from Frank Seravalli of TSN,
With six weeks to go until the NHL’s 2017 Trade Deadline, here’s an early look at each team’s needs, wants and wishes:
BUFFALO
Top priority: Future assets
Scoop: GM Tim Murray has been one of the trade deadline’s biggest sellers over the past few years and he likely will be again this season. Buffalo has extra second and third-round picks this June to show for it. They can probably add to that total with pending UFAs Cody Franson and Brian Gionta. Maybe another team can rehab pending RFA Zemgus Girgensons into the 30-point scorer he was two seasons ago.DETROIT
Top priority: Shed salary
Scoop: The lights are likely to go down at Joe Louis Arena for the final time this spring without a Stanley Cup playoff appearance for the first time since 1990. Detroit already has $68 million committed for next season, plus they need to re-sign RFAs Tomas Tatar and Andreas Athanasiou. Keeping Tomas Vanek not only doesn’t help for the long-term future but only complicates the cap crunch.ST. LOUIS
Top priority: Walking the tightrope
Scoop: The Blues gambled last year and let David Backes and Troy Brouwer walk for nothing on July 1. They need to get something before Kevin Shattenkirk does the same. The difficulty is in finding a fit that won’t do a disservice to the Blues’ current crop, even if they aren’t as strong as in years past.
the rest of the NHL teams...
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