Trade Buzz: Avalanche deserve help before the clock runs out, GM says
DeBrusk open to waiving no-movement clause for a contender; Blues and Schenn navigating a tough stretch
© Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images
By NHL.com
March 03, 2026
Welcome to the NHL Trade Buzz. With just three days left until the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline (Friday at 3 p.m. ET), here’s a snapshot of the latest moves and expectations around the league.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are exploring every option to elevate their roster before the Deadline, GM Chris MacFarland said ahead of a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.
MacFarland stressed they aren’t solely focused on adding a pure middle-line option to skate behind Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson, though that remains a priority for some discussions.
“If something makes us better, whether it’s a winger, a center, or another defenseman, we’ll certainly consider it in the next few days,” he stated.
“We have some cap space to work with, and we’ll see if there’s a right fit.”
So far this season, Colorado has completed one trade, landing defenseman Brett Kulak from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in the 2028 draft on Feb. 24.
The Avalanche presently lead the league with 40 wins and 89 points (40-10-9).
“We’ve got a lot of players at the prime of their careers here,” MacFarland noted. “They’ve put in the work on and off the ice all year. Their strong start put us in a position to be where we are today. If we can help them, they deserve the help.”
MacFarland also indicated optimism that forward Logan O’Connor could be ready to return soon; he has missed the season while recovering from hip surgery on June 6.
Vancouver Canucks
Jake DeBrusk indicated in an interview with The Province in Vancouver that he’s not enthusiastic about a rebuilding team and would consider waiving his no-movement clause to join a contender.
“Obviously, I’m not OK with or accepting the rebuild,” DeBrusk told the newspaper. “My game doesn’t fit that.”
DeBrusk, 29, is in the second year of a seven-year contract worth $38.5 million ($5.5 million AAV) signed with Vancouver on July 1, 2024. He has 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 59 games this season, after leading the league with 28 goals and 48 points in 82 games last year.
He has surpassed 20 goals four times in his career, including three campaigns with the Boston Bruins, where he played from 2017–2024.
Vancouver sits at 18-35-7, last in the NHL, and could become a seller this week with defenseman Tyler Myers recently scratched for roster-management reasons, signaling a likely trade move.
“I think a rebuild is tough for any player, but it also presents a great chance for younger guys,” DeBrusk said. “This game humbles everyone, and this year it’s been more than humbling.”
St. Louis Blues
Brayden Schenn acknowledged that the days leading up to the Trade Deadline have been challenging.
The Blues sit at 22-29-9 and trail the Oilers by 13 points for the second Western Conference wild-card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“It’s an uneasy time for everyone, especially given where we’re at,” Schenn said. “We see names out there, but at the end of the day you do your job, you practice hard, you play hard, and you stay a pro. That’s the gist of it.
“Some guys have full control, some have partial, and some have none. But it’s the nature of the business. No one enjoys this period, but it’s what we signed up for.”
Schenn—St. Louis’ captain—is in the fifth year of an eight-year, $52 million contract ($6.5 million AAV) signed on Oct. 4, 2019, which has relaxed from full no-trade protection to a 15-team no-trade clause. The 34-year-old center has 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 60 games.
Other players tied to trade chatter include forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, and defenseman Justin Faulk. Any potential deals involving Thomas or Kyrou would require waiving their full no-trade protections.
“You understand the human element,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Sometimes players’ minds are elsewhere, so you check in between whistles while the other group heads out, instead of stopping practice. You’ve got to keep moving, and you also recognize the human side of this. Everyone knows what’s coming.”
The Blues travel to face the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET (HULU, ESPN+).
