Greg Wyshynski of ESPN: Looking at the Central Division – buyers and sellers.
Nashville Predators – Buyers. Could use a scoring winger. Don’t have a second-round pick this year, and they don’t have many tradable assets. Pontus Aberg might need a change of scenery. Rick Nash or Michael Grabner could be fits. Evander Kane could be an option, as well as Patrick Maroon.
Winnipeg Jets – Buyers. Could use a rental, top-six scoring winger and a left-side defenseman. They have all their draft picks and an extra fifth-round pick this year. Did Rick Nash put the Jets on his trade list? Michael Grabner or Mats Zuccarello (has term left) could be options.
St. Louis Blues – Buyers. Could use a scoring winger. They don’t have a first-round pick. Have solid prospects like Tage Thompson, Klim Kostin and Jordan Kyrou.
Dallas Stars – Buyers. Could use a scoring winger and some insurance on the blue line. May not want to move their first-round pick this year as the draft is in Dallas. Pending free agents include Antoine Roussel, Dan Hamhuis, Greg Pateryn and Kari Lehtonen. They could offer up Devin Shore and Julius Honka. Rick Nash and Michael Grabner could be a fit.
Minnesota Wild – Buyers. Could use a scoring winger. Could bring in Jordan Greenway after his college season is over. Pending UFAs include Chris Stewart, Daniel Winnik, and Kyle Quincey. Could move Matt Cullen to the Penguins.
Colorado Avalanche – Sellers. Pending UFAs in Blake Comeau and Mark Barberio. Teams maybe calling the Avs about defenseman Tyson Barrie.
Chicago Blackhawks – Sellers. Players that could be available include Brandon Saad, Tommy Wingels, Lance Bouma, Tomas Jurco, Cody Franson, Jan Rutta, and Michal Kempny. Connor Murphy could be another player they look to move.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Looking at the Central Division – buyers and sellers.
Nashville Predators – Buyers. They’d like to add a scoring winger. Rick Nash is a fit, but they have lots of options.
Winnipeg Jets – Buyers. Looking for both a forward and a defenseman. Believe they’ve talked to the Senators about Derick Brassard. Jack Johnson may not be a fit.
St. Louis Blues – Buyers. Not looking for a rental. Could use a top-six. Mike Hoffman and Max Pacioretty are options.
Dallas Stars – Moderate buyers. Doubtful they will want to give up big assets for a rental player. Have been linked to Rick Nash, but not be willing to pay the high price. If Marc Methot can stay healthy, they may not need to look for a defenseman.
Minnesota Wild – Moderate buyers. Doubtful they would move another first round pick this year. They don’t have a second-round pick but do have three third-round picks. Could use a top-nine in a ‘hockey deal.’ They could trade Matt Cullen to the Penguins.
Colorado Avalanche – Undecided. The Avs may like to add a top-nine winger but may wait to see where they are at the trade deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks – Kinds of Sellers. Don’t really have any players to sell off.