Bo Horvat was the first to go at the end of January.

Vladimir Tarasenko moved on next. Ryan OB次元官网网址橰eilly wasnB次元官网网址檛 far behind.

NHL trade boards had already shed three big names two weeks before the leagueB次元官网网址檚 deadline.

Then the floodgates opened over the weekend. The deluge hasnB次元官网网址檛 stopped.

General managers have been working at breakneck speed B次元官网网址� especially since Sunday B次元官网网址� as teams manoeuvre and jockey for position ahead of FridayB次元官网网址檚 3 p.m. cutoff.

And televisions executives and pundits tasked with filling hours of coverage are scrambling for content ahead of a deadline that could feature more tumbleweeds than trades.

B次元官网网址淲e try to ruin the deadline shows,B次元官网网址� Arizona Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong quipped Wednesday night after completing the blockbuster Jakob Chychrun deal with the Ottawa Senators.

B次元官网网址淲e just like to watch those guys talk about nothing for about three hours.B次元官网网址�

TSN host James Duthie responded to the quote on Twitter by posting sarcastically: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nine, Bill. Nine hours.B次元官网网址�

The dozens of players and draft picks that have already crisscrossed North America in a flurry of moves mean networks will likely need to get creative.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e never had anything like this,B次元官网网址� Chris Johnston, one of TSNB次元官网网址檚 Insiders, said in an interview with The Canadian Press. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 never been this crazy. You always get a little bit anxious about the trades happening early, but this is a new level of chaos.B次元官网网址�

That lead-up to the deadline has been fast and furious.

The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their roster renovation, the Edmonton Oilers finally secured a blue-line upgrade, the New Jersey Devils made a giant splash, and two decorated franchise icons moved on.

The Eastern Conference has seen the biggest trades so far, including Horvat joining the New York Islanders from the Vancouver Canucks, Tarasenko landing with the New York Rangers from St. Louis, and OB次元官网网址橰eilly, his former Blues teammate, winding up in Toronto.

The Devils made their big move Sunday by acquiring Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks.

B次元官网网址淧art of the business, part of the game,B次元官网网址� said Calgary Flames centre Nazem Kadri, whose club is the only one yet to make an in-season trade. B次元官网网址淭eams are buying and selling B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 something youB次元官网网址檝e got to deal with.B次元官网网址�

The Leafs also got Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday before making three more deals Tuesday, including the re-acquisition of Luke Schenn from the Canucks, and the Oilers made a swap for Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators.

B次元官网网址淪eems like Toronto has a whole new team coming in here,B次元官网网址� Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl said of the LeafsB次元官网网址� six additions before his club picked up a 5-2 victory on Wednesday.

Those trades all set the stage for the biggest to date B次元官网网址� Chicago dealing three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane to the Rangers.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 almost been so busy, I havenB次元官网网址檛 had a chance to think about it too deeply,B次元官网网址� Johnston said of what Friday will look like on TV. B次元官网网址淏ut I do know that weB次元官网网址檙e gonna have to plan a few extra skits and goofy things.

B次元官网网址淭he real content might be a bit light.B次元官网网址�

ThatB次元官网网址檚 going to include at least one pre-recorded bit with former Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau and an original tune focusing on the presumptive No. 1 pick at the 2023 NHL draft.

B次元官网网址淛ames Duthie wrote a song about tanking for Connor Bedard,B次元官网网址� Johnston said. B次元官网网址淲e all went in last week and dressed up in ridiculous outfits and taped a music video.B次元官网网址�

Back to the trades already announced, the Los Angeles Kings got involved after the Kane swap from the Windy City to the Big Apple with a surprise move that sent two-time Cup winner Jonathan Quick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo.

B次元官网网址淚t feels like the deadline was (Tuesday), just given all the action,B次元官网网址� Vancouver defenceman Tyler Myers said. B次元官网网址淏ut this time every year is always a little hectic, wondering whatB次元官网网址檚 going to happen.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just part of it.B次元官网网址�

Ottawa then followed things up Wednesday by prying Chychrun from Arizona to end 18 months of speculation regarding his eventual landing spot.

Contenders have also made significant adds, including both the Boston Bruins, who acquired Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, and Tampa Bay Lightning as part of an East-focused arms race.

B次元官网网址淪ome big names out there getting moved,B次元官网网址� Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar said.

B次元官网网址淭he day itself is more a media thing,B次元官网网址� head coach Darryl Sutter added of the deadline.

So whatB次元官网网址檚 left for Friday?

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檒l still be some action, but itB次元官网网址檚 nine hours,B次元官网网址� Johnston said of TSNB次元官网网址檚 coverage. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not an insignificant amount of time to fill air. Unfortunately, a lot of that falls on (Duthie). The good part about being on the Insiders Desk is they come to us when thereB次元官网网址檚 news.

B次元官网网址淚f there isnB次元官网网址檛 a whole lot of news, maybe weB次元官网网址檒l just be sitting in the back eating our lunch.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press