With the NHL season well past the halfway mark and the trade deadline looming, the Central Division is starting to take shape - and it’s looking a lot like a three-team race up top. The Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars have separated themselves from the pack, with Colorado holding a comfortable lead and games in hand. But even among the contenders, there are questions that could define how far each team goes come playoff time.
And for the teams on the outside looking in? There’s still plenty to figure out - from front office futures to foundational roster decisions. Let’s dive into two pressing questions for each of the eight teams in the Central.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs are pacing the division, and with a five-point cushion and three games in hand, they’re in control. But that doesn’t mean they’re a finished product.
**1. Who helps solidify the third-line center spot?
**
Colorado’s top six is loaded, but depth down the middle is a different story.
If the Avs want to make another deep run, they’ll need to shore up their third-line center role - someone who can win draws, kill penalties, and chip in offensively. The market has options, but it’s about finding the right fit for their system and locker room.
**2. Will Samuel Girard be moved for blue line reinforcements?
**
Girard’s name has been floating in trade rumors, and it’s not hard to see why.
He’s a talented puck mover with value, but the Avs might be looking for a different look on the back end - maybe someone with a bit more physicality or defensive presence. The alternative?
Add a reliable No. 7 defenseman and keep the core intact.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are hanging tough in second place, but they’ve got company - and some roster holes to address.
**1. Who becomes the No. 2 center behind Joel Eriksson Ek?
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This is Minnesota’s biggest need.
They’ve been linked to several centers - think Ryan O’Reilly, Nazem Kadri, Vincent Trocheck - and for good reason. The Wild have the structure and goaltending to compete, but without a legit second-line pivot, they’re vulnerable down the middle.
**2. Can Bill Guerin do enough to convince Quinn Hughes to sign long-term?
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The Wild’s front office has its eyes on the future too.
If they want to lock down a cornerstone like Hughes this summer, they’ll need to show they’re building something sustainable. That means smart moves now - not just to win, but to build trust.
Dallas Stars
Dallas is right on Minnesota’s heels with a game in hand and a roster that’s quietly one of the most balanced in the West. But there are a couple of big questions hanging over them.
**1. Is Tyler Seguin’s $9.85 million cap hit going to be in play at the deadline?
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Seguin’s contract is one of the bigger financial puzzles in the league.
If he lands on LTIR, it could open up significant cap space for GM Jim Nill to make a splash. If not, Dallas may have to get creative to add reinforcements.
**2. What’s the plan for Jason Robertson down the stretch?
**
Robertson hasn’t quite hit the heights of his breakout year, but the talent is undeniable.
Is he being managed through something physically? Is there a gear he’s saving for the postseason?
Dallas needs their star winger firing on all cylinders if they’re going to make a deep run.
Utah Mammoth
Utah’s inaugural season has had its moments, but they’re still clearly in build mode - and the trade deadline could be a turning point.
**1. Are the Mammoth still hunting for a big-name addition after missing on Artemi Panarin?
**
They swung big and missed on Panarin, but that doesn’t mean they’re done.
With cap space and a desire to make a statement in their first year, Utah could still be in on one of the bigger names available.
**2. What’s the long-term plan for Nick Schmaltz?
**
Schmaltz has been a steady contributor, but does he fit into Utah’s long-term vision?
With his contract situation and the direction of the franchise, his future could be one of the more intriguing storylines to watch.
Nashville Predators
The Preds have clawed their way back into the conversation after a rough start, but they’re still navigating a front office transition and a murky deadline outlook.
**1. Will Nashville name a new GM before the season ends?
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With Barry Trotz stepping aside, the Predators are already looking for his successor.
The timing matters - especially with trade decisions looming. Do they make a move now, or let the interim group steer things through the deadline?
**2. Has the recent surge changed their trade deadline plans?
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Nashville’s been one of the league’s hottest teams over the past month and a half.
That momentum could shift them from sellers to cautious buyers - or at least force them to hold onto pieces they previously considered moving.
Chicago Blackhawks
The rebuild continues in Chicago, but with Connor Bedard in the fold, the focus has shifted to building around their young star.
**1. Can the Blackhawks find Bedard a long-term top-line winger?
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Bedard needs a running mate - someone who can grow with him and complement his elite vision and scoring touch.
If Chicago can find that piece before the deadline, it could accelerate their timeline in a big way.
**2. Where does Connor Murphy finish the season?
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The veteran defenseman has been a steady presence on the back end, but he’s also one of Chicago’s most tradable assets.
A playoff team looking for a reliable right-shot D could come calling - and the Hawks have to weigh the return against the value of keeping a veteran around.
Winnipeg Jets
Things are getting tense in Winnipeg, where coaching questions and veteran futures are starting to dominate the conversation.
**1. Is it time for a new voice behind the bench?
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Scott Arniel’s seat is getting warmer.
The Jets have underperformed relative to expectations, and sometimes a coaching change is the only lever left to pull. Whether that happens before or after the season remains to be seen, but the pressure is on.
**2. Will Jonathan Toews finish the year in Winnipeg?
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Toews has been a steadying presence, but with his contract expiring and the Jets on the playoff bubble, he could be a prime candidate for a deadline move.
A return to a contender would make sense - and give Winnipeg a chance to recoup some assets.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues are in transition - both on the ice and in the front office - and the trade deadline could be their first big step into a new era.
**1. How aggressive will the Blues be in selling off pieces?
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With Doug Armstrong stepping aside and Alex Steen taking over, the Blues are at a crossroads.
Do they go full seller mode and stockpile picks and prospects? Or take a more measured approach with an eye on a quick turnaround?
**2. Is this Jordan Binnington’s final season in St.
Louis? **
Binnington’s future is one of the biggest question marks. He’s had flashes of his old self, but inconsistency and contract considerations make his situation complicated.
If the Blues are ready to hit reset, moving on from Binnington could be part of that plan.
The Central Division might look top-heavy on paper, but every team - from the contenders to the rebuilders - has key decisions to make in the coming weeks. Whether it’s a playoff push, a roster reset, or a franchise-defining trade, this division is full of storylines waiting to unfold.