The NHL trade deadline is less than two weeks away, and general managers of contending clubs are running low on time to make a move to get over the top.
However, there are plenty of talented rental players available, and while it might seem foolish to give up a valuable haul in exchange for just a few months of ice time, it's all worth it if you win the Stanley Cup.
With that in mind, the following three teams should make these suggested trades to improve their championship odds ahead of the postseason:
Evander Kane to St. Louis
| Blues receive | Sabres receive |
|---|---|
| LW Evander Kane | 2019 1st-round pick |
| 2018 2nd-round pick | |
| C Jordan Kyrou |
The Blues are one of the more well-rounded teams in the NHL. Carter Hutton has given them outstanding goaltending while Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko anchor a stellar back end, but despite their big names up front, they could still use another legitimate scoring threat to aid a middling offense.
Enter Evander Kane, who has 18 goals and 205 shots this year while playing for the lowly Buffalo Sabres. Not only would he add a much-needed scoring threat to St. Louis' top-six forward group, but he'd also provide physicality and grit in the postseason, as evidenced by his 109 hits.
The Blues already gave up their 2018 first-round pick in the Brayden Schenn deal, so they'd have to move their 2019 first-rounder. And while Jordan Kyrou is a promising prospect, their farm system is flooded with other young, skilled forwards.
Meanwhile, the Sabres would have to retain some of Kane's salary to make the trade work. But to obtain a prospect like Kyrou - plus two other draft picks - it would be well worth it.
Rick Nash to Boston
| Bruins receive | Rangers receive |
|---|---|
| LW Rick Nash | 2018 1st-round pick |
| D Jakub Zboril |
It's no secret that the Bruins have been one of the best teams in the NHL over the last few months, but what's perhaps most impressive is they've done so without a formidable second line.
Danton Heinen, Ryan Spooner, and Jake DeBrusk are all solid players, but adding a proven goal-scorer like Rick Nash to play on the top six alongside David Krejci and one of the aforementioned players would compliment the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak top line nicely.
A wealthy organization like the New York Rangers would likely have no problem eating some of Nash's contract to make it work, especially since they're very committed to rebuilding.
Mike Green to Toronto
| Maple Leafs receive | Red Wings receive |
|---|---|
| D Mike Green | 2018 1st-round pick |
| RW Josh Leivo | |
| D Andreas Borgman |
The Maple Leafs are bound to lose James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak, and Leo Komarov this offseason. And while they have plenty of internal candidates as possible replacements for the future, there's no reason not to go for it this year while Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner are all still making pennies.
The emergence of Travis Dermott has given the Leafs just one hole to fill on the back end, and a veteran like Mike Green would give them a balanced defense unit from one to six. Moreover, Green would help a power play that surprisingly ranks in the middle of the pack despite all the firepower up front.
Going the other way, Josh Leivo needs to find a team that can give him a chance, and Borgman will be hard-pressed to ever crack Toronto's top four. With all their organizational depth, the Leafs can also afford to lose a first-round pick.
In the process, Toronto might have to bury Matt Martin's contract in the minors, but the team's had no problem doing so in previous similar situations.
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