Rasmus Ristolainen and the Philadelphia Flyers are in the midst of a playoff race at this time. The Flyers, of course, nearly made the postseason in 2024. However, a late season collapse sank the Flyers and caused them to miss out entirely.

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"Rental" becomes one of the most used words in hockey around this time every season. The spotlight shines bright on pending unrestricted free agents - and rightfully so, seeing as UFAs drive trade activity ahead of the deadline.

And despite Calgary’s success, there are other weaknesses on the roster, particularly in the face-off circle. One of their big needs is a right-handed centerman that can win them draws. And a longer-term need would be someone who can play long alongside MacKenzie Weegar for the long haul.

The NHL trade deadline is approaching on Friday, Mar. 7, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Between now and then, the Calgary Flames will play seven games, only one of which will be at the Saddledome: a Feb. 23 contest against the San Jose Sharks.

The St. Louis Blues are in a tricky spot approaching the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline. After missing the postseason in back-to-back years — something that previously hadn’t happened in 15 campaigns — the franchise is in jeopardy of being left out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive time.

The weeks leading up to the trade deadline were packed with big trades, the biggest being the Vancouver Canucks trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers and Mikko Rantanen being traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes.