Panthers
Maintain | Usually, I’d encourage a workforce like this to purchase aggressively, however that is not the case with the 2023-24 Panthers. Frankly, I am unsure this workforce wants any main upgrades, and Florida is with out a first-round decide till 2026. The Panthers are already a Cup contender as it’s, and I doubt that can change anytime quickly since Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov are locked in for the lengthy haul. Florida could also be higher served swinging an enormous commerce within the offseason, when it should have extra monetary flexibility, to assist preserve that Cup window open. — 39-16-4
2

Rangers
Purchase | Nearly as good because the Rangers have been, they do have some gaps to fill in the event that they need to get essentially the most out of this group. With Filip Chytil out long-term, New York has a necessity on the middle place, and that’s the place GM Chris Drury ought to focus his consideration. Tommy Novak, a talented ahead for the Predators, has been linked to the Rangers and could be an excellent match within the void left by Chytil. — 39-17-3
3

Jets
Purchase | The Jets have a variety of key gamers who’re at or approaching 30, and so they do not get any youthful. Two of these gamers, Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck, have huge extensions that kick in subsequent season. Winnipeg must strike whereas the iron is sizzling and make a run on the Cup this season. Regardless of including Sean Monahan already, the Jets may use one other playmaker up entrance and one other difference-maker on the blue line in the event that they need to get previous the Stars and Avalanche within the West. 6 37-15-5
4

Maple Leafs
Purchase | The Maple Leafs will as soon as once more be patrons on the commerce deadline as they hope to strike whereas Auston Matthews is within the prime of his profession. As has been the case lately, Toronto shall be seeking to improve its blue line. Assuming that’s the case, GM Brad Treliving needs to be calling his former workforce, the Flames, regularly. Touchdown Chris Tanev or Noah Hanifin would characterize a step in the fitting path for the Leafs. 4 33-17-8
5

Hurricanes
Purchase | Carolina is firmly in its Stanley Cup window, it has slightly cap house, and it has draft capital. Put these three issues collectively, and that may be a recipe for the Hurricanes to be aggressive patrons on the commerce deadline. I do know they do not normally fork over premium belongings for leases, however the East is extensive open, and Carolina has nearly as good a shot as any workforce to get to the Stanley Cup Last. 1 35-18-6
6

Oilers
Purchase | Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are within the prime of their careers. That needs to be sufficient for any GM, particularly Ken Holland, to throw warning to the wind. Including to that urgency is the truth that Leon Draisaitl is due a slightly massive elevate in 2025. I’ve thought the Oilers may very well be an excellent touchdown spot for Jake Guentzel, a transfer that might create a terrifying top-six for opposing groups, however they could must take a second have a look at the goaltending market given Stuart Skinner’s current struggles. 3 34-20-2
7

Pink Wings
Maintain | Steve Yzerman have to be a cheerful man today. The Pink Wings are rolling, and the Yzerplan is coming is beginning to yield outcomes. Nevertheless, that does not imply Detroit ought to make any form of main additions on the commerce deadline. The Wings aren’t fairly able to be a real Cup contender but, so Yzerman could need to maintain onto these future belongings to be able to add within the offseason, when acquisition prices is perhaps slightly decrease. That is perhaps higher for the workforce’s long-term outlook. 5 33-20-6
8

Avalanche
Purchase | It is not a secret that the Avalanche have been trying to find that elusive second-line middle since Nazem Kadri left after the Stanley Cup run in 2022. Sadly for Colorado, it misplaced the Elias Lindholm sweepstakes just a few weeks in the past, however the workforce needs to be available in the market for middle depth. If the Avs can get a middle with some time period left on his contract, all the higher. 2 36-19-5
9

Stars
Purchase | The Stars are one of many NHL’s elite groups this season, and they need to conduct themselves in that method on the commerce deadline. GM Jim Nill ought to go away no stone unturned in his pursuit of a Stanley Cup, particularly in relation to getting assistance on protection. The Stars are as loaded at ahead as any workforce, and Jake Oettinger can steal a playoff collection when he is at his finest. If Dallas can get one other stable top-four defenseman, be careful. 5 35-17-9
10

Canucks
Purchase | There is perhaps fairly just a few modifications to this Canucks roster in 2024-25, so they could as nicely go forward and attempt to win all of it with this group, particularly if there’s any inkling that Elias Pettersson is perhaps hesitant to signal a long-term deal. Vancouver has already made a splash by including Elias Lindholm, however getting one other dynamic defenseman may put this workforce excessive within the West. 5 38-16-7
11

Bruins
Purchase | I nearly went “Maintain” right here as a result of the Bruins have not precisely been taking part in inspiring hockey recently. That stated, I need to see what this workforce seems to be like when David Pastrnak has slightly extra assist up entrance. Boston’s offense has been considerably anemic this month, and it desperately wants one other playmaker within the top-six if it will escape the gauntlet that may be a deep Japanese Convention. 4 34-12-14
12

Golden Knights
Purchase | The damage bug has as soon as once more bitten the Golden Knights, however that additionally may create some monetary flexibility forward of the commerce deadline. If Mark Stone does hit LTIR, that can create some cap house forward of the deadline, and Vegas might be extra aggressive in relation to shopping for. That is what the Golden Knights did final season, and it wound up understanding fairly nicely for them. They’re nonetheless firmly of their Cup window. 1 33-19-7
13

Lightning
Purchase | Lightning GM Julien Brisebois would not want me to inform him to be aggressive on the NHL commerce deadline. He is accomplished that persistently all through his tenure. I am certain Tampa shall be working the telephones once more at this deadline, maybe much more than traditional. Steven Stamkos is a pending UFA, and if the Bolts do need to make one other run at it with this core, they may in all probability must bolster their blue line. — 32-24-5
14

Predators
Promote | Nashville has rattled off six straight highway wins, and it’s again in a playoff spot. That apart, GM Barry Trotz cannot lose sight of the bigger image. The Predators aren’t going to win the Stanley Cup in 2024, and so they have gamers that might be very interesting to contending groups. Juuse Saros could be the big-ticket merchandise, however Tommy Novak may fetch a good return too. Nashville must preserve its long-term plan in thoughts and promote at this deadline. 4 33-25-2
15

Flames
Promote | The Flames have accomplished nicely to hold round within the Western Convention playoff race, however it could be an enormous mistake to not preserve promoting earlier than this commerce deadline. Calgary already acquired some good items in return for Elias Lindholm, however the trio of Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Jacob Markstrom may actually set the workforce up for a supercharged rebuild. The Flames may wind up as one of many huge winners from this commerce deadline. 2 29-25-5
16

Flyers
Maintain | That is in all probability not essentially the most prudent determination for a Flyers workforce that simply began a rebuild, however I believe the human aspect of issues can get misplaced in commerce deadline discussions. This workforce was anticipated to be one of many worst within the league, however the entire roster has purchased into John Tortorella’s imaginative and prescient, labored its tail off, and put itself in place to succeed in the playoffs. There’s an argument that the gamers needs to be rewarded with the chance to see what they will do within the postseason. 2 31-22-7
17

Kings
Purchase | I nonetheless assume the Kings have what it takes to compete for a Stanley Cup this season, however they’ll want some assist. Their offense has lagged behind expectations by a large margin this 12 months, and so they want one other stable finisher within the lineup (howdy, Jake Guentzel). The opposite query going through Los Angeles is how a lot it trusts the goaltending duo of Cam Talbot and David Rittich to carry up within the postseason. 2 29-19-10
18

Devils
Purchase | This “Purchase” tag comes with an asterisk. Anybody the Devils may add at this commerce deadline wants to come back with time period left on his contract or an extension. It is simply not price it for New Jersey so as to add a rental proper now as a result of there’s greater than a good likelihood the workforce misses the playoffs totally. Clearly, goaltending is a significant place of want for the Devils, and a few choices are on the market. Jacob Markstrom and Juuse Saros would each be clear upgrades, and their contracts run past this season. 2 30-25-4
19

Wild
Maintain | The Wild appear to have actually discovered a groove below John Hynes, and that has them battling for the second wild card spot within the Western Convention. Because of this, I am unsure Minnesota must do something main on the commerce deadline, a method or one other. Possibly the Wild discover a dance associate for Marc-Andre Fleury, however apart from that, they’ve some fascinating items and needs to be positioned for a step ahead when the buyout penalties of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter come off the books. 1 28-25-6
20

Capitals
Promote | Washington has really performed fairly nicely recently, Tuesday evening’s blowout loss apart. Though the Capitals’ current play has been spectacular, it is arduous to think about them occurring a deep run even when they do get into the postseason. Washington may have the ability to flip Anthony Mantha and/or Max Pacioretty hoping so as to add some ahead depth. That may give a franchise in transition extra firepower to work with on the draft. 3 27-22-9
21

Senators
Maintain | There has already been fairly a little bit of chatter round Jakob Chychrun forward of this 12 months’s commerce deadline, however I do assume the Senators ought to let him stick round. For the second season in a row, I is perhaps getting fooled by a late-season push from Ottawa, but it surely’s arduous to disclaim the workforce has some ability. I say preserve this group collectively, tweak some issues within the offseason, and make one other run at it in 2024-25. — 25-29-3
22

Sabres
Promote | It has been one other disappointing season in Buffalo, and it is time for the workforce to start out promoting off a few of its pending free brokers. Essentially the most fascinating potential commerce chip for the Sabres is Casey Mittelstadt, a pending restricted free agent within the midst of a robust season. Mittelstadt would have a ton of worth on the commerce market, between his low wage and RFA standing. The Sabres may have the ability to get a haul for him. 2 27-28-4
23

Blues
Promote | The Blues are yet one more a kind of groups that remained within the playoff hunt for an excellent whereas, however actuality is beginning to set in with 5 losses of their final seven video games. If St. Louis goes to promote, it should transfer Pavel Buchnevich, arms down essentially the most interesting possibility for playoff groups across the league. Shifting Buchnevich would assist the Blues restock draft capital and their prospect pool in a rush. 4 30-26-2
24

Penguins
Promote | The Penguins have held on for so long as they will, but it surely’s time to surrender the ghost. Pittsburgh is not going to the playoffs, and Jake Guentzel could be essentially the most wanted participant on the commerce market. On prime of that, the Pens may have the ability to transfer out Reilly Smith and certainly one of their goalies. I am not suggesting a full rebuild must occur, however they want some ammo to reload within the offseason for Sidney Crosby to have one or two extra swings at a Stanley Cup. 2 27-21-8
25

Kraken
Purchase | Hear me out on this one. No, the Kraken aren’t more likely to make the playoffs this 12 months, however they’ve monetary flexibility past this season, and so they have a good stockpile of future belongings. I believe it could be enjoyable to see whether or not Seattle can weaponize these issues and add gamers who is perhaps round for some time. If they do not do it forward of this deadline, I’ve to assume the Kraken would begin that course of over the summer time. 3 25-22-11
26

Islanders
Maintain | I wished to say “Promote” for the Islanders, however they could have painted themselves right into a nook with their contract scenario. GM Lou Lamoriello has handed out fairly just a few long-term contracts to gamers approaching the age of 30 recently, and that can make them arduous to maneuver, even when they’ve been productive. Possibly the Isles may deal Brock Nelson, who has only one 12 months left after this season, however even that may show troublesome. 1 24-20-14
27

Blue Jackets
Maintain | The Blue Jackets only in the near past fired GM Jarmo Kekalainen, and John Davidson is presently serving because the interim. That being the case, I am unsure Columbus ought to make any huge strikes till the following full-time GM is in place. Moreover, it is not like they’ve a ton of choices on the deadline. Jack Roslovic may deliver again a return, however I am unsure the Jackets absolutely lean into the position of vendor right here. 1 19-28-10
28

Geese
Promote | Merely put, the Geese have one of many extra intriguing facilities available on the market in Adam Henrique. He has 16 targets and 22 assists this season, and he could be a pleasant middle-six middle for a workforce missing in that space. Possibly a workforce just like the Avalanche could be keen to half with a pleasant assortment of future belongings in alternate for Henrique. 1 20-35-3
29

Canadiens
Maintain | The Canadiens have already made their huge transfer by getting a pleasant return for veteran middle Sean Monahan. Because the deadline approaches, they will not be fairly as aggressive. As an alternative of promoting off any extra important items, Montreal may need to let head coach Martin St. Louis preserve molding this younger core. 1 23-28-8
30

Sharks
Promote | San Jose could not have a ton of high-end choices obtainable on the deadline, however the workforce generally is a quantity shooter. Anthony Duclair, Mikael Granlund, Luke Kunin and Mario Ferraro ought to all fetch modest returns. That may solely give GM Mike Grier much more ammo as he orchestrates an enormous rebuild for the Sharks. 1 15-37-5
31

Blackhawks
Maintain | How dangerous can one workforce presumably get? Do the Blackhawks really want to do away with anybody else? Who would they even commerce? Simply let Connor Bedard preserve what little assist he has round him proper now in order that he can end his rookie marketing campaign robust and win the Calder Trophy. 1 15-39-5
32

Coyotes
Promote | Can they promote the workforce? Kidding (probably not). The Coyotes haven’t gained a hockey sport since Jan. 22. That is 13 straight losses, and I’ve to think about solely a handful of gamers are untouchable. Arizona wants some draft capital that it could actually use — both by drafting prospects or buying and selling them for established gamers — so as to add to its younger core. 1 23-30-5