With only a few weeks to go until the NHL’s trade deadline, the general managers of 32 clubs all face the dilemma of whether they are buyers or sellers. Based on a realistic outlook and where they are in the standings, the teams that are definite sellers are in single digits, but that number will continue to grow as we get closer to March 8. The issue that will determine how busy the deadline will be is available cap space, whether sellers will be willing to retain salary to get a better return, and how willing buyers are to give up high draft picks and prized prospects.
Here is a look at teams from the Pacific Division and what they may be looking for:
Seattle Kraken
Buyer/Seller – Both
Main Need – Forward
Salary retention slots – 3
Rentals available
The Kraken are within range of the Western Conference wildcard spots, which makes the job of GM Ron Francis extremely difficult. Seattle could be both a buyer and seller before March 8. Offense is their shortcoming (currently ranked 27th in the NHL with 152 goals), but most of their potential rentals are forwards. Other than Eberle, the most that their other pending UFA’s will bring back is a prospect or a mid-round pick. In the end, Francis will have to make a decision or his club will make it for him depending on how they perform over the next two weeks.
Calgary Flames
Buyer/Seller – Seller
Salary retention slots – 3
Rentals available
Also available
The question before Flames GM Craig Conroy is not if he will pull the trigger on a deal, but when. Hanifin and Tanev are at the top of nearly all of the trade deadline boards, and according to TSN insider Chris Johnston, the Flames hopes of getting Hanifin signed to an extension are fading. Conroy may be holding out to get a first-round pick for Tanev. Markstrom has been connected to the New Jersey Devils, but with another two years left at a $6 million cap hit, Calgary may have to retain salary to get a good return for the 34-year-old goalie.
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Anaheim Ducks
Buyer/Seller – Seller
Salary retention slots – 3
Rentals available
The Ducks are a young club trying to find their footing, and GM Pat Verbeek is in prime position to get a significant return for Henrique, the best center left in the rental market after Vancouver and Calgary took Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan off the board. Silfverberg is having a bad season and would likely require the Ducks to retain 50% of his salary to get any return, while Lyubushkin is a veteran right-handed blueliner who will have multiple teams interested.
San Jose Sharks
Buyer/Seller – Seller
Salary retention slots – 1
Rentals available
The Sharks have been designated as sellers since October, but GM Mike Grier is not in a great position with one retention slot remaining after retaining salary to move out defensemen Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns. Moving out the big salaries of either Labanc and Hoffman will be difficult, but there will be a market for the speedy Duclair for teams looking for a top-nine winger and Kahkonen for clubs looking for an experienced goalie.