These NHL teams need a blockbuster before the trade deadline - ESPN

The NHL trade deadline is Friday, and while we might be slightly concerned about the volume of activity on deadline day itself — with players such as Artemi Panarin already having found new homes — let's be optimistic about it: Fortune favors the bold, and there are definitely teams that are one or two players away from becoming true Stanley Cup contenders.

There are also a handful of front offices that might look at their current position in the standings, and decide it's time rebuild — or at least «retool.»

Here are some teams I'd love to see take big swings by Friday at 3 p.m. ET:

The clock is ticking. Connor McDavid gave the franchise two more seasons past this one to figure it out by signing one of the most team-friendly deals in recent professional sports history.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry was swapped in earlier this season for Stuart Skinner. Since his arrival, he has posted an .860 save percentage and has given up four-plus goals in each of his past five starts (including the first game back from the Olympic break). Do the Oilers look to add another goaltender, or ride it out with Jarry (and waiver claim Connor Ingram)?

The Oilers are bottom 11 in the league in shots faced per game, but have given up the most high danger-goals (55), despite giving up middle of the road high-danger chances. A shutdown defender could help further prevent those chances coming through, which would certainly help.

The Kraken recently had a nice win streak full of playoff-style games… gritty, gutsy, 3-2, 2-1 type of wins. They currently sit in a wild-card spot with no player above 40 points and only one (Jordan Eberle) at the 20-goal mark. This team could certainly use a superstar. Someone like Panarin (if he were still available).

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