The 2021 NHL trade deadline arrives at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, and while every season offers surprises, this deadline in particular offers intriguing circumstances.
The playoff picture has never been this clear prior to the deadline, creating a delineation between buyers and sellers. However, the flat salary cap means that many contenders will have to get creative to make additions. This could gum up the market's gears or lead to a number of novel solutions that result in better-than-usual deadline outcomes.
Naturally, a lot of the action comes in the final hours leading up to the deadline, when the pressure of time forces teams to make decisions.