More than a month remains in the NHL’s regular season, but the action until Friday’s trade deadline is sure that the appetite for the playoffs Stanley Cup.
With so many teams that are uploaded to give themselves the best possible chance to claim the title, the playoffs will be fast and furious.
One case can be made that 10 of the 16 clubs that will move on to the Stanley Cup tournament have legitimate shots to assert the crown.
Certainly, some teams will benefit against others with how they uploaded for push – especially Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning and defending Master Florida Panthers – but the list does not end there.
The league’s two best teams, Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals, understandfully did not want to tip too much or did not think that prices appealing, while Vegas Golden Knight’s handcuffs to make additional features. Edmonton Oilers addressed his depth, Toronto Maple Leafs changed switches on the go, and Carolina Hurricanes had to make the best of a tough situation when it comes to Mikko Rantanen.
Adding expectation is how ARM’s race could possibly add an extra element in the first round. Keep in mind that the central division’s collision between the second and third place can only capture the stars and the Rantan against Colorado.
Remember that Rantanen was treated by Avalanche to Carolina, and as he refused to sign an extension with the hurricanes, was released to Dallas and quickly signed an eight-year agreement for less money than both Avalanche and Hurricanes offered.
If that is not enough, we can see a battle at Florida if the Maple Leafs can somehow weigh to the top of the Atlantic. Wouldn’t a collision between the lightning strike and Panthers get the blood to boil?
Now, more thoughts on trade deadline Fallout and look ahead.
Speaking of the hurricanes, credit them for how they succeeded in a couple of choices of the first and third rounds, as well as young Logan Stankoven, by handling the Rantanen to Dallas.
But they went through lots of upheaval created by having the Rantanen for six weeks, which puts GM Eric Tulsky in the cross chairs. Again, being spun by Rantanen may have galvanized the players, who have won five straight matches.
It was certainly strange to see Vegas just a little player, mainly limited to aggravating Reilly Smith, one of their original error adjustments. Again, we talk about a team that has made so many swaps that it was a bit of a consequences to shop or also the salary for salary. To some surprise, Vegas departed another first choice in Brendan Brisson (2020), so not everything changed.
Some really smart must come up with a solution to compensate for the advantage that the law has been boasted in states without personal income tax.
It has been a question for a few years, but no longer people can overlook how the clubs in Florida, Nashville, Dallas, Las Vegas and Seattle play with an uneven field. Good for them to use it, but more and more teams feel frustration.
Whether it gives them a cup for the first time since 1967 remains to be seen, but Maple Leafs made solid features to acquire Center Scott Laughton and defender Brandon Carlo.
Toronto reportedly chased Rantanen, with Mitch Marner who vetoed a trade, but added skill and barley. Maple Leafs paid a high price but needed to turn big with the Florida clubs who worked their magic.
The NHL must be worried about almost all major markets, US-based teams may not be part of the playoffs for a long time, if not at all.
The New York Rangers and Islanders are currently on the outside, and the New Jersey Devils are difficult to maintain their position. At the same time, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings continue to flounder, the Boston Bruins were sold, Chicago Blackhawks are years away from making noise, and Los Angeles Kings did very little and seemed prepared to be feed for Oilers for a fourth season in a row.
