The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and teams across the league are starting to show their hands. For some, it’s about shoring up for a playoff push.
For others, it’s about laying the foundation for the future. Let’s break down three teams making noise right now: the San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Vancouver Canucks-each in very different stages of their journey.
San Jose Sharks Eyeing Blue Line Overhaul
The Sharks are in the middle of a full-scale reset, and their blue line is front and center in that process. San Jose is walking the line between buying and selling, and they’re doing it with a clear goal in mind: get younger and get better on defense.
They’re currently listening to offers on their pending unrestricted free agent defensemen-veterans who could help contenders now but don’t fit into San Jose’s long-term picture. At the same time, they’re actively targeting young, NHL-ready defensemen who can step in and grow with the franchise.
One name that’s reportedly on their radar? New York Rangers blueliner Braden Schneider.
The 22-year-old has the kind of physical, two-way game that could anchor a young defensive core. If the Sharks can pry him away, it would be a significant step toward building a more competitive roster for the future.
What Does Luke Hughes’ Injury Mean for Dougie Hamilton and the Devils?
In New Jersey, the focus is shifting to the health of their blue line-and how it might affect trade decisions. With Luke Hughes sidelined, the Devils are reassessing their options, including the future of veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton.
Hamilton’s agent, JP Barry, recently said he’s reaching out to the Devils to get a clearer picture of where things stand-both in terms of teams that have expressed interest and how Hughes’ injury might change the front office’s thinking.
Hamilton, a proven top-pairing defenseman, could be a major piece for a team looking to make a deep playoff run. But if the Devils see Hughes’ absence as a reason to hold onto Hamilton a little longer, that could shift the dynamic. It’s a delicate balance between protecting the present and planning for the future.
Vancouver Canucks: Sorting Through the Trade Tiers
The Canucks have already made a couple of bold moves-trading away Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood-and they’re not done yet. With the March 6th trade deadline looming, Vancouver has sorted its roster into clear trade tiers, giving us a roadmap for what might come next.
Not Moving Tier: This group is essentially the foundation of the current rebuild. Thatcher Demko, Filip Hronek, Kevin Lankinen, Filip Chytil, Marco Rossi, Tyler Myers, Zeev Buium, Tom Willander, Liam Ohgren, and defenseman Elias Pettersson are viewed as core pieces. Don’t expect any of them to be on the move.
**Probably Not Moving, But... **: Brock Boeser and Marcus Pettersson headline this tier-players with no-move clauses and sizable contracts.
Aatu Räty, Linus Karlsson, and Max Sasson are also here. While they’re not being actively shopped, the right offer could change things.
Tough Decisions Tier: Nils Höglander and Drew O’Connor fall into this category. They’re both productive, cost-controlled players, but if Vancouver gets an offer that accelerates their rebuild, they’ll have to think long and hard.
Rebuilding Aggressively Tier: This is where things get interesting. Center Elias Pettersson (the forward), Jake DeBrusk, and Conor Garland are all under long-term deals with significant cap hits. Moving any of them would be a clear signal that the Canucks are going all-in on a new direction.
On the Block Tier: Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, and David Kämpf are all pending UFAs and are very much available. These are the kinds of deals that contenders love-short-term contracts, playoff experience, and no long-term cap implications.
Final Word
The Sharks are laying the groundwork for a younger, faster defense. The Devils are in a holding pattern as they evaluate injuries and interest.
And the Canucks are navigating a complex rebuild with clarity and purpose. With the trade deadline just weeks away, expect the activity to ramp up.
These teams are just the beginning.