One of the best parts about the NHL trade deadline is the buildup. There are few things as entertaining in sports as imagining trades that would make all the difference in the playoffs or change the direction of a franchise.
Some of those deals either come as a surprise or are a significant risk by the team's management. With lots of teams in the mix this year and only a few sellers, the possibilities for this year's deadline are endless. Let's have a look at a plausible bold moves each team could make ...
Anaheim Ducks
Bold prediction: Acquire Max Pacioretty for a first-round pick and prospects.
Why it could happen: If you looked only at the Ducks' record, you wouldn't think of them as a top contender, but they battled significant injuries to stars Ryan Kesler, Hampus Lindholm and Ryan Getzlaf throughout the first half of the season. Now they are healthy and could be a Stanley Cup contender with one more star player. Anaheim should take any measure possible to win with Getzlaf, 32, still playing like a superstar. With their captain on the ice this season, the Ducks have been dominant, with a 52.1 percent Corsi for percentage and 55.6 percent goals for percentage.
Arizona Coyotes
Bold prediction: Trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson for a top prospect and picks.
Why it could happen: After a flurry of offseason moves did not help the Coyotes take the next step, Arizona should be staying the rebuild course by trading away its most valuable asset. Ekman-Larsson's contract is up after 2019, and considering the likely price tag, it's tough to see him staying in the desert. The Coyotes would be wise to maximize his value the way they did with Keith Yandle in 2015.
Boston Bruins
Bold prediction: Trade Jake DeBrusk for Ryan McDonagh.
Why it could happen: One of the reasons the B's have elevated to a top team is the support their stars have received from young players. DeBrusk, a 2015 first-round pick, has been toward the top of that list, making him a target for any team trying to deal with Boston. While it might sting the Rangers to trade McDonagh, the Blueshirts need to rebuild their roster completely. McDonagh would turn the Bruins from a team with one-and-a-half defensive pairs to having one of the best blue lines in the NHL.
Buffalo Sabres
Bold prediction: Deal a prospect for a scorer who is an upcoming RFA.
Why it could happen: Buffalo's main goal at the deadline is to trade away upcoming unrestricted free agent Evander Kane. After that, it should be looking to acquire more scoring talent to support Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly. Players such as Ottawa's Mark Stone (49 points in 48 games), J.T. Miller (38 points in 60 games) and Max Domi (26 points in 59 games) could all realistically be moved.
Calgary Flames
Bold prediction: Trade Sam Bennett for Montreal's Alex Galchenyuk.
Why it could happen: The No. 4 pick in 2014 has yielded disappointing results in his first three NHL seasons, scoring just 45 points in 218 games. Calgary is set up nicely with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan to compete for years to come, but top defenseman Mark Giordano is 34 years old, so the Flames should be aggressive in their attempts to improve. Montreal has fiddled with Galchenyuk's role for years, and the No. 3 pick from 2012 has failed to take off. Both players could use a change of scenery.
Carolina Hurricanes
Bold prediction: Trade Haydn Fleury for Ottawa's Mike Hoffman.
Why it could happen: Years of sitting in neutral should finally push the Hurricanes to swing a go-for-it trade at the deadline. Carolina is scraping and clawing to hold on to a playoff spot, but it has sputtered lately, including a 4-4-2 record in the past 10 games. While the Canes are dominating the shot counter, ranking No. 1 in the NHL in Corsi for percentage, they have the fifth-worst even-strength scoring rate. One more scorer could help get them back into the postseason for the first time since 2008-09. Meanwhile, the Senators should be looking to deal their expensive players, and Hoffman is set to make $5.2 million per year through 2020. Fleury is a top pick of the Canes (No. 7 overall, 2014) who hasn't broken through.
Chicago Blackhawks
Bold prediction: Trade Brandon Saad for futures.
Why it could happen: Handing out massive contracts to core players who helped them win three Stanley Cups has finally caught up with the Blackhawks. In attempts to rekindle some of the magic (and avoid paying Artemi Panarin), Chicago acquired Saad back from Columbus last offseason. He hasn't produced at the same level as in the past and carries a $6 million cap hit through 2021. On a contending team, Saad could be a worthwhile acquisition given his playoff experience.
Colorado Avalanche
Bold prediction: There will be no bold moves in Colorado.
Why it could happen: The Avalanche have given their fans plenty of reason to believe great things are around the corner. Between maximizing the return for Matt Duchene to Nathan MacKinnon's breakout season, Colorado is a best bet to make noise in 2018-19. But for now, the Avs should be looking to sell upcoming free agents Blake Comeau and Jonathan Bernier. Bold moves would not be wise for their trajectory.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Bold prediction: Bring back Rick Nash.
Why it could happen: Considering Columbus' group of impressive young players, including Seth Jones, Zach Werenski, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Oliver Bjorkstrand, GM Jarmo Kekalainen might feel that sacrificing a future first-round pick won't negatively affect his team's future. While the Blue Jackets have been struggling of late, they still have a Vezina Trophy-winning goalie and are the seventh-ranked team in terms of Corsi for percentage. If the Jackets make the playoffs with another scorer in tow, they could be sneaky-dangerous.
Dallas Stars
Bold prediction: Trade for Thomas Vanek.
Why it could happen: For a team that's been desperate to improve its defensive play the past few seasons, adding a one-dimensional player such as Vanek goes against intuition. However, the Stars have turned into an excellent defensive team under Ken Hitchcock, ranking fifth in goals against. Where Dallas needs help is on the power play, where it ranks 16th. Vanek is at a point in his career where he can play limited 5-on-5 minutes and add serious firepower to a power play.
Detroit Red Wings
Bold prediction: The Red Wings will not get a first-round pick for Mike Green.
Why it could happen: Desperation is a powerful thing, but every team has a limit. Although Green was once one of the NHL's elite offensive defensemen, topping out at 76 points in 2009-10, he hasn't cleared 50 points since then. Green's possession dominance has also faded. He's been a negative relative Corsi player during the past two seasons. Considering he has struggled at times in playoffs past, it would be surprising if a contender went all-in to get him.
Edmonton Oilers
Bold prediction: The Oilers trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Why it could happen: Most teams in Edmonton's position would be happy to sell off any upcoming free agents and move along, but the Oilers should be listening to any offers that don't include the name Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Nugent-Hopkins has been fairly effective this season, and could certainly help a contending team, but at 0.67 points per game for his career, the 2011 No. 1 pick hasn't turned into a game-changer. GM Peter Chiarelli might be looking for any option that will help Edmonton bounce right back in 2018-19.
Florida Panthers
Bold prediction: The Panthers won't make any trades at the deadline.
Why it could happen: Florida has improved its play lately, winning seven of its past 10, but the Panthers are still far enough back in the race that it wouldn't make sense to deal away draft picks or prospects for rentals. Despite some rocky times, the Cats still have a talented young core with Jonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov. They also shouldn't completely bail on their playoff chances, because each team in the race is flawed.
Los Angeles Kings
Bold prediction: Trade for Evander Kane.
Why it could happen: Los Angeles got started with deadline deals early by acquiring Dion Phaneuf from the Senators, and it might not be done. The Kings should still be looking for scoring help as they rank 20th in even-strength scoring rate. With Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty in their primes, and Jeff Carter returning from injury, L.A. could be a nightmare matchup in the playoffs if it adds another tough, speedy scorer.
Minnesota Wild
Bold prediction: Deal Charlie Coyle
Why it could happen: The Wild have waited and waited for Coyle to become a consistent force as a power forward, but at age 25, it doesn't appear that day will come. While Minnesota continues to hang around in the playoff race, it ranks 13th in even-strength scoring rate and 12th in goals against per 60 minutes. The Wild have tried renting players for the stretch run, but this time around they might need to take more drastic measures to escape mediocrity.
Montreal Canadiens
Bold prediction: The Canadiens will blow it up.
Why it could happen: Montreal has spun its wheels for the past three seasons, trading P.K. Subban, firing coach Michel Therrien and acquiring Jonathan Drouin. It might be time to sell off significant pieces such as Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk in order to start over again. The Habs should be looking for NHL-ready young players and prospects in return, as there are only so many years of Carey Price's prime left -- assuming he can bounce back next season.
Nashville Predators
Bold prediction: Wait for Eeli Tolvanen rather than deal assets for a rental.
Why it could happen: The 18-year-old Finnish forward has performed well in the KHL this season, scoring 34 points in 47 games. As soon as the KHL season ends, he could make his way to the NHL to play for the Predators, who drafted him 30th overall in 2017, and add scoring depth on the wing. Since Nashville already made a significant trade for Kyle Turris, it might prefer to wait for Tolvanen rather than move any more prospects or picks.
New Jersey Devils
Bold prediction: Trade for Gustav Nyquist.
Why it could happen: The Devils shouldn't be willing to go wild at the deadline because they are still a long shot to win the Stanley Cup. They could, however, acquire a player on the block who could help them compete this season and take another step next season in Nyquist, who is under contract through 2019 and has scored 43 points or more in each of the past four seasons.
New York Islanders
Bold prediction: Trade Brock Nelson.
Why it could happen: With John Tavares' future unclear, the Islanders must do everything possible to make the postseason. That could include dealing a player who has been part of the core for several years. Nelson, a three-time 20-goal scorer, has seen his ice time drop to a career-low 14:15 per game. The Isles are desperate for help on the blue line, and Nelson could be the player who earns that return from another team.
New York Rangers
Bold prediction: Trade Henrik Lundqvist.
Why it could happen: The Rangers' surefire Hall of Fame goalie is running out of time to win a Stanley Cup. Since New York has already announced it will be selling off everything that isn't nailed down, Lundqvist might be interested in going elsewhere. His contract would be tough to swallow for another team, but there are few goaltenders as accomplished in the postseason as King Henrik.
Ottawa Senators
Bold prediction: Trade Erik Karlsson.
Why it could happen: At this point, maybe calling for a Karlsson deal isn't as bold as it would have been several months ago. If the Swedish superstar doesn't plan to stay in Ottawa long term, the Sens have no other choice than to move him as part of a complete rebuild. The difficulty for Ottawa's management will be that only a handful of teams have enough in the prospect/pick bank to make the deal worthwhile.
Philadelphia Flyers
Bold prediction: The Flyers go all-in and trade for a scorer and a defenseman.
Why it could happen: Philadelphia has caught fire lately and moved up to third place in the Metro. As a team with superstar talent up front and two quality young defensemen, the Flyers could be a serious contender with the addition of a scorer such as Patrick Maroon, and either Johnny Oduya or Nick Holden on defense. The Flyers' extra first-round draft pick in 2018 gives them an opportunity to shoot high without completely sacrificing the future.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Bold prediction: Trade for Michael Grabner.
Why it could happen: It took half the season, but the real Penguins have finally shown up. They have won eight of the past 10, and jumped right into the Capitals' rearview mirror. As long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are around, this team will be in win-now mode. Grabner, who has 25 goals, offers scoring and speed that Pittsburgh needs to become a favorite to three-peat.
San Jose Sharks
Bold prediction: The Sharks get left out of the trade party.
Why it could happen: Every year there is a competitive team that doesn't pull in any of the big names no matter how hard it tries. That team could be San Jose this season, in part because it does not have as much to offer as some other contenders. The Sharks are lacking a second- and third-round pick in 2018, and they might not be keen to deal 21-year-old winger Timo Meier, who is probably their best trade chip.
St. Louis Blues
Bold prediction: Trade for Tyler Bozak.
Why it could happen: St. Louis has been on the cusp for years, and once again it has a team that could make a deep playoff run with a little help. The Blues' identity is defensive-first, as Mike Yeo's team ranks fourth in even-strength goals allowed in the NHL. An extra two-way center for the playoffs could give St. Louis enough depth to get around some of the West's best clubs. However, it might have to give up an NHL defenseman to get him.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Bold prediction: The Lightning will trade for Erik Karlsson.
Why it could happen: It's been a long time since the NHL has had a "superteam." But if the Lightning were able to pry Karlsson away from the Senators, they would be an unstoppable force. Adding the NHL's top offensive defenseman to a club with Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman would make the Lightning the runaway favorite to raise the Cup, no matter what they had to give up. And with a number of top-flight prospects (and young NHLers) in the organization -- as well as all of their 2018 draft picks -- they've got the assets to get the deal done.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Bold prediction: Toronto will sell more than it buys, and be better for it.
Why it could happen: The Leafs have certainly entered their winning window, but one of the reasons they got to this point was by slow-playing their rebuild and not making knee-jerk trades to push the timeline forward (as we have seen from teams such as Buffalo and Arizona). Toronto could get great return on players such as Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk without sinking its chances to win a Cup. The Leafs are the No. 1 even-strength scoring team in the NHL, largely because of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner.
Vancouver Canucks
Bold prediction: The Canucks get surprisingly good return for Thomas Vanek.
Why it could happen: It seems like every year, a team ends up being convinced that Vanek is the answer at the deadline. This time around, there is only a handful of scorers available, such as Rick Nash and Evander Kane. With a high number of teams looking to compete, someone will deal a first-round pick for Vanek. Think it's impossible? Last year Arizona netted a first for Martin Hanzal.
Vegas Golden Knights
Bold prediction: The Golden Knights will greatly affect the deadline -- without making a move.
Why it could happen: Unless it can acquire a franchise-changing player such as Karlsson or Ekman-Larsson, Vegas shouldn't be willing to move out its abundance of draft picks in the next few years for short-term rentals. First, because it has great chemistry as a team. Second, it is set up to be a viable contender long term and shouldn't sacrifice that. The Golden Knights' surprising winning ways have created a shortage of scorers on the market by taking players such as James Neal and David Perron off the table.
Washington Capitals
Bold prediction: The Capitals will let history repeat itself.
Why it could happen: With Alex Ovechkin in the latter years of his prime, the Caps are in a spot to do whatever it takes to get him a Stanley Cup. They made one of the worst deadline deals in recent history when they sent Filip Forsberg to Nashville for Martin Erat in 2013. With only a handful of solid scorers on the market, the Caps might have to pay a hefty price to land a helping hand. They do not have a prospect of Forsberg's ilk in the system right now. But if they deal their most valuable trade asset -- 23-year-old winger Andre Burakovsky, a 2013 first-round pick -- they are destined to regret it.
Winnipeg Jets
Bold prediction: The Jets will (rightfully) overpay for Mats Zuccarello.
Why it could happen: After years of building the roster through strong drafting and development, Winnipeg is the real deal. The Jets are the fifth-best team in even-strength goal differential and have an impressive group of skilled forwards and solid goaltending that make them a Cup contender. They might be one very good forward away from their goal. Zuccarello offers a scoring touch and playoff experience Winnipeg could use. Even if the price tag is high, the Jets should be ready to cash in some future assets to establish themselves as a powerhouse.