As Thanksgiving approaches, NHL teams are actively assessing their rosters and making trades. The Utah Hockey Club acquired Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings, while the Toronto Maple Leafs sent Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks. The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals for draft picks.

Despite increased trade chatter, actual moves are limited due to salary cap constraints. New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald noted that while teams are exploring options, significant trades are still on the horizon. Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is particularly active in seeking upgrades, while Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz is also in search of a center. Other GMs like Lou Lamoriello and Craig Conroy are looking to improve their teams, but the current landscape makes trades challenging.