As NHL teams reach the Thanksgiving mark in the regular season, general managers are evaluating their team’s playoff chances and considering their strategy for the trade deadline. Last year, most of the eventual postseason teams were already in playoff position by this point. Some teams, like the New York Islanders and Nashville Predators, made late-season pushes to secure a playoff spot.
With three months until the trade deadline, teams are assessing whether they will be buyers or sellers. The Athletic asked NHL staff two questions about each team: their confidence in playoff chances and their approach to the trade deadline. For teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins, who are cautious sellers, they must decide whether to hold onto valuable players or use them to build for the future.
On the other hand, aggressive buyers like the Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche are looking to make moves to bolster their rosters for a playoff push. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks, who are aggressive sellers, are looking to offload expiring contracts and acquire assets for the future.
As the season progresses, teams will continue to assess their position in the standings and make strategic decisions leading up to the trade deadline. With a mix of buyers, sellers, and teams on the bubble, the NHL landscape is shaping up for an exciting and competitive end to the regular season.
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