NHL Trade Deadline Approaches as Teams Eye Major Moves

RALEIGH, N.C. — The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, with teams making final decisions on player transactions ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. ET cut-off. High-scoring winger Mikko Rantanen, currently with the Carolina Hurricanes, has reportedly informed the team he will not sign an extension before the deadline, prompting various teams to express interest in acquiring him.

According to anonymous sources, if Rantanen remains out of reach or too costly, teams may pivot to exploring options such as Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins. Marchand’s eight-team no-trade clause complicates matters as his future with the Bruins remains uncertain amid ongoing extension negotiations. The Bruins are unwilling to let him go for nothing, especially as his contract runs out this season.

Boston’s general manager Don Sweeney has communicated a high asking price for Marchand, speculated to include a first-round pick, a roster player, and a top-tier prospect. Recently sidelined by an upper-body injury, Marchand missed three consecutive games, raising concerns about his trade value as the deadline approaches.

Despite expressed interests, player movement has been relatively restrained this season, with many franchises still in playoff contention. Teams like the New York Rangers have made moves, trading Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights as they seek to bolster their roster by trading players who may not fit the long-term plans.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is also under pressure as he grasps the fate of several players. With only a few teams clearly in a sell mode, Dubas is expected to explore options to acquire young assets and may engage in multiple trades before the deadline.

Among the ongoing discussions, teams are weighing the future of veteran players like Marchand against the backdrop of their current season standings. Marchand, a central figure for the Bruins, has made it clear he wishes to remain with Boston, complicating the potential for a mid-season trade.

After a tough 3-2 loss against the Hurricanes on Thursday, the Bruins find themselves just three points out of playoff position, intensifying the urgency to either bolster their team or navigate the trade market effectively.

Other potential transactions could impact the teams’ abilities to compete this season, further highlighting the competitive landscape unique to this year’s deadline. For the Bruins, whose injury-plagued roster may force them to reconsider trading Marchand or other vital players, the next few days are crucial.

“This time of year is tough,” said Bruins forward Morgan Geekie. “Especially as we face these decisions, but we can’t let rumors take away from our focus.”

With interest brewing in several high-profile players, teams are scrambling to finalize deals that will shape the remainder of the season as the trade deadline looms. As offers are made and discussions continue, the outcome remains uncertain, making every move critical.