The North Division has been an intriguing one this season, and with the April 12 trade deadline fast approaching, it's time for some difficult decisions.
Each of the seven Canadian teams finds itself facing a unique set of circumstances. Some clubs are looking to add, others are looking to sell, and some appear to be caught in between.
Here's a look at one move each team north of the border should make ahead of the deadline.
Calgary Flames - Trade Sam Bennett
Deadline cap space: $2.14M
Bennett's departure from the Flames has felt inevitable since his reported trade request earlier this season, and general manager Brad Treliving should deal the pending restricted free agent before the deadline to leverage Bennett's history of strong postseason play.
The 24-year-old forward has just four goals and seven points through 34 games this season, but he's assembled a strong body of work in the playoffs. Bennett led the Flames with eight points and five goals through 10 games in the bubble last season, and he has 11 goals and 19 points through 30 career playoff outings.
Calgary is clearly in need of some sort of shake-up. Any major changes to the core should wait until the offseason, but moving Bennett ahead of the deadline could net the Flames a future asset while giving him a fresh start.
Edmonton Oilers - Acquire Jake DeBrusk
Deadline cap space: None
Though it's been inconsistent, this group is probably the best the Oilers have assembled during the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl era. Edmonton should look to add another talent up front, and hometown boy DeBrusk could be the perfect fit.
The Boston Bruins made DeBrusk a healthy scratch earlier this season, and he's struggled to find his form. Perhaps a change of scenery and a chance to play alongside Draisaitl or McDavid could revitalize the former 27-goal scorer.
DeBrusk, 24, is signed through 2021-22 at $3.67 million per season, so the Oilers would need to move out money to acquire the winger. Edmonton has a few impact players on expiring deals, but general manager Ken Holland would likely need to move draft picks or a prospect to sway Boston. Still, the Oilers finally appear ready to contend, and Holland shouldn't hesitate to get aggressive.
Montreal Canadiens - Trade for Brandon Sutter
Deadline cap space: $448K
Marc Bergevin already made one move after claiming salary-cap constraints would likely keep him idle ahead of the deadline, and the Canadiens' savvy general manager could have another trick up his sleeve. Trading for Eric Staal was probably the largest splash Montreal will make, but it could still improve in a few areas.
Jake Evans hasn't quite found his stride in his first full NHL campaign, and the Canadiens could benefit by filling his spot in the lineup down the stretch. Sutter would come as a rental on an expiring deal, wouldn't have to quarantine upon arriving, and provides strengths in areas of need for the club.
The Canucks veteran ranks fifth among all centers in shorthanded ice time and would give Montreal's 21st-ranked penalty kill a reliable option. The Canadiens also struggle mightily at the faceoff dot, and the 32-year-old's 55.5% efficiency on draws would be beneficial in critical situations.
Ottawa Senators - Keep selling
Deadline cap space: $37.83M
The Senators have started carving out an identity as the season has progressed, but general manager Pierre Dorion shouldn't overthink things at the deadline. Ottawa should continue to sell for future assets, and it has a few pending unrestricted free agents who are worth shopping.
Ryan Dzingel, one of the original "Pesky Sens" from the club's wild run in 2016-17, has revitalized himself in his second stint with Ottawa, scoring five goals in 11 games since rejoining the Senators at the start of March. He's not going to fetch a large haul, but Dorion would be wise to continue collecting assets when possible and ship the 29-year-old to a contender.
Braydon Coburn, 36, and Erik Gudbranson, 32, are both on expiring deals as well. They could be useful for playoff teams looking to shore up their defensive depth.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Find a way to add Taylor Hall
Deadline cap space: $1.1M
Why not? Players of Hall's ilk rarely become available for far less than they're worth, and the Maple Leafs should take advantage. The 29-year-old winger hasn't been anywhere close to his normal self this season; if surrounding him with star talents on a team positioned for a deep playoff push doesn't bring the best out of the former Hart Trophy winner, we're not sure what will.
Toronto would need to do some cap maneuvering to acquire Hall, but as we explored in March, it's absolutely possible. The Maple Leafs are already one of the NHL's top offensive teams, and adding a player like Hall would give them arguably the most lethal top-six forward group in the league:
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Hyman | Auston Matthews | Mitch Marner |
| Taylor Hall | John Tavares | WIlliam Nylander |
After years of opening-round failure, no team will face more pressure this postseason. Playing out of the North Division offers a unique opportunity for success, and Maple Leafs should go all-in.
Vancouver Canucks - Deal Jake Virtanen or Braden Holtby
Deadline cap space: None
The season has progressed far enough to conclude the Canucks overachieved in the bubble last season. As such, the club should focus on the future rather than the present. Vancouver sits sixth in the North Division and has a 7% chance of making the playoffs, according to The Athletic's Dom Luszczyszyn. The club also has some significant housekeeping to do this summer.
Canucks general manager Jim Benning inked breakout netminder Thatcher Demko to a five-year pact reportedly worth $25 million on Wednesday, but franchise cornerstones Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes are set to become restricted free agents and have earned healthy paydays of their own.
With Demko emerging as Vancouver's No. 1 goalie, the team is paying Braden Holtby $4.3 million to be a backup. The Canucks would likely need to retain some of his salary to make a deal work, but several teams are looking for insurance in net, and Holtby's championship pedigree could be valuable during a playoff run.
Perhaps a more realistic option would be a deal involving Jake Virtanen, whose name has surfaced in previous trade rumors. Moving the 24-year-old winger would clear $2.55 million off the books for next season while fetching Vancouver additional assets.
Winnipeg Jets - Target an impact defenseman
Deadline cap space: None
The Jets boast a lethal offense but have yet to fully replenish their blue line after losing several key rearguards during the 2019 offseason. The club is still one of the league's worst teams analytically and will likely need more than Connor Hellebuyck's brilliance in goal to make a Stanley Cup push.
Winnipeg has reportedly expressed interest in Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm, but with Nashville back in the playoff picture, it's hard to gauge the Swedish blue-liner's availability. The Predators are battling a slew of injuries that could mire their postseason push, so it's likely Ekholm could still be had for the right price.
Another somewhat under-the-radar option is Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson. The 6-foot-3, right-shooting rearguard would give the Jets a physical presence they've lacked on the right side since Dustin Byfuglien's departure, and his defensive metrics have been consistently strong.
Manson and Ekholm are both under contract through the 2021-22 season. Since neither is a rental, the Jets would need to move money out to bring one of them in. Perhaps Mathieu Perreault and his expiring $4.12-million cap hit could be a starting point.
(Salary-cap source: CapFriendly)
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