Don't Book The Day Off

Every year, there's a couple of people that I know who decide to book the day off for the NHL trade deadline extravaganzas on the networks that cover sports. Despite me telling them that there are no blockbusters to be had outside of the last hour when general managers get itchy trigger fingers on last-minute deals, they use a vacation day from work to watch the pundits on the panels discuss each team's needs over eight hours with very little trade movement between those teams. Based on the prices paid for the players acquired in the last week, I suspect this year's respective trade deadline shows will be worse than in previous years.

The acquisition of Jason Zucker by the Penguins will likely take them out of any trade scenarios they may have been in previously. Unless it's a money-for-money deal that comes out of the blue, I'm pretty certain the Penguins are happy with their roster at this time. Being tight against the salary cap ceiling will prevent the Penguins from taking on salary, so we can cross one team off the trade board.

Tampa Bay added a good piece in Blake Coleman, and it's likely that they aren't going to tinker much with the remainder of their roster. They may add a depth piece or two, but I suspect all the usual suspects will remain with an 813 area code phone number.

Toronto is still looking to shore up their blue line, but I doubt anyone is going to throw them a life preserver without some sort of significant return. Tyson Barrie may still get moved, but I imagine he'd have to be part of a package that includes picks and prospects with his impending free agency. With Toronto already having upgraded their goaltending, I expect they'll have to get creative if they want to bring in a Matt Dumba or a defender of his ability.

Finally, with their acquisition of Tyler Toffoli from the Los Angeles Kings today, Vancouver doesn't have a first-round or second-round pick in this summer's draft, so they're now trading players for players. The addition of Tyler Madden in the trade to the Kings takes one of their better prospects off the board as well, so Vancouver might very well be done this year if they hope to make a run in the playoffs.

Over the next week, expect another half-dozen teams to make their intention as either buyer or seller clear based on the results of their games. Teams like Winnipeg, Florida, and Nashville may go from buyers to sellers while teams such as the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and the Buffalo Sabres will either be all-in on a playoff push or will look to add some picks and future assets by dealing their talent away.

As we've seen in the returns for players headed to playoff teams, it's a seller's market right now as the returns have been very good for those willing to move proven talent. Perhaps that alone will influence a handful of teams in foregoing a wild card position this year for what may be a better playoff spot next season depending on what they can move out and get back. There are teams looking to add for the right price, and there are certainly teams who have talent that can be had for the right price. Whether or not those prices align will be seen, but with some of the bigger trade pieces already off the board it might be a quiet Monday for most of the day.

Take the day off if you like. No one can tell you that taking the Monday off following a weekend is a bad idea. Just don't spend it all day in front of the television holding out hope for a blockbuster deal. You're better off spending the day at work than trading a vacation day for eight hours of inactivity by NHL GMs.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!