NHL Trade Deadline Heating Up
NHL trade deadline hype dominates with March 7 approaching — PuckPedia tracks 4 trades post-Olympic freeze, including $13M cap hit moved. Key moves include D Roman Schmidt to Wild for LW Boris Katchouk, Avs' Samuel Girard + 2028 2nd to Penguins for D Brett Kulak, and Knights' Rasmus Andersson acquisition. Recent game highlights: Blackhawks' Teuvo Teravainen scores 2G in Soderblom shutout win.
The Colorado Avalanche's move to acquire Brett Kulak was primarily a salary-cap maneuver, freeing up approximately $9 million in cap space by sending Samuel Girard to the Penguins. This newfound flexibility positions the Avalanche to be aggressive buyers, with needs for a bottom-six forward, ideally a center, and additional defensive depth for their playoff run. Vegas' acquisition of Rasmus Andersson addresses a need for a top-four defenseman, but they are likely not finished dealing. With William Karlsson on long-term injured reserve, the Golden Knights have cap space to pursue a forward, and potentially another goaltender, as they aim to solidify their position atop the Pacific Division. The Minnesota Wild are in "win-now" mode and are actively seeking a top-six center to bolster their lineup for a deep playoff push. Having already made a significant move to acquire defenseman Quinn Hughes earlier in the season, General Manager Bill Guerin is reportedly targeting players like Vincent Trocheck to fill the gap. Beyond the big names, the trade market is rich with other intriguing players. Centers like the Blues' Robert Thomas and the Flames' Nazem Kadri are drawing significant attention from contending teams. On the wing, players like Owen Tippett of the Flyers are in high demand, and there are several under-the-radar options that could provide valuable depth for a Stanley Cup contender. Teams like the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets are positioning themselves as sellers, looking to move veteran players for future assets. The Flames, having already dealt Andersson, may also shop Blake Coleman and Ryan Lomberg, while the Jets are expected to move pending unrestricted free agents like Luke Schenn. The Pittsburgh Penguins, currently in a playoff spot, are in a position to be buyers, a surprise to many at the start of the season. They are reportedly looking to add a depth defenseman and could be in the market for a young forward who can contribute both now and in the future, with players like Shane Wright being potential targets.
