The deadline is just over 2 weeks away and there is a lot of speculation with several teams, with Nashville coming up the most as a team that might make moves at the deadline that could take them out of this year playoff race, names like Saros and nearly all their soon to be UFAS being available--the question is of course--is it the preds calling the teams or are the team calling them? That is the question.
A lot can happen over the next 2 1.2 weeks but here are the teams that I can see being active in doing things for the future and not now.
NY Islanders have 8 games between now and the deadline and sit 5 pts out of the playoffs and I think if on deadline day they are sitting more than 5 pts out of the playoffs. they may trade some of the guys over the age of 30 on the team for younger assets
Washington and Pittsburgh--Two massive wild card teams for what they could do, Both have cores over the age of 30 and are currently 6 and 7 pts out of the playoffs respectively. With Pittsburgh the question is, will the let Crosby, Malkin and Letang retire before pulling the pin on a full rebuild. Karlsson has now come back down to earth and his numbers are what most thought they would be, Washington has the same question with Alex O. When do they start the rebuild or correction? Do they wait until Alex O retires. He is now 38 and looks human.
Detroit. Before Red Wings fans get mad at me. I can see what Stevie Y is doing. He is thinking long term. They are in the last wild card spot in the east and they have been somewhat consistent. But, I do not see them making a deep run in the playoffs and they have a couple of guys on their team that other teams that are looking for the a piece that could help them for a run. Obliviously most would point at Kane and he would need to sign off on the deal. The player that also jumps out is Perron. 35 years old, cup winner with 100+ games in the playoffs. Depth wins the cup and he is a very good depth person to have on the team. Kane is 34. For me the Wings might be a couple of year away from doing some damage and may think trading Perron or Kane for assets that could help them win the cup in a couple of seasons maybe the right move.
Out west two teams jump out at me.
Seattle and the Wild. The WIld are an interesting team--they have one more season after this one of paying the price for buying out both Praise and Suter. 14.7 in dead cap space would kill any team--but they have done well this year. Their core is mostly under 25. So will the wild pull trigger on moving some vets for more assets for the future. Mainly Fluery, Zuccarello, Maroon, and Goligoski? With Seattle it is more straight forward. They have been up and down all year. Names that I could see them consider moving are Larsson, Eberle, Tatar and Schultz( 10 team NTC he is looking increase his value in the off season a run in the playoffs would help)
what other teams could be surprise sellers at the deadline? And yes--I fully expect some fans of the teams mentioned to jump all over my theory