Ek’s Note…As usual, the Free UPDATED Rumor Chart posted at the end of this blog..

Binnington, Panarin, and the Quiet Teams About to Hijack the Deadline

If you’re watching the standings right now and thinking “nothing big is happening”…you’re already behind.

With a few days left before the Olympic roster freeze might be the most aggressive stretch of trading we see all season…because GMs don’t want to sit on their hands for three weeks while their leverage evaporates.

And three names are suddenly sitting right in the middle of everything:

Jordan BinningtonArtemi PanarinMario Ferraro

Let’s connect the dots…

 Binnington → Montreal Is Real — and It’s Not Crazy

There is legitimate league buzz that Jordan Binnington to Montreal is being seriously discussed.  .Montreal is right on the playoff bubble, but management knows something critical…You cannot evaluate this roster until you see them with real NHL goaltending.  They’ve got the young core.They’ve got the speed.They’ve got the future.

What they don’t have is stability in net.

Binnington, for all his chaos, still checks the boxes Montreal wants:• Big-game pedigree• Stanley Cup winner• Signed long-term• Can steal a playoff round

And the Blues?They’re quietly pivoting toward a retool. If they can pull picks and a young goalie back, this is exactly the type of move they’d make.

Panarin Is Quietly Being Lined Up — Three Teams, One Race

Panarin is being actively discussed with Washington, Carolina, and Nashville…and Montreal is sniffing around the edges.  Yes, Montreal.  The Canadiens know they’re ahead of schedule. They know their window is opening. And if they add Binnington andmake a splash up front? Suddenly that locker room believes.  But the real battle is between three teams:

They’re all-in on Ovechkin’s final Cup run.Panarin would give them another elite puck-driver to take pressure off Ovi and Kuznetsov.The Caps are willing to part with futures.

They have the deepest prospect pool in the league.They always do this.They always strike when everyone else hesitates.

Panarin in Carolina would be terrifying.

If they land Binnington first… don’t be shocked if Kent Hughes swings again.

Alex Tuch Is Off the Table

Three  week ago, Alex Tuch was being floated.  Now?Not happening. The Sabres are winning.The room is believing.And ownership has no appetite to send a message that they’re selling. That doesn’t mean Buffalo is done…It means they’re done tearing down.

They’re pivoting toward “add around the edges” instead of “rip the heart out.”

That alone changes the market for wingers everywhere. Bruins Hunting Defense — Ferraro in Their Crosshairs

Boston is quietly desperate on the blue line.

And they love Mario Ferraro from San Jose.

• Playoff-style defender

This one could move fast.

EKLUND’S TRADE RUMOR CHART