Meanwhile, the Panthers aim to bolster their defense by acquiring a strong second-pairing defenseman, despite facing challenges with trade capital.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 7, 2025, teams are actively evaluating their rosters for potential trades.

In this context, teams in playoff contention are generally acting as buyers, while those out of the race are becoming sellers.

The Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders are both labeled as sellers, looking to trade players who do not fit into their long-term plans.

The Islanders may consider selling veteran players like Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri to enhance their prospect pipeline.

Similarly, the Chicago Blackhawks are expected to offload pending unrestricted free agents such as Taylor Hall and Craig Smith for draft picks and prospects.

The Nashville Predators, struggling at the bottom of the Western Conference, are likely to sell assets that don’t align with their long-term vision, including veterans like Ryan O'Reilly.

On the other hand, the Seattle Kraken, having faced a disappointing season, may look to trade veterans Andre Burakovsky and Oliver Bjorkstrand in exchange for younger players and prospects.

In contrast, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are identified as potential buyers, seeking to enhance their rosters for a playoff push.

The Maple Leafs are specifically looking for depth at center due to John Tavares' injury, although they have limited trade assets for significant moves.

Lastly, the Boston Bruins are in need of a reliable scoring center to improve their performance, as they currently rank 26th in goals per game with an average of 2.70.

The Winnipeg Jets, currently competitive, are also in the market, seeking to acquire a top defenseman to strengthen their playoff chances.