The Central Division is loaded with contenders that should be looking to add ahead of the NHL trade deadline on Friday, March 6 at 3 p.m. ET.

This division is an absolute behemoth, boasting the top two teams in the league, Colorado and Dallas, while Minnesota is two points out of third place overall.

It’s clear-cut in the Central when it comes to buyers and sellers as teams are either well into the playoffs or well back. Let’s dig into it.

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Division previews

Atlantic Division trade deadline preview

Metropolitan Division trade deadline preview

Pacific Division trade deadline preview

Chicago Blackhawks

Deadline status: Seller

The Chicago Blackhawks hung around a bit at the start of the year largely because of the growth of Connor Bedard, but reality has set in ahead of the deadline.

Like any deadline seller, Chicago’s plan will be to shop pending UFAs, although they may not get the return they want in this year’s buyers market.

The Blackhawks already sent defenceman Connor Murphy to Edmonton, while contending teams could also circle captain Nick Foligno for his veteran presence and Ilya Mikheyev for his elite penalty killing.

Colorado Avalanche

Deadline status: Cup-or-bust

The Colorado Avalanche have been Stanley Cup contenders for a few years and that hasn’t changed as they’ve led the NHL all season.

Colorado hasn’t been this healthy or had a reliable 2C like Brock Nelson since they won the Stanley Cup in 2022, so adding to their depth will be the priority.

The Avs already swapped out Sam Girard for Brett Kulak on the back-end. The next logical move is a third line centre, with Nazem Kadri, Ryan O’Reilly and Vincent Trocheck all fitting the bill.

Dallas Stars

Deadline status: Cup-or-bust

Any other year and the Dallas Stars would expect to cruise to at least the Western Conference Finals, but the NHL’s terrible playoff format currently has them projected to face Minnesota in the first round and Colorado in the second.

That said, Dallas is also all-in this season. Tyler Seguin is officially ruled out for the regular season and playoffs, so the Stars have some extra money to play with as they search for a higher end replacement.

Dallas is reportedly interested in almost every high end forward not named Elias Pettersson. Nazme Kadri, Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas top the list, but cheaper options like Bobby McMann or Blake Coleman could also work.

Minnesota Wild

Deadline status: Cup-or-bust

The Minnesota Wild already showed they’re in true Cup-or-bust mode by making the biggest trade of the season, acquiring Quinn Hughes in December.

Now that the back-end is settled, it’s time for the Wild to focus on adding a top-two centre that can match the elite skill Colorado and Dallas will throw at them.

Cap space isn’t super flexible for the Wild, but if they can move Ryan Hartman and they use Jesper Wallstedt as a trade piece, they’ll have room to make a move. Robert Thomas would be a great long-term fit, while Nazem Kadri, Ryan O’Reilly and Vincent Trocheck are all capable of top-six minutes.

Nashville Predators

Deadline status: Seller?

The Nashville Predators are one of the trickier teams to figure out at the deadline. Largely expected to be sellers this year, the Preds are only four points out of a playoff spot, tied with San Jose and L.A. for the best record among non-playoff teams in the Western Conference.

Nashville has a lot of bad contracts and as close to the playoffs as they are, they should be realistic and recognize they’re not Stanley Cup contenders. Now’s the chance to get rid of some of those bad deals.

Steven Stamkos is having a career resurgence with a team-high 30 goals and the Predators might be able to sell Jonathan Marchessault as a recent Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

St. Louis Blues

Deadline status: Seller

Sitting second-last in the entire NHL, the St. Louis Blue have no shot at the playoffs and now it’s a matter of either retooling the roster, or going for a full rebuild.

If the Blues decide to retool, they can likely get a solid return from aging veterans like goaltender Jordan Binnington, centre Brayden Schenn and defenceman Justin Faulk.

The rebuild route makes everyone expendable. Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas could be a huge return back as players firmly in their prime and each signed for four seasons after this one.

Utah Mammoth

Deadline status: Moderate buyer

The Utah Mammoth have been a great story this season, holding down the top wild card spot in the Western Conference as they look to make their first playoff appearance since moving to Salt Lake City.

I still don’t see the Mammoth as a legit contender, but playoff experience is key to growing, so management would be smart to add some depth pieces for the stretch run.

With Utah icing one of the younger rosters in the NHL, adding veteran, dependable, players should be the focus. Conor Garland and Jared McCann make sense up front, while MacKenzie Weegar or Oliver Ekman-Larsson would be great additions to the blue line.

Winnipeg Jets

Deadline status: Moderate seller

It’s been a hugely disappointing season for the Winnipeg Jets, who are 10 points out of the playoffs, although the core is still a team that can contend in the future.

With the likes of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey and Connor Hellebuyck each locked up for at least two more seasons, Winnipeg’s plan should approach this deadline with the goal of being back in the playoffs next year.

That means selling older pending UFAs like Gustav Nyquist, Jonathan Toews and Luke Schenn. The Jets will be back next year.