As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, the NHL season is set to heat up with the trade deadline looming on March 6. Teams across the league are gearing up for a flurry of activity, with playoff contenders keen to fortify their defenses. The Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings are among those looking to enhance their blue lines, particularly eyeing right-shot defensemen, who are in high demand.
Bruce Garrioch has highlighted several enticing prospects on the market this year. The Senators, for instance, have expressed a keen interest in Calgary's MacKenzie Weegar, but they aren't the only ones. Garrioch notes that Ottawa might also consider Zach Whitecloud from Calgary as an alternative, with other teams also inquiring about his availability.
The rumor mill is buzzing with names like Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils, Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks, and both Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko from the St. Louis Blues. Of these, only Connor Murphy is approaching free agency, while the others have varying contract terms remaining.
Breaking Down the Defensemen Market
Ottawa's pursuit of Weegar is well-documented, with Whitecloud serving as a potential backup plan. Dougie Hamilton has been a topic of trade discussions for some time, and although things have quieted down recently, San Jose, Utah, and Toronto are rumored to be leading the chase, with the Maple Leafs appearing as strong contenders.
The Oilers have been linked to both Brandon Carlo and Connor Murphy, but it's unclear if Edmonton is prepared to meet the asking price for either player. Meanwhile, after missing out on Rasmus Andersson, the Bruins have reportedly turned their attention to Justin Faulk of the Blues. Although there hasn't been as much noise around Colton Parayko, it's likely that the same teams interested in the other defensemen would consider him as well.
As the deadline approaches, expect these names to be at the center of negotiations as teams jockey for position in the playoff race.