NHL trade deadline tiers: Buyers, sellers and those in between — plus biggest needs

Almost four months of the NHL season are behind us and there are only 39 days until the trade deadline.

Fridays three-team blockbuster is proof that by now, front offices have had enough time to evaluate their teams.

Whether its for the short- or long-term, all 32 clubs will be looking to improve in trade discussions between now and the March 7 deadline.

Advertisement This week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff to put teams into three tiers the buyers, the sellers and those in between and highlight each franchises biggest need.

Of course, several teams will change tiers and shift their trade priorities in the coming weeks, but its insightful to see where they stand at this point.

As of now, our staff believes there will be 13 buyers and nine sellers, leaving 10 teams that could go either way (or do some buying and selling).

Teams are listed alphabetically in their respective tiers.

GO DEEPER NHL trade board 4.0: New targets emerge in the calm before the storm Buyers Biggest need: Secondary scoring Prior to Fridays blockbuster trade that sent star winger Mikko Rantanen to Carolina, Colorados biggest need was adding a depth defenseman with the little cap space it had to shore up the bottom pairs.

Now, things look a lot different.

Martin Necas should fit well into the top six and could shine even brighter than he did in Carolina in a more free-flowing offensive system.

But with the roughly $5 million in cap space created by that trade, expect the Avalanche to be more aggressive ahead of the deadline to add more scoring punch.

Jesse Granger GO DEEPER Johnston: Inside the Mikko Rantanen trade how it went down, why now and what next? GO DEEPER Sleepless, shocked and hurt: Avalanche try to move on after Mikko Rantanen trade Biggest need: A top-six forward The Stars have managed well enough since Tyler Seguin s potentially season-ending knee surgery, but they still have a void to fill.

Whether its someone such as the Islanders Brock Nelson or the Sharks Mikael Granlund or something splashier like a J.T.

Miller trade, you can expect Dallas to do something to beef up its top nine, if not its top six.

The only question is how much theyre willing to part with to get it.

Mark Lazerus GO DEEPER J.T.

Miller trade watch: 6 potential destinations and what the Canucks could get in return Biggest need: A possible No.

4-5 defenseman This depends on how well the newest Oiler, John Klingberg , fares when he resumes his NHL career after a double hip resurfacing procedure.

The Oilers can probably settle for adding a depth defenseman if Klingbergs play is anywhere close to his top form from a few years ago.

Theyll likely want a more notable addition if Klingberg isnt up to the task.

Aside from the blue line, a top-nine winger and No.

4 center are also potential needs.

Daniel Nugent-Bowman GO DEEPER How Oilers' John Klingberg got healthy and ready to play in the NHL again Biggest need: Cheap blue-line depth The defending champs dont project to have much cap space on deadline day, so barring a surprise, theyll be shopping the bargain bin.

The Panthers can certainly win the Cup for a second straight year, but they need another half-decent option for the third pair.

The Adam Boqvist / Uvis Balinskis / Nate Schmidt trifecta might not kill them, but it also isnt quite contender-grade.

Time to try something different.

Sean Gentille Advertisement Biggest need: A scoring winger The Kings are pointed toward making noise in the playoffs after three straight first-round exits.

Theyve been a bit of a surprise with consistent play all season, but a recent spell has highlighted their need for another scorer.

Anze Kopitar , Quinton Byfield and Phillip Danault are three good two-way centers to throw at potential playoff opponents, but star winger Adrian Kempe has covered for some disappointing years from Kevin Fiala and Trevor Moore .

Warren Foegele and Alex Laferriere have given them some secondary scoring and Alex Turcotte has been a nice fit with Kempe and Kopitar on the top line, but they can use another true threat like Marian Gaborik was in 2014.

Eric Stephens GO DEEPER Kings midseason report card: Top marks for Kuemper, Foegele, Gavrikov Biggest need: A top-six center/winger The Wild were doing a superb job at the start of the season accruing cap space, but then a never-ending stack of injuries began in November that resulted in mass call-ups and eventually stints on long-term injured reserve for Jake Middleton , Jakub Lauko and Kirill Kaprizov in order to afford call-ups.

That may severely alter the Wilds deadline plans if they dont have the cap space to make a significant trade.

Theyll have to get creative: a third-party conduit and/or a partner to eat cap space.

But the Wild would love to add another top-six forward to aid the offense.

Michael Russo Biggest need: Added forward depth The Devils put together a strong first half, and Tom Fitzgerald is poised to add at the deadline.

Hes been consistent about his desire to add at forward, and potentially up the middle.

You cant have enough centers, Fitzgerald told Pierre LeBrun recently .

Centers have positional flexibility, and adding a good one to the mix could have a trickle-down effect on the Devils lineup.

Other players could slide into easier-to-manage roles.

Peter Baugh Advertisement Biggest need: A right-shot defenseman or scoring winger The Senators needs havent changed for most of the year.

Fortunately, Ottawa has made it work with AHL reinforcements on defense and in attack, using players such as Nikolas Matinpalo and Zack Ostapchuk among others with some mainstays injured.

But if the Senators look to keep pace with their fellow conference rivals, a move may need to be made to bolster either their defense or offense.

Julian McKenzie GO DEEPER McKenzie: Is GM Steve Staios right to feel comfortable with the Senators' depth? Biggest need: Depth scoring The Lightnings top six is loaded and the defense, once J.J.

Moser returns from injury, is pretty balanced.

But Tampa Bays scoring depth was a clear hole going into the season one that management likely knew was something they needed to address at the deadline.

The No.

1 priority should be finding a solid third-line forward who can give Nick Paul some two-way support so the team isnt as reliant on its stars to carry them.

The Lightning should be able to swing that at a lower cost, as long as management learned from the Tanner Jeannot deal.

Shayna Goldman Biggest need: A third-line center The Leafs are putting together an impressive season, but the center situation beyond Auston Matthews and John Tavares has been an issue from the jump.

Max Domi has really struggled this season and was recently leapfrogged on the depth chart (amid an injury to Tavares) by Pontus Holmberg , whos had a rough year himself while bouncing in and out of the lineup.

GM Brad Treliving would like to add a center who can make an impact at both ends.

It wont be easy.

Plenty of teams need centers and the Leafs dont have an especially deep pool of tradeable assets.

Jonas Siegel GO DEEPER Ranking 10 of the best potential trade fits for the Maple Leafs at centre Biggest need: A scoring middle-six winger With one of the best records in the league, the Golden Knights will certainly be buyers at the deadline yet again, but may not be as aggressive as weve seen at past deadlines due to a lack of trade assets.

Vegas doesnt have a first-round pick for the next two years, but should still be looking to add depth scoring.

Jack Eichel is having an excellent season, but some of the depth scoring from players such as Keegan Kolesar and Brett Howden has been less frequent lately.

It feels like the Golden Knights are one more scoring option away from a complete lineup.

Jesse Granger Advertisement Biggest need: Help down the middle A contender looking to add a center? Shocking stuff.

For the Caps, though, the cliche is also the truth.

Theyre set with Ryan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois as their top two options, but behind them, things get fuzzy.

Lars Eller , acquired from Pittsburgh to center the third line, has been passable but just barely.

Cap space could be an issue (about $3.6 million projected on deadline day), but theres enough to make the situation workable.

Sean Gentille Biggest need: A second-line center There was a great argument for Winnipeg to add a center when the Jets were at full health.

Adam Lowry s injury intensifies that need.

Vladislav Namestnikov and Rasmus Kupari are capable players but they are not ideal No.

2 and 3 centers for the stretch run.

Gabriel Vilardi and Cole Perfetti have played center in the NHL but they give up footspeed and Jets coaches demand pace from their centers.

They could sign Jonathan Toews, who theyre legitimately interested in, but the three-time Cup champ is coming from a long way back, health-wise, and turns 37 in April.

The Jets could try to ride it out with what they have but this is a uniquely good year and they have ample cap space.

Theyre buyers.

Murat Ates GO DEEPER Jets' trade deadline plans, interest in Jonathan Toews: 5 takeaways from GM Kevin Cheveldayoff The teams in between Biggest need: A right-handed top-four defenseman The Sabres wont be doing a total fire sale at the trade deadline, but theyll be in the position of a seller.

A playoff push is unrealistic.

Theyll get calls on pending unrestricted free agents Jason Zucker , Jordan Greenway and Henri Jokiharju .

But teams will also likely check the temperature on some of Buffalos young core pieces because of how the season has gone.

I have them as in between because I would expect the Sabres to be open to a hockey trade like the one that sent Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram last season.

Matthew Fairburn GO DEEPER Sabres trade tiers: Is anyone on Buffalo's roster untouchable ahead of deadline? Biggest need: A young, right-shot center or draft capital What do you do if youre the Flames? They still have a chance at making the playoffs this year, which would make them way far ahead of schedule for their rebuild/retool.

Even if it means risking a first-round exit and, depending on where they finish, losing out on a first-round pick thanks to that Sean Monahan trade from long ago.

The Flames could buy.

But depending on if they slide, theres reason for them to sell too.

But their most enticing trade piece, Rasmus Andersson , doesnt appear to be for sale.

Of course, regardless of position, the Flames continue to search for that elusive right-shot forward between the ages of 18 and 23.

The Flames continue to intrigue.

Julian McKenzie GO DEEPER LeBrun rumblings: Flames not selling on Andersson, Stars can be big-time buyers, Oilers D, Caps goalies, more Biggest need: Forward depth The Hurricanes added two big pieces in trading for Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall on Friday , but Carolina could probably use a little more depth in its bottom six.

Injuries to William Carrier and Tyson Jost have thinned the Hurricanes, and including Jack Drury in the blockbuster trade takes away one of Carolinas best faceoff men and a valuable penalty killer.

The team could also continue to look to improve at second-line center, though it remains hopeful that Jesperi Kotkaniemi can fill the role.

Cory Lavalette GO DEEPER Eric Tulsky exclusive: Hurricanes GM on pulling off the Mikko Rantanen trade 'You have to be willing to stretch' Biggest need: Veteran toughness The future certainly appears bright in Columbus, with so many young players taking hold of big roles this season.

And the expected return of Boone Jenner and Erik Gudbranson will add some muscle for the stretch drive.

But if GM Don Waddell decides to straddle the line between buyer and seller, look for him to add veteran players who can help steer a young club in the throes of a playoff race.

If the Blue Jackets trade veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov he wants a long-term deal and may fetch a first-round pick theyd like a solid defenseman to help buttress the back end.

Aaron Portzline Advertisement Biggest need: A long-term, top-six forward The Red Wings certainly have their share of short-term needs, both on the blue line and up front.

But while theyve surged under new coach Todd McLellan, any deadline deals Steve Yzerman makes still have to be more about the big picture.

They may do some minor selling, depending on where they stand come March, but if they add, itll need to be for next year and beyond so think players on the younger side.

And while another top-four defenseman would certainly be helpful, the most logical move might be a long-term, top-six forward either at center or on the wing to help provide scoring behind Dylan Larkin , Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat going forward.

Max Bultman Biggest need: Depth on defense The Canadiens are not likely to be buyers at the trade deadline no matter where they find themselves in the standings.

The one thing they might buy is keeping their own rentals: Jake Evans , Joel Armia , David Savard and Christian Dvorak .

But in the unlikely event the Canadiens do go out shopping, it might be to shore up their defense, especially on the right side.

Mike Matheson is a left-shot playing on the right, and Savards ice time has been steadily dropping of late.

There could even be a scenario where the Canadiens trade Savard as a rental and go out and acquire a right-side replacement for him right away.

Arpon Basu GO DEEPER This Canadiens trade deadline isnt about asset management, its about culture Biggest need: Long-term improvements over short-term stopgaps This isnt the year for the Rangers to go for expensive rentals at the trade deadline.

They arent in position to make Cup-or-bust moves.

Chris Drury needs to look out for the teams long-term future.

That doesnt mean he cant add.

New York has been involved in the J.T.

Miller sweepstakes.

Hes a player with term who can help beyond this year.

The Rangers could also look to get back some mid-round draft picks by trading away pending free agents Ryan Lindgren , Reilly Smith and perhaps Jimmy Vesey .

Peter Baugh GO DEEPER What could Rangers' rentals fetch at the trade deadline? Assessing pending free agents GO DEEPER What we're hearing about the nixed J.T.

Miller trade and a new Canucks direction Biggest need: A No.

3 center At the start of the season, the prevailing thought was that the Blues needed a No.

2 center.

They tried Pavel Buchnevich , but he wasnt the answer, so they put Brayden Schenn back in that spot and hes been terrific.

But now theres a hole at third-line center, where Oskar Sundqvist is playing.

Hes a heart-and-soul guy but a step slow after multiple knee injuries, making him more suitable on the wing.

If the Blues still think theyre a playoff team, they could help themselves by adding a third-line center in the trade market.

Jeremy Rutherford Advertisement Biggest need: Talented young roster players Utah would love to make the playoffs in Year 1 in Salt Lake City.

But the Hockey Clubbers had only a 22 percent chance of qualifying before Sundays matchups , and theyll be in tough as a wild-card team in Round 1 in a top-heavy Western Conference.

How they play the next six weeks will affect their strategy, however.

If they win a lot they likely will hold onto many of their rental players.

Lose a lot and its time to think about the future by dealing some of their seven pending UFAs and reloading for next year.

This is a franchise on the rise but chasing the playoffs this year at the expense of improving for the future doesnt make a lot of sense.

And some of their veterans will be highly desirable in a thin trade market.

James Mirtle Biggest need: Resolve the J.T.

Miller trade saga The Canucks have J.T.

Miller, one of their best players, on the trade block at the moment.

And based on their recent form, theyre a team thats waiting for the other shoe to drop.

By the deadline, and ideally before it, the Canucks will resolve this situation and chart a new path forward.

While the clubs recent performance might make the following comment seem like a stretch, the truth remains that this is a playoff-caliber side and may even be a playoff-caliber side if it subtracts a core piece, provided that, thereafter, the club competes more consistently.

It seems like an expedited move might be best for all involved.

Thomas Drance Sellers Biggest need: Another high-round draft pick This should be more of a soft sell for the Ducks rather than a full sell-off as they should be in the mode of stepping out of a lengthy rebuild.

But theyre also not in the position to truly buy at the deadline.

Frank Vatrano was re-signed for three more seasons, but theyll figure to take calls on defenseman Brian Dumoulin .

Useful winger Robby Fabbri could attract some interest.

John Gibson could be an attraction for a team in a contending window needing to fortify its goaltending, depending on whether the upper-body injury he sustained on Saturday is a long-term concern.

They dont have a second-round pick, so securing one or another first-rounder would be ideal.

Eric Stephens GO DEEPER Ducks midseason report card: Are they truly making progress? Biggest need: A No.

1 center The Bruins thought they had signed a No.

1 center in Elias Lindholm .

It looks like they were wrong.

Lindholm is now centering their third line.

Pavel Zacha has chemistry with David Pastrnak on the top line, but he is not a traditional first-line center in terms of offensive presence.

It may be unlikely that the Bruins can acquire an offensive pivot at the deadline.

Fluto Shinzawa GO DEEPER The Bruins trade deadline path is clear: Retool for the future Biggest need: Create more NHL roster spots The Blackhawks cleared one roster spot by trading Taylor Hall on Friday .

GM Kyle Davidson will likely still want to open up a spot or two more.

The Blackhawks are expected to have at least three prospects Ryan Greene, Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel sign after their college seasons and jump to the NHL immediately while burning the first year of their contracts.

Davidson will want to ensure ice time for them with roster openings, and the easiest way to do that is to trade away expiring contracts.

Ryan Donato is probably the most likely to be dealt next.

Scott Powers GO DEEPER Taylor Hall trade cleared a path for Blackhawks to develop prospects Biggest need: More draft picks Preds GM Barry Trotz isnt likely to trade any foundational pieces away, because the team is playing better and its crucial that this core group gets better together and figures a way to produce competent hockey in the early stages of next season.

But Gustav Nyquist and Colton Sissons are probably not untouchable if the Preds remain well outside the playoff picture.

Even if they start making serious noise, dont expect him to do any player renting.

Joe Rexrode Advertisement Biggest need: Recoup future assets Until recently, the Islanders hadnt been above .500 since the second week of November, which should tell you all you need to know about their deadline plans.

Since Lou Lamoriello is in charge, however, the Islanders dont appear ready to sell.

When they are ready, pending UFAs Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri plus J-G Pageau and whoever else a team is willing to take should be out the door to replenish a barren prospect pool .

Arthur Staple Biggest need: A center That the Flyers need a center has been evident for some time.

Whether they attempt to deal for one before the deadline or wait until the offseason (or later) is difficult to predict.

As for the deadline overall, the Flyers dont have any pending unrestricted free agents, so it could be fairly quiet.

The players they do have who have been mentioned in trade speculation Rasmus Ristolainen and Scott Laughton both have term left on their deals so they arent locks to be moved, either, particularly if the team gets back into the playoff race.

Still, the Flyers selling off a piece or two remains the likeliest outcome.

Kevin Kurz GO DEEPER 'We're trying': Flyers fans, Daniel Briere hears your pleas for a top-level center Biggest need: Young talent/assets The Penguins, while still somewhat competitive, are very much in sell mode.

Kyle Dubas wants draft picks, prospects and young NHL players and the majority of the Penguins are available for the right price.

This is proof that you can indeed initiate a rebuild with a handful of Hall of Famers on a roster.

Its happening in Pittsburgh right now.

Josh Yohe GO DEEPER What I'm hearing: All eyes on the farm Biggest need: More draft picks San Jose s direction hasnt changed.

The prospect pool is looking much more fruitful these days and it never hurts to continue stocking the shelves.

While the Sharks have their own first-round selection and could have a good shot at winning a second straight draft lottery, the Sharks have only six picks in total and could add to this years haul by dealing more veterans on expiring contracts.

Mikael Granlund is their most attractive asset.

Others who could be in play are defensemen Cody Ceci and Jan Rutta ( who was placed on injured reserve Sunday ), along with forwards Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm ( who is also on injured reserve ).

Eric Stephens GO DEEPER Sharks midseason report cards: Top marks for Celebrini and Askarov, but who else? Biggest need: More future value The Kaapo Kakko success story provides a template for a Kraken team that has to focus on mining as much future value in both young players and picks as possible between now and the NHL trade deadline.

Since acquiring Kakko for Will Borgen and some picks, Kakko has been on a tear.

To the point of changing the complexion of what we might expect from this still relatively young Kraken forward group in the future.

Seattle still has a couple of valuable rental pieces to sell Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde and should do so with an eye toward recreating the success its had with Kakko, in terms of bringing young upside into the organization ahead of the deadline.

Thomas Drance (Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic.

Photos: Michael Chisholm, Steve Babineau / NHLI; Derek Cain / Getty Images).

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