Three Teams That Could Be Active at the NHL Trade Deadline

The 2023 NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and if the Bo Horvat is any indication, we could be in for a wild ride. This trade deadline is hard to figure out because there are no clear-cut buyers and sellers. Most teams will likely make one move, even if it is for depth at the AHL level.

The factors that go into a team being active are cap space, placement in the standings, and needs for the roster. Teams at the bottom will likely be sellers, while the top-tier teams could be buyers for the playoffs. No stats guarantee a playoff spot if a team makes a trade deadline acquisition during the NHL trade deadline. Some teams, like the Chicago Blackhawks, would-be sellers as they look to rebuild for the future. The Colorado Avalanche going to be buyers based on the want to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

The NHL trade deadline occurs on March 3rd this season. This time of year, rumors start flying, most of them to get people talking. One would be wise to wait until trade deadline day to see who is moved because most of the rumored trades do not happen.

In the past, teams have acquired small pieces that led to big things down the road. Other teams have dealt away pieces that were considered a bust, only to perform well in a different setting.  Trades should be graded years after the moves due to the fact there are no winners and/or losers minutes after the trade is made. Look at the Detroit Red Wings, who traded winger Anthony Mantha to the Washington Capitals for a package that included Jakub Vrana. Most thought Detroit won the trade hands down, but years later, the trade looks to be a wash for both teams.

Three Teams That Could Be Active at the NHL Trade Deadline

Below are three teams that could be very active at this trade deadline. Most of these teams are in a cap crunch with no projected cap space and a number of pending UFAs. Therefore, this would make one believe they will unload talent to acquire cap space for future moves. Other teams listed below have a number of UFAs and an older roster and want to make moves to get younger. This time of year can be fun to hear and crazy at the same time. Rumored moves could be fun to listen to but would not hold too much confidence in those rumored moves.

The Washington Capitals is in the playoff hunt, standing in fourth place but are 16 points out of first place. They could be buyers and sellers. While they have a projected cap space of $0, they are one of the oldest teams in the league at an average age of 31.6 years old.

The Washington Capitals has ten players who will be UFA’s in the 2023-24 season. Their prospect pool is not deep and could use some help. They also need to get younger and could use more scoring depth. The players who qualify as UFAs in the next season are forwards Lars Eller, Garnet Hathaway, Conor Sheary, Marcus Johansson, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Defensemen Dmitry Orlov, Nick Jensen, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Erik Gustafsson, and Matt Irwin are also in that category.

The Capitals should look at the next 4-5 years and see who is qualified to lead them. Winger Alex Ovechkin cannot do all of the scoring and will not play forever. The core of the Washington Capitals is on their last legs as a group to win another Stanley Cup. Washington needs to acquire the younger talent that will take them into the next ten years and be able to build something to win another Stanley Cup.

The goaltending is not great, but it is solid, so no moves are needed unless there are moves at the NHL trade deadline for goaltending depth at the AHL level. A good, young bottom-six forward could be had for the right price. Or maybe a couple of future UFA forwards for a group of prospects will do the trick. The Washington Capitals could do a rebuild on the fly and take their chances, but this only works if they do in fact make moves for younger talent.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are second in the Atlantic Division but are 13 points out of first place. The Maple Leafs are rumored to be part of a big move at the NHL trade deadline year after year, and nothing comes of it. This deadline could be difficult because they almost need to make a move but have $0 in projected cap space.

Toronto has not been able to crack the second round of the NHL playoffs, so they could be both buyers and sellers, like Washington, at this NHL trade deadline. The Maple Leafs have also been rumored to be in line for a defenseman through trade so we will see what happens. For the past few years, forward William Nylander has been rumored to be on the move, yet he is still in Toronto. Could this be the year the Toronto Maple Leafs move him, maybe to the Arizona Coyotes for defenseman Jacob Chychrun?

As of now, the Toronto Maple Leafs have eight UFAs in the 2023-24 season. Players include forward Alex Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall, David Kampf, Michael Bunting, Wayne Simmonds, and Zach Aston-Reese. Defenseman Justin Holl and Jordie Benn are the UFA defenseman.

The Maple Leafs, like the Capitals, are in a bit of trouble. They have no projected cap space and the average age is 29.6 years old. Toronto lacks defensive depth as well as prospects and could use some help in getting younger, with some offensive depth.  With the top six loaded with offensive talent and heavy contracts, it will be difficult to make a move and extend the acquisition. Toronto may be best to trade away some assets for younger talent and build from within with their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.