Every team's biggest need ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline

The Olympics are over. The NHL is back. Now it’s time for front offices to decide whether they’re buying or selling. With the NHL trade deadline already 8 days away, which teams need to add reinforcements, and which teams need to cut their losses and look to the future?

Let's go over it, in the order of the standings (February 25th):

Colorado Avalanche (BUY) - Forward Help

The Avalanche recently freed up some extra cap space, giving them $8.7M to play with at the deadline. Colorado was in on the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes, but he eventually landed with the Kings, as they were able to provide the extension he was looking for.

This showed us that the Avalanche, who are atop the league in goals for, are looking for even more scoring help. Look for them to be in on some more top-six wingers, or maybe even a third-line center like Nazem Kadri, who they've been linked to previously.

Tampa Bay Lightning (BUY) - Health and more forwards

The Tampa Bay Lightning went on an absolute tear before the Olympic break, and frankly, don't have many holes on the roster. With previously injured guys like Brayden Point returning to the fold as the season resumes, the Lightning really just need their guys to stay healthy down the stretch.

They have been in the mix for various forward options, including Artemi Panarin as well. If they can get their hands on another elite scorer like that, it will be very difficult to stop this star-studded, playoff-experienced roster come playoff time.

Carolina Hurricanes (BUY) - Number. Two. Center.

The Hurricanes have run through their fair share of elite talent at the deadline, from Jake Guentzel a few years ago to the Mikko Rantanen disaster last year. It's time for them to finally find that star second-line center that can get them over the hump.

Look for the Canes to be big-time players in the markets of Elias Petterson, Robert Thomas, Vincent Trochek, etc. Hopefully, they can find a star that can stick around this time.

Minnesota Wild (BUY) - You're gonna hear this a lot...

It feels like half the league needs a center, so get used to hearing this.

After dealing Marco Rossi to the Canucks in the blockbuster trade that landed them superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes, they are left with a hole at center in the top six. Many names have circulated for that role, and management has even stated that they're willing to give up young star goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to fill that hole.

Dallas Stars (BUY) - Right-Handed Defenceman

A need for the Stars for quite a while now has been a right-handed defenceman. Miro Heiskanen is a notable lefty who plays on his off-side, but there hasn't been much help behind him over the last few years.

The stars could also look at gritty forwards with scoring touch, like Blake Coleman, who they've been linked to recently. This is more a luxury than a true need, as the stars have one of the best top 9's in the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens (BUY) - Top line winger...and the usual

Management seems to prioritize finding a top-line winger to play with Caufield and Suzuki, but second-line center has also been a major talking point for them throughout the year. Many believe they could also use more size on the right side of their defence. They also have yet to figure out what to do with Patrik Laine.

Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen have been good in those roles, but the Canadiens have a roster logjam that needs fixing, and plenty of assets to make a move. Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, Nazem Kadri, and Blake Coleman are names they've been linked to most notably. With prospect Michael Hage on the way, the need for a 2C has diminished.

Detroit Red Wings (BUY) - Everything?

The Wings have been in rumours for what feels like nearly every available player in the NHL as of late. Their most pressing need is certainly a right-handed defenceman, but surprise, surprise, they're also looking into star top-six centers.

Detroit might finally be out of the basement and have a plethora of assets to make a move. They are believed to be one of, if not the most active team at the deadline.

Pittsburgh Penguins (NEUTRAL) - Do we even question Dubas anymore?

Don't care, let Dubas do whatever he wants. From the outside perspective, the Penguins are in no man's land without a true path. However, Kyle Dubas has been quietly stacking assets, while his roster sits 8th in the standings. Sorcery.

Buffalo Sabres (NEUTRAL) - Health and Hope

Honestly, the Sabres look like an absolute wagon right now, and they shouldn't break that chemistry. The Sabres have been the laughing stock of the league for a very long time, and they finally have something really good going on. No need to get too aggressive and risky.

The main priority for the Sabres should be finding a way to re-sign forward Alex Tuch. Buffalo's size has been a big reason for its success this season. They don't want to lose him for nothing.

Boston Bruins (BUY) - Is there even enough right-handed defencemen?

The Bruins are another big surprise this season, as many had them missing the playoffs. However, they are firmly in the mix in a strong Atlantic division.

The Bruins are yet another team looking for a right-handed defenceman, and maybe even a top-six center. These positions are going to have major premiums attached to them this year.

New York Islanders (BUY) - Scoring

Feels like the Islanders have been in the lower half of the league in "goals for" for a very long time now. Adding another scorer will be necessary if they want to go on a run.

The Islanders were another big surprise to be contending this year after having the first overall pick just last year. However, 18-year-old Matthew Schaeffer has really elevated this squad above expectations. May also be best for them to stay put and keep the focus on the future.

Vegas Golden Knights (BUY) - Depth

Vegas already made its big move, acquiring Rasmus Andersson from the Flames in January, but we know from experience that Vegas is never done dealing (no pun intended).

They could make a few minor depth deals to shore up their bottom pair or bottom six forward group, as they enter yet another playoff run in their short history.

Columbus Blue Jackets (NEUTRAL) - How'd they even get here?

Many thought the Blue Jackets would be sellers at this year's deadline just over a month ago, as they were sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. However, after the hiring of head coach Rick Bowness, they find themselves only four points out of a playoff spot as the season resumes.

Whether they will be buyers or not remains to be seen. Using their pending UFA's as their own rentals may be their best path as they enter the deadline. But that doesn't mean they won't make a surprising splash move for a scoring winger, which they could use.

Washington Capitals (BUY) - Scoring winger

In what's been an injury-riddled and overall disappointing season for the Capitals, the Olympic break may have come at a perfect time. Their banged-up players are now rested, and they should be able to make a strong push for the playoffs in the weaker Metro Division.

A scoring winger has been a need for the defensive heavy capitals for a while now, as they were a team in on Artemi Panarin as well. After missing out on reuniting Ovi with his Russian counterpart, expect them to take another run at a star winger.

Utah Mammoth (NEUTRAL) - Future

It feels like the Mammoth have been teasing a big deadline move for a while now, but have never been able to get something done. After missing out on the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, they settled for JJ Peterka in what many thought was a lopsided trade in favour of Utah. But with how Josh Doan has played for the Sabres, there's certainly a debate to be had.

Without many superstar wingers available at this deadline, it may be best for them to stay put once again. However, with Nick Schmaltz entering unrestricted free agency, a long-term replacement for his services would be a great addition for the Mammoth.

Edmonton Oilers (BUY) - Don't drive McDavid out of town

Defence, depth forwards, and goaltending have all been long-term issues for the Oilers. With another coach seemingly on the way out, and another struggling goaltender acquired, McDavid is being given fewer reasons to stick around every day.

Their top-of-the-lineup players have never been the problem, but hopefully, they can find the right combination of depth to finally get over the hump. With the contract of Andrew Mangiapane on the way out, another depth forward should be what they look to.

Seattle Kraken (BUY) - Someone has to want to go there, right?

Even with a massive 14M AAV offer to Artemi Panarin, he declined and settled for less money in LA. At this point, it just seems like no stars want to play in Seattle.

The Kraken have been trying for a star winger since they became a franchise, and nothing has ever materialized. With reported interest in Jordan Kyrou, he could be the top-six winger they've been searching for...but he also has a NMC.

Anaheim Ducks (NEUTRAL) - Trust the process

The Anaheim Ducks easily have one of the brightest futures in the NHL, even though they cooled off after their hot start.

They were also one of the teams that had reported interest in Mitch Marner last season. However, similar to the Mammoth, it may be wise to stay put and allow their young core to continue to develop.

Toronto Maple Leafs (SELL?) - Don't even think they know

The Leafs are in a very wait-and-see spot. They are well out of a playoff spot, but don't know if it's time to sell just yet. These next five games will be very indicative of the route they take.

If they decide to sell, look for players like Bobby McMann to be shipped out of town. If they look to buy, look for a puck-moving defenceman like Dougie Hamilton to garner interest on the back end.

Ottawa Senators (BUY) - Leafs lite

The Senators are in nearly the same boat as the Leafs, but in their case, they can't sell as they do not own their first-round pick this year. It's a really weird spot for Ottawa, but they continue to push on and have been in heavy rumours to acquire defenceman Mackenzie Weegar of late.

The Sens have a need on the right side of their defence with the poor play of Nick Jensen, and the Ottawa native in Weegar may be the answer to those problems.

Philadelphia Flyers (SELL) - Future

The Flyers have looked ok this season under Rick Tocchet, but they aren't fully there yet. With Rasmus Ristolainen circulating in trade circles, it's time to maximize his value and pile on their strong group of future assets. Philly's time will come, but they'll have to wait.

Florida Panthers (SELL) - Throw in the towel

The back-to-back defending champs won't go down without a fight, but with the injuries they've sustained this season, it may be time to throw in the towel. With most of the core under contract, it would be wise to accept this season as a wash and just start over next year.

The question will be what they do with pending UFA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, as they are unlikely to retain the 37-year-old netminder. Trading Spencer Knight helped win them a championship, and they do not regret it. However, they are left without a true successor to the Hall of Famer and Panthers legend.

Los Angeles Kings (BUY) - Even Panarin isn't enough scoring help

The Kings landed the big fish of this year's trade cycle, being the lucky winners of the Artemi Panarin sweepstakes. Even after acquiring a 90-100 point player, LA somehow still needs scoring help, having bottom-five rankings in both goals for and power play percentage.

The loss of Kevin Fiala at the Olympics certainly makes this even worse. They'll need to find another goal scorer to fix the deficiencies of Jim Hiller's offensive system. Patrik Laine has been connected to the Kings recently, but they're waiting for better opportunities to surface.

Nashville Predators (SELL) - Get younger

While the Predators' desire to make it work with their veteran core has been admirable, it's time to let go and look to the future. Ryan O'Reilly's value is as high as it'll ever be, and with so many teams around the league needing a center, they should cash in that value.

Michael Bunting has also garnered interest from playoff teams for his gritty style, so they should be looking to cash in on his value as well.

San Jose Sharks (BUY) - Buyers?

The Sharks surprised everyone after landing highly touted grinder Kieffer Sherwood at the expense of multiple second-round picks a month ago. The Sharks are another team with an extremely bright future led by superstar Macklin Celebrini, but they seem to be looking to contend as early as this year.

The Sharks have been in the rumour mill looking for a top-four right-handed defenceman (join the club) with previous interest in Dougie Hamilton and Braeden Schneider.

New Jersey Devils (SELL) - A shake-up

Where do the Devils even go from here? A team that was supposed to be near the top of the Eastern Conference now sits at the bottom of the barrel. They were reported to be looking into a major roster shakeup over the Olympic break. We should see what that exactly means in the coming days.

There have been plenty of rumours about them shopping defenceman Dougie Hamilton, as mentioned. However, many wonder if this big shakeup will involve a hockey trade with one of their struggling forwards, Jesper Bratt or Timo Meier.

Chicago Blackhawks (SELL) - Offload UFA's, Futures

The Hawks are also in a similar boat to the Mammoth, but a few years more behind in their rebuild. All they can really do is offload expiring deals for futures, and maybe make a move for a young forward with term to help out Conor Bedard.

Maximizing value on defenceman Conor Murphy is the top priority.

Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, St Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks (SELL)

Sell. No need to beat around the bush. All of these teams have been an absolute disaster compared to their records last year. Time to sell and restart.

These teams all have valuable veterans who are heavily wanted around the league. It's time to cash in on their value while it's at its highest.