With the NHL trade deadline set for Monday at 3 p.m, here are factors to consider as general managers ponder their final moves:


Teams highly likely to make a deal by Monday: 1. Minnesota Wild have been looking for a forward; 2. Montreal Canadiens will react to Brendan Gallagher's injury; 3. Winnipeg Jets have cap space now that Blake Wheeler is injured; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has been an active shopper.

Hanging onto first-round picks: The Islanders' decision to part with a first-round pick to land Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac may be the exception. That could be the only first-round pick that moves this season. Most GMs are saying they won't move their first-round pick.


Red Wings are the Walmart of this deadline: They have everything you need. Detroit GM Steve Yzerman could move a goalie (Jonathan Bernier), defensemen (Marc Staal or Patrick Nemeth) and forwards (Bobby Ryan or Luke Glendening or Sam Gagner or Darren Helm).

The X Factor: Teams are waiting to hear whether the Blue Jackets will be willing to trade David Savard and Nick Foligno. Teams are very interested in both players. The price for Savard is particularly steep. Both of these players are potential free agents. At 3-6-1 in their last 10, the Blue Jackets are falling out of playoff contention.

Why surging Predators may still trade potential free agents: The Predators are tracking toward a playoff spot, but they know their talent level doesn't measure up to Tampa Bay, Carolina and Florida. The Predators are 15-3 against Columbus, Detroit and Chicago and 6-15-1 against the Lightning, 'Canes and Panthers. They can move Mikael Granlund and Erik Haula and not have it impact their competitiveness much. Eeli Tolvanen's improved play of late helps. Plus, injured Filip Forsberg, Matt Duchene and Ryan Ellis are returning to the lineup after the trade deadline.

Nothing big for 'Canes: GM Don Waddell told Hockeybuzz that he doesn't think he will do anything major. "We like our team," Waddell said, noting that team is moving closer to getting completely healthy for the first time since opening night. Waddell said he is looking at some smaller deals. The Hurricanes could probably use a depth defenseman.

Sabres won't get much for Hall: We are hearing there are few suitors for Hall, and no team seems inclined to give up much for him. Wouldn't be shocked to see him moved for a third round pick. He hasn't been impressive for the past two seasons and his $8 million salary, even pro-rated, is a deterrent.

Mattias Ekholm isn't moving: Contenders want Ekholm, but this is not the kind of trathat isn't easily accomplished mid-season. The Predators would likely get a better return if they make this trade in the offseason.

Blues selling?: Twenty-two months after winning the first Stanley Cup in franchise history, the Blues could move Vince Dunn and their potential free agents Tyler Bozak, Mike Hoffman and Jaden Schwartz. Even after losing Alex Pietrangelo, we expected more from the Blues.

Small trades matter: This is the season to accumulate a pile of draft picks because draft prospect ratings will be based on less viewings than normal as a result of teams playing fewer games. It seems possible that a few quality players might slip lower than usual. Hence, a fourth- or fifth-round pick may be more valuable than usual. That's why teams in the playoff hunt are still considering dealing potential free agents.

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