NHL playoff tiers and buyer/seller 2.0: Where does each team stand as we

The NHL trade deadline is just over two months away, and while the big moves haven’t yet begun to roll in, we’re already starting to think about what they’ll be.

To get a sense of the top players who are expected to be available at the March 8 deadline, check out The Athletic’s trade big board. We’ve also recently covered whether it will be a seller’s market and which teams are facing the most intriguing deadline-decision dilemmas.

To get a full sense of who’s expected to be a buyer and a seller, this week The Athletic asked its NHL staff two questions: 1) How confident are you in each team’s playoff chances? 2) Will the team be a buyer or a seller at the deadline?

Here’s what they said.

Record: 13-24-1
Playoff tier: Not happening
Trade deadline buyer or seller? Aggressive seller

Analysis: That fun six-game winning streak with wild comebacks and thrilling overtime finishes now seems like it was from another universe. The Ducks have gone 6-20-1 since, have trouble scoring, get overwhelmed in territorial play some nights and can’t seem to keep everyone in the lineup. As expected, the playoffs remain off in the distance. They’re more in building mode than teardown, but still, general manager Pat Verbeek can stand to be active again as a seller, and you’d imagine he’ll listen to calls made on pending unrestricted free agents Adam Henrique and Ilya Lyubushkin. Better yet, initiate those calls with fellow GMs to gauge their interest and what they would offer for each. Frank Vatrano still has term, but the first-time All-Star’s value is high now. Long-term pieces John Gibson and Cam Fowler shouldn’t necessarily be kept out of discussions either. — Eric Stephens

Record: 19-16-2
Playoff tier: Bubble team
Trade deadline buyer or seller? Cautious buyer

Analysis: The Coyotes were right on the cusp of a wild-card position in the first week of January, which is a dramatic improvement from years in the past decade. The key will be to avoid a prolonged losing streak, because some of the teams they are competing with — notably the Edmonton Oilers — look capable of getting hot. But making the playoffs would be a significant achievement, and if it looks as if one or two additional pieces could help, the Coyotes have the prospect/draft capital to get a deal done. — Eric Duhatschek

Record: 23-8-6
Playoff tier: It’s a lock
Trade deadline buyer or seller? Cautious buyer

Analysis: The Bruins need help up front. Specifically, they would be best served with a top-six scoring wing. Their problem is the shortage of assets required to acquire an impact forward. They do not have a 2024 first-round pick. They are also without second- and third-round picks in 2024. So general manager Don Sweeney will have to be selective when making a deal. — Fluto Shinzawa