NHL trading deadline looms, and Golden Knights will be curious spectators

ey, and it usually means a flurry of activity as teams make moves to solidify a run at the Stanley Cup while others unload players in return for assets to retool their rosters.

Some significant moves already have been made: Washington acquiring defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk from St. Louis, Los Angeles trading for Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop and the Lightning sending center Brian Boyle to Toronto. Arizona also has been busy, the biggest move being center Martin Hanzal going to Minnesota.

The deadline is noon Pacific time, and the last-minute rush could see strong teams such as Chicago and San Jose add that one extra piece to the puzzle to ensure their Cup contention worthiness.

But it’s the teams battling for those final playoff spots that have tough decisions. Do they give up draft picks for a player to help them get into the top eight? Do they decide to sell and still make the playoffs? Or do they stand pat and hope they’re good enough to get in?

While this is happening, Golden Knights general manager George McPhee will be talking with other GMs about draft picks for 2017 and beyond. The Knights have no players to trade nor can they accept any players under contract in return at this time. But they have their full compliment of picks, and McPhee will be listening to offers.

“We can make a gentlemen’s agreement,” he said. “If something makes sense, we’ll take a long look at it.” Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.