As the Olympic flame dimmed in Milan, NHL players reignited their passion for the final stretch of the regular season. With nine weeks left, the excitement is building around playoff races and the looming trade deadline on March 6. The compressed schedule adds another layer of intrigue.
In the Eastern Conference, the race is tighter than ever. Just eight points separate ten teams, including those vying for home-ice advantage, third-place spots, wild card positions, and even those just outside the playoff picture. This parity makes it challenging for general managers to decide whether to buy or sell at the deadline, as the next two weeks could shift the landscape dramatically.
Tampa Bay and Carolina have carved out significant leads in the Atlantic and Metropolitan Divisions, respectively. Meanwhile, Columbus has been on a hot streak with seven consecutive wins, yet still finds itself outside the top eight.
Out West, there's been a bit more clarity. Utah and Anaheim have made strong moves to secure wild card spots, leaving Los Angeles, Nashville, and San Jose trailing by five points. These teams will be battling hard to close the gap.
Interestingly, L.A., Anaheim, and San Jose have the easiest remaining schedules according to most models, while Pittsburgh, Boston, and Columbus face tougher roads ahead.
The trade market is heating up, especially for teams looking to bolster their defense. Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils might be on the move.
Injuries have plagued the Devils this season, and Hamilton’s relationship with the team has become strained. He could expand his no-trade list to include San Jose, a team he reportedly blocked a move to last year.
With a hefty $9 million cap hit, the Devils might need to retain some salary in any potential deal.
The St. Louis Blues are also in the spotlight.
As they move away from their 2019 Stanley Cup-winning roster, players like Justin Faulk are attracting interest. The futures of Brayden Schenn, Jordan Kyrou, and Robert Thomas are also in question as the Blues look to retool.
With so much at stake, the next few weeks promise to be a thrilling ride for hockey fans everywhere.