Buyers and Sellers Guide For The NHL Trade Deadline – Atlantic Division – Pt I

The trade that sent winger Tyler Toffoli from Montreal to Calgary earlier this week is the first of what is expected to be many deals in the NHL leading up to the March 21st trade deadline. The race for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference is virtually non-existent with half of the regular season remaining, while only three clubs are realistically out of the race in the West.

The market leading up to the deadline will mostly be made up of rentals; players with expiring contracts that teams not battling for the postseason will want to get something in return for before they become free agents this summer. With most of the contenders right up against the $81.5 million salary cap, teams with available cap space and the ability to retain salary will also be in a position to acquire assets for the future.

Here is a look at teams from the Atlantic Division and how they are situated leading up to the deadline:

Boston Bruins

Buyer/Seller – Buyer

Cap Space – $2.763 million

Need – Second-line center

Assets to trade

C Jack Studnicka
D Urho Vaakanainen
C John Beecher
2022 draft choices round 1 – 7

The Bruins are firmly nestled in a wildcard spot, but the injury to Patrice Bergeron, the 36-year-old’s uncertain future, and the lack of an adequate replacement for the retired David Krejci illustrates how thin Boston is up the middle and that the clock is ticking on their current core group.

Buffalo Sabres

Buyer/Seller – Seller

Cap Space – $36.424 million

Salary retention slots – 3

Rentals available

C Cody Eakin
D Robert Hagg
D Colin Miller
D Mark Pysyk
G Craig Anderson
G Dustin Tokarski

Unlike last season, when the Sabres had an attractive rental in Taylor Hall to offer, the group that GM Kevyn Adams has available consists of depth forwards, blueliners and goalies. Miller could attract some attention, but the Sabres will have to retain a large chunk of his $3.875 million salary. Buffalo could be one of those teams that contenders call on to be the middle man in deadline deals, but they likely will want players to fill out their roster more than additional draft picks.

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Detroit Red Wings

Buyer/Seller – Seller

Cap Space – $29.636 million

Salary retention slots – 2

Rentals Available

C Vladislav Namestnikov
D Nick Leddy
D Danny Dekeyser
D Marc Staal
G Tomas Griess

Wings GM Steve Yzerman has added building blocks like rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymonds through the draft and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic via trade but still needs to collect more assets to continue the rebuild. Detroit’s most attractive asset is the playoff-tested Leddy in the final year of his contract, which could garner a conditional first-round pick, while Staal and Greiss will be attractive to contenders looking for veteran depth on defense and in goal.

Florida Panthers

Buyer/Seller – Buyer

Cap Space – $3.89 million

Need – Defense

Assets to trade

F Owen Tippett
C Anton Lundell
G Spencer Knight
F Grigori Denisenko
2022 draft choices round 3 – 7
2023 draft choices round 1 – 7

The Panthers are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender with the #1 offense in the NHL and depth in goal with Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight, but GM Bill Zito has to be looking at an upgrade on defense before March 21.

Rumors have linked Florida to Arizona defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but the Coyotes price may be too rich for Zito’s blood.