Kaplan's latest trade deadline buzz: Wild so far, what's next - ESPN

Wednesday was one of the wackiest NHL days in recent memories. The trade floodgates opened when Florida, which has been searching for luxury names without having give much up, did just that by acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko in the morning for a pair of draft picks and 50% salary.

A flurry followed.

The Edmonton Oilers traded for Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from Anaheim. The New York Rangers got their third-line center in Alex Wennberg (though they're not done yet). Philly finally ended its blue-line stalemate, extending Nick Seeler and trading Sean Walker — and the Flyers received the first-round pick they coveted, in exchange for taking on Ryan Johansen's contract.

And then we got the deal that shook everyone: 22-year-old Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram went to Buffalo in exchange for 25-year-old center Casey Mittelstadt. A former No. 4 draft pick vs. a former No. 8 pick. The deal was one for one.

Then the Vegas Golden Knights ended the night with their typical brash flair, swooping in for Noah Hanifin.

And that might not be as chaotic as what's going on behind the scenes. The Jake Guentzel sweepstakes are stirring; two of the Penguins' division rivals (Carolina and New York) have legitimate chances at landing the playoff-ready winger. The Golden Knights and Panthers are in on Guentzel, too — and seeing either of 2023 Stanley Cup Finalists get him after already making moves would totally annoy the rest of the league. But Vancouver has stuck around in an attempt to go bold. On Tuesday, The Athletic's Chris Johnston said the Canucks were exploring flipping Elias Lindholm to Boston if they can land Guentzel. ESPN's Kevin Weekes followed that up Wednesday and said the proposed deal could involve sending Jake