Central Division Heating Up: Avalanche, Wild Expected to Be Active at NHL Trade Deadline
With the NHL trade deadline fast approaching, the Central Division is shaping up to be one of the most aggressive battlegrounds in the league. Both the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild are expected to be active players in the coming weeks, each looking to bolster their rosters for a playoff push in what’s quickly becoming an arms race out West.
Let’s start in Minnesota, where the Wild are zeroing in on a key area of need: center depth. Despite some recent moves - including the departure of Marco Rossi - the Wild still have a noticeable hole down the middle of their top six. And with a bit of cap flexibility in their pocket, they’re very much in the market to fill it.
From what’s being discussed around the league, the Wild have their eyes on a few notable names. Nazem Kadri’s name has come up as a potential fit, especially as Calgary begins to weigh its options. Kadri brings playoff experience, grit, and a two-way game that could stabilize Minnesota’s center group.
Another name linked to the Wild? Vinnie Trocheck.
The New York Rangers center is known for his tenacity and faceoff prowess, and Minnesota appears to be at least monitoring his availability. Internally, they’ve also likely kicked the tires on veterans like Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn - both of whom are still producing in St.
Louis and Nashville, respectively - though the trajectory of those teams might influence whether those players are even on the market.
Bottom line: Minnesota has the cap space and the motivation. They’re not just window shopping - they’re actively looking for a piece that can help them now and into the postseason.
Over in Colorado, the Avalanche are playing things a bit more patiently - but don’t mistake that for inactivity. They’ve got some cap room of their own and a history of making smart, targeted moves at the deadline.
Think back to their 2022 Stanley Cup run, when they brought in Artturi Lehkonen from Montreal. He wasn’t the flashiest name on the board, but he turned out to be a crucial piece of the puzzle.
Expect the Avs to take a similar approach this time around. They might not be in the market for a high-priced star, but they’re definitely on the hunt for a complementary piece - someone who can slide into their system seamlessly and bring the kind of intangible value that shows up in the postseason. That could mean a versatile forward, a depth center, or a steady third-pairing defenseman with playoff mileage.
Colorado may wait until closer to the March 6 deadline to make their move, giving themselves time to accrue a bit more cap space. But make no mistake - they’re in this race, and they know the value of striking the right deal at the right time.
With both clubs looking to upgrade and the Central Division tightening by the week, the next month promises to be full of intrigue. Whether it’s Minnesota reinforcing their top six or Colorado finding another hidden gem, don’t be surprised if both teams make noise before the buzzer sounds on deadline day.