It’s early. But it’s not THAT early. The biggest piece of the trade season, Taylor Hall, was already dealt. Last week, we saw a fragmented multi-team trade as teams addressed needs and opened up cap space.



Now, as general managers work their way back from scouting prospects in the Czech Republic at the world juniors, the 2020 trade deadline market is starting to take shape. At least, there’s a sense of which teams are ready to make a move.



“It’s not a heated market yet,” said a GM this week. “Will it be in the next week? I think so.”



“L.A. has been pretty open about saying, ‘Listen, we’re going through a little bit of a change,’” said another GM in assessing the market.



“The Jerseys and Ottawas have to be listening and taking feelers,” said a third executive. “Chicago is going to have to do something. I doubt they’re going to stand...