At the quarter mark of the season, the wheels have begun turning for many general managers. Enough time has passed in the 2019-20 campaign to tell whether a team can contend as currently constructed or not. The standings at the end of November are usually a strong indicator of where teams will end up at the conclusion of the regular season and a number of clubs will not be happy with where they currently sit. The New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers hold the five best records in the NHL and may be content to wait for the NHL Trade Deadline to make a move, but others are already feeling the pressure to do so as soon as possible.
The two biggest disappointments of the season so far are easily the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames. The Flames were the regular season champs of the Western Conference with 107 points, while the Leafs were a 100-point team themselves. Yet, the struggle for both squads seemingly started in last year’s playoffs with frustrating first-round exits. Toronto again fell victim to the rival Boston Bruins, while Calgary was stunned in five games by the eight-seeded Colorado Avalanche. Both teams entered the new season with something to prove but have only found more disappointment. The Flames and Maple Leafs are shockingly just .500 teams through 20+ games apiece, with each riding a significant losing streak. Neither team has any cap space available, but are in desperate need of a shake-up nonetheless. The Leafs seem to be lacking an edge defensively (and could also use a goalie), while Calgary’s offense is third-worst in the league.
However, is maintaining relevance more important than finally achieving it? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but after strong starts to the season, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks appear to be tailing off yet again. Buffalo was electric to begin the year, just as they were in 2018-19, but are just 2-6-2 in their past ten games and would miss the playoffs if they started today. That would make it a league-worst nine years in a row without postseason hockey for the Sabres, who somehow need to find a way to stay consistent over the course of a season, especially in the Atlantic Division. A new addition up front would go a long way for Buffalo. The Canucks are doing a slightly better job, still holding down the third spot in the Pacific Division, but they are far from safe at their current pace. Vancouver’s .571 points percentage is just 16th in the league and the team is trending in the wrong direction, winning just three of their past ten contests. With the aforementioned Flames, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the red-hot San Jose Sharks on their heels, Vancouver cannot afford to let this lapse in play continue. Another missed postseason would make it five in a row. A veteran leader in the locker room who can also make an impact on the ice would be a major addition for the young Canucks.
Which one of these four teams most needs to make a trade to shake things up and get back to their winning ways? Or is there another team under pressure whose needs are even more immediate? Vote below and support your selection in the comments.
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The biggest trade that is needed is behind the Leafs bench
Or by the biggest TML homer/try hard troll on this blog. Wonder which team he bandwagons next year when the leafs miss or just sneak in and get bumped by BB again this year.
Lmao yes wreckage that as well
BOSTON!!!! they have only one line that can scorer there is no other answer
With out the best line in the Nhl that team would be the the worst team in the league and even when they lose one player from that line they suffer bad
I don’t really think there’s anyone available that could help them tho or am I wrong?
IMO
Pretty sure the best line in hockey is in Edmonton. But Bostons 1st line isnt bad.
And BTW, Edmontons top 2 players have as many points as Bostons top line.
Ur right there so much better better that line has done it for what 20 games ? But for the bs line has done it for the past 3-4 yrs
1967.
@mcase
Try researching those teams top line production for the past 3 years.
New Jersey – particularly in net or at LHD
Jersey made the move this morning… Schnied’s back to the AHL to try and regain his confidence/game again.
If NJD want to make an impact on D, i’m sure the Oilers would reverse the Hall for Larsson trade.
Oilers! Conner Mc needs help.
Perhaps you have heard of this new German guy, Leon Draisaitl. He leads the league in the hockey scoring department right now. Even more than Connor McDavid. More goals than McDavid, and more assists than McDavid. But hey, the Oilers should be renamed the Edmonton McDavids by anyone who goes to sleep midway thru the third on the east coast because there are no good hockey players/teams/games west of Toronto.
Oh, and its ConnOr not ConnEr.
If you want to take a shot at the team currently tied for 2nd in the NHL, at least get one of their stars, if not the leagues biggest stars, names right.
Maybe work on your own grammar if you’re going to pounce on other people for misspelling a name. Hint… start with where and when apostrophes are required.
Didn’t they have Draisaitl last year and get smashed. I give the coaching change some credit but you are fooling yourself if you don’t think there are some rough days ahead
Leafs need to move on from that goof Ceci. Justin Holl the guy who sat 70odd games last year plays twice the game that Cody plays
The only reason Toronto is a “disappointment” is the bloated unrealistic expectations the media in Toronto and Canada in general puts on them. They have been a defensively challenged team for years. Adding Tavares didn’t help that. I am not sure a trade is what they need more than maybe an attitude adjustment or coaching change. Edmonton was terrible defensively. Now they are one of the better teams in the league. The Isles were worst in goals allowed and then were best in 1 season with the same players with a different coach.
The most disappointing team is the Lightning. They also have the ability to flick a switch and make a run but to not list them after winning the President’s trophy and then getting knocked out in the 1st round would top my list.
As far as who needs to make a trade, to me it is the Sabres. 2 straight seasons of strong starts followed by a quick fade. At some point either you break up the band or change management.
NYR. They need to try to trade Staal while they still can. Perhaps send Andersson to EDM for Puljajarvi. See what can they get for Kreider. And maybe they’ll finally convince Lundqvist to wave his NMC.
Minnesota needs to unload Parise, Suter and Koivu. Just not worth the money. Take a shot at getting a bag of pucks or a new skate sharpening machine for those guys. Might get more for your money with them.
Your all crazy, why take on the burdern of the Wild players that are old!. Who cares about the Oilers they will only be okay till Smith sustains an injury. They aren’t a playoff team. Nor is Tampa both teams are too soft.
Buffalo is a mirage they wont keep it up. Once it gets down to games having more meeting thats when you seperate the men from the boys!
1967