The Vancouver Canucks' Brock Boeser, a highly sought-after player, is likely heading to the open market as he nears the end of his contract. The Canucks seem unwilling to meet his demand for an $8 million, five-year deal, which opens the door for multiple teams in search of scoring power. The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames are two franchises looking to retool and could be keen on acquiring him. Others, such as the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers, have the cap space and desire to make a splash in free agency.

As we approach the NHL trade deadline, the implications for teams in the playoff hunt are also significant. Notably, Aleksei Kolosov of the Philadelphia Flyers is expected to return to Belarus instead of aiding in their playoff run, which might leave the Flyers with limited options in goal. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens may look to offload Carey Price's hefty contract to create flexibility for future moves, especially if they can find a team needing to reach the salary floor.