No question in my mind that the Aves will be buyers. They have the most cap space of any of the top teams, and their recent slide will certainly provide enough motivation. If you ask around, you will quickly discover that GM Shuck has been active behind the scenes inquiring on players, but hasn’t managed to find a fit yet. Without a doubt I expect the Aves to add. Rumor is they are looking to move some of the mediocre guys like Maroon, Craig Smith, and Copp for rentals with better rates. Some prospects I’ve never heard of are also in play, apparently. Likely they will look to add a top-pairing D and to bolster their bottom 6.

The Hawks are another team that has been sliding of late, and will likely try to make a splash in order to turn things around. They also have plenty of cap space to work with. They are currently holding down 1^st wildcard spot, and while there is no real risk of them falling out of the playoffs, I expect Dave to make an effort to right the ship. Likely they will also be in the market for a top-pairing D, and maybe a 1-1 swap of top-6 forwards looking to just shake things  up.

The Jackets have made a few recent moves, and have played well in their last 10 games. Couple that with their almost non-existant cap space and I don’t see much trade activity from Columbus as the deadline approaches. GM Jesse needs to hope he has done enough and can hold onto a top-3 spot in the Metro, which is extremely tight from 1^st down to 5^th.

The Blues are toast. No way they make the playoffs, and with a few decent UFAs, they should make an effort to sell-off. The button-pusher said it best himself “Feel free to take a solicited run with your pants down at my UFAs + Nash. All could be had for the right overpayment.” The problem is, Eric is worse than a Hansford. No one will overpay as much as he wants, and he’ll watch his UFAs play out their contracts on his shitty team… didn’t this happen last year?

On the strength of a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, the Bruins have finally managed to catch the rival Habs for top in the East (and League). This team is good, very good. They have a bit of cap space to play with, and with their sights set on a long playoff run, they should be expected to use every penny. Their biggest weakness may well be their penalty kill, which sits near the bottom of the league, so I expect Greg to make an effort to correct that. Look for the Bruins to try to add a top-flight PK forward – maybe a guy who has all-round rates and can chip in on the 4^th line.

The Habs just saw themselves passed by the Bruins, and with more games played than the B’s, they may find it tough to catch back up. With a decent amount of cap space, I expect the Habs to take another run at the cup. Last year was a disaster in the playoffs, as the Habs went in as the #1 team in the league, only to have their hopes dashed when Bob went down with an injury. Will GM Vardy look to solidify his backup position to avoid that again, or will he run with Brossoit and maybe Binnington as the insurance? The Habs sport a balanced attack, but do lack top-end talent, and Vardy will be in tough trying to decide where to make his addition(s). Most likely add would be a true #1 RW.

Not much to say here. The Canucks are brutal and already moved out their only player who may be of interest to a contending team (Tanev). I classify them as a seller as I’m sure they would be happy to move the likes of Troy Brouwer or Nikolai Kulemin, but I’m not sure they will find a fit. Good chance they ride out the season and keep workin on the rebuild.

Same could be said for the Caps. The great Tommy Wingels has already been dealt, so what’s left?. I hear they are shopping Tim Schaller, age 27 who is a defensive wiz (his words, not mine) along with Wagner, Roussel, Deslauriers and Gudas. Linke may find a fit for Radko Gudas or Nicolas Deslauriers, but otherwise I expect Larry may have a fairly quitet deadline. P.S. Did you guys hear? Devon Toews has 3 goals!!!

The Coyotes are right in the mix in the shitty West. The Preds and Sharks(!) aren’t far behind. None of these teams really deserve to make the playoffs, but someone will, and unless Joel makes a move, I don’t think it’s the Coyotes. I would expect Joel to use some of his cap space to try to solidify his roster to hang on to that last playoff spot. Lots of needs here, including 4^th line RW, which is currently occupied by “Unknown Player”. Realistically though, this team needs more scoring. I expect Joel to take a run at top line RW, which would allow him to move Wilson out of the top-6. Joel could also use a top-pairing D (or 2).

Oh boy. Rough year for the Devils. Playoff hopes are non-existent at this point, so I expect Tim to start selling off his UFAs and maybe go for a retool. There are a few intriguing pieces there, including Stastny, Zuccarello, Goligoski, Orpik, M. Staal, Braun and Dubnyk. The Devils could be HUGE players at the deadline, if Tim would get off his ass.

Another team that is selling, but doesn’t really have much to sell. I don’t even know half the guys on Devon’s pro roster, but he does have Wayne Gretzky 2.0 (Kevin Lebanc). Then again, no way he will part with someone of that stature. Maybe he will trade Gibson, but I doubt it. He also has 3 shitty backups, so maybe one of them will find a home, but then again, I doubt it.

Kevin’s flames are quietly putting together a solid season. They are currently top in the Pacific and riding a 9-1 record in their last 10. Damn. There is cap space to burn, and I expect Kevin to make at least one move. Most likely he will find a way to add 3 or 4 late round picks while simultaneously upgrading his roster, in true Kevin fashion. Hard to find holes in his roster, but he may try to find upgrades for Ladd and Nielsen, or maybe a true top-end PK D-man.

Sidebar: Check out Kevin’s 4^th line LMAO

Kinkaid anybody??? Anyone?? No? Fine, not much else to say…

I know Joe is looking to make moves, but I’m not entirely sure what his plan is. Rumors have him shopping Eaves and/or Marleau, and I can only assume it would be to open up a roster spot for an upgrade. He has cap space to play with, but is carrying a full roster. Thus, I expect, and it makes sense, that the Knights are looking to upgrade their LW position. I expect them to target a true top-line RW, who has at least a half decent DF rating.

Rich will do everything he can to make the playoffs. He doesn’t have much cap space and is currently sitting 7points back of a wildcard spot, but he is only 2 points out of 3^rd in the Metro. I expect Rich to try to make a splash, but with no 2019 picks, he may have a tough time finding a good fit. As for needs, he needs a true all-round top-6 forward or 2. He has lots of guys who are strong in some areas, but not all-round. He could use an upgrade on the back end, or two. Dylan DeMelo and Casey Nelson just don’t cut it.

The Isles are in the thick of the dogfight for 3^rd in the Metro. They currently hold the position, but there are several teams hot on their tail. They could use some improvements on the defensive side of things, as they currently sit mid-pack for GA and PK. They could use another shutdown D, and could stand to add a few forward who know where their end of the rink is… Wait, this is Bubanj’s team? Ok, forget it. They aren’t making any moves.

I will never ever understand how this team is doing so well… still… That said, the Jets have a bit of cap room, and will likely try to use it. We need to remember that this is a Hansford though, so there are no easy deals to be had. I don’t expect the good Doctor to do much really, but the 4^th line could use some work. I mean, Cammalleri? Really? I would say he could use an upgrade in net too, but somehow he is getting it done with these schmucks.

Rumpy should be going all-in. I’d love to see him go big at the deadline and use up that cap space to bolster his roster. He is probably only a few pieces from a legit contender. None of his forwards know where their own end of the ice is, and I think that’s probably the biggest issue in LA. Rumpy may need to give up some of his pure offensive guys to land a solid 2-way player or two.

The lightning have been playing great of late, and are doing their best to keep pace with the Habs and Bruins. Eric is looking to be active at the deadline, and has made it known that he is looking for an upgrade on Brian Boyle. While I’m not sure he’ll find someone to take Boyle, he may be able to add a better player in that roster position and make Boyle a scratch. He could also use an upgrade on Mike Smith, but I don’t see that as a priority.

Leafs are toiling near the bottom of the league, but do have a few interesting pieces that they would possibly move at the deadline. Not the least of whom is Doughty. The Leafs are rumored to have turned down a deal for Doughty that included 6 assets – they are looking for Quality, not Quantity (That sounds like a Kirk offer). Kyle Turris could also be a good fit for some contending teams. Garrett has been trying to move Phaneuf, but I can’t see that happening. Of the three, I actually expect that Turris is most likely to find a home elsewhere, if someone is willing to pay the ask…

Another shitty team that’s hardly worth mentioning. The “other” aisian, Leon, has been pretty quiet this season, but he may make an effort to move Bobby Ryan. The contract is brutal, and the rates aren’t great this season, but Ryan is going to end up with a half decent rerate and Leon may find someone to take him off his hands.

Yet another bottom-dweller. The panthers are actively shopping a few guys such as Carpenter, Dowd, Letestu, Carr and Pominville, but none of these guys is likely to be of interest to contending teams. Then again, if Larry can move Wingles, anything is possible.  Look for the Panthers to keep actively looking for ways to move these guys.

The BRHL virgin (in more than 1 way) has made it clear he’s looking to upgrade. His team is good, but not great. They’re currently 1^st in the Metro, but only 4 points up on the Rangers, who are currently out of the playoffs. You get the picture, the Metro is tight. Tyler (Toby) (Dusty), has made it clear he would move the Sens 1^st rounder, and is looking for an upgrade anywhere he can get it. The team is top heavy, and with Plekanec as the 3^rd line C, there is lots of room for improvement. Maybe getting a guy to help the PK would be a good idea.

Somehow “Slack” has turned Tyler into a funny guy. Who knew. Anyway, his team is currently battling for a playoff spot, just outside of the final wildcard in the West. That said, the Preds made a big addition with Brassard, and have played well of late, so things are looking up. They still have a bit of cap space and a few weakness (noticeably scoring) that I am sure they would love to address. “Wade Megan” is currently playing on the 2^nd line with Hoffman and Kesler. Definitely room for improvement, or at least doing your lines.

The new guy is looking to take a run at the playoffs. Don’t be fooled with the fact they are 6 points out of the wildcard. They are currently only 1 point back of 3^rd in the Metro. At the moment, this is another top-heavy team that could do with a bit more quality in the bottom-6, as well as desperately needed improvements to the PK, although rumors having them shopping Buchnevich, Sprong and their 1^st in search of upgrades in the top 6 wing position. Defensively, this is the worst group of forwards in the league I think. Pretty obvious where improvements are needed. The issue is, they have no cap space.

The Wings hold a fairly comfortable handle on a playoff spot, and with almost no cap space I don’t expect them to do much at the deadline. There are probably places they could improve, but I don’t see them being able to work around the cap unless they move out Weber, which I don’t see happening.

Jared has going quiet lately, but I fully expect him to move Chara before the deadline. There are several teams that could use his services, and by the time the deadline rolls around, his cap hit should be low enough to make that possible. Other players on the Sabres that may garner interest include Cullen, Vermette and Duchene, but I don’t see anybody taking Cullen or Vermette, and I do expect Jared to hang on to Duchene.

Calling the Senators buyers is like saying Rumpy doesn’t mind the odd drink. The Sens are all in (insert Rumpy joke here). Steph is looking to add a top 9 C, a bottom pair D and a top 6 LW. He’s shopping Marchessault, who is a … top 6 LW? Anyone else confused? Also, is there anything left for him to use as bait for these needs? Who knows whats going on, I mean, he lives in Sudbury, so he isn’t exactly, um, normal.

How in the hell is this team only 5 points out of the playoffs????? They are currently looking to move Sedin, Kuntiz, Eriksson, Dorsett, Chiarot and Emelin. Where is that poop imoji when I need it? Anyway, Mika may make a move or two for another Fin, but I expect the more likely scenario is he ends up riding it out and hoping to draft Kotkaniemi.

My hand is cramping. Do I really need to talk about the Stars? Kato has his team in decent position in the crappy West. I suppose if he needed to upgrade anywhere, it would be the PP. He has a strong focus on DF players, but that often results in sub-par PP performance, as you can see. With a decent 3.6M in cap space, I could see Kato trying to upgrade Perreault, Mitchell or Rust on the bottom 6.

Rex is shopping a bunch of crap, but has already found takers for some of it, so I expect him to continue. Likely he will keep piling up 6^th/7^th round picks, then will give Bryce a 2^nd or 1^st for his list at the draft. The plan is as clear as the mud in Rexs’ barnyard.

Editors note: We received a last-minute message from an unconfirmed source within the stoners organization that simply said: “mention all the young cheap dmen I have and am shopping”…. Um, ok.

Thank god, the last team. Big Al has been active of late, and from what I gather is still looking to trade away anyone on his team who’s name he recognizes, which is probably about 4 players. Seriously though, I don’t think there is much left for him to sell, but he will try. This looks like the beginning of a long, slow, painfull rebuild for the Wild. Good luck big guy.