As we inch closer to the February 4 roster freeze and the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline, the market is heating up-just not in the way we typically expect. Thanks to a logjam of parity across the league, the usual flood of sellers hasn’t materialized.
Instead, we’re seeing a cautious, calculated approach from clubs hovering around the playoff bubble. Some teams are waiting for the standings to shake out, while others are already laying the groundwork for some potentially significant moves.
Here’s a look at three teams drawing the most attention right now.
St. Louis Blues Join the Seller’s Market
The St. Louis Blues have officially entered the chat.
With a core that’s aging and a front office looking to retool rather than rebuild, the Blues are open for business. But this isn’t about a fire sale.
The Blues are looking to make what hockey folks like to call “hockey trades”-moves that bring in elite young talent rather than just draft picks.
This shift in posture comes as no surprise. St.
Louis has been floating in that uncomfortable middle ground-not quite out of it, but not convincing anyone they’re making a deep run either. With the deadline looming, don’t be surprised if the Blues become one of the more active teams looking to reshape their future without bottoming out completely.
Calgary Flames Playing the Waiting Game
In Calgary, the Flames are taking a more measured approach. Outside of defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who’s already being shopped around, the Flames aren’t rushing into anything. The logic behind moving Andersson early is sound-he’s been named to Sweden’s Olympic roster, and the last thing Calgary wants is an injury torpedoing his trade value.
As one Western Conference source put it, “Andersson was a bit of a rush piece, because you don’t want to risk an injury bombing his trade value.” But when it comes to veterans like Nazem Kadri or Blake Coleman? The Flames aren’t ready to go there-at least not yet.
Right now, Calgary trails the San Jose Sharks by nine points for the final wild-card spot. That’s not an insurmountable gap, but it’s enough to make the front office hesitate before pulling the plug.
Whether this is a genuine belief in their playoff chances or a strategic effort to drive up prices remains to be seen. Either way, the Flames have some time to figure things out.
Columbus Blue Jackets: A Team on the Bubble in More Ways Than One
The Columbus Blue Jackets have suddenly become one of the most intriguing teams to watch. After firing Dean Evason and handing the reins to veteran coach Rick Bowness, they’ve rattled off a 5-1 record. That mini-surge has them 10 points out of a playoff spot, but with three games in hand-just enough hope to keep the front office from flipping the switch too early.
Still, teams are sniffing around. Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, and Dmitri Voronkov are all drawing interest, and it’s easy to see why. Jenner and Coyle bring playoff experience, grit, and the ability to play center-three things every contender covets come March.
Then there’s Voronkov. At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, he’s a physical force who’s quietly posted 17 goals and 31 points in 51 games.
And yet, he’s been skating on the fourth line. With one more year left on his deal at $4.175 million, he’s not just a rental-he’s a potential long-term asset for a team willing to pay the price.
“Makes no sense he’s on the fourth line with the season he’s having,” said a source familiar with the situation. “Columbus had the chance to lock him up long-term and went with a bridge deal. Something’s got to give.”
And let’s not forget Mason Marchment. Since arriving from Seattle in December, the pending free agent has racked up eight goals and 11 points in just nine games.
He’s clicked on the top line with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko, and there’s word that Columbus may try to extend him before the deadline. But if the standings don’t cooperate, Marchment could become one of the more sought-after rentals on the market.
Seattle Kraken: Caught in the Middle, Again
The Seattle Kraken are in a familiar spot-competitive, but not quite convincing. Despite a solid season overall, they’ve stumbled a bit in January, going 4-5-1 in their last 10.
And while they’re tied with the Sharks and Kings at 57 points, they’ve played one more game than both. In the NHL’s version of purgatory, that’s a dangerous place to be.
The Kraken already made an early move, sending Marchment to Columbus for second- and fourth-round picks. And more could be coming. Veterans like Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle, Eeli Tolvanen, and Jamie Oleksiak are all on expiring deals and could fetch decent returns if Seattle decides to pivot.
But the most intriguing name floating around? Shane Wright.
Seattle appears open to moving the former top prospect in a package that could bring back a true game-breaking forward. It’s a bold move, but one that reflects a growing realization in the front office: this team lacks a true franchise cornerstone. Trading Wright would be a gamble, but if it lands them a top-tier offensive weapon, it might be a risk worth taking.
“They realize they don’t have that franchise piece in their organization,” said one league source. “Whether they sell off or make a big swing, they seem ready to address that.”
For now, the Kraken are holding steady. But if their January slide continues, don’t be surprised if they flip the switch and start reshaping the roster in a big way.
Final Word
With the league’s middle tier more congested than ever, we’re in for a fascinating few weeks. Teams like Calgary, Columbus, and Seattle are walking a tightrope between staying competitive and planning for the future.
The moment one of them blinks, the dominoes could start to fall fast. Keep your eyes on these three-they may not be leading the standings, but they’re driving the conversation as the trade deadline approaches.