The NHL's annual trade deadline is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on March 3. While we're still three months away from that date, it's a good opportunity to get an early start on predicting which teams could be the most active leading up to deadline day.
Some teams, like the Chicago Blackhawks, are in the midst of rebuilding their rosters and already sinking in the standings. They're the most likely to become sellers, attempting to peddle players who no longer fit into their future plans for draft picks and promising youngsters.
Others, such as the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche or Boston Bruins, are likely to become buyers as they look to give themselves a better opportunity at winning the Cup.
Of course, a lot could happen over the next three months that could affect how active those teams become in the trade market. Nevertheless, we anticipate that the following eight clubs—four buyers and four sellers—will be busy as deadline day draws near.
Buyer: Boston Bruins
Despite starting the season with stars Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy recovering from offseason surgeries, the Boston Bruins stormed from the gate. With Marchand and McAvoy back in the lineup, the Bruins, who were sitting second in the overall NHL standings heading into play Friday, look like early favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
General manager Don Sweeney has shown a willingness to wheel and deal near the trade deadline. Defenseman Hampus Lindholm was acquired before last season's deadline, while winger Taylor Hall was brought in at the 2021 deadline.
Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are the only Bruins remaining from the 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team. This season could be the last opportunity for those aging stars to win a championship. Boston is pressed for salary-cap space, but given Sweeney's history of deadline deals, it'll likely be active leading up to March 3.
The Bruins could consider balancing their blue line with another right-shot defenseman. They might also seek a middle-six forward for their second or third line. That could involve trading a salaried player in a dollar-in, dollar-out deal. If a Bruin ends up on long-term injured reserve, Sweeney could use that salary-cap relief to his advantage in the trade market.
Seller: Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are in the midst of a roster rebuild under general manager Pat Verbeek. He shipped out pending free-agent defensemen like Josh Manson and Hampus Lindholm at last season's deadline. Verbeek also traded pending UFA winger Rickard Rakell to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings, the Ducks are unlikely to surge into playoff contention before the March 3 deadline. That could send Verbeek into the trade market to peddle more pending UFAs for draft picks, prospects and young players.
Verbeek once again has some pending free-agent blueliners to dangle as trade bait for postseason contenders that are seeking experienced defensive depth. John Klingberg, Kevin Shattenkirk and Dmitry Kulikov could draw various degrees of interest.