Ten Deadline Day Predictions

In the opening words of the Buyers & Sellers guide to MRFHL trade deadline, I alluded to the fact that March came in like a lion on the trade front, little did I realize I unknowingly foretold the deadline going out like a lamb.  After 16 trades in the first 10 days of the month, we've only seen four deals in the seven days since.

It makes me wonder, is this power of prognostication one that I've always had, or is this the opening act of my very own origin story?  You know, the part of the movie where an odd amount of coincidences befall our hero always in their favour; picking the chocolate bar with the golden ticket, catching the pretty lady before she falls into traffic, or getting a drumstick-only order of chicken wings.

After thinking this over for a few moments, I soon realized that this must have been the power guiding me to trade Max Domi before what could very well be his career worst goal scoring season, or making a move to acquire Zach Werenski right on the cusp of a career best.

So in the spirit of sharing — knowing what a lousy member of the MRFHL I'd be to keep it to myself — I decided to put my powers to good use and share a glimpse 24 hours into the future.  Allow me to show you what we'll have learned moments after the 2024/25 trading door has shut. 

Here are my 10 trade deadline predictions.

10.  Half of the West's playoff teams will exit the deadline without making a single move

My vision is a little blurry and I can't tell if they're asleep or just don't care, but from here it appears that Anaheim, Colorado, Seattle and Winnipeg are all looking to close out the trade season without a move from February 1st onward.  Perhaps they've already resigned themselves to the fact that the west will be decided by a St. Louis vs Vancouver conference final.

9.  Nylander will join his third team of the season

Listen, I know this sounds insane, but after Montreal acquired the All-Star forward for what seems like an insultingly low price of Mark Scheifele (what GM in his right mind would've made that trade) the Habs will maximize their return for the 28 year old by dealing him for an absolute treasure trove of picks and players.  With a single asset the bleu, blanc et rouge will have turned their fortunes around.  Who will be the acquiring team?  Let's just say I don't see Nylander boarding a long flight.

8.  A Leafs 1st will be dealt... but since they don't hold any, it won't be by them

Sure a first round pick sounds sexy, but when the pick's so far down the draft order that you realize a high second is just as good, could you have gotten more?  With so many big name rentals still up for grabs, the pickless Maple Leafs will see their first rounder switch hands yet again.  Jury's still out on whether Toronto will enter the 2025 MRFHL Entry Draft with any selections whatsoever after being so trigger happy through the month of March.

7.  Detroit will deal themselves into non-contention

You know that friend that tries to make back his losses on a bad bet by then making an even riskier one?  Enter the 2024/25 Detroit Red Wings.  Amidst a league-leading seven trades through the deadline period, the Wings have slipped out of a divisional playoff spot and into the first wild card.  Hockeytown's favourite skating grease monkeys are one losing streak away from seeing divisional counterparts Ottawa and Tampa strut past them, leaving their playoff hopes flat.

6.  Islander's should've sold

Imagine the return our favourite fishermen could've raked in had they moved on from Mika Zibanejad for a pick & prospect pack, or if they realized Ryan Strome really wasn't the piece they were missing.  Don't get me wrong, I love the Long Island GM, but it doesn't take a crystal ball to know that he could've gotten a haul from Toronto if he was just willing to sell Erik Cernak.

5.  Minnesota could've gotten more

Yeah, this isn't so much a prediction but rather an educated guess that when you turn your team into a league-wide fire sale, it's impossible to maximize return on every move.  But you gotta respect his hutzpah.

4.  Ottawa will win Tuesday night and realize immediately that they should've been a buyer

On the night of the deadline Ottawa will host league-worst Philadelphia (sorry Flyers fans, but at this point it's just a fact) and after collecting a comfortable two points and extending their push into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, they'll immediately realize their team was too good to give up on.

3.  Chris Tanev will get traded (just kidding, no he won't)

I know this is only my first year as part of the MRFHL, but never have I seen a GM shop a guy so relentlessly.  Listen, I like a hustler as much as anybody, but it's starting to give off bodega-owner vibes trying to push that one last gross looking hotdog.  Not only will Tanev fail to find a home outside of Chicago before the clock strikes midnight, he's going on a production-strike after hearing how his general manager littered the discord with attempts to trade him.

2.  Jeff Carter will actually get traded (sorry, Todd)

How could you not roll the dice on a washed up goal scorer hoping to squeeze the last drops of point production out of him?  Carter's a specialist with a bottom-six skillset with a nose for the net, and his $1.2 million contract gets ridiculously attractive with less than $240,000 remaining. Even the most cash-strapped teams can afford to add that level of experience.  Carter's without a Cup, so who will be the team that etches him into history.

1.  The real winner is whoever holds their picks, trading for three times the value at the Draft

I think this is one of those visions that was meant solely for me, but after blatantly ignoring it I feel obligated to share it now with the rest of you.  Be honest, you're not going to win the Cup.  I know those picks are burning a hole in your pocket, but think of all you can get by selling them at the draft.

And with that, the crystal ball fades and the visions in my mind go dark.  Allow these nuggets to guide and inform you as we all navigate the closing hours of the trade season.  And if you happen to capitalize off of what you learn (*cough* Montreal), I'll accept payments in the form of 6th round picks.