He’s not going to sell. Is he going to buy? I think more than anything he’d like his roster to play the way he thinks it can play. Markstrom had a tough start, but he’s playing better as of late. I think what he’d like is Jonathan Huberdeau or some version of Huberdeau from last year in Florida to make an appearance in Calgary. That would help the offence.

They probably do need a little more help on their wings, the depth of their forwards, but I think a lot of that could be cured with a very good and productive Jonathan Huberdeau. I just think they have the bodies there, they just need to play to their capabilities.

There is no doubt Boeser has the talent to be an impact NHL player. When partnered with the right players and deployed in the right situations, he can add scoring punch to a team that needs to get over the playoff hump. Any acquiring team will believe a change of scenery is exactly what he needs to get back to being the consistent, 25-goal scorer and power play threat that he used to be. It’s going to be a gamble either way with a $6.65 million cap hit for the next two seasons.

Maroon, 34, isn’t on his way out just yet. He has one more season remaining on his contract with the Lightning at $1 million. It’s fair to say, though, that he is on the back nine of his career.

It used to be taboo for professional athletes to step out and try an outside hobby or business venture on for size to see whether it may be a post-career fit. That is something the NHL, NHL Players’ Association and NHL Alumni Association are working to change.

“It’s certainly changed a lot. Guys used to have to sneak around because some coaches wanted them focused on just hockey, they would question your commitment,” said Jon Harris, founder and CEO of AthLife Inc. “That narrative has changed. It’s OK to start those conversations, have outside interests, begin to find out what you’re interested in.”

Harris’ company, AthLife, began a formal off-ice program with the NHL’s Player Development team last spring to provide resources for teams and players to begin exploring those opportunities and interests.

One employee from all 32 of the NHL’s clubs has now been trained and designated as AthLife’s off-ice contact to begin educating and connecting players with AthLife’s resources, which are centered on one-on-one development and communication. Ten years after starting the same program in football, AthLife has approximately 550 current or former NFL players actively involved in their program right now at any one time. The average NFL career is just under three seasons, which is why it’s aptly nicknamed the Not For Long league.