5 NHL teams that should quickly make a trade
The NHL trade deadline is similar to Christmas in that it’s always better to have your shopping done early.
That’s particularly true this season because the marketplace is short on impact players, particularly if a team is seeking a defenseman. Once you move past puck-moving Detroit Red Wings defenseman Mike Green or stay-athome Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson, the blue-line options are thin.
Likewise, goal-scoring forwards are in short supply, although Evander Kane, a potential unrestricted free agent with the Buffalo Sabres, could help most contenders.
The Feb. 26 trade deadline is 53 days away, but here are teams that should move quickly:
New York Islanders
The momentum of an impressive start has been washed away by a 5-10-1 slump. The Islanders rank last in the NHL with a 3.58 goals-against average and second to last with a .893 save percentage.
Despite recent troubles, the Islanders are only a point out of the Eastern Conference playoffs. But they need immediate defensive help to ease the pain of injuries to Johnny Boychuk and Calvin de Haan, and perhaps a new goalie.
Gudbranson and Buffalo goalie Robin Lehner might be good fits.
St. Louis Blues
General manager Doug Armstrong’s Blues, who boast one of the league’s best defensive corps, looked formidable earlier this season, but statistically they are an average scoring team.
The injury suffered by Jaden Schwartz is a further reminder that the Blues could use more scoring depth.
It has been reported that the Blues have inquired about the availability of Ottawa’s Mike Hoffman. The Blues could also be interested in Montreal’s Max Pacioretty, a 30-goal scorer who has slumped this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs need a defensiveminded defender, preferably with size and a physical presence.
There has been speculation about the Maple Leafs possibly moving potential unrestricted free agent left wing James van Riemsdyk. But that doesn’t seem likely when you consider that the Maple Leafs hope to have an extended playoff run. They need van Riemsdyk’s scoring to do that.
The best fit to fill the defensive need would be Gudbranson.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The best move for the Penguins is whatever Jim Rutherford says it is.
How can you question a general manager who has traded his way to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships? The Penguins have been overrun by injuries and their team has underperformed all season. They aren’t even in playoff position today.
They need additional scoring, and their defense might need a boost, depending on what they know and might not be telling us about their injury situation. Rutherford historically prefers to make deals as early as possible to give players time to adjust to their new teams.
Don’t think for a minute that he hasn’t pondered the possibility of adding Kane. The Penguins don’t have the cap space for that kind of move, but Rutherford always seems to find a way.
Los Angeles Kings
Nobody is talking about the Kings, but they are playing well enough, and goalie Jonathan Quick looks sharp enough, to allow them to contemplate a repeat of their Stanley Cup runs of 2012 and 2014.
They rank 13th in scoring and would like to find more goals.
The Kings are among the teams interested in Kane, and they have enough prospects to make it happen.
Despite recent troubles, the Islanders are only a point out of the Eastern Conference playoffs. But they need immediate defensive help to ease the pain of injuries to Johnny Boychuk and Calvin de Haan., and perhaps a new goalie.