The NHL trade deadline is days away, and some teams need a reality check.
They’re unlikely to make the playoffs, and they have valuable trade assets who could fetch them good returns so they can try to move the needle next season.
Here’s more on four clubs in particular.
Boston Bruins
More NHL teams need to learn from what the Boston Bruins did on Tuesday.
The Bruins traded pending UFA center Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers via the New Jersey Devils instead of keeping him for the rest of the season.
Boston needed to be realistic. Ahead of Tuesday night’s games, the Bruins were two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens are between Boston and Detroit. They also don’t have defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy right now due to injuries.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney had to be cold-blooded in comparing whatever importance there is to make the playoffs this season and the team gaining assets to reset in the next season or two as a more competitive squad. It will likely be more of a retool than a rebuild, which is why they should keep Brad Marchand, but they should also look at trading pending UFA Justin Brazeau as well and lean into being sellers by Friday’s NHL trade deadline.
New York Islanders
This writer just never saw the Islanders as a playoff team this season. And here we are, with the Islanders sitting third-last in the Eastern Conference.
Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has to come to his senses and start moving out veteran pieces – most notably, center Brock Nelson and right winger Kyle Palmieri. Keeping them beyond the deadline would be a big mistake, especially if they walk in free agency. The team’s back-to-back third-round playoff appearances were four and five years ago now, and staying in the mushy middle doesn’t bring them any closer to a Stanley Cup or a franchise prospect.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are worse this season than during last year’s setback following their second-round playoff appearance in 2022-23.
GM Ron Francis already added 24-year-old right winger Kaapo Kakko, but the changes shouldn’t stop there. Pending UFAs Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev also have to be moved for the best offer Francis can get for them.
The young Kraken must focus on the long term, which means parting with pending UFAs who don’t fit in their competitive window. Their playoff chase this season has failed, barring a miraculous comeback. It’s best to focus beyond this season.
St. Louis Blues
Rumors are rampant that the Blues could trade captain Brayden Schenn, and frankly, that could be a good sign for this team. Despite the Blues making serious changes last off-season, their points percentage is lower than in 2023-24. It’s time to come to grips with reality.
They’re one point behind Calgary for the final Western Conference wild-card berth ahead of Tuesday night’s games. That shouldn’t stop them from making a move that makes future Blues squads not have to worry about battling just to make the playoffs at this point of the season.
Schenn’s still got good value, and the Blues could bring in players who haven’t reached their prime yet and develop with the squad.
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