The trade deadline is fast approaching and it’s time to take a look at what the Mass Mutual East division teams are most likely to do at the deadline.
With the trade deadline fast approaching for April 12, we look to break down who will be buying, who will be selling, and who will be the total wildcards for the Mass Mutual East division. Currently, the top four teams who would make the playoffs were the season to end today April 5th, 2021 would be the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Boston Bruins.
Buyers
The teams who will without a doubt be looking to make some late-season additions for the playoff run will be the Capitals, Islanders, Penguins, and Bruins. Washington is currently first in the division with 50 points and a two-point lead over the Islanders. Look to see the Capitals try and add some scoring depth at forward to balance out their lineup. The Islanders to will look to add some depth at forward and maybe even bring in someone to help with scoring.
The Pittsburgh Penguins made multiple changes to the front office on February 9th of this year and fans can almost guarantee to see the Penguins try and make a huge splash at the deadline. Both Ron Hextall and Brian Burke have taken over the reins in Pittsburgh and will no doubt be looking to make a BOLD statement for the future of the team will be under their regime. Lastly, expect to see the Boston Bruins try to get the pieces to make a final push at another cup run. With certain core players like Patrice Bergeron getting older this is the proverbial last kick at the can for this group.
Sellers
No doubt the biggest disappointment in the NHL this season has to be the Buffalo Sabers with 8-23-6 record fans should no doubt expect to see the Sabers be in a full-out fire sale “everything must go” looking to recoup future picks with the hopes to build for the future. New Jersey Devils fans should also expect to see the Devils look to be moving anyone and everyone to try and get better for the future. Especially notable names like P.K. Subban to try and get picks for the future. Fans also shouldn’t be surprised to see teams this deadline looking for picks in 2022 and not 2021. With the various Canadian leagues and colleges not being able to have a normal season the ability to scout prospect by teams has been impeded.
Wild Cards
The Mass Mutual East division currently sports two teams that fall under the Wildcard category. The Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers both have been surprising if not disappointing. With the Rangers’ recent success of late and the potential to make a late-season run to make the playoffs, it will be interesting to see how the front office decides what will be best for the future. Either trying to win now or more likely try and retool and get pieces to help the team win in the future. The Flyers have been rather disappointing as of late going 3-5-2 in their last 10 and losing badly to the Rangers. With GM Chuck Fletcher having been hired in 2018, will most likely feel “safe” in his position and look to play the long-term game rather than mortgaging the team’s future for the chance to make the playoffs.
With the future uncertain for some teams the trade deadline will offer us a glimpse into who feels confident and who is looking to the future. Expect to see lots of action and maybe some head-scratchers from the Mass Mutual East and even see some big-name players on the move like Veterans like Taylor Hall or maybe even Jeff Skinner as teams like Buffalo look to unload on large contracts and recoup capital in draft picks. Look for draft picks to be in the 2022 draft with many of the junior leagues not being able to play and scouting not being at its most efficient this season. It will be an exciting push to the Cup Finals for some and a testament of patience for others this deadline.
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