We’ve officially crossed the halfway mark of the NHL season, and the trade winds are already picking up speed. With the playoff picture still wide open-especially in the East where 14 of the 16 teams are either in or within striking distance of a postseason spot-front offices are starting to draw their lines in the sand. Some are gearing up for a run, while others are preparing to sell off assets and look ahead.
A major factor shaping the trade landscape this year is the Olympic break trade freeze. From February 4 at 3 PM ET through February 22 at 11:59 PM ET, NHL teams won’t be able to make deals.
That looming pause is pushing some general managers to act early, especially those on the playoff bubble who can’t afford to wait. We’ve already seen it in action with the San Jose Sharks acquiring Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks-a move that might be a sign of things to come.
Expect more of these early deals as teams look to get ahead of the freeze. Contenders with stable rosters may choose to wait, hoping to avoid Olympic-related injuries before pulling the trigger. But for teams teetering on the edge of the playoff picture, the pressure to act now is real.
One team making waves on the trade front is the New York Rangers. They’ve made it clear that they won’t be extending Artemi Panarin, and all signs point to him being moved before the deadline.
Vincent Trocheck is also a likely trade candidate. That’s two high-impact forwards potentially on the move-and the market is heating up.
Minnesota is reportedly very interested in Panarin, and they’re not alone. The Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, and Dallas Stars are all said to be in the mix. These are all playoff-caliber teams looking to add a dynamic scorer, and Panarin fits that bill perfectly.
Trocheck, meanwhile, is drawing his own share of attention. Minnesota is again in the conversation, but so are the Hurricanes, Kings, Blackhawks, and Jets. Trocheck brings versatility and experience, the kind of middle-six depth that can tilt a playoff series.
Then there’s Calgary. The Flames are clearly in sell mode, having already sent defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Forwards Blake Coleman, Nazem Kadri, and Ryan Lomberg are all expected to be available. Keep a close eye on Dallas here-word is they’re monitoring all three.
With so many teams still in the hunt-and only a limited number of sellers-the competition for top-tier talent could be fierce. The East is especially tight, with nearly every team still in the mix.
The West isn’t far behind, with 11 of 16 teams within five points of a playoff spot. That kind of parity means demand will be high, and the asking prices could climb quickly.
The next few weeks could be a flurry of movement, especially leading into the Olympic freeze. Whether it’s a blockbuster deal or a sneaky depth acquisition, the groundwork for playoff success-or failure-is being laid right now.
Buckle up. The NHL trade season is just getting started.