NHL trade deadline is fast approaching

By Greg Buchanan

The days are ticking down to the NHL trading deadline. This is arguably the most important day on the regular-season calendar for Stanley Cup contenders or teams that would like to become contenders. It’s the one time of the year when the floodgates open and players who’d never been available under other circumstances suddenly shake free, often costing nothing but future assets. For a smart general manager, this is the time to shine and to make the big move (or two or three) - the move that will push his team across the finish line and earn him a big shiny ring. It’s no secret that Jake Guentzel would be a dream fit in Edmonton with the Oilers on Leon Draisaitl’s wing. And if they want an upgrade on Cody Ceci on the back end, Chris Tanev is at the top of their list ahead of the March 8 NHL trade deadline. Both would be unrestricted free-agent rentals. But he’s going for a high-end D or a top-end winger. Not both.

One possibility is Washington forward Nic Dowd, who has this season and next at a $1.3-million cap hit. He’s a rightie, a good faceoff guy, but nowhere near as offensive-minded as the 6 foot 6 Bjugstad, back in Arizona after the Oilers acquired him at last year’s last year’s trade deadline. Everyone’s talking trade these days. With that in mind, here are some online trade proposals from fans:

The Penguins need to restock their prospect cupboard badly, and Holloway and a first-rounder would do that. Adding Foegele’s $2.75 million and Holloway’s $925,000, the Avs make it a good deal cap-wise if Guentzel comes in at $3 million after retention. It would certainly would give Pens GM Kyle Dubas pause. Guentzel has a 12-team no-trade clause, and the Oilers are probably on it. But perhaps he would jump at the opportunity to play with Draisaitl. He’s a big-game player at 29, has a Cup ring and is ninth all-time in post-season goals per game. The downside for the Oilers is Guentzel would likely only be here for a few months and then be on his way as a free agent, with Edmonton losing its best young forward prospect in Holloway, and a first-rounder. But if I’m Holland, I’d take a big swing at this. OK, Holland and Blues GM Doug Armstrong are best buds and part of Canadian Olympic team staff of the past. But this is way too much for Buchnevich, even if he has 43 points (19 goals) in 53 games this year and had 26 and 30 goals before that. He’s not a rental, but he’s UFA after next season’s contract worth $5.8 million. The Oilers have to spend big-time to keep Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard when their deals run out after 2025-2026. We see where you’re coming from trying to move Foegele’s cap hit and Kulak’s $2.75 million to offset Buchnevich’s money now. Maybe Philip Broberg can take Kulak’s spot. But giving up first and second-round picks and Bourgault, a former first-rounder, too? Sorry, this only happens if Holland has been overserved.