With the Olympic roster freeze lifting soon, GMs across the league huddle over mock trade boards, eyeing top targets like Dawson Mercer and Dougie Hamilton from a restless New Jersey Devils squad desperate to jolt their locker room. Edmonton's pivot to defense has names like Connor Murphy and Justin Faulk circling their radar, while Los Angeles scouts replacements for the injured Kevin Fiala, whispering about a Stamkos reunion.

Chicago's front office sweats the long view on salary cap flexibility, especially with Connor Bedard's extension looming after his entry-level deal expires next season. Kyle Davidson juggles a young core on cheap contracts like those of Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov while eyeing UFAs such as Connor Murphy and Ilya Mikheyev. A rising cap to $113 million by 2027-28 offers breathing room, but smart bridges and long-term bets will decide if the Hawks contend or just spend.

The Boston Bruins cling to the East's second wild card spot with a 32-20-4 record, forcing GM Don Sweeney into a high-stakes calculus as the March 6 deadline looms. They missed out on Rasmus Andersson, who landed in Vegas, and now eyes turn to right-shot defensemen like Justin Faulk or Connor Murphy while whispers link them to Rangers center Vincent Trocheck for term beyond this year.

Chicago defenseman Connor Murphy draws eyes from contenders hungry for right-shot grit and penalty-killing prowess at his $4.4 million clip. Teams like Dallas, Buffalo and Pittsburgh circle as the Blackhawks package assets for the future. His physical edge makes him a perfect deadline fit for Cup chasers.

The Bruins cling to that second wild card spot in the East with a 32-20-4 mark, but insiders like Fluto Shinzawa scream they need a right-shot defenseman before the deadline hits. Names like Justin Faulk, Connor Murphy, and even Mackenzie Weegar from Calgary bubble up in trade chatter after Boston nearly landed Rasmus Andersson. Don Sweeney knows one more blueliner could turn this roster from playoff pretender to contender, especially with the Olympic freeze looming.

Chicago's front office faces pivotal choices as their rebuild hits a crossroads, with fans firing questions about timeline, trades, and when the kids truly take over. GM Kyle Davidson weighs selling vets like Murphy and Dickinson against clearing lanes for prospects like Frondell and Nazar, all while Bedard anchors the youth movement. The answers in this mailbag could signal if the Hawks pivot toward contention or double down on patience.