The clock is now officially ticking.
In fewer than 15 hours, GMs’ teams are going to be locked; the question is: Will they be loaded? The 2021 trade deadline is here and there’s a short window open for wheelin’ and dealin’. Some of the biggest names are already off the board but there are still players out there who can give teams a postseason push.
NHL TRADE TRACKER 2021: List of deals completed before the deadline
A number of teams will be looking to send soon-to-be unrestricted free agents packing while others will be looking to save almighty cap space. Maybe your team is — new term alert — a “broker team.”
Sporting News is keeping track of all the latest rumors and trades, and giving those swaps grades when they happen.
NHL trade deadline tracker
(All times Eastern)
3:54 p.m. — More deals, including a blockbuster between the Capitals and Red Wings.
Red Wings grade: A+
Capitals grade: B-
Mantha is not worth nearly as much as GM Brian MacLellan paid (a first-rounder, which Hall didn’t get) but he’ll get some cap relief and a guy who is a decent mid-six.
3:31 p.m. — Capitals are making some late-inning moves.
3:23 p.m. — Couple more trades.
3:18 p.m. — Lots of deals coming out after 3 p.m.
3 p.m. — Time’s up.
Sharks: 2022 fifth-round pick
2:48 p.m. — The reported return on Sam Bennett for the Flames.
2:45 p.m. — Things happening as the last few minutes tick off.
2:41 p.m. — Panthers getting playoff Sam Bennett?
2:18 p.m. — Less than an hour to go before the trade deadline but a friendly reminder that deals can still come down after 3 p.m.
2:17 p.m. — Bob McKenzie says the Canucks are also looking to move Jordie Benn.
2:12 p.m. — Blackhawks move Soderberg and get Brian Rolston’s kid in the deal.
2:11 p.m. — Laughton, a center, is reportedly staying put in Philly.
1:48 p.m. — One name off the trade board: Alex Iafallo. Kings signed the forward to a four-year contract extension ($4 million AAV).
1:31 p.m. — More depth defensemen moving.
1:10 p.m. — The Oilers add a depth defenseman.
Oilers grade: B+
Devils grade: B+
A good move by Ken Holland as he adds a depth defenseman to help bolster a blue line that already has Darnell Nurse, Tyson Barrie and Ethan Bear. A good move by Tom Fitzgerald as he nabs a pick for a guy who could have walked in the offseason.
12:57 p.m. — Things are starting to pick up.
12:54 p.m. — Another ex-Rangers defenseman reportedly heading to Tampa Bay.
12:37 p.m. — Officially official.
Canucks: B+
Blackhawks: B+
Pretty even swap here with two guys who have some upside.
12:14 p.m. — Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Canucks are sending Adam Gaudette to the Blackhawks for Matthew Highmore.
12:02 p.m. — Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston says that Vegas could be looking to make a move and that it could be Ryan Getzlaf. Also adds Jamie Oleksiak is a name piquing some interest.
11:58 a.m. — Are the Oilers adding a depth D?
11:41 a.m. — John Tortorella says losing Nick Foligno is like “breaking up the band.”
11:29 a.m. — Could the Sharks be in the mix?
11:23 a.m. — TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports that the Capitals are looking to upgrade between the pipes for the postseason. The two guys there now, Vitak Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, are youngsters with not a ton of experience.
10:18 a.m. — Flyers centerman drawing interest.
10:14 a.m. — A first? In this economy?
10:00 a.m. — Detroit is open for business?
9:22 a.m. — Is Connor Garland on the move? Elliotte Friedman mentioned that he’s a guy being talked about on NHL Network too.
8:03 a.m. — It’s now officially official: Taylor Hall is a Bruin.
Bruins grade: B+
Sabres grade: D
1:46 a.m. — It’s official, but it’s not the one you think.
*Kings will retain 50 percent of Carter’s salary.
Kings grade: B+
Penguins grade: B+
The Penguins add a veteran from the West Coast at the deadline — it’s very 2020 Patrick Marleau but Carter brings a couple of rings with him, unlike Marleau, the soon-to-be NHL all-time leader in games played. Carter’s best years are behind him, but the 36-year-old can still add depth as a right-handed shot who can play any spot in the forward group.
1:30 a.m — The Taylor Hall trade may be done, but nothing has been announced by either team.
12:05 a.m. — It should be noted that Bob McKenzie dropped this “Bob’s Bomb” around 10:30 p.m., too.
12:01 a.m. — Just after midnight, this came down and all hell broke loose on Twitter.
Midnight — A quick breakdown of a few of the big trades that have occurred:
David Rittich trade grade: Maple Leafs add goalie with Frederik Andersen’s status unknown Nick Foligno trade grades: Maple Leafs add Blue Jackets captain in three-team deal Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac trade grades: Devils ship duo to Islanders in mega deal
Midnight — Before we break everything down, he’s a quick recap of the big moves that came down in the 48 hours before the official countdown began.