Craig Custance of ESPN: There are currently more teams in the East than the West that could be sellers by the deadline.
“Nobody in the West is out of it,” one general manager said this week. “If you look at the East, other than Carolina, Columbus and maybe Toronto, everybody else is in it. Everybody else has a chance to win. If you’re looking to add, it’s hard to find a dance partner.”
Montreal Canadiens – their first round pick should be in play. GMs are thinking the Canadiens will be active. They would trade Dustin Tokarski. One source thinks Eric Staal makes sense.
Boston Bruins – they have two first round pick and maybe they should make one available. Could be buyers and sellers. The could use some help on the blueline. Loui Eriksson is a pending UFA and if they aren’t going to re-sign him, they could look to trade him for something. They have two second round picks.
Detroit Red Wings – their first round pick shouldn’t be in play. Won’t have a lot of cap room when Kyle Quincey comes off the LTIR. Moving Jakub Kindl (one year left at $2.4 million) would help. Moving another defenseman may be the more realistic option. If they can create some cap space, they could use some more offense.
Florida Panthers – only move their first round pick if they can get someone that would help beyond this year. Have the cap flexibility to add. GM Dale Tallon likes Cam Talbot.
Ottawa Senators – their first round pick should be in play. GM Bryan Murray has been looking to add a puck moving defenseman.
Tampa Bay Lightning – their first round pick should be available. Signs may be starting to point to Steven Stamkos leaving the Lightning.
“Steve is in a tough spot. The kid holds all the cards,” one GM said . “If he wants to be there, there’s a deal to be done. Maybe this is the dance before the deal.”
Some think a sign-and-trade may be the most likely option for Stamkos and the Lightning.
Buffalo Sabres – first should be available only if they get a franchise player. They don’t really need more picks, but should be open to moving a veteran or two. Could be a future option for Stamkos. Could use an blueline upgrade.
Toronto Maple Leafs – first round pick(s) shouldn’t be available. Have lots of rentals to move. Leafs want a premier asset for Jonathan Bernier according to one executive. Might like to move the contracts of Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak and Dion Phaneuf.
“Toronto has a bunch of guys that people will grab for a spring playoff run,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “Other than that, I haven’t heard much that leads me to believe there’s a lot of trades coming.”
Washington Capitals – first round pick should be available. Should look at add another center.
New York Rangers – won’t have a first round pick unless they miss the playoffs. Might look to move Dan Boyle, but he has a no-movement and a $4.5 million cap hit. Some think they could trade Keith Yandle for the right price. Have been linked to Steven Stamkos and Patrick Marleau, but would have cap issues with both.
New York Islanders – their first round pick should be available. Could trade Travis Hamonic by the deadline. Kyle Okposo is a pending UFA, and a source is saying talks are quiet. GM Garth Snow could look to move him. Maybe a Hamonic-Okposo package. Could use some scoring wingers.
New Jersey Devils – first round pick shouldn’t be in play. Have lots of flexibility with seven UFAs. Patrik Elias and Lee Stempniak will be deadline decisions.
Philadelphia Flyers – first round pick shouldn’t be in play. Already have nine draft picks in the next two drafts. Could move some defenseman and add more picks.
Pittsburgh Penguins – no first round picks unless they miss the playoffs. 1-4 under their new head coach. Their power play is ranked 26th. GM Jim Rutherford said they are open to different things, but are not being overly aggressive.
Carolina Hurricanes – two first round picks shouldn’t be in play. Decisions to make with Eric Staal.
Columbus Blue Jackets – first round pick shouldn’t be available. Could move Ryan Johansen, but there is no rush to do so.
“If Columbus wants to lose Johansen, who are they going to get back that’s going to replace him?” wondered one GM.