#nhl-trade-deadline

#nhl-trade-deadline

They, like Carolina, have cap space for the future. They've got a lot of prospects, and they've got their draft picks. So for Washington, it's not really about this year. Like, they'd like to get in [the playoffs], obviously. But whatever available talent they could add in their top six, it's about this year and the future. So they're in on a bunch of different things. They'd like to make a splash.

There's been growing speculation that the Leafs are going to be both buying and selling ahead of this season's deadline, and Jarnkrok, a pending unrestricted free agent, is turning into a prime trade candidate. The 34-year-old Jarnkrok is owed $2.1 million this season and owns a 10-team no-trade clause in the final year of his contract. He's been in and out of the lineup so far this season, producing just six goals and one assist for seven points in 37 appearances.

In case you missed it - I'm envious if you did not watch the Blackhawks' game last night - the biggest news coming from the event wasn't the lifeless first period performance that buried Chicago. It was defenseman Wyatt Kaiser needing assistance to leave the ice early in the game after his leg/knee were landed on awkwardly. This doesn't look great https://t.co/83esyCY5mZ pic.twitter.com/uDd1jg2EFY- BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) February 5, 2026

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has had an unbelievable season with the Maple Leafs. He has consistently been the Maple Leafs' best defenceman, while having the second-best season of his career with 32 points in the team's first 54 games. Ekman-Larsson is set to represent Team Sweden at the Olympic Games starting within the next two weeks. Now you may be thinking to yourself, why would the Maple Leafs even think about trading him if they want to retool?

McCann has been a steady performer throughout his NHL career so far, especially since the Kraken joined the league. In the past four seasons, he has recorded at least 50 points, solidifying himself as a reliable player on the scoresheet for them. McCann has scored at least 20 goals in the past four seasons, which is a factor in why he is currently the Kraken's franchise all-time goal leader (132).

They continue to be road warriors as they are 14-7-4 on the road but just 11-7-7 at home. One of the reasons for their success this season is deeper scoring. While they are not an elite offense, they have received more contributions throughout the lineup than they did last season. Forwards Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazzeau have provided that secondary scoring, adding a combined 60 points and both have been a breath of fresh air.

More specifically, Blues defenceman Justin Faulk is the right-handed blueliner who Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving should have his eyes on, as it does sound like St. Louis are open to just about any type of deal ahead of this season's trade deadline. Faulk, 33, is signed through next season at a very reasonable $6.5 million AAV, and does have some say in his future, holding a 15-team no-trade clause.

The Toronto Maple Leaf are right in the thick of the hunt for a playoff spot after bouncing back from a terrible first half of the season. But, that doesn't mean that they are going to keep the roster the same as the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 6. According to one of the latest trade boards from The Athletic's Chris Johnston, a defenseman that we never really expected to be dealt, could be moved before the deadline.

Over the weekend, general manager Chris Drury confirmed what everyone already knew: The Rangers are going to sell leading up to the NHL's March 6 trade deadline. That makes the likes of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere available. But this isn't a full-scale rebuild. The organizational pieces like goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox have Drury using the term re-tool, which still is not what Sullivan was expecting to walk into when he took the Blueshirts' job in the offseason.