Seattle Kraken forward Yanni Gourde and fellow teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand are at the center of trade discussions with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The potential trade hinges on a $3.5 million salary cap gap, leaving Seattle or a third party responsible for covering part of the salary. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club is actively seeking to upgrade their roster, possibly offloading Matias Maccelli. The St. Louis Blues are likely to keep their roster intact, as Brayden Schenn prefers to stay, though he has intrigued other teams. Lastly, the Columbus Blue Jackets are exploring options for a middle-six forward but are hesitant to offer long-term contracts as they negotiate with Ivan Provorov.

Trade rumors swirl around Brock Boeser as the Vancouver Canucks appear open to parting with the forward amid stalled contract discussions. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild are expected to make trades while adhering to a strict 'penny in and penny out' strategy, with Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov anticipated to return before season's end.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are holding firm on their roster, despite interest in defenseman Ivan Provorov, and are not considering trades for veteran players. In contrast, the St. Louis Blues are not budging on their asking price for Brayden Schenn, indicating their commitment to retaining their assets as they navigate the playoff race.

The Boston Bruins are seemingly committed to re-signing Brad Marchand, despite some uncertainty surrounding his future with the team. General Manager Don Sweeney indicated that while the team is negotiating an extension, they are open to discussions regarding Marchand’s potential trade value. The pressure is on Sweeney to ensure a fruitful reload of the roster, particularly as the trade deadline approaches. Interest from multiple teams including the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and New Jersey Devils has been noted, suggesting that Marchand could fetch a significant return if the Bruins decide to explore trade options.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets are taking a different approach. GM Don Waddell has emphasized that they are not looking to sell at the deadline, focusing instead on developing their assets. The Blue Jackets may look to add players rather than part with key assets, particularly with Ivan Provorov being described as their best shutdown defenseman. This stance is indicative of a broader strategy aimed at building rather than dismantling their roster.

The Columbus Blue Jackets face a pressing decision regarding defenseman Ivan Provorov as the trade deadline approaches. Having exchanged contract offers in January that failed to bring them closer, the team now has crucial games to assess their playoff viability. The looming question is whether they can let Provorov, a key asset, depart for nothing when free agency opens on July 1st. If the Blue Jackets deem their playoff chances legitimate, they may need to consider offers that include a first-round pick to avoid losing him without compensation.

Meanwhile, Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks is also in trade discussions, but given his hefty $9.5 million cap hit and mixed evaluations around the league, a deal seems unlikely. Teams are viewing him more as a second-pairing defenseman, which complicates Chicago's plans. With five years remaining on his contract, retaining salary could be necessary to attract interest. Additionally, the Blackhawks are monitoring their salary cap floor, with around $36 million in projected space, and may seek to add a top-tier forward, but the challenge remains in offloading Jones’ contract.

In an unexpected twist this NHL season, the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets have emerged as strong contenders for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders are currently riding a six-game winning streak, which has propelled them into fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. This surge has been fueled by exceptional goaltending from Ilya Sorokin, who recently recorded his third shutout of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers. Additionally, Simon Holmstrom's scoring prowess and Kyle Palmieri's return to form on the power play have significantly bolstered the team's offensive capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets, initially viewed as a rebuilding team, hold a Wild Card position, surprising analysts with their high-powered offense. They rank fourth in the league in goals per game, thanks to contributions from both veterans and young talent, including Sean Monahan and Yegor Chinakhov. The coaching of Dean Evason has also seen defensive improvements, allowing the Blue Jackets to capitalize efficiently on their scoring opportunities.

As the March 7 trade deadline approaches, both teams face pivotal decisions. The Islanders may seek to enhance their forward depth, while the Blue Jackets, amidst their unexpected success, might consider adding veteran players to support their playoff ambitions. With multiple teams in close contention, maintaining their current level of play will be crucial for both franchises as they pursue postseason berths.