, but are also currently in the thick of a playoff race. Two losses in a row, combined with a sudden three-game winning streak from the Blues, has moved Arizona out of a playoff spot and into fifth place — but they are only one point back. Will that be enough to take them off the fence and into more of a hard seller?
BOSTON BRUINS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $6,067,434
2021 Draft Picks: BOS 1, BOS 3, BOS 4, BOS 5, BOS 6, BOS 7, TOR 7
Team needs: Left defence, possibly goaltending
Potentially available: Jake DeBrusk, prospects, draft picks
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think if Tuukka Rask is hurt I don’t know they’e going to go all out. I’m really torn on this one because I do believe that they feel very loyal to the Bergeron group. We have to go for it because we don’t know how much longer we have these guys. But without Rask I’m not sure they’re convinced they can win.” – EF
Outlook: Injuries throughout the lineup, but especially in goal, left it an open question if they should be considered a contender. But the core is ageing and there may not be many runs left so the Bruins are taking another cut by adding Taylor Hall on Sunday night. They didn’t have to trade their first-round pick to make an impactful addition, and now can seek depth addition on deadline day.
BUFFALO SABRES
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $4,632,232
2021 Draft Picks: BUF 1, BUF 2, BOS 2, MTL 3, FLA 3, BUF 4, MTL 5, BUF 6, COL 6, BUF 7
Team needs: Draft picks, prospects, young NHL-ready players
Potentially available: Linus Ullmark, Rasmus Ristolainen, Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Eichel, Cody Eakin, Sam Reinhart, Colin Miller
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Look at everything New Jersey had to do to get the first-rounder. We know Buffalo’s going to have to eat half of (Taylor Hall’s contract) or the other team’s going to have to facilitate a move through another team where they’ve got to eat a chunk of (Hall’s contract). That’s what it’s going to be.” – EF
Outlook: They are hard sellers, though after seeing David Savard and Nick Foligno getting traded for first-round picks, it was disappointing that the Sabres couldn’t get the same back for Hall. The Sabres will continue to sell off what they can, though, and one pending UFA to really watch is goalie Linus Ullmark, who has been one of the shining lights in their dreadful season. They may rather extend him if possible. Beyond that, will the Sabres do anything bigger and trade a player with term?
CALGARY FLAMES
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $2,136,220
2021 Draft Picks: CGY 1, CGY 2, CGY 3, EDM 3, CGY 5, CGY 6 , CGY 7
Team needs: Futures and/or a shake up of the current core
Potentially available: Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett, Derek Ryan, Josh Leivo, Michael Stone, Nikita Nesterov
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “You’re not making the kind of fundamental changes that I think are going to have to really be examined, I know they’ve been discussed in the past, but I don’t think you’re seeing a Monahan or Gaudreau or someone like that go out the door before the deadline. If they do something like that it’s almost certain to happen around the draft or in the off-season.” – Chris Johnston
Outlook: The winds of change are blowing in Calgary, but it appears the real storm will hit in the off-season. The Flames have seven pending UFAs, with centre Derek Ryan being the most movable ahead of the deadline. David Rittich has already moved to Toronto. Still, the potential for fireworks exists.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $8,160,283
2021 Draft Picks: CAR 1, CAR 2, CAR 3, CAR 4, CAR 6, CAR 7, LA 7, STL 7
Team needs: Defence depth, forward in either top- or bottom-six
Potentially available: Jake Bean, James Reimer, Alex Nedeljkovic, draft picks
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think it’s an owner who thinks, hey I’m not up here to hit dinky bloop singles, I’m here to try and whack them into the fifth deck. That’s a team I think could do something surprising.” – EF
There is a big chance that Taylor Hall will be traded before the Trade Deadline. You can say what you want about him, but he's still 1st line left-winger. We'd like to see him in Hurricanes' uniform by the way. It would be really interesting. pic.twitter.com/L6ET2a7AIL
— Andy & Rono (@HockeyStatsCZ) April 5, 2021
Outlook: Tied with Colorado in points percentage for the top team in the entire league as of Sunday morning, Carolina has every motivation to buy and the cap space to do it with. They even have the flexibility to trade a goalie or a defenceman off the roster to make the money work and return an NHLer to a selling team.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Status: Seller/go-between team
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: CHI 1, CHI 2, CHI 4, CHI 5, CHI 6, CHI 7, FLA 7
Team needs: Prospects, picks
Potentially available: Dylan Strome, Mattias Janmark, Carl Soderberg, Calvin De Haan, Connor Murphy
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They let it be known they would be a go-between to add salary if someone needed to do something like that. I still think they’re reasonable about where they’re at this season. I don’t see them out there giving up draft picks for a rental player.” – CJ
Outlook: They’ve already taken on some money to acquire younger assets and the Hawks could still seek out those kinds of deals. They could be involved in a blockbuster, though as the go-between team facilitating a move between two others.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,963,443
2021 Draft Picks: COL 1, COL 3, COL 7
Team needs: Backup goalie, depth defence
Potentially available: First-round pick, Tyson Jost
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think Colorado’s going to go after a defenceman. (Jamie) Oleksiak is a guy I could see in Colorado. I wonder if they’re going to do a goalie. I think Colorado’s looked at a forward with edge. I don’t know what to make of Hall there.”
Outlook: If they’re not at the top of your Cup contender list, they’re probably second. But the Avs had to use their third-string goalie in last year’s playoffs and so it was no surprise to see them upgrade there by picking up Devan Dubnyk on Saturday. They could also add to the defence and seek the depth most contenders do this time on the schedule.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $8,475,183
2021 Draft Picks: TOR 1, TB 1, CLB 1, CLB 3, CLB 4, CLB 5, NJ 5, CLB 6, CLB 7
Team needs: Young players, draft picks
Potentially available: Elvis Merzlikins/Joonas Korpisalo, Michael Del Zotto, Max Domi, Patrik Laine
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “(Foligno) seems like the kind of candidate, if he’s willing to do this, to get traded at the deadline and then consider signing back there afterwards. I don’t have a good feel for how that one’s going to play out. I’m reasonably certain Savard will move. Del Zotto makes sense. They’ve dangled their goalies. Korpisalo or Merzlikins could be had. But Foligno’s different. That’s almost a sort of spiritual one, it’s not just an asset we’re talking about” – CJ
Outlook: David Savard was dealt on Saturday ahead of the deadline and the Blue Jackets were able to get a first-round pick for the rental defenceman by also involving Detroit as a go-between to make the dollars work in retained salary. They did the same thing sending Nick Foligno to the Leafs on Sunday and now the Blue Jackets hold three first-round picks. They still have five pending UFAs, plus the situation in goal, where Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo — both under contract for another season — could get moved. Patrik Laine’s name has popped up as a late dark horse to move.
DALLAS STARS
Status: Likely to stand pat, with a lean towards buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: DAL 1, DAL 2, DAL 3, DAL 4, DAL 5, DAL 6, DAL 7
Team needs: Top-six scorer
Potentially available: Jamie Oleksiak, Anton Khudobin, Blake Comeau
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I just think they’re going to hold still and see where they go. Hope Bishop and Seguin get back. Maybe add a depth player. I think it’s amazing they’re even in the race.” – EF
Outlook: A season after making the Stanley Cup Final, Dallas is clinging to an outside hope of even making the post-season in 2021. Injuries, a COVID pause, another pause forced by local storms, and the resulting tough schedule have all held them back. They should be getting a bit healthier shortly, though, and so are caught in between at the deadline, with seven pending UFAs.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Status: Hard seller
Deadline Cap Space: $33,558,916
2021 Draft Picks: DET 1, DET 2, EDM 2, NYR 2, DET 3, VGK 3, DET 4, TB 4, DET 5, OTT 5, DET 6
Team needs: Draft picks, prospects
Potentially available: Jonathan Bernier, Darren Helm, Valtteri Filppula, Luke Glendening, Sam Gagner, Marc Staal, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Can you sell Marc Staal? Bobby Ryan? Glendening? In this market place, I don’t know. You know how Steve Yzerman would view it, he’s trying to turn everything not nailed down into draft picks.” – CJ
Outlook: Anything goes for draft picks or prospects. There isn’t much that’s untouchable off the roster, except perhaps Dylan Larkin. The Wings also scooped up a fourth-round pick from Tampa to retain over $1 million on David Savard’s salary to make that deal work and so look out for them to be involved similarly in other moves.
EDMONTON OILERS
Status: Likely to stand pat, with a lean towards buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: EDM 1, EDM 4, EDM 6, PIT 6, EDM 7
Team needs: Third-line centre
Potentially available: Prospects
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They don’t want to trade any more draft picks, they’ve done a lot of that. Whatever they do, they’re not a team I’m putting into my lineup for taking a big swing. It’s gonna be the definition of a relatively minor trade if they do anything.” – CJ
Outlook: Placing Kyle Turris on waivers could help create some cap flexibility to bring in that third-line depth they need, but Edmonton may still need to involve a third team to make something happen. Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg are candidates to take bigger swings, but the Oilers could do something to try and keep pace.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $13,120,791
2021 Draft Picks: FLA 1, FLA 2, FLA 4, FLA 5, FLA 6, WPG 7
Team needs: Defence, centre depth
Potentially available: Chris Driedger, draft picks, prospects
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “If there’s someone who pulls a stunner here, it’s the Panthers potentially because their GM has the personality for it. He wants to do it, I think.” – EF
Outlook: A couple of minor trades with Chicago in the past week opened up more cap space for the Panthers, and then they used some of that to acquire Brandon Montour from Buffalo on Saturday and sign UFA Nikita Gusev cheap. But they are set up to do something much bigger. With Aaron Ekblad sidelined they shouldn’t even be ruled out from adding another blueliner. The advantage they have over other playoff teams is the space they have under the cap, so they could still do that add seek a big addition up front as well.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
Status: Likely to stand pat, with a lean towards seller
Deadline Cap Space: $39,407,168
2021 Draft Picks: LAK 1, LAK 2, STL 2, LAK 3, TOR 3, CGY 4, LAK 5, LAK 6
Team needs: Picks, prospects
Potentially available: Dustin Brown, Alex Iafallo, Jonathan Quick
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think the big one’s going to be Iafallo. I think L.A. is thinking about extending some guys. I definitely think they’re trying to extend Iafallo. I don’t know if it’s going to be possible. If not, they might make moves.” – EF
Outlook: The big question around the Kings was if Dustin Brown or pending UFA Alex Iafallo would be available. Brown may be tougher, but if no extension is coming for Iafallo a trade could happen by Monday. He would be an intriguing addition to the forward rental market because he’s having a career season that would pro-rate out to around 20 goals and 50 points. In a surprise move Monday morning, L.A. sent Jeff Carter to Pittsburgh, a team that was looking for size and scoring.
MINNESOTA WILD
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,638,875
2021 Draft Picks: MIN 1, PIT 1, MIN 2, MIN 3, PIT 3, MIN 4, MIN 5, MIN 6, MIN 7
Team needs: Depth
Potentially available: First-round pick, Marcus Johansson
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “When your team exceeds expectations to the degree that they have — I’m not predicting they’re going to take a big swing, but I could see them just adding something probably up front to get some excitement going and to give their team a little better chance.” – CJ
Outlook: Ahead of schedule and in the mix, what will the Wild add? While a long-term outlook is still the most important thing here, the fact they have two first-round picks in 2021 makes a trade a bit easier to swallow, if the right fit at that price comes along.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,617,022
2021 Draft Picks: MTL 1, MTL 2, TB 2, CHI 3, WSH 3, MTL 4, STL 4, VGK 4, PHI 5, MTL 6, MTL 7
Team needs: Defence for the top-four or depth
Potentially available: Paul Byron, Joel Armia, draft picks, Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin, prospects
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Nothing would surprise me. I think they’re going to look for a D.” – EF
Outlook: LTIR for Brendan Gallagher and waivers for Paul Byron and Victor Mete opens up more room for the Canadiens to try and get another deal done by the deadline. Marc Bergevin has been more active than anyone and doesn’t appear finished yet. On Sunday he picked up Jon Merrill from the Red Wings for help on the blue line but, still, don’t be surprised if more is coming.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Status: Likely to stand pat, but could still sell rentals
Deadline Cap Space: $7,819,605
2021 Draft Picks: NSH 1, NSH 2, NSH 3, NSH 4, COL 4, NSH 5, NSH 6
Team needs: Forward depth, goaltending depth, futures
Potentially available: Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Ellis, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They were going to be our fireworks team for sellers, and now…they were talking to everyone, they were in the mix a lot, they had established pretty high prices and now I just think it doesn’t seem like there’s any will now to think about selling off.” – CJ
Outlook: The one-time belle of the deadline ball is now more likely to stay quiet as a hot streak has put them back in the playoffs, though there’s still work to be done to lock up the position. They only have three pending UFAs — including untouchable Pekka Rinne — so GM David Poile never had to act anyway. Still, they are worth keeping an eye on. The potential to move a big name still exists.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Status: Seller, go-between
Deadline Cap Space: $46,056,252
2021 Draft Picks: NJ 1, NYI 1, NYI 2, NJ 3, NJ 4, BUF 5, NJ 6, ARI 7
Team needs: More picks and prospects
Potentially available: Ryan Murray, Sami Vatanen, Dmitry Kulikov, Aaron Dell, Miles Wood, P.K. Subban
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “The guy I’ve wondered about for New Jersey is Ryan Murray.” – EF
Outlook: Three pending UFAs remain on the blue line and each is a trade candidate by Monday. But since they’re still rebuilding and positioning for the future, if a greater return can be had by doing something else, the Devils could turn more active. With so much cap room, they are also a candidate to get involved as a third team in a deal to pick up a pick in return for retaining cap room.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: COL 2, NYI 3, NYI 4, NYI 5, NYI 6, NYI 7
Team needs: Defensive depth, scoring
Potentially available: Late draft picks, Kieffer Bellows
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think Uncle Lou’s going to swing a big bat…I just think losing Lee, getting to the conference final last year, having that cap space, there’s enough there I don’t think they’re waiting for next year.” – CJ
New guys on the Island pic.twitter.com/lpzVCbFDRi
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 8, 2021
Outlook: Lou Lamoriello took one big swing already, acquiring Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri last week. He could still seek depth but could also get creative and step up to the plate again.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Status: Likely to stand pat unless it’s to sell a rental
Deadline Cap Space: $16,847,786
2021 Draft Picks: NYR 1, NYR 3, BUF 3, NYR 4, LA 4, OTT 4, NYR 5, NYR 6, NYR 7
Team needs: Pieces to move forward with
Potentially available: Ryan Strome, Alexandar Georgiev, Brendan Smith, Phil Di Giuseppe
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They weren’t supposed to be even in the conversation this quickly so if I’m them I’m staying the course.” – EF
Outlook: They don’t have much in the way of rentals to offer and are kind of floating around the playoff race still. New York doesn’t have much reason to buy or sell anything major, though could be another “retain salary for a draft pick” candidate.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Status: Seller
Deadline Cap Space: $31,823,096
2021 Draft Picks: OTT 1, OTT 2, SJ 2, OTT 3, OTT 6, OTT 7
Team needs: Draft picks, prospects, young NHL players
Potentially available: Artem Anisimov, Ryan Dzingel, Erik Gudbranson, Anton Forsberg
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I mean, look, they’ll sell Dzingel if they can.” – CJ
Outlook: They’d like to sell off what they can and have already brought in some mid-round picks for rentals. It’s hard to see a big deal coming, but depth is the name of the game at the deadline and the Sens can certainly offer that.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Status: On the fence, trending towards seller
Deadline Cap Space: $5,351,598
2021 Draft Picks: PHI 1, PHI 2, PHI 3, PHI 4, PHI 6, PHI 7
Team needs: A shake up, big or small
Potentially available: Scott Laughton, Michael Raffl, Erik Gustafsson
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think why they’re in an interesting spot is it would be easy to overreact to this because this hasn’t gone the way anyone envisioned it, but I think there’s real danger for a couple teams — and they’re probably near the top of my list — in reading too much into what’s just happened in these three months….Given the way that organization always does business I think they will be a big player in the off-season and they’ll take some big cuts then, I don’t see it coming here before the deadline, but certainly some decisions to be made whether it’s (Scott) Laughton or what have you.” – CJ
Outlook: It has been a disappointing season and given the organization’s track record, a bold move could happen. At the very least, they could look to move any of their four expiring contracts and think of anything bigger in the summer, given the constraints on the deadline market. At the same time, they’re still hovering around the playoff picture, four points back of Boston but with two more games played.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $1,144,791
2021 Draft Picks: PIT 2, PIT 5, PIT 7, WSH 7, ANA 7
Team needs: Physical forward
Potentially available: Picks, Marcus Pettersson
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They want a centre. I’ve got a name for you…Scott Laughton. But they can’t do it together. (There has to be a third team involved). There’s recent history. Mark Streit the year they won the Stanley Cup against Nashville. Mark Streit went from Philly to Tampa and Pittsburgh.” – EF
Outlook: A great run since new management took over makes it likely the group will be rewarded with some help through a deadline addition. GM Ron Hextall has talked about seeking a big, physical forward, and got it in Jeff Carter Monday morning.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
Status: On the fence with a lean towards seller
Deadline Cap Space: $10,517,046
2021 Draft Picks: SJ 1, SJ 3, SJ 4, TOR 4, SJ 5, COL 5, SJ 6, SJ 7
Team needs: Prospects, picks
Potentially available: Marcus Sorensen, Patrick Marleau, Kurtis Gabriel
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they hold.” – EF
Outlook: A nice recent run has given the team a shot at the playoffs again, though it’s hard to see them as buyers. Instead, GM Doug Wilson could take the remainder of this season to assess his team, and decide on a way forward in the off-season. Pending UFA Devan Dubnyk was traded on the weekend, so Sorensen, likewise, could be available for the right price. Anything more would be a surprise.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Status: Firmly on the fence
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: STL 1, STL 3, STL 5, STL 6, DET 7
Team needs: Picks, prospects, young NHL players
Potentially available: Mike Hoffman, Tyler Bozak, Jaden Schwartz, Vince Dunn
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “When Doug Armstrong says we’re pulling the chute, he gets first-rounders. He got one for Shattenkirk and he got one for Stastny so I’m really curious to see what he’s going to do here.” – EF
Outlook: Maybe the wildest of wild cards, the Blues have been tough to get a read on. they entered Friday coming off a win against Vegas, but that followed seven losses in a row and they were on the outside of the playoff race. A couple of weekend wins has extended their streak to three now, while the Coyotes have dropped a couple in a row, so now the Blues hold a playoff spot again. They’ve gone from leaning as a seller to firmly on the fence. Hoffman is still a candidate to move in the rental market, though GM Doug Armstrong could also now hold everything for a run. Who’s ruling out the Blues if they qualify?
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: TB 3, TB 5, TB 6, TB 7, NSH 7, NJ 7
Team needs: Defence depth
Potentially available: Picks, prospects
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I think they’re going to try to get a D. They’re my stealth team on David Savard. It’s not easy, they’re going to have to move some stuff around. But I think they think they can win it again, and they should think that, and I think they’ll go after someone like that.” – EF
Outlook: Elliotte nailed the David Savard feeling above as the Lightning acquired the best rental defenceman available and danced around the cap to do it. After that, they may be finished, unless there are more depth options to be had.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $538,320
2021 Draft Picks: TOR 2, TOR 5, TOR 6
Team needs: Top-six forward, defence depth, No. 2-3 goalie
Potentially available: Prospects, Alex Kerfoot, Travis Dermott
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “Can you take anyone with term? If you take a guy with term, can you sign Hyman?” – EF
Outlook: Lots of wild-card potential here for the Leafs, who have already made it clear they are a willing buyer who could spend some prime future assets. The acquisition of injured Riley Nash was a playoff move as he was put on LTI, and on Sunday Leafs GM Kyle Dubas went back to Columbus to pick up rental Nick Foligno. Experience, toughness, leadership. Dubas then turned to Calgary to pick up David Rittich as goalie insurance. The Leafs may not be done yet either. Toronto could be one of the most active on the market and one of the top choices to pull off a blockbuster.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Status: Seller or stand pat
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: VAN 1, VAN 2, VAN 3, VAN 4, VAN 5, VAN 6, VAN 7
Team needs: Prospects, draft picks
Potentially available: Brandon Sutter, Alexander Edler, Jake Virtanen, Adam Gaudette, Jordie Benn
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “One of the things I heard in the negotiations in the last couple of days with Demko and Pearson is that the Canucks felt they had a block set aside for Pettersson and Hughes. I had one person tell me they thought it was $15 million for the two of them and I had another person who said he thought it was $18 million for Pettersson, Hughes and Demko and that they felt if they got Pearson done in this number it wouldn’t hurt them to get all of their other business done…What that says to me is that the Canucks think, assuming that’s true, the Canucks think they’re not doing six- or seven-year deals with those two guys. These are shorter deals.” – EF
Outlook: Re-signing Tanner Pearson Thursday took one rental candidate off the board, and the team’s current COVID outbreak has made anything further completely questionable. They are in a position to sell, but are also in a unique situation with their practice facility re-opening Sunday.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $184,614
2021 Draft Picks: VGK 1, VGK 2, NJ 2, WPG 4, CAR 5, VGK 6, VGK 7
Team needs: Depth on forward or defence, cap flexibility
Potentially available: Picks, small contracts to create space
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “I don’t know if they have any room to buy. I’m sure they’d like to add something, but they might be the most cap-strapped in the league… It’s not for lack of want, but I think they’re almost going to be neutral at this deadline.” – CJ
Outlook: We know they’ll buy if they can, but they’ve played a few games shorthanded recently because they are so tight to the cap. Outside of doing something surprising with a current roster player or two, it’s hard to see how Vegas can do anything.
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: WSH 1, WSH 2, ARI 3, WSH 4, WSH 5, VGK 5, WSH 6
Team needs: Goalie depth, forward depth
Potentially available: Trevor van Riemsdyk, picks, prospects
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “They’ll get a goalie I think.” – CJ
Outlook: Though Henrik Lundqvist was hopeful of returning this season, his update on Sunday indicates that won’t happen. The Caps are a legit Cup contender with too much uncertainty in net for the here and now. They’re likely to add a veteran presence for a tandem or emergency option.
WINNIPEG JETS
Status: Buyer
Deadline Cap Space: $0
2021 Draft Picks: WPG 1, WPG 2, WPG 3, WPG 5, WPG 6
Team needs: Defence
Potentially available: Draft picks, prospects
From 31 Thoughts, The Podcast: “There’s not really that many defencemen that we should have certainty are going to move…There’s No. 6 or 7 D’s that will probably move, but if you say you need a defenceman there’s not that many players I think who fit the bill. I feel like there could be a little scarcity of that item for teams like a Florida or a Winnipeg that have a need to add someone who doesn’t just give you depth.” – CJ
Will the Blake Wheeler injury change the Winnipeg Jets' trade deadline plans? @snseanreynolds & @WiebesWorld react to Blake Wheeler's injury news, what fallout to expect on the top line and power-play, and whether this changes their trade deadline plans. #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/jdoazF2eri
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2021
Outlook: A defenceman has been on the radar since Mattias Ekholm was the top trade candidate, but even as that market has thinned, Winnipeg has a clear need there. They can open up some more salary space through LTI as well. With Toronto and Montreal adding, can the Jets afford to have a quiet deadline?
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