Maple Leafs’ Blue Line in Flux, Trade Market Heating Up
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been working the phones for weeks, looking to shore up their blue line - and that was before things got even messier.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Wednesday night’s game with an injury, and while there’s no official word yet on the severity, it only adds to the growing list of concerns on Toronto’s back end. Then came Thursday’s update from Chris Johnston, noting that Brandon Carlo may have tweaked something despite finishing the game. The Leafs had Thursday off, so we’ll likely get more clarity on Carlo’s status Friday.
But even before these latest developments, the Leafs were already navigating a defensive minefield. Chris Tanev remains out with an uncertain timeline, and there’s a very real possibility his season is over. That’s left Toronto’s front office in full evaluation mode, combing through trade options in hopes of finding the right fit to stabilize the blue line.
One name that continues to surface is Luke Schenn, currently with the Winnipeg Jets. Schenn’s a pending UFA, and he brings exactly what the Leafs could use right now - a steady, physical presence who knows the system and doesn’t try to do too much. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable, and at this point in the season, that’s gold.
Dougie Hamilton is another name in the mix, though that’s a more complicated scenario. He’s got two and a half years left on a deal that carries a $9 million cap hit.
If the Devils were willing to retain some salary - and if Toronto is indeed on Hamilton’s approved list of teams - then it’s at least a conversation. But it’s not a simple plug-and-play move.
That kind of deal takes serious maneuvering and cooperation from both sides.
The bigger issue for Toronto? Limited trade assets. They’re not exactly flush with picks or high-end prospects they’re willing to part with, which is why someone like Schenn, who wouldn’t cost as much, might be the more realistic target.
Bottom line: the Leafs are back in the playoff mix and need help on the blue line. They know it.
The rest of the league knows it. Now it’s just a matter of finding the right deal - and doing it fast enough to make a difference.
Sweden’s Olympic Hopes Hit by Injury Bug
Ekman-Larsson’s injury doesn’t just impact Toronto - it adds to a growing list of headaches for Team Sweden ahead of the Olympics. The early word is that his injury shouldn’t affect his Olympic availability, but it’s yet another name on a list that’s already too long.
Sweden head coach Sam Hallam is already preparing to be without Jonas Brodin and Leo Carlsson. Brodin, one of the NHL’s premier shutdown defensemen, is a massive loss - especially when you consider how well he matches up against elite talent like Connor McDavid. According to reports, Brodin is expected to miss six to eight weeks, while Carlsson will be out three to five.
Sweden isn’t naming replacements just yet, holding out hope that some of their other banged-up stars will be ready in time. That includes Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, Gabriel Landeskog, Joel Eriksson Ek, and William Nylander - all currently dealing with injuries but trending in the right direction.
If Sweden can get even a few of those names back in time, they’ll still be a force. But right now, it’s a waiting game - and the margin for error is shrinking.
Oilers Zeroing in on Top-Nine Forward Help
The Edmonton Oilers are back to looking like a contender, and their front office is acting accordingly.
Coming out of last week’s pro scouting meetings, the Oilers have put together a list of top-nine forwards they’re targeting ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. GM Stan Bowman has already started laying the groundwork, reaching out to teams around the league to gauge interest and availability.
That said, most of these conversations are still in the early stages. The market is slow to develop - a byproduct of a league where parity has kept most teams in the hunt and reluctant to sell off assets just yet.
It’s likely that any major move from Edmonton won’t come until after the Olympics. Internally, the big debate centers around Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: is he more valuable at center or on the wing, especially when he’s clicking so well alongside McDavid? It’s a good problem to have, but it does influence what type of forward they pursue.
There’s a wider pool of wingers available right now, which may end up steering the Oilers in that direction. But don’t rule anything out - they’re clearly in go-for-it mode, and they’re not afraid to be aggressive if the right name becomes available.
Panthers Staying Patient, but Exploring Options
The Florida Panthers looked like they’d shaken off their early-season rust about a month ago. But lately, the wheels have started to wobble again, and they now sit five points out of a playoff spot.
The Eastern Conference is a logjam. Four teams have crossed the 63-point mark, but behind them?
Ten teams are bunched between 53 and 59 points. It’s a knife fight for the final spots, and Florida is right in the thick of it.
The Panthers have been hit hard by injuries all year. They just got Matthew Tkachuk back, but Seth Jones is still about a month away from being fully healthy - and that recovery timeline cost him a shot at the Olympics.
GM Bill Zito is working the phones, exploring all sorts of options. There’s no specific target right now - just a willingness to listen and see what could make sense.
But the Panthers aren’t going to make a move just to make a move. They’ve been smart and calculated in their trades over the past few years, and that approach hasn’t changed.
One complicating factor: the salary cap. Florida needs to keep Aleksander Barkov’s cap hit on the books in case he returns for the playoffs, which limits how much flexibility they have. Add in the injury toll, and it’s a tricky puzzle to solve.
Still, if there’s a way to improve, Zito will find it. The Panthers know their window is open - now it’s about staying in the fight long enough to keep it that way.
Rangers Committed to Miller Through the Rebuild
The New York Rangers are entering a new phase, and GM Chris Drury made sure to sit down with all his players holding full no-move clauses to talk through the direction of the team.
Among those players: J.T. Miller, Vladislav Gavrikov, Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, and Mika Zibanejad.
And while there’s been speculation about Miller’s future, league sources say he has no intention of waiving his no-move clause. He wants to stay - and the Rangers want him to stay.
Drury isn’t pushing for a change there. The Rangers traded for Miller last season and still believe in what he brings, both on the ice and in the locker room. He’s their captain, and he wants to be part of the solution as the team retools.
As for Artemi Panarin, who also holds a no-move clause, the situation is different. He’s a pending UFA, and the Rangers have told him they won’t be re-signing him. They’ll work with him on a trade before the deadline.
But don’t expect a mass exodus. The Rangers are being strategic, not reactionary. And with Miller firmly in the fold, they’ve still got a core piece to build around as they chart their next chapter.