The NHL trade deadline is Friday, but a lot of business has already unfolded.

The Avalanche made the shocking decision to trade

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• The New York Rangers are in a gray area. They’ve already made a handful of trades, the latest a deal with the Avs in which they unloaded Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey in return for Juuso Parssinen, Calvin de Haan and second- and fourth-round picks in this year’s draft. I’m also told there are several teams in on UFA Reilly Smith, who remains sidelined until a deal is complete. However, the Rangers refuse to wave the white towel, which is why they’ve brought in roster replacements as part of their deals. Even though GM Chris Drury signaled he didn’t feel his opening-night roster could win it all, a spot in the postseason, and that all-important playoff revenue, is still attainable in a season of transition. New York is likely to be very active this summer. Look for the team to take big swings.

• Lou Lamoriello is extremely patient. He always has been. This season, Lamoriello waited as long as possible to make a decision on which direction the Islanders are headed. All season, other teams have told me they expect pending UFAs Brock Nelson (the top center available) and Kyle Palmieri to be available. But it’s never official until Lou says it is. Nelson’s postgame interview with Shannon Hogan on Tuesday — in which he got emotional — led me to believe he’s processing the reality that his Islanders tenure could be coming to an end.

• The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators are itching to take the next step in their rebuilds. Detroit has looked at defensemen. The Senators have looked at depth forwards. I think both would like to add and give themselves a chance here.

Some teams aren’t going to trade for the sake of trading

• The Capitals have been the darlings of the Eastern Conference this season. The word I got was that they weren’t going to tinker for the sake of tinkering. They know they hit on some good hockey trades and are open to more. (The common theme for players Washington has brought in recently: They’re all in their mid-20s.) However, there’s no need to fuss with what has been a terrific season. Now that Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are re-signed, Washington has seven pending UFAs. GM Chris Patrick has had conversations with all of their representatives, but even if they’re not close on a contract — sounds like there’s mutual interest between Jakob Chychrun and the team, but still work to be done — I don’t expect any to get traded. There is also possible movement for Ethan Bear, who has been playing very well for Hershey of the AHL. With Dylan McIlrath and Alexander Alexeyev sitting as scratches on the big roster (the Caps have remained very healthy), Bear’s path appears blocked. If there’s an NHL opportunity for Bear, Washington could make a move to facilitate that.

• Every time I’ve talked to Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere over the past two seasons, he reiterates that the team is in building mode. Once again, there has been interest in defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and center Scott Laughton. As coach John Tortorella mentioned, if they trade Ristolainen, who is replacing the big, right-shot defenseman? Philadelphia would make a move only if the return is right. Same goes for Laughton, a heart-and-soul player who has told the Flyers that he’d like to stay. Laughton responded to the trade rumors with a cheeky photo on social media in which he used a recent team dinner to recreate “The Last Supper.” There has been much more interest in Laughton, though the Flyers will make a move only if it makes sense for them. (I think a first-round pick would be enticing.)

• Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said he felt less pressure than in years past to get a first-round pick at this deadline, though he did pick one up in the Jones trade — giving them nine picks across the first and second rounds over the next two years. Chicago is likely to move Ryan Donato, considering there’s a ton of interest. The Blackhawks also may try to find a new home for Petr Mrazek, now that they have Knight. But other than that, the next few months are all about giving their young players the right exposure and development. Then, expect Chicago to be a big player over the summer. The Blackhawks can’t have another season like this one. It’s time to get going.

Plans have changed for a few teams

• When the Columbus Blue Jackets opened training camp in September, GM Don Waddell had an idea of what his trade deadline would look like: sell, sell, sell. Big picture, the team is in building mode, and this season was going to be a challenging one as they grieved the unimaginable loss of Johnny Gaudreau. The season opened, and the injury bug was relentless: Sean Monahan, Boone Jenner, Kent Johnson, Erik Gudbranson, the list goes on and on. Through it all, Columbus has persevered and finds itself in the playoff picture. And it has created a conundrum.

Waddell told me he couldn’t fall asleep last week as he contemplated what to do. In any other season, he’d stick to the plan and sell, because he knows this team isn’t realistically a Stanley Cup contender. But he’s not sure that’s the right thing to do. How could he remove any players from a locker room that has created such a special bond? The Jackets signed Mathieu Olivier, who would have been an attractive target, to an extension Wednesday morning. Ivan Provorov, a pending UFA, is the player Waddell is getting the most calls on. Waddell isn’t sure he’ll be able to re-sign Provorov; he’ll continue to try again this week. Unless it’s an offer Waddell can’t refuse, there’s a good chance Provorov stays. And there’s a good possibility the Blue Jackets add, too. They’ve been scouting for forward depth.

• The Dallas Stars got going on their business early, acquiring Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci, out of necessity. They had injuries — especially on the blueline ahead of 4 Nations — and they had holes to fill. They’re not necessarily done. Miro Heiskanen and Tyler Seguin are out long term, and their timelines remain unclear. Dallas has room to add complementary pieces. Keep in mind, though, that this is a front office that drafts extremely well — and it has already traded away its 2025 first-, second- and fourth-round picks.

• The Florida Panthers were poised to have a quiet trade deadline. Yes, they’re going for it again, but they didn’t have a ton of assets to give up. Then Seth Jones became available, and he answered their need on the right side of the blue line. And now, Matthew Tkachuk is out for the rest of the regular season with an injury he sustained at 4 Nations. With cap space to play with, everyone around the league is betting on the Panthers bringing on someone else as well.

No matter who they bring in, the question for Dallas and Florida: Will Heiskanen or Tkachuk be available for Day 1 of the playoffs?