A high-stakes trade negotiation appeared to be nearing completion just hours before a critical Eastern Conference matchup, with expectations that a deal could have been finalized by the game’s end. Insiders suggest the process was advanced enough that only minor details remained unresolved, hinting at a last-minute push to secure an agreement. The timing raises questions about how the game’s outcome—or even its events—might have influenced the final decision. The uncertainty underscores the volatile nature of sports transactions, where moments can shift the trajectory of a franchise.

According to DeBrincat, a deal was “pretty close” to being finalized just a few hours before Wednesday’s Eastern Conference clash against the New Jersey Devils, and he “figured by the end of the game, ...