While the Washington Capitals seem to have the division locked down at the moment, there is still plenty left to decide for the rest of the division. The Carolina Hurricanes sit in a good spot, leading the New Jersey Devils by four points for second in the Metropolitan Division with a game in hand, but the race behind them is starting to get crazy during one of the most exciting times of the season.
The league's trade deadline is set for 3 pm on Friday afternoon, meaning teams will be making one last push to finalize what they'll look like for the stretch run of the regular season and the postseason. The Hurricanes have already made one of the biggest moves of the season, acquiring Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall in late January. However, I don't think they're done yet.
Part of the reason for my hesitancy is the current state of the division. While the Canes have earned a little separation from the Devils, the Blue Jackets and the Rangers are waiting in the wings to pounce. It has turned Friday into must-see television as we await the moves to make this race even tougher for the final month.
Their last two games have put the Devils in an interesting spot. Jack Hughes left their loss to Vegas late in the third period on Sunday after going head-first into the boards following an entanglement with Jack Eichel. On Tuesday night, Dougie Hamilton left after the first period in Dallas. Depending on the extent of their injuries and whether either is moved to LTIR, it could give New Jersey some money to play with.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have gone from a good story to a legitimate postseason threat as the current first Wild Card team. They locked Mathieu Olivier into a long-term deal on Wednesday morning. Former Canes GM Don Waddell is in an interesting spot and will need to decide how aggressive he wants to be without giving up the team's bright future.
Heading into 2025, the New York Rangers were on a sinking ship. They were seven points out of a playoff spot and things were looking dire. Since the start of the new year, they've figured it out. Like the Canes, they've already made a big move, acquiring JT Miller from the Canucks, but there's no chance they're done. Reilly Smith is likely to be traded, though I'd anticipate a few moves to add, too.
There isn't a ton I expect the Canes to do at the deadline, though they could try to hunt for a center to sure up the weakest part of their roster. One of the big names on the market was taken off on Tuesday as Montreal re-signed Jake Evans to a four-year deal. I find it highly unlikely, but the Canes could also circle the market for a goalie, with John Gibson's name being the most prominent.
Whatever happens over the next few days will dictate the next three months. Regardless of whether the team makes a move or not, the passing of the deadline will give everyone a chance to breathe a little easier. With no more trade talks until July 1st, the final group can settle in and focus on the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. It's an exciting time to be a hockey fan.