With players en route to Los Angeles or a quiet beach somewhere, it’s the perfect time for some All-Star break grades and trade deadline plans for every team:
This is a veteran team that has done a good job lying in the weeds, with every intention of peaking at the right time.
This thought from Ryan Kesler sums up the attitude in that room: “We know we just have to get our foot in the door and the playoffs are a whole new ballgame.”
Grade at the break: B+
Trade deadline status:
When Connor McDavid waited until the absolute perfect moment to slide a pass over to Leon Draisaitl for the game-winner in Thursday’s overtime win over the Devils, it gave him his 50th point of the season just 44 games into it.