NHL Power Rankings: Trade Deadline Needs Edition

With 41 wins, the Capitals tied an NHL record for most victories through 55 games. The Caps may look to make a small addition but nothing to upset the chemistry of a rolling club. Renting a depth defenceman (Roman Polak?) or a more proven backup goaltender for Braden Holtby (James Reimer?) could be an option, but don’t be surprised if they stand pat.

Scoring is no issue in Dallas, but will Jim Nill risk parting with members of a well-stocked prospect group in order to shore up his blue-line for a run at the big prize? Dallas has thrived in spite of its 13th-ranked defence, and 4-3 games become even more of a rarity come April.

With Marian Hossa on IR and out weeks, Chicago’s forward depth has taken another hit. (Welcome to the top six, Richard Panik!) GM Stan Bowman will have just $3.9 million in cap space to rent a forward for his Cup title defence but could get creative. P.A. Parenteau and Kris Versteeg have been mentioned as affordable options.

Gradually the Ducks have waddled from the brink and are winning with regularity, putting them firmly in the buyer category. GM Bob Murray has enviable depth on defence, which he could use to land a scorer up front, and one wonders if he’s ever entirely content with his goaltending situation.

A key injury — Rick Nash —could push the Blueshirts to add a forward by Feb. 29. Some names tossed out as targets for this win-now franchise: Charlie Coyle, Cam Atkinson and Radim Vrbata.

The Atlantic-leading Panthers rank just 10th in offence, and GM Dale Tallon has said he would be open to adding a scoring forward for the playoff push. Andrew Ladd, if available, gets his tires kicked hard here.

San Jose’s Mercury News reports that the currently on-fire Sharks could be in the market for a goaltender to help out Martin Jones. Backup Alex Stalock (3-5-0) and his .884 save percentage might not cut it come playoff time.

Hard to picture the Islanders parting with valuable pieces like Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Travis Hamonic in the next 10 days. They need those guys to win a playoff round. If there’s an upgrade to be made here, it’s a move to add a depth defenceman.

Here go the Blues — one of the best defences, one of the worst offences. If St. Louis isn’t kicking around past Round 1 this spring, it’s reasonable to think coach Ken Hitchcock and GM Doug Armstrong will be feeling the heat. While a bold move (trading Kevin Shattenkirk) appears unlikely with Alex Pietrangelo sidelined, the Blues should try to add forward depth. Their biggest need, realistically, is health.

Dean Lombardi has a history of grabbing key rentals at this time of year, and with L.A. the toast of the Pacific, there’s no reason not to go for it again this year. The Kings had kicked tires on Dustin Byfuglien, and with Christian Ehrhoff disappointing, a defenceman would be nice. But with Marian Gaborik on IR, L.A. could benefit from a veteran forward as well.

The Bruins’ biggest priority should be hashing out the Loui Eriksson situation: Will they be able to re-sign the winger? If not, let the world know he’s for sale to the highest bidder and watch the offers roll in. Try to find the best blue-line prospects possible.

The Penguins’ crusade to save their season means Jim Rutherford will be considering all options, but he has less than $2 million in cap space to play with here and recent gambits have sucked several prospects from the system. Bottom-six character forwards like Chris Thorburn, Chris Neil, and Devante Smith-Pelly have been suggested as realistic targets.

Steven Stamkos’s re-signing would be a sweet surprise for Lightning fans, but one has to think GM Steve Yzerman would love to deal the asset that is a stagnant Jonathan Drouin for a piece that can help him now. With defenceman Jason Garrison injured and just one win in five games, the Lightning need defence.

On track to make the playoffs again as usual, the Red Wings’ offence is worse than most, and you gotta believe they’d love to move backup Jimmy Howard in a significant deal. (Such a trade would be Ken Holland’s Phaneuf.) With very little cap space, it’ll be tough for Detroit to outbid competitors for top-end rentals.

Still weak on defence, Colorado needs to improve its blue-line. But that’ll come with development; the Avs aren’t one piece away. Colorado might need to just stay the course here. If they squeak into the playoffs, bonus. If not, the lottery could help them. Let other teams slam the panic button.

The Hurricanes can’t buy into the illusion they are a good team… yet. Get something back for Eric Staal, Kris Versteeg, John Michael-Liles, and (if possible) Cam Ward, who’s hobbling. The future is bright but distant.

“We’re not giving up on our future,” president John Davidson told the Post-Dispatch this week. “There’s no sense that happens. We’re going to continue to draft and develop and go through the process, whether it’s here, Cleveland, junior, college, Europe… whatever it is.” Sounds like Columbus, which is still thin on D, will be quiet on Feb. 29.

From sure thing to bubble team, Nashville hasn’t gotten the consistency necessary from its goaltender or forwards to hang with the Central Division elite this season. Expect the active David Poile to go for another impact forward to complement his excellent D core. He won’t be content with only Ryan Johansen.

Frustratingly streaky, the Flyers have played themselves into the conversation but need to be careful about mistaking that for serious contention. Time for Ron Hextall to hear out offers but exercise patience.

Ray Shero has done some fine, quiet work in his Year One A.L. (After Lou), but he must realize that Jersey is still a seller. Figure out if affordable charges — David Schlemko, Lee Stempniak, Tuomo Ruutu — want to hang around next year. If not, seek some assets in return.

Bryan Murray isn’t afraid to deal. Think of the significant trades he’s been involved in recently: Jason Spezza, Bobby Ryan, Kyle Turris, Robin Lehner, Dion Phaneuf. The GM wants to add a forward, but if Ottawa can’t get on a hot streak in the next 10 days, he’ll be better served selling instead of buying.

The Jets need to re-sign captain Andrew Ladd or trade him by Feb. 29. No excuse for letting one of the most coveted rentals walk for zero return.

Arizona needs to find out if it can re-sign impending UFA Mikkel Boedker. A playoff long shot cannot afford to let a coveted 26-year-old winger hit the open market for nothing. All indications in the desert point to not mortgaging futures for the playoff glimmer. Smart.

Scoring. A 21st-ranked offence that scores just 2.5 goals per game could use a boost from a player who can put the puck in the net. Perfect under their new coach, a playoff spot is attainable for Minnesota if the team can shoot more.

Montreal needs to fire Michel Therrien, reload for next season, let Carey Price heal, and listen to offers on its UFAs: Tomas Fleischmann, Paul Byron, Dale Weise and Tom Gilbert. No more kid gloves.

Find buyers fast. GM Brad Treliving needs to be realistic about his team’s chances this season — i.e., they’re gone — and sell defenceman Kris Russell and winger Jiri Hudler now. Their value may never be higher. If a contender needs an experienced goalie for playoff depth, Jonas Hiller is for rent. Karri Ramo, sadly, is done for the season.

GM Tim Murray needs to find trade partners for aging UFAs-to-be David Legwand, Jamie McGinn and Mike Weber. The Sabres’ real run is still seasons away, so the effort should be in finding younger players who can peak alongside Jack Eichel, Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart.

The Canucks need to be realistic — and sell. Vancouver holds two of the most intriguing rental players in Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata, so sell ’em and sell ’em high. Hamhuis is a B.C. native with a no-trade clause, but there’s no reason Vancouver can’t re-sign him after July 1 (the way Arizona loaned Antoine Vermette to the Cup-winning Blackhawks) if the two sides are that married to each other.

The Oilers need defence, still. And it’s becoming clear that Justin Schultz is not a good fit, so finding a trade partner for the pending RFA would be wise. Another need: Figure out if winger Teddy Purcell will stay for a reduced rate (he makes $4.5 million now). If not, trade him for assets and continue the build. Long-term: Consider trading their high first-round pick for a blue-chip defenceman.

The Maple Leafs need to sell, sell and sell some more. The league’s worst team needs draft picks and prospects. Now, let’s see if Lou Lamoriello can find buyers for Nick Spaling, Shawn Matthias, Brad Boyes, Roman Polak, Rich Clune, Daniel Winnik, P-A Parenteau, Jonathan Bernier, Michael Grabner….