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Rachel Doerrie
The NHL trade deadline is less than two weeks away on March 7, and there is plenty of adding to be done for the contenders. As is always the case, not every playoff team is a Stanley Cup “contender.” We focus here on nine of the top teams based on the standings, with sustainable underlying numbers and key strengths heading into the playoffs.
A few principles that many GMs abide by when building a contender for the playoffs: you can never have enough defensemen, confidence in goaltending, and forwards with tough skill — the kind of skill that allows players to be difference-makers when games get tighter. Management and coaches want players they can trust, and often those players are the physical, defensively responsible types. Shoring up those areas often becomes a more pressing priority than acquiring depth scoring, or a high-end player.
With those parameters in mind, here’s a look at the current weaknesses of top five teams in the Western Conference and four from the Eastern Conference — and what they might do ahead of the deadline to alleviate them.
Current record: 33-20-4, second in Metro
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in second round
Carolina is certainly in a conundrum after pulling off one of the most high-profile trades in recent memory. Mikko Rantanen has not fit like a glove in Carolina. To be fair, he played a few games and went off to the 4 Nations Face-Off, so he hasn’t had enough time to settle into his new surroundings. During that stretch, Carolina has played two home games, meaning Rantanen has spent five days at most in Carolina. That isn’t enough time to decide whether he wants to sign an extension for $100 million-plus.
Of course, the Hurricanes need to decide if they want to keep him. They have historically struggled to score at critical times in the playoffs, and Rantanen is a proven playoff scorer. They need him for that exact reason. Should the Canes move Rantanen before the deadline, bringing in Brock Nelson (a pending unrestricted free agent), Brad Marchand (UFA) or Rickard Rakell — who has three years remaining at $5 million AAV — might help bridge the gap.
Current record: 33-24-2, fourth in Central
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in second round
After acquiring Mackenzie Blackwood, trading Rantanen to Carolina and having Martin Necas fit perfectly alongside Nathan MacKinnon, the Avs are in good shape. The biggest area of need was addressed with the acquisition of Blackwood in goal, but Colorado has a few questions that need answers.
There is a Valeri Nichushkin-sized hole in its lineup as a player who was critical to their Stanley Cup victory and might be on the way back. Josh Manson is out of the lineup, leaving the Avs very thin below the top defense pairing. They could use an upgrade on their bottom pair, regardless of Manson’s health.
The main hole in their roster for which there is no internal fix is second-line center. Casey Mittelstadt has not worked out, and the Avalanche need a lot more from their 2C if they are going to get out of gauntlet that is the Central Division. The Avs are getting consistently outmatched in that spot, and while Nichushkin’s return will help, they need a significant upgrade at the center position. Adding the Schenn brothers address both the 2C (Brayden) and defensive depth (Luke) needs. Brock Nelson and Ryan O’Reilly (if he’d be willing to return to Colorado) would be excellent fits for what the Avalanche need on the second line.
Current record: 37-18-2, second in Central
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in conference finals
Miro Heiskanen‘s status for the rest of the regular season is the biggest piece of the puzzle. He is one of the best defensemen in the NHL, and when he and Thomas Harley are playing, Dallas might have two of the most underrated defenseman in the league.
The Stars need help on the right side of the D because Matt Dumba, Ilya Lyubushkin and Cody Ceci do not inspire confidence. The need for a 4/5 defenseman is obvious, and the Stars have money to make it happen. Given the significant need on the right side, Rasmus Ristolainen seems like a fair fit. The right-handed defenseman has performed admirably in Philadelphia, and brings a physical element. A top four with Heiskanen, Harley, Esa Lindell and Ristolainen would be formidable in the postseason.
There is the Seth Jones conversation as well. Jones, a Texas native, has indicated he’d like to be moved to a contender. Dallas is just that, and with its deep pool of prospects, could put together a good deal to get Chicago to retain money on Jones’ contract. He plays the right side, kills penalties and can provide strong minutes when he isn’t the top shutdown option. There is reason to believe Jones would welcome a move to Dallas, the question is whether Dallas has the appetite to pull it off.
Current record: 34-19-4, second in Pacific
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in Stanley Cup Final
The Oilers are in an interesting position because it’s the last year of Leon Draisaitl‘s bargain contract, and only two playoff runs remain with Connor McDavid in his current deal. The Oilers are a roller coaster, with their top performances looking like future Cup winners and their bad performances looking like a 12th-place team.
Their “B” game needs to come a long way before April, and part of having a good B game is consistent goaltending. Can you get the saves when you don’t have your A game? Right now, the answer is no. The Oilers also need some scoring depth because predictably, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are not repeating their production from last season.
John Gibson is the most obvious name in the goaltending conversation, and it makes sense. When Stuart Skinner is on his game, he’s a guy with whom you can win a Cup. When he’s not, he’s unplayable. Gibson is a better stopgap than Calvin Pickard, and he’s used to being under siege on any given night in Anaheim. He has stolen wins for the Ducks and acquiring him might allow the Oilers to platoon their goaltenders in the playoffs. But Gibson’s injury might complicate things.
Up front, if Carolina decides to move Rantanen and are willing to bring his cap number down even further via salary retention, the Oilers should explore it. Beyond that possibility, Ryan Donato and Brock Boeser make sense as pending UFAs, and Rickard Rakell presents a longer-term fit if they can make the money work.
Current record: 34-21-3, second in Atlantic
Last year’s playoffs: Won the Stanley Cup
Matthew Tkachuk is the biggest wild card, because there is no filling that kind of hole at the deadline. If the Panthers do have his cap hit to work with at the deadline (if he goes on LTIR), they might go after a big-name player. The Panthers need to strengthen their left side, regardless of Tkachuk’s health, because it’s thin after Carter Verhaeghe. Ryan Donato, Trent Frederic and Brandon Tanev all make sense for Florida, as does Scott Laughton, who can play a depth center role.
Florida also needs to add depth on its blue line, which drops off after the top three. A physical penalty killer to take the weight off the top pair would really strengthen Florida’s defense. Luke Schenn, Rasmus Ristolainen, Connor Murphy and David Savard could be candidates for that role.
Current record: 35-20-2, first in Atlantic
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in first round
Yes, we’re all aware the Leafs shouldn’t necessarily be here until they prove their worth in the playoffs. But their standings position, underlying numbers, goaltending and play style have people believing this season could be different.
The priority is no secret: They must add a third-line center. The Leafs have been rumored to be interested in reuniting Brayden and Luke Schenn — Brayden for 3C and Luke for defensive depth. Scott Laughton and Nick Bjugstad are centers in whom the Leafs are known to have interest, especially given their physical play, two-way ability and general ornery presence. Yanni Gourde has been linked to the Leafs, but an injury has complicated the situation.
A few wingers of note for the Leafs: Brandon Tanev, Luke Kunin and Ryan Donato fill the role of bottom-six winger in the eyes of coach Craig Berube. Each of them has a few key traits: two-way player, physical, tough to play against and penalty killer. All of them are capable of chipping in offensively, which gives the Leafs an added dimension to the third line.
There is a strong belief that Toronto is very interested in uniting the Tanev brothers or the Schenn brothers. The top end of the Leafs’ lineup is set in stone for this playoff run, so adding depth and value to the bottom end could be critical to their success.
Current record: 34-18-6, first in Pacific
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in first round
Vegas doesn’t have a glaring need to fill externally. But the Knights have William Karlsson– and Shea Theodore-sized holes in their lineup. Both of those players, particularly Theodore, are vital to success for Vegas. Both are expected to play again this season, but Theodore might not be back until the playoffs. If the Golden Knights have assurances that he won’t be healthy until the playoffs, they are expected to use the LTIR space to acquire some other players.
If that is the case, finding someone to slot in the top six on the wing would be a major boost. Brandon Saad and Mark Stone flank Brett Howden on one of the best third lines in the NHL. Karlsson will replace Raphael Lavoie on the second line, but an upgrade of Victor Olofsson for Jack Eichel‘s right side is something the Knights might consider.
Outside of that, depth defensemen to manage injuries throughout the stretch run and playoffs makes sense. Vegas has a Cup-contending lineup when its roster is healthy. They need to ensure the stop gaps aren’t as big a drop-off if they’re to get through the West.
Current record: 38-11-8, first in Metro
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in first round
The Capitals have been the surprise of the season, and they should be engraving coach Spencer Carbery’s name on the Jack Adams Award now, if they haven’t already.
There is one glaring hole in the Capitals’ lineup that needs to be addressed: third-line center. Washington loses matchups in that role, and having a player who is reliable in a shutdown role, can kill penalties and provide some offense would be a major addition. If Washington has the appetite for a longer-term solution, Dylan Cozens fits the timeline of its younger players, and the Caps have the prospects to acquire him in trade from Buffalo.
Washington is expected to add NCAA star Ryan Leonard to the lineup at the conclusion of his college season, but he’s a winger who probably will slot in on the third line. Jake Evans and Nick Bjugstad are natural fits for the 3C role, and would bring a size and scoring flair to the third line while capably driving play.
Current record: 41-14-3, first in Central
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in first round
This might be the best Jets team since the return to Winnipeg. On the back of excellent seasons for Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey, the Jets are poised to go on a run.
That is, if Hellebuyck doesn’t start seeing April ghosts as has happened in past playoffs. Then again, that’s not an issue for which the Jets can prepare; he’s their guy and deserves to be their guy for a long time.
Winnipeg does need a 4/5 defenseman, and if they could get Brock Nelson from the Islanders, he would be an upgrade over Vladislav Namestnikov for the playoff run.
The pairing of Dylan Samberg and Neal Pionk has worked for the Jets this season, but Pionk has struggled in the playoffs. Acquiring a physical presence — who moves pucks well under pressure and can kill penalties — would be a difference maker. Pionk and Dylan DeMelo have negative penalty kill value, which isn’t good if you’re a contender. Ristolainen and Ivan Provorov are capable second-pairing defensemen with positive penalty kill value that would bolster Winnipeg’s chances.