NHL Power Rankings: Buying Teams At NHL Trade Deadline

The NHL is closing in on its Trade Deadline. Friday at 3 p.m. will be the last chance for a group of teams to make last-minute adjustments before hopefully making a playoff run. 

For these 10 teams, they could either be one move away from being in a playoff spot or one move away from solidifying a Stanley Cup-worthy roster. 

Here’s the top 10 teams who should be buyers at the deadline. 

NHL Power Rankings: Buying Teams At NHL Trade Deadline

1. Wild

The Minnesota Wild are a textbook example of an asset-rich team that could add some players at the deadline to load up for a potential playoff run. While they’re just 5-5-0 in their last ten, they’re solidly in a playoff spot, currently the three-seed in the Central Division. 

Minnesota has a handful of players currently on the injury report, like Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Erikkson Ek, who translate to immediate trade needs to boost the team’s offensive production. 

In addition, the Wild hold one of the best farm systems in hockey right now, The Athletic ranked them as the second-ranked team in terms of prospects. 

Remember that their first-round pick, Zeev Buium, currently playing at the University of Denver, could be called up by Minnesota at the end of the college hockey season. 

2. Red Wings

Right now, Detroit is on the outside looking in for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and riding a three-game losing streak. As presently constructed, it’s hard to imagine them making a run in the playoffs. 

But, GM Steve Yzerman is one of the best in the league and could be active at the deadline. 

They have the assets to make modest improvements or to take a big swing. 

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Wednesday that the Red Wings are looking at defenseman and are “itching” to take the “next step in their rebuild.” 

3. Canadiens

This may seem an unusual choice so high up on the list, but the Montreal Canadiens are another team hanging around on the bubble with a draft pick and prospect stash big enough to make significant moves. 

They’ve got a Calder candidate in Lane Hutson and a roster stuffed with talented but green young players who could benefit from the experience that even one playoff series could bring. 

You could argue that buying at the deadline doesn’t ‘fit’ the timeline for this team, but I doubt the players on the team or the fans in Montreal would have any issue with some veteran reinforcements. 

Reports have linked Buffalo’s Dylan Cozens as an addition the Canadiens could make to bolster their second line. But could they also be in on a more prominent name like Yanni Gorude of Seattle or even New York’s Brock Nelson?

4. Capitals

The Washington Capitals are a more traditional buying team at this year’s deadline. They’re gearing up for what could be their deepest playoff run in years, and they need to add something to bolster their roster. 

Just last week, GM Chris Patrick said of the deadline, “Anything is on the table.”

“I think it’s going to be a balance of, are there ways to improve our team versus risking over-tinkering with what’s been a pretty good group so far this year,” Patrick said. 

Maybe the Capitals would have interest in Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson to fill their need at a depth defenseman spot. 

5. Avalanche

At +1200 odds for the Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche are squarely in the top tier of title contenders in the Western Conference. Currently, they’re the first Wild Card team in the West, blocked out of a crowded Central Division group. 

They’ve been one of the more active trade teams this season, making six already. 

DNVR Sports reported that the Avalanche are “having conversations” with the Boston Bruins about a number of players, like forward Charlie Coyle and defenseman Andrew Peeke. 

They also reported that Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras could be coming to the Avalanche in a deal involving Casey Mittelstadt. 

6. Utah Hockey Club

While they’re not necessarily a contender, with their odds currently set at +15000 odds to win the Stanley Cup, the Utah Hockey Club should be buyers at the deadline. 

They’re stocked with draft capital and prospects that could be used as trade bait for adding a veteran player. 

Belle Fraser of the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Utah’s plans for the deadline aren’t “clear cut,” given that the team isn’t in the playoffs yet but has been solid as of late. 

Again, maybe the Utah Hockey Club’s front office doesn’t see buying at this year’s deadline as something that fits their timeline. But, in their inaugural season in Salt Lake, a run towards the playoffs would do wonders for keeping their new fanbase engaged. 

7. Blue Jackets

Currently occupying the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Blue Jackets are in a position to buy at this year’s deadline. They’ve had an up-and-down stretch recently, going 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, but they’re likely going to hold onto that spot. 

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell basically confirmed that the team would be buying at the deadline last week. 

“At the beginning of the season, I just hoped we’d have some kind of meaningful games in March. I didn’t realize we’d be in a playoff spot. And so now, the way I look at it, I don’t know if selling off is the right thing for this group,” Waddell said. 

One name they’ve been repeatedly linked to is veteran Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch. 

8. Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are the best team in the NHL right now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add at the deadline. 

Tuesday night’s puzzling 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders, their third straight, proves that the Jets aren’t without their holes. What if Winnipeg could cobble some assets together and grab New York’s Brock Nelson? 

A big move like that isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but it’s more likely that they make a modest tweak to shore up their team ahead of the playoffs.

9. Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are probably a shocking sight for those of you reading this list. They’re at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, behind even the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in another year of a lengthy rebuilding phase. 

It’s not supposed to be like this in Buffalo after they’ve spent their fair share of time rebuilding and retooling this roster. 

But why would a team like the Sabres, who can’t get any worse than they already are, choose to sell at the deadline?

It may seem counterintuitive, but Buffalo should be looking to add to the team instead of subtracting from it on Friday. 

10. Golden Knights

Vegas seems to always have a trick up their sleeve at the deadline. Last year they drew criticism for their somewhat shady use of the LTIR to add to an already stacked roster. 

But their general manager Kelly McCrimmon told NHL.com that he doesn’t expect them to be up to any of that usual chicanery this time around. 

“We’ll do the work, we’ll be engaged and see what possibilities are there for us, but I don’t anticipate us making any big trades,” McCrimmon said. 

But, still, expect Vegas to make at least a small move in order to remain in first place of the Pacific Division where they currently lead the Edmonton Oilers by four points.