Deadline team needs: Metropolitan Division
The NHL trade deadline is set for March 1, and at this point, most teams should have a clear sense of what the plan is.
Even though the playoff race remains tight, the Metropolitan Division has clear buyers and sellers.
Here's a look at the needs of each of the eight teams.
Carolina Hurricanes
Need: Top-line center
The Hurricanes sit at the bottom of the division, but have a bright and promising future, with plenty of young talent already on the roster.
Defense is a clear area of strength, and general manager Ron Francis recently admitted he'd be willing to consider using that depth to address an area of weakness.
Carolina's biggest flaw is down the middle, where it lacks a top-line scoring center. That kind of deal, however, may have to wait until the offseason.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Need: Backup goalie
Basically a lock to at least earn a wild-card playoff spot, the Blue Jackets' biggest need is someone to ease Sergei Bobrovsky's load down the stretch.
With 24 games remaining on the schedule, the star goalie is 11 starts short of his career high (58), and current backup Joonas Korpisalo hasn't proven reliable enough to trust with more than the odd spot start.
New Jersey Devils
Need: Sell
Forward P.A. Parenteau, defenseman Kyle Quincey, and goalie Keith Kinkaid are all set to become unrestricted free agents at season's end, and are therefore prime candidates to be moved prior to the deadline.
GM Ray Shero might also like to dump the contract of recently scratched forward Mike Cammalleri, but, with two years and $10 million remaining on the deal, that's probably easier wished for than done.
New York Islanders
Need: Reason for John Tavares to stay
After a disappointing start to the season, the Islanders are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and should be looking for any and every opportunity to make sure they get in.
Tavares, the face of the franchise, can hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent in 2018, and Garth Snow can ill afford to have his team take a major step backward after a second-round appearance in 2016.
The Islanders have the pieces to pull off a big deal, and, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday, have been on Matt Duchene's trail since November.
That'll play.
New York Rangers
Need: Scoring D, veteran experience
The Rangers, like every team in the NHL, would love to add a scoring, top-pair defenseman. They pulled off a deal like that in 2015 for Keith Yandle, who was not sufficiently replaced after being dealt to Florida before hitting UFA status.
What's more attainable is veteran depth up front, and a player like Brian Boyle - who spent five seasons with the Rangers earlier in his career - would be a wise addition to New York's young crop of forwards.
Philadelphia Flyers
Need: Sell
The Flyers could be a target for teams in need of help on the blue line, with Mark Streit, Michael Del Zotto, and Nick Schultz all playing on expiring contracts.
Both goalies - Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth - are set to become UFAs, and could fetch decent returns on the trade market, while depth forwards like Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Chris VandeVelde could also be moved.
In short, GM Ron Hextall should remain patient and resist any temptation to trade prospects for a seeming quick fix.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Need: Defense, scoring winger
The Penguins are currently down three defensemen, with Justin Schultz, Olli Maatta, and Trevor Daley all out with various injuries. Bringing in help on the blue line, then, is key for GM Jim Rutherford.
At the same time, Sidney Crosby - who's recently been playing with Chris Kunitz and Jake Guentzel - could use a winger who's a bit closer to his level, but that's an old song in Pittsburgh and he always seems to get the job done regardless.
As an aside, the Penguins also have to make a decision on Marc-Andre Fleury, but that likely won't happen until after the postseason.
Washington Capitals
Needs: None, really
The Capitals boast a roster built to win now, with no apparent weaknesses.
Washington already added Tom Gilbert on defense, and could look to further shore up that position. Up front, the Capitals added depth last summer, and seem set to enter the playoffs with the current mix.
Change is afoot in the offseason either way, as the club has several free agents to deal with. For now, it'll be hit or miss with the current group.
(Photos courtesy: USA TODAY Sports)