The NHL trade deadline is just days away and teams across the league are pushing chips into the middle in pursuit of the Stanley Cup. Sifting through a league full of mediocre teams, a handful including the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers sit at the top of the hierarchy of the league. Could someone from the tier below like the New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights or Vancouver Canucks make the jump? Is someone not getting serious consideration like the Carolina Hurricanes more of a threat than the public expects? Joining the show is Matt Alber, Liberty Blue Podcast's resident sports handicapper. Please gamble responsibly. 00:41 Who's the cream of the crop? 2:44 Are we sleeping on the Vegas Golden Knights? 5:23 The path out west is so much harder 7:42 The New Jersey Devils are dead, Right? 12:13 Does previous playoff experience matter? 15:04 Is the public underestimating the Carolina Hurricanes? 17:53 What's on the Stanley Cup contender check list? 20:04 Can the Winnipeg Jets rise to the top tier? 22:21 Are there any needle movers available at the trade deadline? 25:15 Can you really trust the Edmonton Oilers? 27:43 How many tries does a core get before a reset? 33:20 Are the New York Rangers too comfortable? 35:40 Who's the best trade deadline fit for the New York Rangers? 39:08 how high is the New York Rangers ceiling? 42:26 how can the New York Rangers deepen their lineup? 46:44 Who don't the Rangers wanna see in the playoffs? 52:00 Who can jump up into the contender class? Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3AgDKKg Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Ex5ZGW Google Play: https://bit.ly/3Ebnyv1 #NHL #NewYorkRangers #Hockey #IceHockey #nhlnews #nhltrades #nhltradedeadline