Trade deadline day is just the latest thrilling event in what has been a fantastic stretch for the NHL.
Building on the momentum from the entertaining 4 Nations Faceoff tournament, the swap meet before Friday’s deadline will not only provide plenty of hot-stove fodder but also set the stage for an exciting stretch drive.
Just one look at the standings will whet the appetite in the final hours before the final buzzer sounds at 3 p.m. ET.
Staring at the wild-card position chase, the Columbus Blue Jackets (68 points) and Ottawa Senators (67 points) hold the two positions in the Eastern Conference. But one point outside are the New York Rangers; two back are both the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens; and three behind are the Boston Bruins.
The New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers are right behind those teams, but both clubs are selling assets instead of making additions for a push, the wisest course of action for them both.
In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche (76 points) are in the first wild-card position but also tied with the Minnesota Wild for third place in the Central Division. Minnesota holds one game in hand.
The Calgary Flames (68 points) hold the second spot, but the Vancouver Canucks are one point back, the St. Louis Blues are two, and Utah Hockey Club is three off the pace.
Unless the Wild collapse completely — which is possible due to their injuries — only one of the Flames, Canucks, Blues and Utah will reach the postseason. Even so, all of those squads must skate the fine line between making a push for a playoff spot while keeping an eye on the future.
Even more fascinating will be what happens among the clubs solidly in a playoff spot.
Worth watching is how the Carolina Hurricanes handle Mikko Rantanen, the pending unrestricted free agent they shelled out a pretty penny to acquire from the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24. It would have been a crazy thought that day that the Hurricanes would flip Rantanen, but even with a Stanley Cup crown in their view, they may try to recoup other assets instead.
Speaking of the Avalanche, they made a huge splash late Thursday night by acquiring Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders for a top prospect and first-round draft choice. Combined with previous deals, the Avalanche are again a legitimate contender, and the reaction from the Winnipeg Jets will be enthralling.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a similar boat. Sandwiched between the two Sunshine State clubs, the Maple Leafs have seen both the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning make strong acquisitions in the heated race.
Out West, the Los Angeles Kings must know standing pat will be a fool’s errand after watching both the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights add forward depth, not to mention what the Stars and Avalanche have done.
Adding to the mix is the caliber of players who a few months ago would have been impossible to consider trade bait. We’re talking about the likes of Brad Marchand in Boston, Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues, Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Whether they are pending free agents or players that contenders would love to add even with contracts that go beyond this season, the potential for bigger names on the move is increased.
So keep those phones handy and notifications on, because the wheeling and dealing will be fast and furious.
And then brace for a thrill-a-minute ride to the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs
