Trade Deadline Preview: Lightning buying, Canadiens and Panthers standing pat in Atlantic

Ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline, we're taking a look at each division and assessing who's buying, who's selling, and who's standing pat.

The Atlantic isn't the strongest division in hockey, and the team believed to be the runaway favorite is battling for a playoff spot. In the grand scheme of things, these eight teams range from lottery bound to bubble contenders (at best), with the Tampa Bay Lightning serving as the only club that appears to have a legitimate shot at winning it all.

Here's a look at the trade deadline playbook for Atlantic Division teams.

Buyers

Tampa Bay Lightning

Here's the thing with the Lightning: After making it clear that Steven Stamkos would not be traded prior to the deadline, they're all in with a view to coming out on the right side of the Stanley Cup Final this time around. As such, general manager Steve Yzerman will be looking for any and every way to upgrade the roster.

But Yzerman also has a big seller's chip to toss on the table in the form of Jonathan Drouin, whose trade request was made public earlier in the season.

The GM holds all the cards in this situation, and, as per his modus operandi, Yzerman will do what's best for his club, both short and long term.

Ottawa Senators

Enter the Senators, who are believed to be one of the front-runners in the Drouin sweepstakes.

GM Bryan Murray already tipped his hand with the Dion Phaneuf trade, making it clear that Ottawa's goal is to qualify for the postseason and challenge for the Cup. At the same time, holes abound up and down the lineup, with a clear need in the top six forward group.

It may cost them a high-end prospect or draft pick, but, for better or worse, the Senators are in buy mode, and could very well land the deadline's biggest prize.

Boston Bruins

Like the Lightning, the Bruins are in buy-sell mode, with clear needs on the blue line and a key impending unrestricted free agent to possibly use as bait.

While the direction GM Don Sweeney is set to turn remains unclear, this season's trade deadline will be defined by what he does with Loui Eriksson. With 20 goals and 25 assists, the veteran winger ranks second on the team in scoring, but may be pricing himself out of Boston's range.

Meanwhile, Boston has yet to replace Johnny Boychuk and Dougie Hamilton, and Eriksson - or maybe even the extra first-round pick in the Bruins back pocket - could be flipped prior to the deadline in order to add a young, right-handed defenseman.

Trading Eriksson might be a step back in terms of Boston's chances this season, but could be worth it in the long run as Sweeney works toward rebuilding the blue line.

Sellers

Toronto Maple Leafs

The term "cellars" is probably more appropriate here, as that's exactly where the Maple Leafs are headed.

This team is in the midst of a total rebuild, with no fewer than nine soon-to-be unrestricted free agents on the active roster, with another four players set to become restricted free agents at season's end.

There are few untouchables in Toronto, so Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello, and the rest of the brain trust will certainly be looking to deal for draft picks and prospects with a view to the future.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are further ahead in the building process than the Leafs, but some further clearing of the deck may be in order.

David Legwand and Jamie McGinn - both of whom will be UFAs - are likely to be floated on the market, while GM Tim Murray could be tempted to part ways with one of his 11 draft picks in 2016 in order to further upgrade his roster.

The Sabres are no strangers to pulling off big trades since Murray took the reins (see: Evander Kane and Robin Lehner), and it would be surprising if they're not in on the trade deadline action again this year.

Standing Pat

Florida Panthers

The Panthers have exceeded everyone's expectations this season, rising to the top of the division.

GM Dale Tallon would love to add some more veteran experience for a playoff run (Andrew Ladd, perhaps?), but not at the expense of the wealth of young talent that he has amassed in recent years.

Florida boasts an enviable core group that should remain competitive for years to come, and there's no reason to rock the boat when qualifying for the postseason was the 2015-16 goal.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings pulled off their deadline-type additions during the summer, signing veterans Mike Green and Brad Richards to the mix.

GM Ken Holland doesn't have much cap space to work with, and a team that's known for building through the draft isn't likely to drop picks on a rental player.

Detroit was believed to be in on Phaneuf leading up to last season's deadline, and the Red Wings could still use an upgrade on the blue line. Holland's colleagues will be looking to take a dip in the prospect pool, and, again, he'll be incredibly reluctant to give up on the homegrown talent.

Montreal Canadiens

When, amid a disastrous tailspin, GM Marc Bergevin announced head coach Michel Therrien would be retained for the balance of the season, the Canadiens made their beds as a team that's standing pat.

While not entirely accurate, Montreal's collapse will largely be attributed to an injury suffered early on by Carey Price, and the core of the club will be kept around to see if the ship can be righted upon his return, whether it be later this season or next.

Dale Weise could be a trade candidate, but there will be no selling of key pieces.