The calendar has officially flipped to March and the NHL trade deadline is nearly within sight.
On March 8 at 3 p.m. ET, the deadline for deals and trades will pass, putting an end to one of the busiest times of the hockey calendar. Until then, hockey fans are set for a week of potential chaos, as teams either stock up for an upcoming playoff run or begin to tear things down for an eventual rebuild.
We’ve already seen a few trades made in the NHL, but more are sure to come in the week ahead. Still, now is as good of a time as any to talk about what all 32 teams should do as the deadline draws closer. Here is how we see things across the league in our March 2024 power rankings, trade deadline edition!
32
San Jose Sharks (15-37-5): Sell
Last ranked: 32
No surprise here. The Sharks have at least seven upcoming UFAs (including Kevin Labanc, Mike Hoffman and Anthony Duclair) this summer that could net them picks and prospects for their ongoing rebuild. Someone like Mikael Granlund could also be moved by the deadline, who has 32 points in 43 games this season.
31
Chicago Blackhawks (15-39-5): Sell
Last ranked: 31
Tyler Johnson is a former back-to-back Stanley Cup winner and could very well be on the trade block for the Blackhawks this deadline. Chicago has five picks in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft, so they’re not hurting for draft capital either. The Blackhawks also have a good chunk of extra cap space, so don’t be surprised if they help facilitate a bigger deal as a third party player.
30
Columbus Blue Jackets (19-30-10): Sell
Last ranked: 30
This will be the Blue Jackets first trade deadline without Jarmo Kekäläinen as general manager since 2012. Jack Roslovic is Columbus’ only upcoming UFA this summer, meaning interim general manager John Davidson will have his work cut out for him to cut fat from this team. The Blue Jackets have been one of the big disappointments of the 2023-24 NHL season, but the trade deadline should be their chance to kick off a new era for this team.
29
Anaheim Ducks (20-35-3): Sell
Last ranked: 28
Trevor Zegras’ name will be one to watch ahead of the trade deadline. While he’s currently injured with a broken ankle, there has been a lot of talk about the 22-year-old forward in recent weeks. Zegras hasn’t lived up to the highs of his incredible highlight reel moments, but he was set to be one of Anaheim’s major pieces for their rebuild. Given the Ducks have some big-name UFAs in Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg, they’ll likely be active at the deadline, but it remains to be seen if Zegras will be on the move as well.
28
Montreal Canadiens (23-28-9): Hold
Last ranked: 27
The Canadiens likely made their biggest move — trading Sean Monahan to Winnipeg — in early February. General manager Kent Hughes got back a 2024 first-round pick in that trade, setting the Canadiens up well for the upcoming draft. There are possible moves at the fringes here for Montreal — with Jake Allen and David Savard getting talked about — but the biggest splash seems to have been made.
27
Ottawa Senators (25-29-3): Sell
Last ranked: 29
This isn’t the first time Vladimir Tarasenko has been part of trade rumors ahead of the deadline. Much like last year before he was traded to the Rangers, the 32-year-old forward is on an expiring contract and could be a nice pickup for a contending team. As for the rest of the Senators, who have disappointed in a big way this season, general manager Steve Staios should be listening to offers on any piece not nailed to the ground.
Sure, it might be embarrassing to flip Jakob Chychrun a year after trading for him, but it’s a move that should be considered given the horrid state the Senators are in right now.
26
Arizona Coyotes (23-31-5): Sell
Last ranked: 21
The Coyotes surprised everyone earlier in the season by playing above their weight, but have gone winless since January 24 and absolutely tanked any chance of an outside shot at the playoffs. This season has been a step forward in a lot of ways for the Coyotes, but expect deadline rentals such as Matt Dumba and Jason Zucker to get moved, among others.
25
Buffalo Sabres (28-28-4): Sell
Last ranked: 24
The Sabres have a handful of interesting UFA targets teams could inquire about. Captain Kyle Okposo headlines the list, alongside forwards Zemgus Girgensons, Tyson Jost, Eric Robinson, plus defenseman — and former Stanley Cup winner — Erik Johnson. It’s a shame this iteration of the Sabres couldn’t build upon last year’s near-playoff berth, but there are pieces that can be moved for assets ahead of free agency this summer.
24
New York Islanders (25-20-14): Sell
Last ranked: 22
It seems like the Islanders’ brand of hockey is wearing thin quickly. The Islanders are still in the playoff hunt but have just a 6.6 percent chance to make it, according to MoneyPuck. It might be tempting to buy at the deadline given how close the Islanders are, but the team hasn’t picked in the first round since 2019 and could use this opportunity to restock their cupboards. There aren’t a lot of players the Islanders could deal given their contracts, but Cal Clutterbuck is an interesting UFA option.
23
St. Louis Blues (30-26-3): Hold
Last ranked: 20
In previous years, the Blues had been some of the trade deadline’s biggest sellers between Tarasenko and Ryan O’Reilly. Now, while they sit four points out of a wild card spot, they’re in a weird bit of limbo. The Blues have their first-round pick for the upcoming draft and shouldn’t deal it away, but they don’t have any major trade chips like before. Pavel Buchnevich and Kevin Hayes both carry salary and term to 2026 and 2027 respectively and could fetch a good price, but aren’t the easiest pieces to move. Don’t expect St. Louis to make much noise this year at the trade deadline.
22
Pittsburgh Penguins (27-21-8): Sell
Last ranked: 18
It’s weird to see the Penguins as sellers at the trade deadline, but that’s what a mediocre season will do to you. Jake Guentzel seems as good as gone by the deadline, as the forward (22 goals and 52 points this season) will likely be in high demand by contenders. Outside of the Penguins core — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang — it seems like no one is untouchable on this roster, which desperately needs a change under general manager Kyle Dubas.
21
Seattle Kraken (25-22-11): Sell
Last ranked: 19
The Kraken have fallen off the wild card race after a middling month, pushing them into the sellers category as the trade deadline approaches. Jordan Eberle, Alexander Wennberg and Justin Schultz are all attractive UFA pieces for contending teams that Seattle could shop over the next week. The Kraken shouldn’t be major sellers at the deadline, but picking up a few draft picks or prospects for some of their upcoming UFAs is a better use of their time than attempting lateral moves for a likely doomed playoff push.
20
Minnesota Wild (28-25-6): Hold
Last ranked: 26
The Wild have done a fantastic job getting back into wild card contention after the start they had this season. Still, this just doesn’t seem to be the Wild’s year, especially not with how many teams they have to climb over to get to a playoff spot. Marc-André Fleury will likely be getting looks from teams looking to bolster their goaltending depth for a playoff run, but his no-move clause could shoot down any potential deal before it even begins. Minnesota should be a team looking to move some contracts for some much-needed salary cap space, but I just don’t see it happening with the contracts they have.
19
Washington Capitals (27-22-9): Sell
Last ranked: 23
Despite recent reports to the contrary, the Capitals should look to sell at this year’s deadline. Yes, Washington has played better than expected over the last few weeks, but they still sit six points out of a wild card spot and — like others in this part of the ranking — have a handful of teams to jump over to get there. Anthony Mantha, Max Pacioretty, Joel Edmundson and Nicolas Aube-Kubel are all pending UFAs who could be moved here if general manager Brian MacLellan is compelled to do so.
18
New Jersey Devils (30-25-4): Buy
Last ranked: 17
The Devils could be in the market for a goaltender with Vitek Vanecek on injured reserve. New Jersey has had some terrible injury luck already this season, but have clawed their way back into the wild card hunt regardless. The Devils aren’t in a position to mortgage futures for a slight chance at a playoff spot, but if a cheap rental option is there, they should definitely give it a look.
17
Calgary Flames (29-25-5): Sell
Last ranked: 25
It looked like Calgary’s season was over as 2024 began, but since the calendar has flipped, the Flames have gone 14-9-0 and put themselves back in wild card contention. Even with this herculean effort to save this season from being a complete disappointment, the Flames are better served selling this deadline than bulking up for a playoff push. The Flames already moved on from Elias Lindholm and Chris Tanev, plus rumors are swirling around UFA Noah Hanifin as March begins. Given that they already shipped out two players for future assets, it’d make no sense for the Flames to buy at this year’s deadline.
16
Los Angeles Kings (29-19-10): Hold
Last ranked: 16
The Kings are pretty cap strapped heading into the deadline. Not only that, players such as Viktor Arvidsson, Carl Grundstrom, and Mikey Anderson are out with various injuries, but should be able to return before season’s end. The smart decision here for the Kings would be to hold off from making panic moves at the deadline and restocking from within as players return from injury.
15
Tampa Bay Lightning (32-24-6): Hold
Last ranked: 11
Thanks to years of aggressive spending at deadlines past, the Lightning have a bare cupboard of draft picks to deal. Julien BriseBois dealt away Tampa Bay’s first round picks for 2024 and 2025 along with the team’s second and fourth-round pick in 2024, giving the Lightning very little to work with. Of course, BriseBois has been known to be a very savvy general manager so anything is possible, but don’t be surprised if the Lightning have a quiet deadline.
14
Philadelphia Flyers (31-22-7): Sell
Last ranked: 14
The Flyers have been better than expected this season and are playing with house money if they do make the playoffs. That being said, they are currently shopping more than a few pieces on their roster, from Nick Seeler and Sean Walker to Scott Laughton. This will be general manager Danny Briere’s first go at a trade deadline after his predecessor fell flat on his face last March, so it can only go up from here for Philadelphia.
13
Detroit Red Wings (33-21-6): Buy
Last ranked: 15
The Red Wings will have about $3 million in cap space before the deadline and had won six games in a row. Steve Yzerman is a crafty general manager and knows his way around the league, so expect the Red Wings to be in the hunt for a depth pickup to bolster their team ahead of the playoff push for their first postseason berth since 2015-16.
12
Nashville Predators (33-25-2): Hold
Last ranked: 13
Every year it seems as if the bottom will fall out from under the Predators and they’ll be big sellers at the deadline. The reason that hasn’t happened? Juuse Saros and some key contributions from the offense. The Predators have put themselves in wild card position, but aren’t going to make a lot of noise in the playoffs unless miracles happen. Saros may be one of the big names being floated before the deadline, but I don’t see Barry Trotz pulling the trigger on a move with the team in the playoff race.
11
Toronto Maple Leafs (34-17-8): Buy
Last ranked: 12
The Maple Leafs made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 19 years last season and fans are chomping at the bit for more. It would feel like a major failure to not reach the second round again after last season, so general manager Brad Treliving will likely have to get aggressive to upgrade this Maple Leafs roster into contending shape once again. Upgrading the defense will likely be the name of the game for the Maple Leafs by next Friday’s deadline.
10
Vegas Golden Knights (33-20-7): Buy
Last ranked: 9
The Golden Knights have never shied away from being buyers at the deadline and that likely won’t change in 2024. Injuries have once again taken their toll on the Golden Knights’ roster — especially on offense — and with the money they have banked on Long Term Injured Reserve, Vegas could absolutely swing for the fences again. After all, they are the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Why not go for it again?
9
Edmonton Oilers (35-20-2): Buy
Last ranked: 7
Cap space is tight for the Oilers, but with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on their roster, every year is a go-for-it year. Edmonton has its first-round pick from this year to deal, but general manager Ken Holland will have to get creative to fit any upgrades to this Oilers roster under the cap.
8
Carolina Hurricanes (36-18-6): Buy
Last ranked: 8
The Hurricanes might be looking to swing big at this year’s trade deadline if reports are any indication. According to Sportsnet‘s Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes have been involved in trade talks with the Canucks about Elias Pettersson, a deal that’d be quite the blockbuster if it went through. Carolina has constantly been active at the trade deadline as they continue to be one of the top teams in the NHL and I’d expect no different come next week.
7
Dallas Stars (35-17-9): Hold
Last ranked: 5
It’s possible the Stars made their biggest move just a few days prior, picking up defenseman Tanev from the Flames. The trade gives Dallas about $2 million in cap space for the deadline, not an insignificant number by any means. Given the Stars are hoping for a deep playoff run, general manager Jim Nill might look to upgrade at the fringes of the roster, but it feels like this team has made its big moves already.
6
Winnipeg Jets (37-15-5): Buy
Last ranked: 10
Like the Stars, the Jets also made a sizable move before March, acquiring forward Monahan from the Canadiens. Since joining the Jets, Monahan has six goals in nine games, a hot start that should hopefully continue into the playoffs. Winnipeg has cap space to make another move if they so desire, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff may reward the Jets for a better than expected season with another trade deadline pickup.
5
Colorado Avalanche (36-19-5): Buy
Last ranked: 4
The Avalanche could really use a second-line center ahead of their upcoming playoff push, but the market is drying up quite quickly. There are still options out there (Scott Laughton of the Flyers or Adam Henrique of the Ducks) but it will no doubt cost a first-round pick, which the Avalanche would happily pay to get back to the Stanley Cup Final.
4
Boston Bruins (35-12-14): Buy
Last ranked: 1
February wasn’t the Bruins’ greatest month, as the team went 4-3-5 for a rare mid-season slump. While it may knock them down in these power rankings, the Bruins will likely still look to add where they can at the deadline, despite not having a draft pick in the first three rounds this year. A tough ask, but one general manager Don Sweeney should be well suited for.
3
New York Rangers (40-17-3): Buy
Last ranked: 6
The Rangers once again should be at the forefront of the NHL trade market come Friday. Not only are the Rangers on quite a hot streak coming into March — they’re 9-1-0 in their last 10 — they’re likely looking to make up for last year’s disappointing crop of trade deadline players. And given the rest of the contenders in the East will also be aggressive at the deadline, the Rangers will no doubt follow suit.
2
Vancouver Canucks (38-16-7): Buy
Last ranked: 2
Even with the rumors swirling around Pettersson and his RFA status come summer, the Canucks will no doubt be looking to buy this trade deadline. After all, this Canucks team is finally performing up to — and beyond — expectations and who knows if this success will continue going forward. If Vancouver does continue to buy at the deadline, it will likely be for more offensive depth.
1
Florida Panthers (40-16-4): Buy
Last ranked: 4
The Panthers are continuing to prove its doubters wrong with their regular season success this year. Florida has been one of the NHL’s top teams all season long and will no doubt be looking to add at the deadline. Even if it’s not a significant splash — the team has less than $1.5 million in cap space, after all — the Panthers will be looking to add ahead of another hopeful Stanley Cup Final berth.
