The Daily Goal Horn

Trade deadline hits next Friday, with GMs dialing non-stop as Olympic dust settles. Nelson bags gold for his squad, boosting his stock back home, while Trocheck draws eyes from playoff hungry clubs. Colorado's war room exemplifies the frenzy, balancing deadline deals against long-term cap gymnastics.

Buffalo scouts lock on a pair of New York forwards as trade whispers heat up post-Olympics, with assets lining up for a splash. GMs in rebuild mode hunt upgrades without gutting the future, and these targets fit the Sabres' timeline perfectly. Deadline proximity forces hands, as Rangers brass weighs selling high or standing pat.

The Minnesota Wild made a splash acquiring Quinn Hughes from Vancouver back in December, but early returns suggest one star defenseman won't be enough to compete with Dallas or Colorado in the playoffs. With the trade deadline just two weeks away and the Olympic roster freeze lifting today, GM Bill Guerin is already circling potential targets like Vincent Trocheck and Robert Thomas to address the team's glaring need at center.

The Rangers sit at 22-29-6, dead last in the East with that brutal -29 goal differential, but whispers from the front office suggest they mount a surprise push as the schedule thickens. GMs around the league eye their cap space and young guns, wondering if Chris Drury pulls off a deadline masterstroke to flip the script. Action resumes with key matchups that could define trade trajectories and wildcard dreams, and every scout knows one hot streak changes everything in this parity-driven NHL.