NHL Trade Deadline Watch: Predators Open to All Options, Maple Leafs in Wait-and-See Mode, Blue Jackets Drawing Interest
As the NHL trade deadline inches closer, the landscape is shifting fast-and for a few teams, the decisions looming ahead are anything but easy. Whether it’s Nashville weighing its future, Toronto walking the tightrope between buying and selling, or Columbus fielding calls on a suddenly hot roster, the next few weeks could reshape more than just playoff races.
Predators GM Barry Trotz: “Nothing’s Off the Table”
Let’s start in Nashville, where GM Barry Trotz made it crystal clear this week: no one is untouchable, including veteran center Ryan O’Reilly.
Speaking on 102.5 The Game, Trotz didn’t mince words when asked if fans should assume O’Reilly will stay put through the deadline.
“No, I think everything has to be on the table,” Trotz said. “I have to listen to all offers. If there’s an offer that blows my mind a bit, then I have to listen.”
That’s a strong signal from a front office that knows where it stands. The Predators aren’t in a playoff spot right now, and Trotz is sticking to his early-season message-this isn’t a time for half-measures. If something makes the team better long-term, they’re open to it.
O’Reilly, for his part, has been productive. Through 53 games, he’s put up 18 goals and 33 assists, and he’s under contract for another season at a $4.5 million cap hit.
He doesn’t have any formal trade protection, but Trotz has said they’re treating him with the respect of a player who does. That likely means any move would come with communication and consideration.
But make no mistake: if the right deal comes along, even a leader like O’Reilly could be on the move.
Maple Leafs Waiting on Road Trip to Define Deadline Strategy
Up in Toronto, the Maple Leafs are in a bit of a holding pattern. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the team isn’t ready to wave the white flag on the season-but the next few games could be decisive.
Toronto just dropped the first game of a four-game road trip heading into the Olympic break, and GM Brad Treliving is using this stretch as a barometer. If the team falters, it could push the Leafs into seller territory. If they rally, Treliving may look to add.
Either way, he’s doing his homework. That includes gauging the market for several pending unrestricted free agents-players like Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Troy Stecher, and Calle Jarnkrok. Treliving has to weigh whether moving them now makes more sense than trying to extend them later.
It’s a delicate balance. Toronto still has playoff aspirations, but the cap crunch and roster construction questions aren’t going away. This trip could be the tipping point.
Blue Jackets on a Hot Streak-but Deadline Questions Loom
Then there’s Columbus, one of the league’s more intriguing storylines right now. Since making a coaching change-firing Dean Evason and bringing in Rick Bowness-the Blue Jackets have gone 6-1. That kind of run has them trending in the right direction, but it hasn’t locked in their trade deadline identity just yet.
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, the Jackets don’t want to be sellers. But that decision will ultimately hinge on where they sit when the Olympic break hits.
The reality? There just aren’t many sellers out there right now, and that’s creating a bit of a bottleneck for teams looking to buy.
If Columbus does decide to sell, they’ve got some intriguing pieces. Boone Jenner is a fan favorite and a leader in the room, but he’s also a pending UFA.
Mason Marchment-acquired earlier this season-was always a potential flip candidate. Charlie Coyle and Erik Gudbranson are also drawing interest.
The center market is especially thin, and that’s made Coyle a hot name. Teams are calling.
Columbus has options. Jenner, though, might be the exception.
The Blue Jackets value his presence enough that they may look to extend him rather than move him.
Final Word
With the deadline creeping closer, front offices around the league are doing what they do best: evaluating, listening, and preparing for every scenario. Nashville’s ready to make bold moves.
Toronto’s waiting to see if this road trip salvages their season. And Columbus?
They’re riding momentum, but they’re not ruling anything out.
What happens next could shape not just this season-but the next several. Stay tuned.