NHL Atlantic Division Trade Deadline Preview

Feb 25, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie

(30) tries to stop the puck during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at First Niagara Center. Buffalo beats Carolina 3 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

With the trade deadline just days away, what will teams in the Atlantic division do?  There will be many different agendas facing GM’s from now until Wednesday.  Some will be sellers, others buyers and still others could do a little of both.  There aren’t usually many blockbusters on trade deadline day, with most of the deals involving rental players who will be unrestricted free agents in the summer.

But, with the trade season essentially kicked off when Buffalo dealt Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to St. Louis for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, a prospect and draft picks, expect things to heat up fairly soon.

(All Deadline Cap Space figures from capgeek.com)

BOSTON BRUINS

A season ending injury to

has left a hole on the Bruins’ blue line. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  79 PTS, 1st in Atlantic Division, 2nd in Eastern Conference

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/ STATUS:  Stanley Cup Contender / Buyer

NEEDS:  With Dennis Seidenberg out for the season and Adam McQuaid hurting, the Bruins will likely be looking to shore up the blue line.

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  Just over $4 million.

ASSETS TO DEAL:  There have been some rumors that G Malcolm Subban could be used as a chip as well as prospect F Ryan Spooner.

RUMORS:  Peter Chiarelli is no stranger to making big moves (or attempts, right Jarome Iginla?) at the trade deadline to help his team.  He will be keeping tabs on the availability of Chris Phillips in Ottawa, who would fill a void on the blue line.  Nick Schultz (Edmonton), and Henrik Tallinder (Sabres) are other potential rental options.  Christian Ehrhoff (Sabres) is an interesting option, but the cap hit going forward would be detrimental to the Bruins’ cap status.

BUFFALO SABRES

Feb 25, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman

(10) celebrates his goal during the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  44 points, dead last in the 30 team NHL

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/STATUS:  Not in the foreseeable future/ Seller

NEEDS:  In the midst of a rebuild, the Sabres need younger players, prospects and future draft picks.

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  $37M, not a factor as they won’t likely be adding much salary.

ASSETS TO DEAL:  Tim Murray is open for business.  Anyone except prospects and perhaps Cody Hodgson could get dealt.

RUMORS: The biggest domino fell early with the Miller deal, but Christian Ehrhoff has been asked for a list of 8 teams he would not go to.  Newly acquired Chris Stewart could be on the move again (with Ottawa as a potential destination), as might Jaroslav Halak.  Henrik Tallinder is a soon to be UFA and could easily be moved, and Matt Moulson will almost definitely be changing addresses again.

DETROIT RED WINGS

Zetterberg’s injury leaves a hole in the Wings’ top 6. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  68 points, in the final wild card playoff spot

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/STATUS:  In the fight for the postseason/ Buyer?

NEEDS: With the long term injury to Henrik Zetterberg, perhaps a top 6 forward.

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  $1.5M

ASSETS TO DEAL:  Anything they add is going to likely mean a roster player going the other way with such limited cap space available.  The Red Wings have some good young assets that will be asked about including Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar.

RUMORS: The names of Vancouver Canucks Ryan Kesler and Alex Edler have been mentioned, but adding those salaries will be pretty prohibitive as it stands now. If they put Zetterberg on LTIR then that will ease some of the cap crunch.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Will

be moved before the deadline?. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  51 points, 7th in Atlantic Division, 14th in Eastern Conference

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/STATUS:  Not this year/ Seller

NEEDS:  Quality hockey players for the long term

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  $69M, not a factor as they won’t likely be adding much salary.

ASSETS TO DEAL:  Brad Boyes, Scott Gomez, Tom Gilbert and Tim Thomas could all find new homes

RUMORS:  Boyes apparently would like to re-sign in Florida.  Florida could move some veteran assets for picks/middling prospects.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Gionta’s days in Montreal could be numbered. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  73 points, tied for 2nd in the Atlantic, T-3rd in Eastern Conference

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/STATUS:  Seem to be locked in / potential buyer

NEEDS:  Montreal would like to add a skill player with size who plays with grit.

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  $7.6M

ASSETS TO DEAL: Brian Gionta rumours have been around for over a year. Douglas Murray and Francis Boullion could also be on the move.

RUMORS:  Teams have been inquiring about Andrei Markov, a pending UFA, but that would create a big whole on the Habs’ blue line.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Are St. Louis’ trade demands handcuffing Tampa GM

? Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  73 points, Tied for 2nd in Atlantic, T-3rd in Eastern Conference

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/STATUS:  Pretty much a lock / Buyer

NEEDS: Gritty skilled forward

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  $3M

ASSETS TO DEAL:  Martin St. Louis has asked for a trade, allegedly wants to go to the New York Rangers.

RUMORS:  The St.Louis / Ryan Callahan deal rumors won’t go away, but Callahan’s contract request is rather large, causing a stumbling block.  The Lightning will have the ultimate “trade deadline acquisition” while giving up nothing when superstar Steven Stamkos returns soon.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Jan 12, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman

(51) in action against the New Jersey Devils at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

STANDINGS:  71 points, 4th Atlantic Division, 7th Eastern Conference

PLAYOFF PROGNOSIS/STATUS:  Head above water / potential buyer & seller

NEEDS: Top 4 defenseman, gritty forward.

DEADLINE CAP SPACE:  $2.4M

ASSETS TO DEAL: Jake Gardiner has almost been deemed expendable with the emergence of Morgan Rielly.  Dave Bolland‘s contract requests might see him leaving town, but the injury factor might prevent the move.

RUMORS: Nikolai Kulemin could be moved, but has looked good in his audition after being moved to the middle, and could be a cheaper alternative going forward if Bolland proves too expensive.  Mark Giordano is a name to keep your ears on.