By: Chris Nosek

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche have gotten points in 43 of their 48 games, winning 34 of them. They have scored more goals than any other team and given up fewer. As a team, their goal differential is +77, with Tampa Bay behind them in second at +49. They are far and away the best team in the league so far this season. They don’t have much missing from their roster. If Chris MacFarland spots a player who can help, he will act to bring that player in.

Direction: Depth buyer

Dallas Stars

After acquiring Mikko Rantanen last year, Jim Nill still has plenty of assets for another big move. He needs to take action. The Stars haven’t made it to the final round in each of the last three seasons. They Despite the difficulty of the Central, he needs to. There is a lot of chatter about the Stars moving Jason Robertson. If that were to happen, it would be in the offseason. Right now, Jim Nill’s focus is on getting the Stars out of the Western Conference.

Direction: Buyer

Minnesota Wild

Bill Guerin already pulled off the biggest trade of the year by adding Quinn Hughes. This move showed that Guerin is aware of how difficult a playoff run will be. The Western Conference is loaded. Getting to the final will be as difficult. The Wild appear to be on a crash course to start their playoffs with back-to-back series against Dallas and Colorado. Given the pieces he still has to work with, there is no way Guerin is done looking to add.

Direction: Buyer

Utah Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth are in a playoff spot, and it looks like they could hang onto it for a while. The addition of JJ Peterka has been a great boost to the offense. They’ve also been much luckier on the blue line. This season, the defense has remained much healthier than it was last year. They have 18 draft picks over the next two drafts and several young players looking to push for NHL time. Bill Armstrong has been waiting for an opportunity to push for the playoffs. This season is the right time to do it. He has eight pending unrestricted free agents, but that won’t stop him from looking to add.

Direction: Buyer

Nashville Predators

Last season was a debacle for the Predators. This year, they’ve done a great job turning things around and getting back in the playoff race. However, given that they’re on the playoff fringe, they need to remain patient. We have too large a sample size for this team not to rule out selling pieces off. They have some highly valued players who could bring in assets to jump-start a rebuild.

Direction: Patience

Chicago Blackhawks

Last season, Kyle Davidson made an impressive trade. He sent Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers. In return, they acquired Spence Knight. Knight has proven to be the starting goaltender the Blackhawks need to build around. Drew Commesso should be ready for NHL backup duty soon, and other young players have been developing very well. They’re a lot more competitive for a playoff position than many expected at this point. However, they still have some players who would net them a solid return in a trade. They’re only five points out of a playoff position. This makes waiting until the trade deadline the right move for Kyle Davidson. Too many things can change between now and then. Who knows which players could be available in a couple of weeks, but aren’t right now.

Direction: Patience

Winnipeg Jets

The Jets have been built around Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and Kyle Connor for over a decade. It has consistently proven insufficient, even last season, when they won the President’s Trophy. Aside from not being in a playoff position, the production across the roster is outright awful. Scheifele, Connor, and Vilardi lead the way as expected, with Morrissy leading from the backend. Perfetti is their only pending restricted free agent, while eight players will be unrestricted. Cheveldayoff needs to make urgent changes to this roster. However, he will have to deal with someone to make a significant change.

Direction: Seller

St. Louis Blues

Doug Armstrong has already said the Blues are open for business. This is putting every player they have in trade speculation. It’s extremely unlikely that they deal away Robert Thomas or Jake Neighbours. It would take a massive deal to consider moving either of them. Regardless, it’s clear Armstrong is looking to sell players off and shake up the roster. The blue line is aging, but still brings value for teams closer to the playoffs. Armstrong needs to determine whether Mailloux, Snuggerud, Stenberg, and Neighbours are their future core. He must make moves based on that decision.

Direction: Seller