Real Kyper’s NHL Buzz: What some teams are weighing ahead of trade deadline

The NHL's incredibly tight mid-season standings have put several teams in a tough spot as they try to figure out what their strategy will be as they enter the trade market. Whether it's parity or mediocrity, the tight balance has woven a daunting web of problems the NHL hasn't seen since the salary cap was first implemented in 2005.

Usually the teams have already split up and it becomes clear who will be at least some of the sellers. Instead, as this season progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for general managers and their front offices to determine whether they should buy or sell before the March 6 deadline.

Next week, as I work on my trading advice, this puzzle has formed a complex picture.

First of all, how difficult it still is to control the salary cap in the league. We know the Colorado Avalanche – with four regulation losses in 42 games – will be shopping and looking to acquire depth at center. But they have capital issues and are projected to have $3.122 million on the day today.

Gone are the days when a small handful of teams dominated the standings and could snatch needed pieces from those buried below. There is a wider spread of talent in the NHL today, with many teams finding themselves in an uncertain middle, fighting for multiple playoff spots. Those teams that may have been sellers in the past are now within striking distance of a playoff spot and face the dilemma of whether to bolster their roster to jump into action, or wait to fight another day and potentially sell a player or two.

And although the sellers have not yet been identified, many potential buyers are also in a precarious position. Since there are so many teams that could still make or break the playoffs, a team doesn't want to trade for someone like Nazem Kadri and then still miss the playoffs. There isn't much of a trade market yet, and it's hard to create one when teams are afraid to make a big deal and close the deal anyway. That's why there's such a glut right now.

Six teams outside the Western Conference wild card are within five points of making it. Every East team that doesn't make the playoffs is within six points of a wild card spot.

So while we're already halfway through this season, it may be too early for many of these teams to make decisions that will not only impact their current season, but could lay the groundwork for many years to come.

One good stretch can dramatically change your outlook. Just ask Buffalo Sabers.

Navigating this landscape requires careful consideration, insight, and sometimes a little luck. Every move has serious consequences, so it's especially important for teams to read the signs carefully despite the chaos.

Eventually the floodgates should open and we will continue to share with you what we hear about the NHL.

So here's some latest trade information and hype around the league…

From first place a year ago to last place this season, Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets are floundering and there seems to be nothing they can do about their decline short of firing their head coach. It's a big question whether you can convince an experienced coach like Peter Laviolette or Pete DeBoer to move there, and there may not be another young up-and-coming coach (like Spencer Carbery) at the moment, but it's hard to imagine them not first mulling a change on the bench.

As far as trades go, I don't see the Jets doing anything and Cheveldayoff isn't one to make hasty decisions. But this is an older, slower team that has to consider moving on from some of its older players. In theory, it would make sense to move on from captain Adam Lowry, but they just re-signed him and he has a no-transfer clause. Players who could bring impressive returns like Lowry, Neal Pionk or Josh Morrissey (for a major shake-up) simply won't be on the table. Expect minor moves, such as dealing UFA Luke Schenn at the deadline, but nothing major.

If there's one thing Winnipeg fans can do this season, it's hope for a Sabers-type winning streak to get them back in the race.

Kyle Dubas finds himself in a difficult position as the Penguins are in the wild card position and have a new owner. First things first: Sidney Crosby isn't going anywhere, and Erik Karlsson's contract ($10 million AAV) will likely handcuff the GM.

There are teams that would love to land Evgeni Malkin, although he is in complete control thanks to a no-movement clause in the final season of his contract. There's talk that Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin is hunkering down in the weeds, hoping to make another big deal, and wondering if Russian Kirill Kaprizov can help convince Malkin to join the Wild for the playoffs. If Malkin allows it, expect him to leave before the trade deadline.

After this, it will be very difficult for Dubas to move Brian Rust or Rickard Rakell (who has partial trade protection) because the team is still in the race – every time they look ready to rebuild, the team is back in the game. Both Rakell and Rust have two years left on their contracts, and if you take them out of the lineup, Crosby won't be too happy. Will the new owner's first impression be to destroy Crosby's core? Unlikely.

As we know, the Leafs are truly limited in the assets they need to pull off a major trade. Easton Cowan was floated as a trade chip last year in an attempt to land Brayden Schenn, but Cowan will be hard to get back into the game this season. However, depending on what the profit will be, we cannot rule out such a possibility.

One idea floating around the league is a larger pivot involving Dallas, specifically Jason Robertson. Contract negotiations there haven't been smooth sailing, with Robertson believed to be looking to make around $12 million a year, which is more than what Mikko Rantanen received. This is a tough number for the Stars. Toronto could pay this amount, but the issue is the acquisition cost. Cowan, Ben Danford and many others are probably an offseason conversation, not a timeline, but this is the move that will truly change the Leafs roster. Whether they have the courage to do this is another question.

Finally, the Leafs have teams in need of a goaltender, and there aren't many spots available at that position. So if Anthony Stolarz can come back and be healthy for a while, he would be a trade piece they could use.

They're just three points away from a playoff spot, but losing Igor Shesterkin to IR is a scary prospect because he's the only reason you'd think the Rangers could win on any given night.

If the Rangers move even further and end up selling, Artemi Panarin is worth keeping an eye on. He has a no-travel clause and could easily stay until it expires, but it would be in his best interest to take a page out of Brad Marchand's book and waive it to join a Stanley Cup contender. By waiving his no-trade clause with Boston last season and winning the Cup with Florida, Marchand pocketed more than $20 million, increasing his value. Panarin will have to do the same if he sees himself as a $9-10 million player. He won't get it from the Rangers.

Meanwhile, Vincent Trocheck is another top-nine player in his career who will be an important addition to the playoff lineup. At 32 years old, he could still return valuable assets to the Rangers in a trade. He's not a “cheap” player with a cap hit of $5.625 million, but he likely still has two or three good years left in him. The Rangers would be wise to move on from some of the older players on their roster, and Trocheck should be a trade option now before his value starts to decline in the coming seasons.

Three weeks ago, general manager Barry Trotz made everyone but Roman Josi available, and I don't think anyone was recalled, even though the Predators moved to within three points of a playoff spot. The management understands that they cannot win with this group.

Jonathan Marchessault is the player to watch here and is likely a bigger target for other teams than Steven Stamkos, whose $8 million AAV would hurt his transfer chances. It's too big of a task for the team, and I'm not sure anyone would like the idea of ​​acquiring Stamkos unless his cap hit drops to $4-5 million. Even Marchessault may not be so easy to move, given that he has three years left on his contract and has full movement protection, but his $5.5 million cap hit is at least manageable.

And finally, despite so much speculation about him, I don't hear Juuse Saros' name at all, but it's entirely possible that he could still be a bomb.

The player Calgary is most looking for is Blake Coleman, who has only partial trade protection and is making $4.9 million over the cap this year and next. He is a versatile player who can be used in any role and is a two-time Cup winner, leading Calgary in goals. If that improves the package enough, the Flames might even consider keeping some of that salary.

The frames are tougher. Teams are wary of his age and the remaining time on his contract. The offers are not encouraging, and this decision could drag on until the trade deadline.

I still think Vegas is circling Rasmus Andersson and might be interested in doing it before the Olympics.

We previously assumed Buffalo would be the seller and UFA Alex Tuch would move on, but their recent performance and incredible rise up the standings has changed the equation. Now new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is actively looking for a buyer.

The Sabers have some good young prospects, a deep system, and could be a sleeper team that can not only acquire a player on the trade market, but also meet Tuch's salary demands of around $10 million. Can they actually move draft and prospect capital to bolster their roster? The next few weeks will have a big impact on Kekalainen's direction and how hard he will compete for a productive forward.

Last season we expected the Blues to make a splash, but they turned things around and returned to the playoffs, so there was no sell-out. The trade deadline for Doug Armstrong as general manager could be different this time around.

Jordan Kyrou has a no-trade clause, but there is a feeling he may relent by waiving it and moving to a rival club. He wants a chance to win, and it's time to consider whether starting over might be better for all parties. Whether it's Cairo, Schenn or any other Blue, Armstrong is willing to move some of his key players if the right deals are made.