We’re six weeks out from the NHL trade deadline. It’s a little early for major moves to start happening, but it’s a great time to evaluate the potential buyer teams from a big-picture perspective.
So the question this week for the Daily Faceoff Roundtable is: Which team needs to go all-in at the trade deadline? Think “prospects and picks be damned, pedal to the metal, do everything to improve your group right now.”
MATT LARKIN: I have to believe it’s the Toronto Maple Leafs. General manager Kyle Dubas has no contract for next year, so he has to deliver results at any cost. The Leafs have been fairly conservative holding onto their prospects in the past couple of years, and Nick Robertson’s season-ending injury is a cautionary tale about waiting too long and not selling high. They’re currently on a collision course to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs again. If the Leafs blow that series, hardware stores in Toronto won’t be able to stock enough pitchforks. Whether it’s a top-four defenseman or a goaltending upgrade or a middle-six center or all of the above, Dubas must find a way to make the money work and bring in whatever immediate help he can get. If he has to sacrifice a first-round pick, a top prospect, a young roster player — so be it. The time for conservative thinking is long gone in Hogtown. Especially when, if the Leafs keep bombing out in Round 1, the odds of Auston Matthews wanting to re-sign might go down.
NICK ALBERGA: For me, weirdly enough, it’s the Boston Bruins. Simply put, leave no stone unturned. Yes, they’re currently the No. 1 team in the NHL, but you can never have enough depth in the Stanley Cup playoffs. On top of that, their window to win is profoundly now — at least in my opinion. With the uncertainty surrounding Patrice Bergeron’s future and both Brad Marchand and David Krejci, among others, not getting any younger, why not put all your chips in the middle? I’d love to see Boston go big-game hunting…maybe for a center. Bo Horvat? Ryan O’Reilly? Furthermore, I think this will be their best shot with this current nucleus.
MIKE MCKENNA: First off, I never knew Toronto was known as Hogtown. Learn something new every day here at Daily Faceoff. Anyway, I think the Carolina Hurricanes need to stop thinking with their heads for once and do something daring. They have made smart, cost-efficient decisions ever since Tom Dundon bought the team — and kudos for doing so. But the past several seasons have seen Carolina lack the scoring punch necessary to make it deep in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Rod Brind’Amour is an outstanding coach. The defensive core is rock solid. Goaltending is good — especially knowing that Pyotr Kochetkov is waiting in the wings if Frederik Andersen or Antti Raanta falters down the stretch or isn’t available. But Max Pacioretty was supposed to be the big offensive self-add, and he’s seriously hurt again. That’s a common theme with Pacioretty, who hasn’t been available for a full postseason in years due to various injuries. The Canes need help at center, and they need someone who can improve their lagging power play. Carolina has the ethos and drive to make it far. As I see it, the high-end talent just isn’t there.
STEVEN ELLIS: I’m going with the Edmonton Oilers. This team has too much talent to just fall by the wayside. I’ve said it before, and many others have too: Stop wasting the peak years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. There’s enough high-end talent for this group to make the playoffs and go beyond. We know what 97 and 29 can do when the pressure is on. But they need help, and if that means moving a key young prospect or some picks, so be it. Give them some extra scoring. Shore up the blueline. Heck, take a run at a goalie if they so desire. But make this team competitive now and start making the most of having two of the best players in the world.
FRANK SERAVALLI: I’m not a huge fan of the idea of going “all-in,” because I think this sport is too random. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t improve your chance to win or make your team better. But I subscribe to the Hurricanes’ model of business, which is that the proper approach is to give yourself as many chances to get in and win as possible, thinking that at some point you’ll break through. I’d never “advocate” for a team to sacrifice its future for the present, but for the sake of this story, I think one team that would be in the mix to consider it is the Winnipeg Jets. They’ve spent a ton of money on this core over the years. They’ve given them a second chance when they probably didn’t deserve one after last season. And there is limited runway left, especially if Pierre-Luc Dubois really is walking after this season. They’ve got the goalie who can carry them there in Connor Hellebuyck. They’ve got the scoring. And now they need a little extra push to get over the finish line in a wide open Western Conference.
