It would make sense, as the trade deadline approaches, that the contending teams are going to be in a “buying” mood, while those who are out of the race make moves to do things like cut salary, unload players who are about to become free agents, and make plans to go through a “rebuild.” The last part is a point of emphasis, because it can often buy time for some beleaguered executives.

Where to Bet on the NHL

As the deadline is set for Monday, there is obviously widespread speculation as to who is desperate for help and who might be available. And of course, there is the issue of cap space; whoever is wheeling and dealing has to do something that fits.

Will the Avs Find a Backup Goalie?

It is no secret that the Colorado Avalanche, currently priced at +375 to win the Stanley Cup at America’s Bookie, needs somebody to back up goaltender Philipp Grubauer. This has been discussed for quite some time. After all, you need a guy to be as fresh as possible for the playoffs.

The problem is that there are several teams who are always looking for an upgrade on their goalie staff, so acquiring someone suitable is not a task that is accomplished automatically.

Colorado is in the same division as the Vegas Golden Knights (+150 to win the West, +650 to win the Cup), who offer an ideal example of what cap limitations can do to a team at this time.

Cash in Tonight With Winning NHL Picks

There have been games recently where the team has been able to dress only 17 players or less because of the cap rules. Keeping in mind that when a contender makes a trade at the deadline it is with the idea of adding and not subtracting, you can imagine that for a team that is in fact right at the limit, the cap is going to come very much into play.

The general expectation is that the New York Islanders (+165 to win the East and +900 to win the Cup) are going to be aggressive before the clock strikes twelve, because they have a major contributor to replace Anders Lee. The name Kyle Palmieri has been bandied about, and that would make some sense, one supposes, because he is from Long Island. And let’s face it – GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Barry Trotz didn’t come aboard to be timid.

The Boston Bruins will be a curious case, because you know that they went into this season in full expectation of being one of the prime contenders to win the Stanley Cup. They are getting some respect from the oddsmakers (+225 to win the East, +1350 to win the Cup), but they haven’t even sewn up a playoff spot quite yet. They have been aggressive to trade first-round draft picks in the past. Is it worth it this time?

Will Taylor Hall Be Traded?

There are obvious sources where some of the talent might be dealt away from. One of the teams that has been most prominently mentioned is the Buffalo Sabres, who would seem to have some players offering obvious value.

Names like Taylor Hall and Brandon Montour have been among those mentioned the most, but the most intriguing possibility is team captain Jack Eichel, who is currently out of action with a neck injury.

Shop for the Best NHL Odds

Eichel is a legitimate star; a three-time All-Star game participant and, by all accounts, Buffalo’s top offensive threat. And there is interest out there; the New York Rangers (+4500 to win the Stanley Cup), who are chasing down the Bruins, have supposedly put together a package.

But there’s an inherent problem here; when a contender makes a deadline trade, it carries with it a sense of urgency, in that help is needed soon, if not immediately. And although we have kept hearing that Eichel’s injury shouldn’t be “season-ending,” we have mostly heard that from Sabres management, and that might be in the interest of keeping his deadline trade value alive. Nobody knows for sure whether he’s really going to play again this season.