Even with just days to go before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6, it can be difficult to assess which teams are definite buyers and which are definitely sellers.
There are so many clubs on the bubble that these last few hours could be the difference-maker. A win could position a team to make a splash at the deadline. A loss could trigger them to sell on March 6.
There are some clues, however. Trades, waiver claims, public comments, and call-ups could suggest cap/roster management or adding depth in preparation for bigger deals. These aren’t blockbuster moves themselves, but they align with teams in playoff contention (or bubble), clearing space, bolstering weak spots, or moving pieces ahead of more aggressive decisions.
Key Move: On Feb 24, the Penguins acquired defenseman Sam Girard and a 2028 second-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak. For the Penguins, this adds a mobile, puck-moving blueliner with term (through 2026-27 at $5M AAV) to their top-four D.
For the Avalanche, they cleared significant cap space that could be used to make a bigger move. Kulak is already a solid pick-up, but the savings put the Avs in a position to make a push for a player like Nazem Kadri or Blake Coleman. Colorado is widely considered one of the Stanley Cup favorites this season. It should be expected that they’ll do what they can to add around the edges.
One could also argue that trading a depth piece like Kulak for an upgrade indicates the Penguins are buyers. The Penguins have an incredible number of draft picks that GM Kyle Dubas could package and offer a team for a rental or a bigger-name player.
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