Cap space is always king in today’s NHL. But it seems as if it is particularly true this season when leading contenders such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs have a combined cap space of $221,395.
You read that right: those six teams can’t make a single move at the trade deadline unless they place someone on long-term injured reserve or trade of equal value to the player they want.
That may not stop some teams without cap space: There’s been plenty of buzz about how the Avalanche are trying to figure out how to acquire Claude Giroux, but some teams have cap space and are dreaming big.
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Detroit Red Wings: $10.8 million projected cap space: General manager Steve Yzerman is interested in landing a veteran defenseman with some term left on his contract. He wants someone to serve as a mentor for Moritz Seider and probably Simon Edvinsson next season. Yzerman also would consider being the third party in a trade to help lower the salary of a player, like he did last season to facilitate the trade for David Savard.
Nashville Predators: $10.5 million projected cap space. They have the space to do plenty with rental players. But the question they have to ask is whether it would make a difference: Could adding a John Klingberg or Claude Giroux transform them into a serious contender? The answer is probably ‘no.’ They are interested in a second-pairing defenseman for the long term. Wouldn’t be surprised if they add a depth player or two. In 2007-08, the Predators picked up Jan Hlavac at the trade deadline for a seventh-round pick. He ended up putting up 13 points in 18 games. GM David Poile probably hasn’t forgotten that.
Arizona Coyotes $7 million: They might end up with more cap space because they are hoping to trade Phil Kessel and maybe Lawson Crouse. They are also listening to offers for Jakob Chyrchrun. The Coyotes are looking for more draft picks. But they are asking for exceptional young prospects for Chychrun. They are in a full-blown rebuilding mode. They will take back salary if you are willing to give them draft picks.
New York Rangers: $7 million: They are looking for a center. They have been linked to Tomas Hertl and Joe Pavelski. But Hertl might get re-signed. They are also interested in a veteran defenseman and it’s been reported that they have talked to Montreal Canadiens about Ben Chiarot and to the Arizona Coyotes about Chychrun. They have plenty of assets, and they can afford to move a few to give themselves a stronger playoff team.
Minnesota Wild: Almost $2 million: GM has been reviewing his options in improving his forward group and defense. Would the Wild consider talking about Marc-Andre Fleury? Guerin knows him from Pittsburgh. Guerin is an aggressive general manager.
Boston Bruins: $1 million: Their number is misleading because they are going to deal Jake DeBrusk ($3.6 million) who has asked to be traded. GM Don Sweeney is looking for a left-shot defenseman and a center. They are in the Chychrun discussions. They might be willing to give up other assets.
Los Angeles Kings: Just under $1 million. The Kings would like to do something big, but they would have to move out players to accomplish that. The Kings want to make the playoffs and are willing to be aggressive to accomplish that.
The others: Plenty of cap space. The Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, and others can be factors if they want to be. The Ducks are in a difficult spot because they have potential free agents in Josh Manson and Hampus Lindholm, plus they want to make the playoffs. They should be buyers. But they may be tempted to move at least Manson. Lindholm might re-sign.