NHL sets 2016 trade deadline with possibly stellar crop in store

The 2016 NHL trade deadline with be Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

Time to start polishing up those fake symptoms, hockey fans. Or maybe request a vacation day.

Renaud Lavoie of TVA has reported that the NHL’s 2016 trade deadline has been set for Feb. 29 at 3 pm EST.

That’s two days earlier than last season, but that doesn’t mean all that much considering that this season ends two days earlier as well. In other words, it’s not a change that will impact how teams view their chances with time running out in the regular schedule.

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It might be a little early to identify the day’s big sellers (cough, Arizona and Carolina, cough), but the crop of pending unrestricted free agents hints at what could be a pretty exciting day. Among the players who conceivably could be up for grabs are Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Patrik Elias, Keith Yandle, Dustin Byfuglien, Loui Eriksson and Kyle Okposo. And as long as they remain without extensions, you can expect to hear names like Steven Stamkos, Anze Kopitar and David Backes listed as possible targets as well.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on all that fun by going to work or school, wouldja?