Looking at NHL's biggest buyers, sellers ahead of trade deadline

The NHL trade deadline (March 7) is a little more than a month away and teams are already starting to position themselves as buyers and sellers.  

So let's take a look at four teams that could be positioned to be the most aggressive buyers, and four teams that could be looking to sell the most. 

Buyers

Toronto Maple Leafs

There is no team in the NHL under more pressure to go on a deep playoff run than the Maple Leafs, and they will no doubt be busy ahead of the deadline. They have lost in the first round in seven of the past eight seasons and have two massive pending unrestricted free agents in Mitch Marner and John Tavares. 

Simply making the playoffs and losing is no longer acceptable, and there is no guarantee Marner or Tavares return next season. The time to win is now, and the Maple Leafs have some big needs. They could use a third-line center and some complementary scoring.

Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina may not be facing the pressure that Toronto is, but it is not far behind. The Hurricanes have been one of the NHL's best teams the past six years but have been unable to break through the ceiling that is the Eastern Conference Final. The Hurricanes have been connected with the Vancouver Canucks when it comes to veteran center J.T. Miller, and whether it is him or somebody else they should be in the market for another impact scorer. Offense has been a constant thorn for them deeper in the playoffs. 

Edmonton Oilers

After going to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final a year ago the Oilers are definitely in a win-now situation. Especially with two of the league's best players in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But for as good as that duo is, they still have some big needs in the lower half of their lineup. Defensive depth could use an upgrade, goaltending depth is still a question depending on how much they trust Stuart Skinner and depth scoring is always a concern here. As long as McDavid and Draisaitl are in their prime every season should be an "all-in" kind of year. 

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche are a blend of all three teams above — They have star players in their prime, one of them (Mikko Rantanen) is a free agent after this season and they have some big needs to address. The biggest of those needs might be a second-line center as Casey Mittelstadt has struggled to fill that role. 

Sellers

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are still deep in their rebuild and remain at the bottom of the league standings. They have several veteran players that could — and should — be moved. Forward Taylor Hall, a pending free agent, figures to be at the top of that list, and they would almost certainly like to find a taker for defenseman Seth Jones and his massive contract. 

Pittsburgh Penguins

This will not be a total sell-off as stars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are not going anywhere. But they have several pending free agents that should be moved, including defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Matt Grzelyck and forwards Drew O'Connor and Anthony Beauvillier. 

New York Islanders

General manager Lou Lamoriello hates to give up on a season, but he has to be smart here and become a seller. The Islanders are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and have two significant pending UFA's in forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Given that both players are over the age of 33 and have likely already played their best hockey, trading them should be a top priority. 

Buffalo Sabres

This is familiar territory for the Sabres as they head for a 14th consecutive non-playoff season. Veteran free agents Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway seem likely to move, while younger players like bowen Byram and and Dylan Cozens could also find themselves on the move as the Sabres look to re-tool yet again.