With the offseason now just around the corner I am giving my personal opinion on which 40 players are the most likely to be traded this offseason just based on my gut feeling and what I feel will make sense for each team.
The End to end hockey top 40 trade bait list.
Note: I didn’t have any trade candidates from the teams who are playing in the Final Four, I will have trade candidates for those four teams in a few weeks when I update the board, and at this current moment I don’t think that Huge names like Alex DeBrincat and David Pastrnak are really even being considered for a trade so while I might put them in later for now I don’t think it makes sense.
1 Kevin Fiala (MIN)Contract: pending RFA
Previous years stats: 33G-52A-85P in 82GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: I can’t see Fiala returning to Minnesota next year because of their cap problems. The Wild will have major cap problems as the Parise and Suter buyouts will take about $12.7 Million dollars and after Fiala’s brilliant 85 point season and the fact that the previous contract negotiations last year didn’t go so well will lead Minnesota to trade him. No doubt there will be interest from any team looking for top 6 forward help but it would take at least 3 pieces in my opinion with at least 2 being 1RD quality and the acquiring team will have to have the cap space to sign him to a contract extension that would probably be around $6.5-8.5 Million per year but Fiala tops my trade board because he will be moved and is a amazing player.
2 J.T Miller (VAN)Contract: 1 year left at $5.25 Million
Previous years stats: 32G-67A-99P in 80GP
Position: Left Winger, Center
Analysis: after a outstanding season Miller is entering the final year of his deal and while Vancouver probably doesn’t want to move him it seems the logical move to me. Miller is coming off a season where he had 99 points and in a perfect world the Canucks would love to give him a extension but when faced with the facts that they don’t have much cap space so signing him would tie their hands to sign other players (like Boeser and Horvat) and the term he wants is probably not what the Canucks want and with his value basically as high as it can get it would be smart to move him now. I would think it takes four pieces with 3 of them being 1RD caliber pieces and if the acquiring team can reach a extension with Miller then the return price will go up, but given the Canucks need for cap flexibility and more good young player it would make sense that he is moved.
3 Jacob Chychrun (ARI)Contract: 3 years left at $4.6 Million
Previous years stats: 7G-14A-21P in 47GP
Position: Defensemen
Analysis: the Coyotes defender was one of the biggest names that was being considered around the trade deadline but due to the asking price and his injuries he was never moved but I fully expect him to not be on the Coyotes roster next year. He has said that he wants to win now and while his value might have dropped a bit after the injuries he went through last year, he is still the rebuilding Coyotes best trade chip and can bring in one heck of a return as he is on a great contract for the next three years and is a young top 4 scoring defensemen so there will be a lot of teams asking about him. I would think it takes around 3 pieces to acquire him with at least two of those pieces if not three being 1RD quality but a definitely expect the Coyotes defensemen to be moved before next year.
4 John Gibson (ANA)
Contract: 5 years left at $6.4 Million
Previous years stats: 3.19 GAA, .904 SV% in 56GP
Position: Goaltender
Analysis: after dealing away basically all of their pending UFA’s in Anaheim at the trade deadline it feels and seems like Gibson is the next too go and could be leaving as early as this year. After dealing those players at the deadline, reports say that Gibson was unhappy with the moves as it looks like Anaheim is going into another rebuild and it seems like Gibson wants to win now and for Anaheim when they start to be competitive he might be out of his prime so it makes sense on both sides to trade Gibson. Now I would suspect it takes two or three quality pieces to pry him out of Anaheim although it is a little tougher for me to gauge cause he’s a goalie and for a team who is ready to win now and is need of a starting goalie and has the pieces to do it would come calling about Gibson, and I would be surprised if he is still a Duck next year.
5 Tyler Bertuzzi (DET)
Contract: 1 year left at $4.75 Million
Previous years stats: 30G-32A-62P in 68GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: after lots of trade speculation over the past few years it seems that with only 1 year left on his contract this may be the time for the Red Wings and Bertuzzi to go there separate ways. After a season where Bertuzzi had 30 goals and could have pushed 40 if he played in all of Detroit’s games, his value is pretty high and while him and Larkin are both entering the final year of their deals it seems more likely that Larkin will resign and Bertuzzi won’t and given the fact that there has been interest over the past few season I would definitely suspect the Red Wings to try and move him. Now I would suspect that it would take 1 to 2 pieces to get him out of Detroit with one being a similar player to Bertuzzi but maybe younger and signed longer but this is a big offseason for Detroit and I am not sure that Bertuzzi factors into the Red Wings future plans.
6 Matt Dumba (MIN)
Contract: 1 year left at $6 Million
Previous years stats: 7G-20A-27P in 57GP
Position: Right side Defensemen
Analysis: this screams to me not only another cap casualty of the Wild but also given his contract and the crowded blueline makes sense for Minnesota to trade him. Dumba has been a top 4 defensemen with Minnesota for a while now and over the last 2-3 years and has been mentioned in a ton of trade rumours and I am sure they are going to pop up again because the Wild have a cap crunch coming and I’m not sure if just moving Fiala will help them and they also have 7 defensemen signed for next year (as well as Middleton who is a RFA) so moving one is likely and given the fact that I think Addison is ready for a big role and Dumba is entering the final year of his deal it just makes sense. I would think that it takes 2-3 decent pieces to pry Dumba out of Minnesota but the acquiring team is getting a great top 4 defensemen for at least the next year and Minnesota will be able to move him for a great return I would think.
7 The Devils 2ND overall pick (NJ)
Contract: N/A
Previous years stats: N/A
Position: N/A
Analysis: the Devils have mentioned numerous times that they are going to do all they can to be more competitive next year and even if that means moving the 2ND overall pick for a big time impact player. Now the Devils have said on numerous occasions that they would be willing to move the 2ND overall pick but it would have to be a impact player and I know that they would go after a forward like Pastrnak if he is available, J.T Miller which has been heavily connected or Fiala, or maybe even a goalie like moving the 2ND overall pick in a trade for John Gibson to try and solidify the goalie position but I think it is highly likely that if they can get a impact player, the Devils won’t be drafting 2ND overall.
8 Jeff Petry (MON)
Contract: 3 years left at $6.25 Million
Previous years stats: 6G-21A-27P in 68GP
Position: Right side Defensemen
Analysis: after a bad start the Canadiens defensemen said in season he wouldn’t say no to a change of scenery and even though he seems okay with staying after the coaching change helped him, I still think the Canadiens are going to try to move him in the offseason. Now it will be hard to move him as he has quite a expensive contract for the next few years, but for a younger team like Buffalo, Detroit or even Dallas who could use a top 4 defender who can produce offensively it would make sense to see if they could trade for him. It will probably take 2 decent pieces to get him out of Montreal but with his offensive upside outweighing his contract in my opinion I do think he will be in a different uniform next year.
9 Travis Konecny (PHI)
Contract: 3 years left at $5.5 Million
Previous years stats: 16G-36A-52P in 79GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: a young forward who may be too expensive in his current role with Philadelphia and could benefit from a change of scenery I think explains Konecny’s situation to a T. Konecny is a good young forward and showed he still has the offensive touch after putting up 52 points this season but with the Flyers wanting to go after a big time forward and having very little cap space it might make Konecny a cap casualty. I think a team in need of a young middle six forward locked up for a few years and can produce quite well should be taking the Philly about Konecny, and I don’t think it would take to much to acquire him, maybe a 2RD pick and decent prospect but keep and eye on Konecny who I don’t see with the Flyers next year.
10 Anthony Beauvillier (NYI)
Contract: 2 years left at $4.15 Million
Previous years stats: 12G-22A-34P in 75GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: Beauvillier is another young winger who isn’t doing too well with his current team and could benefit from a fresh start. Beauvillier has a down year least season only getting 34 points and was at times a healthy scratch but with the Islanders looking for a winger for Barzal and having very little cap space moving the young Beauvillierwho still has a few years at just over $4 Million might help them get to that goal. Beauvillier could go to a team who could use help scoring as he would fit well in a middle six and I would think that either a cheaper underperforming player or maybe a 2RD pick is the return for Beauvillier but I definitely don’t see Beauvillier back with the Islanders next year.
11 Dominik Kubalik (CHI)
Contract: Pending RFA
Previous years stats: 15G-17A-32P in 78GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: the Blackhawks are open for business and really liking to trade just about anyone for the right price and I think that Kubalik is rich up there as one of the top trade candidates. The pending RFA is in need of a new contract and while his qualifying offer of $4 Million dollars may be a bit rich for most teams, if a acquiring team is willing to maybe give him a bit more term for less money then maybe they would be more interested. Around the deadline the asking price was reportedly a 2RD pick and I would suspect that or a mid level prospect would be the return for Kubalik but I expect no shortage of interest in the former 30 goal scorer.
12 Victor Olofsson (BUF)
Contract: Pending RFA
Previous years stats: 20G-29A-49P in 72GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: probably one of the Sabres best trade chips entering this offseason I would expect the Sabres to move Olofsson after he has fallen out of a top 6 role in Buffalo and after having difficulty getting into Buffalo’s lineup, a fresh start might be welcomed. Olofsson is definitely a top 9 forward and a outstanding power play guy but with so many young players getting into the Sabres lineup it might make sense that the Sabres move him to a team who could use some power play help and I would suspect that it takes 1 or maybe 2 pieces to get him but I don’t see Olofsson donning a Sabres jersey next year.
13 Brent Burns (SJ)Contract: 3 years left at $8 Million
Previous years stats: 10G-44A-54P in 82GP
Position: Right side Defensemen
Analysis: just like the situation in Montreal with Petry, Burns is a really good player who the Sharks like but is becoming way too expensive for them and a move out of San Jose seems to be in the cards. The Sharks seemed poise to trade one of him and Karlsson because of all the cap space tied up on the defence but with Burns cheaper and having less trade protection albeit not much, it makes sense that the Sharks part ways with the long time Shark. I would suspect that 2 decent pieces probably a 2nd or 3rd round pick and decent prospect would get a deal done but don’t be surprised if Burns is on his way out of San Jose this offseason.
14 Vitek Vanecek or Ilya Samsonov (WAS)
Contract: Both Pending RFA’s
Previous years stats: Vanecek 2.67 GAA, .908 SV% in 42GP: Samsonov 3.02 GAA, .896 SV% in 44GP
Position: Both Goaltenders
Analysis: after taking about a goalie move for the past couple of years it seems like it will finally happen for the Capitals as it seems the prime time to finally trade one of there goalies. Now both seems capable to be 1A goalies in the NHL and the reason I put both is because they at both RFA’s but some would say that with his extra year of experience and good play in the playoffs that Samsonov is the better goalie, while some would say that Vanecek has been a better regular season performer and has more upside. I would see a trade for one of these goalies taking 2 decent pieces and maybe a veteran goalie going to Washington but whichever is moved, I know that this tandem will not be their next year.
15 Jake DeBrusk (BOS)
Contract: 2 years left at $4 Million
Previous years stats: 25G-17A-42P in 77GP
Position: Left Winger
Analysis: after a career resurgence from DeBrusk the Bruins might want to keep him but it sounds like the Trade Request made by DeBrusk is still in place and the Bruins may have to try to trade him. After another slow start DeBrusk was placed on Marchands line and exploded finishing the season with 25 goals and 42 points and while the Bruins would love for him to stick around, it might not happen as it sounds like DeBrusk still wants out and I think a return would have to include 2 pieces and a young player who can maybe replace DeBrusk, but any team who needs a top 6 forward who has a goal scoring touch should definitely call Boston about DeBrusk as I think it is very unlikely that he will be a Bruin next year.
16 Christian Dvorak (MON)
Contract: 3 years left at $4.45 Million
Previous years stats: 11G-22A-33P in 56GP
Position: Center, Left Winger
Analysis: another Canadiens veteran who could be shown the door this offseason, after a bad first year in Montreal it could be his only year as a Canadien as I suspect the Canadiens are going to try to move him. Dvorak was acquired to replaced Danault in the Canadiens lineup but was injured and didn’t mesh well with the team and now with the fact that the Canadiens will likely draft Wright who can be their 2ND line Center it definitely makes Dvorak expendable and I think it would take a 2RD pick and decent prospect to acquire him but if a team needs a hood 2 way Center then I would have no doubt they would call Montreal about Dvorak.
17 Any LA Center Prospects (LA)
Contract: N/A
Previous years stats: N/A
Position: N/A
Analysis: I am just grouping all of them together because their is quite a lot but the Kings are looking to get better and have a astounding amount of Center prospects, and with only 2 or 3 being able to play regular minutes with LA Ir seems that they might move a few of them to try and improve in different spots. Now I would group Turcotte, Vilardi, Madden, Pinelli, Thomas and even Byfield as these are all good prospects who are all natural Centers but I would suspect that 2 or 3 of these great prospects are traded cause the Kings want to get a top 6 forward and top 4 defensemen this year and moving some of these prospects who might not get chances in LA would be a very smart move for the Kings.
18 Alec Martinez (VGK)
Contract: 2 years left at $5.25 Million
Previous years stats: 3G-5A-8P in 26GP
Position: Left side Defensemen
Analysis: the Golden Knights need some cap space this year and while there are other candidates that could be traded by Vegas I feel that Martinez would be the one who gets the most interest. They already have a ton of defensemen signed for next year (plus Hague who is a RFA) and while Martinez has been a big price on their blueline the past few years and I think he would be missed a lot on that blueline he seems to be the best trade candidate to bring them a good return as I would think it would take a 3RD pick and maybe a decent prospect to get him but for a veteran defensemen who could mentor younger guys and help round out a top 4, I would think that there would be no shortage of interest in him.
19 William Nylander (TOR)
Contract: 2 years left at $6.96 Million
Previous years stats: 34G-46A-80P in 81GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: now this one is still up in the air for me as I have heard that the Leafs could be willing to move Nylander in the right deal but would also be okay with not moving so if he was for sure moving he would be a lot higher on my list. Now if the Maple Leafs do wind up dealing Nylander who is a extraordinary top 6 forward as he had 80 points last year while playing at times on the third line, is if they get probably two or three pierces and one would probably have to be a established top 6 forward who would go right into the Maple Leafs lineup and is cheaper then Nylander but I would think a couple of other items would have to be involved but if it does happen a Nylander trade would probably be the biggest trade of the offseason.
20 Patrick Kane (CHI)
Contract: 1 year left at $10.5 Million
Previous years stats: 26G-66A-92P in 78GP
Position: Right Winger
Analysis: this is another situation where it seems 50/50 that the player gets traded but this situation is a bit different then the Nylander one mentioned above. Patrick Kane is a long time Blackhawk and has helped them win cups but is now on the last year of his contract and while he does make a lot, I would expect the Hawks to retain some salary on a trade, but Kane has a NMC and would have to agree to a move and after he said multiple times that he would like to stay with Chicago but if a deal would happen and Kane was okay with it then I would expect it to take 4 amazingly high pieces to get the guy from Chicago, so while it isn’t a guarantee he is moved if he is it would definitely be the end of a era in Chicago.
21 Kevin Labanc (SJ)
Contract: 2 years left at $4.73 Million
Previous years stats: 3G-3A-6P in 21GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: Labanc is a young player who has lost a lot of value over the past few years and could use a fresh start this offseason to try to regain his confidence and performance. The last two years have been rough on Labanc as he has dealt with a bit of injuries and his play has lead him to be a bottom 6 forward with San Jose but a change of scenery might change that. I don’t think the return would be awfully great, probably just a mid round pick or lower end prospect but moving him to a team where he can be a middle six forward and still prove he is a top NHL player might help him rejuvenate his career but I don’t think he will do that with San Jose.
22 Jonathan Drouin (MON)
Contract: 1 year left at $5.5 Million
Previous years stats: 6G-14A-20P in 34GP
Position: Forward
Analysis: after so much trade speculation since he was acquired by Montreal a handful of years ago, it seems like he might be able to finally get out of Montreal. When the Canadiens acquired Drouin there was a lot that was expected of him and he has never lived up to those expectations and now he is another veteran I could see Montreal try to move in the offseason and he is entering the final year of his deal and has dealt with health problems, but I think he could be a valuable middle 6 forward for either a contender or a younger learning team but I think Drouin will no longer be a member of the Canadiens next year.
23 James Van Reimsdyk (PHI)
Contract: 1 year left at $7 Million
Previous years stats: 24G-14A-38P in 82GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: JVR is a over payed veteran who could be on his way out of Philadelphia because of cap problems and with only a year left on his contract is a very likely candidate to be moved. JVR had a decent 38 points campaign last year and while he is not the player he was when he signed the deal with Philadelphia he is still a very productive 3rd line player and although I wouldn’t think there would be much interest at his full cap hit, if Philly retained a little I think it would definitely increase the interest. I would say it probably takes a decent prospect or 3rd round pick to get him out of Philly but for a veteran 3rd line player who could definitely still be a productive player I would say that there would definitely be interest.
24 Semyon Varlamov (NYI)
Contract: 1 year left at $5 Million
Previous years stats: 2.91 GAA, .911 SV% in 31GP
Position: Goaltender
Analysis: the Islanders have two great goalies but after Sorokin took the starting job and ran with it, the Islanders don’t need a $5 Million dollar backup and could use the cap space in to help other areas. Varlamov was off to a shaky start last year but still put up good numbers and could be a 1A on some other teams but he is now behind Sorokin and with his cap hit I can’t see him being a Islanders next year. I would think it takes a decent prospect and mid round pick to acquire him but the acquiring team would get a proven starter if only for the next year.
25 Max Comtois (ANA)
Contract: 1 year left at $2.04 Million
Previous years stats: 6G-10A-16P in 52GP
Position: Left Winger
Analysis: after a amazing season a few years ago by Comtois, he fell out of favour in Anaheim last year as he could some nights not even get into the lineup so it seems like the Ducks might give him a fresh start this offseason. After a 16 goals and 33 point season 2 years ago, last year he was only able to muster 16 points and the improvement for some other players has for lowered him down the lineup and maybe out of Anaheim. It will probably take another underperforming player or decent player who could do more in a bigger role to get Comtois, but if he can refund his form then I have no doubt they are getting a dangerous middle six forward from Anaheim.
26 Arizona’s cap space (ARI)Contract: N/A
Previous years stats: N/A
Position: N/A
Analysis: the Coyotes currently have very few contracts for next year and need to get to the cap floor so they could do what they started to the last year and make cap space a advantage to acquire picks and prospects for taking on bad contracts. They did this a few times last year when they acquired Stralman, Gostisbehere and Ladd last year for basically nothing but got a ton of picks and prospects in those deals and I think they are ready to use their cap space again, so if cap strapped teams want to get rid of a bad contract, then they will definitely be calling the Coyotes.
27 Alex Kerfoot (TOR)
Contract: 1 year left at $3.5 Million
Previous years stats: 13G-38A-51P in 82GP
Position: Left Wing, Center
Analysis: after a great season in Toronto, Kerfoot could be moved because the Maple Leafs need to make changes and Kerfoot might prove to costly for them. Kerfoot had a outstanding season putting up 51 points in 82 games last year and while his contract may be a bit rich for a top 9 forward, I’d that is the sort of production your getting them I expect a lot of teams to be calling, as he only has one year left, wouldn’t cost more then a decent prospect or pick and could help a team who doesn’t have the best secondary scoring get some more goals from lower end players.
28 Josh Bailey (NYI)
Contract: 2 years left at $5 Million
Previous years stats: 14G-30A-44P in 74GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: the Islanders could use some cap space and we have the 3rd Islander on this list who could be moved due to cap purposes but the one that will probably bring in the least return. Bailey had a okay year and definitely not one of his better ones putting up 44 points in 74 games and can definitely still be a good forward but not at the money he is making. At $5.5 Million I wouldn’t expect a return of more then a lower level pick or prospect but for the right price and fit, would make sense ona teams 3rd line which is where I envision him if he is dealt.
29 Laurent Brossoit (VGK)
Contract: 1 year left at $2.33 Million
Previous years stats: 2.90 GAA, .890 SV% in 24GP
Position: Goaltender
Analysis: another Vegas cap casualty as Brossoit who was brought in to backup Lehner dealt with his fair share of injuries and with the Cheaper Thompson now looking like Vegas backup next year it will make Brossoit expandable. Brossoit can still be a good backup and entering the final year of his deal on a contract that isn’t to expensive I would think there would definitely be interest in him and I would believe it would take a decent pick or prospect to acquire him but for a good backup goalie who is t to expensive, I think it would be the right move.
30 Pavel Zacha (NJ)
Contract: Pending RFA
Previous years stats: 15G-21A-36P in 70GP
Position: Left Wing, Center
Analysis: Zacha was a piece that was in play at the deadline and I would suspect that the Pending RFA will also be in play in the Offseason especially with the Devils trying hard to improve the team this offseason. Zacha has not had a bad year or time in New Jersey, but hasn’t been more then a third line player during his time in Jersey and I still think he has a ceiling of playing in a teams top 6. I would probably say that it takes a 3RD pick or maybe a decent prospect or underperforming player to get the pending RFA out of New Jersey but they would be getting a good middle 6 forward with a pretty good ceiling in my opinion.
31 Marco Scandella (ST.L)Contract: 2 years left at $3.28 Million
Previous years stats: 3G-11A-14P in 70GP
Position: Left side Defensemen
Analysis: another cap casualty as the St.Louis Blues look to resign some players and improve in some positions and that may have to come be moving Scandella. Scandella is a great 3rd pair defensemen and has even had time in St.Louis top 4 but given the little cap space St.Louis has and Scandella being over $3 Million he is just a luxury they cannot have. I would suspect that the return is a mid level prospect or pick but whatever the return is, the acquiring team is getting a solid 3rd pair defensemen.
32 Filip Zadina (DET)
Contract: Pending RFA
Previous years stats: 10G-14A-24P in 74GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: another younger player who isn’t doing too well with his current team as Zadina in my opinion could use a change of scenery. After being drafted 6th overall in 3018 Zadina started out as a pretty good top 6 forward but after some players had better years for Detroit, Zadina found himself in the bottom 6 and with his placement lower in the lineup and him not playing to the level of a a top 10 pick, I have no doubt that Detroit will at least consider moving him. I would say that another underperforming player and maybe a mid level prospect would get a deal done but I think there is a great likelihood that the Red Wings don’t have Zadina next year.
33 One of Buffalo’s 1RD picks (BUF)
Contract: N/A
Previous years stats: N/A
Position: N/A
Analysis: This is purely a gut feeling but I know that the Sabres are in the market for a right side defensemen to play with Owen Power and looking at where they are picking in the draft, I don’t see a partner that could play with Power for at least a couple years so I do think they could consider trading the 16th or 28th overall pick to acquire that right side defensemen. The picks are probably the Sabres best trade chip and a Power partner is high on the Sabres to do list this year so while I am not sure exactly which pick they would be more inclined to trade, I do think they will heavily consider moving one of those picks.
34 Dylan Strome (CHI)
Contract: Pending RFA
Previous years stats: 22G-26A-48P in 69GP
Position: Center, Left Wing
Analysis: pending RFA Strome is another good player on the Blackhawks that will probably be on the way out but there is a reason he is farther down then the others. Recent rumours have said that the Blackhawks might not qualify Strome given his $3.6 Million dollar qualifying offer and that would make him a UFA. But if he is dealt before the qualifying period or they qualify and trade him then I would suspect that after the season he just had he would command a 2RD or 3RD pick or a decent level prospect for a team to acquire him but I think that given his production that at least one team would have interest in him.
35 Petr Mrazek (TOR)
Contract: 2 years left at $3.8 Million
Previous years stats: 3.34 GAA, .888 SV% in 20GP
Position: Goaltender
Analysis: The Maple Leafs goalie has not had a good season as backup and has been riddled with injuries this year and with where his play is at right now the Maple Leafs would probably do anything to get out of that contract. Mrazek signed last offseason to take some of the load off of Campbell but instead spent most of the time injured and when he was healthy he didn’t play very well so with the cap strapped Leafs looking for ways to improve their team moving Mrazek might help them do that. I don’t suspect their would be much of a return, maybe a low level prospect or pick but I don’t see Mrazek in a Maple Leafs uniform next year and it will be interesting to see where he ends up.
36 Annti Raanta (CAR)
Contract: 1 year left at $2 Million
Previous years stats: 2.45 GAA, .912 SV% in 28 games
Position: Goaltender
Analysis: another goalie on this list as I feel that Raanta is going to be a hot commodity in the offseason and could be dangled as trade bait by Carolina. After a strong regular season and outstanding playoff run, Raanta has one more year left on his deal and I don’t think that Carolina would be okay with two goalies entering the final year of their deals, so I think they could use Raanta to improve their team elsewhere. I would guess that a 3RD pick or mid level prospect is what would go to Carolina but I think that Raanta is a serious trade candidate.
37 Damon Severson (NJ)
Contract: 1 year left at $4.17 Million
Previous years stats: 11G-35A-46P in 80GP
Position: Right side Defensemen
Analysis: the Devils could use a different looking D-Corp and maybe moving Severson would help with that. Severson is still a good top 4 defensemen and has shown his offensive skills this past year as he put up 46 points, but only has 1 year left on his deal and he could be a valuable trade piece for this team because as much as he is a great player and can produce well, I don’t think they would risk him walking to free agency next year. A return would probably be a 2RD pick and mid level prospect but to get a player who is really hood defensively and has mad offensive skills would be worth it.
38 Connor Brown (OTT)
Contract: 1 year left at $3.6 Million
Previous years stats: 10G-29A-39P in 64GP
Position: Winger
Analysis: the Senators have a few players who they could trade this offseason but I think that Brown has to be at the top of that list. Brown is entering the final year of his and with the Senators wanting to add a top 6 forward and a lot of the young players getting prominent roles in Ottawa it seems that Brown’s role would be reduced with Ottawa and maybe trading him would be a better idea. It would probably take a mid level prospect and pick to acquire Brown but he is till a good middle six forward who can produce at a high level and with Brown only having one year on a not to bad contract, and this leads me to believe that he will be moved.
39 Lars Eller (WAS)
Contract: 1 year left at $3.5 Million
Previous years stats: 13G-18A-31P in 72GP
Position: Center
Analysis: with the Capitals trying to get younger and trying to free up cap space they could move a few veterans out and I think Eller is at the top of that list. Eller is still a pretty good 3rd line Center for the Capitals and I would think he could be a good 3rd line Center on other teams too. He might not be the player he used to be but with only 1 year left at a reasonable cap hit of $3.5 Million it makes sense that if Washington was trying to get younger they could give Lapierre the 3rd line Center spot and they could clear space to do other things. I would believe that it would take a 3RD pick and mid level prospect to get Eller from Washington but for a young team who could get a veteran leader like Eller would make sense in my opinion.
40 Carson Soucy (SEA)
Contract: 1 year left at $2.75 Million
Previous years stats: 10G-11A-21P in 64GP
Position: Defensemen
Analysis: Soucy is still a strong defender and is coming off of a career year and even though the Kraken like him he could bring them quite a return in a trade. After being the expansion pick from Minnesota, Soucy got a elevated role in Seattle and benefited from it as he had a career year and around the Deadline there was rumours about him being moved but he ultimately did not and with his contract down to 1 year remaining it makes sense that the Kraken would consider a trade. Ir would probably take a 2nd or 3rd round pick and decent prospect to acquire him but with the amount of teams who could be interested in him I don’t think that would be a outrageous return.
5 Special mentions
(G) James Reimer (SJ), (LW) Evgeni Dadonov (VGK), (RD) Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA), (RD) Justin Holl (TOR), (G) Mackenzie Blackwood (NJ).
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