I have updated the End to End Hockey’s trade bait list from a few weeks ago, as the trades of Martin Kaut as well as Bo Horvat took a few names off of my trade list, so I have now added 18 players to my list, improving the list up to 40 players and with the trade deadline only 3 weeks away, it’s fair to say we will probably start seeing some trades in the very near future.
The End to end hockey’s top 40 trade bait list.
Note: I did this list before the Tarasenko trade yesterday.
1 Jacob Chychrun (ARI)
Previous ranking: 1
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $4.6 Million
Stats: 7-20-27 in 35 games played
Position: LD/RD
Age: 24
Potential landing spots: Los Angeles, St.Louis, Edmonton
Quick Analysis: we’ve been talking about a Chychrun deal since the middle of last season and it seems like Arizona isn’t budging from their very steep asking price as they seem to really want 2 1RD picks in a Chychrun trade and while they aren’t budging I do think some teams will give the Coyotes packages close to their asking prices and maybe the Yotes will be willing to lower the asking price a tad, but definitely see Chychrun being the best defensemen available come the deadline and I think a team like LA who needs a left side defensemen and has the assets to pull of a trade could get it done, but even though a Chychrun trade would definitely be difficult with how much Arizona wants, with Chychrun now having only two years after this year on his contract and for teams I think the term on his good deal makes him so appealing I think Arizona will try and make this happen before the deadline to give a team as much opportunity as they can have with Chychrun on this good deal.
2 Timo Meier (SJ)
Previous ranking: 4
Contract status: Pending RFA with a $6 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 30-21-51 in 52 games played
Position: LW/RW
Age: 26
Potential landing spots: New Jersey, New York R, Vegas
Quick Analysis: Meier was going to be a interesting name to watch before the season started and as the Sharks have not done good this season and already having some bad long term deals, the Sharks seem to be open to moving Meier and it could wind up being one of the first blockbuster deals of the season. Meier is a good top six winger and after a slow start is now producing at a point per game level, but with Meier being due a $10 Million dollar qualifying offer and the Sharks trying to gain assets for the future, trading Meier seems to be on the top of their priority list and it sounds like a team would rather try to extend him at a lower AAV then bringing him in as a Pending RFA so it will also be interesting if a acquiring team could work out a extension, my quests would be the Sharks want at least a 1RD pick and good prospect with probably a few more assets and it seems all three New York teams (NYI, NYR and NJ) have some serious interest so definitely a interesting name to watch as Meier looks destined to be moved prior to the deadline.
3 Brock Boeser (VAN)
Previous ranking: 2
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $6.65 Million
Stats: 9-22-31 in 43 games played
Position: RW
Age: 25
Potential landing spots: Minnesota, New Jersey, Calgary
Quick Analysis: Boeser was in trade talks last year before he signed his 3 year extension, but after he was almost scratched and it came out that Boeser’a agent was given permission to seek a trade the trade conversion started to ramp up again. Boeser isn’t having the best of seasons (26 points in 36 games) but he is still doing well, and for a team who could use a top 9 sniper for the next few years, Boeser may be their guy and even though his contract isn’t the best I still think the upside will definitely lead to a trade and I think Vancouver could get a nice little package for him and definitely teams like the Wild and Flames who are in desperate need of a goal scoring forward would probably love to have Boeser and I think I would be more surprised if Boeser isn’t moved before the deadline.
4 Patrick Kane (CHI)
Previous ranking: 6
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $10.5 Million dollar cap hit (NMC)
Stats: 9-26-35 in 46 games played
Position: RW
Age: 34
Potential landing spots: New Jersey, New York R, Boston
Quick Analysis: maybe the most interesting name approaching the deadline, it seems likely that the Blackhawks would like to move long time Hawk Patrick Kane but could not get the best return possible due to a few reasons. Now Kane has had a down year in production and some think it could have something to do with a lingering injury that could need to be “cleaned up” at a later date but another reason the Hawks might not get the return they want is Kane calls his shots with a NMC and he will pick where the Hawks can trade him so it is similar to the Giroux situation from last year, and I think that the Hawks could still get a 1RD pick and good prospect but they may not get the return they want but still if Kane can show he can play well I expect him to be moved before the deadline and it seems like a New York team (especially the Rangers) could be a good landing spot for him.
5 John Klingberg (ANA)
Previous ranking: 3
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $7 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 6-13-19 in 44 games played
Position: RD
Age: 30
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Seattle, Pittsburgh
Quick Analysis: it seems as though it is now a matter of is and not when John Klingberg says good bye to Anaheim as the Ducks should be full on sellers before the trade deadline and Klingberg is probably the teams best trade chip. Signed in the offseason to a 1 year deal, Klingberg hasn’t done all too well (15 points in 39 games) compared to some of his previous seasons but he is on a struggling Ducks team and would probably up his production on a contender. Now if Anaheim retains 50% of his salary I think there would be a lot of teams interested in the Pending UFA and although I am not overly confident the Ducks will be able to get a 1RD pick, I still think they will get a big return for him and I can almost guarantee that he won’t be with Anaheim past the deadline.
6 Vladislav Gavrikov (COLU)
Previous ranking: 7
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $2.8 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 3-7-10 in 50 games played
Position: LD
Age: 27
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Los Angeles, Toronto
Quick Analysis: another interesting situation as the Jackets like Gavrikov and would probably want to re-sign him but they would also like to get some more draft capital and they could get a good few picks if they were to move on from Gavrikov. Gavrikov has played amazing in the absence of Zach Wereinski and could definitely bring in a nice haul as reports say he could bring a similar return to what CBJ got for Savard a few years ago which was a 1RD and 3RD pick and the Jackets are sure to have interest in the defensmen but they also like how he has played and would also like to possibly keep him and sign him to a extension so I would not say he is a guarantee by any means to be moved but if he was to be moved before the deadline the Jackets would get a haul for him so definitely a intriguing situation to watch.
7 Shayne Gostisbehere (ARI)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $4.5 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 9-20-29 in 48 games played
Position: LD/RD
Age: 29
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Los Angeles, Boston
Quick Analysis: Gostisbehere is probably the biggest trade chip the Coyotes have entering the deadline not including Chychrun. Gostisbehere has done fantastic over the past year and a half in Arizona ever since the Coyotes were paid to acquire Gostisbehere from Philadelphia and he has done a fantastic job being a top 4 point producing defensemen and has been a real quarterback on the power play. I expect the Yotes to trade him and get a decent return of maybe 2-3 assets and a team who looks like they could use some help to put points up on the blueline and could use a top 4 defensemen like Boston or LA would probably have interest, but I do get a strong felling he will be dealt prior to the deadline.
8 Jonathan Toews (CHI)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $10.5 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 14-14-28 in 46 games played
Position: C
Age: 34
Potential landing spots: Winnipeg, Minnesota, Boston
Quick Analysis: the other huge name in Chicago who could wind up being moved before the deadline, it seems like the writing is on the wall for Toews in Chicago and a trade will probably come within the next few weeks. Toews has been a fantastic top 6 Center in Chicago for years now but with the Hawks on the path of a rebuild and wanting to get assets for some pending UFA’s, it seems like Toews run in Chicago is coming to an end. Now I do think he will waive his no move clause to be dealt as long as it is to a contending team, and I could see the Hawks get a couple of assets for him including maybe a pretty good prospect or a 2RD pick and teams who need Center’s like Carolina or Minnesota or maybe Winnipeg would probably have interest, so expect Toews to be dealt in the coming weeks by Chicago.
9 Vladimir Tarasenko (ST.L)
Previous ranking: 9
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $7.5 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 10-19-29 in 38 games played
Position: RW
Age: 31
Potential landing spots: Carolina, New York R, Calgary
Quick Analysis: this move really depends on where the Blues are and how they are doing prior to the deadline as the Blues are sort of a bubble team right now and if they continue to be a bubble team I think Tarasenko would definitely be gone. Now Tarasenko has wanted out of St.Louis tor the past two years now as at first he was coming off of shoulder surgery and a lot of teams didn’t want to take a chance and then last offseason the Blues wanted to keep him to go for it again this year but they are a fringe team right now and as we saw a few years ago with Stastny, the Blues aren’t afraid to move a significant Pending UFA to gain assets if they are a bubble team so if St.Louis can get in a comfortable playoff spot I think that they will probably keep him but if they continue to be a fringe playoff team as they are right now then I definitely believe that Tarasenko would get his wish and finally be able to leave St.Louis and a team who is looking for a top six sniper would probably have some serious interest in Tarasenko and I could even see a 1RD or 2RD pick and young player be moved back to St.Louis so definitely a interesting situation in St.Louis.
10 Ivan Barbashev (ST.L)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $2.25 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 9-15-24 in 51 games played
Position: C,LW,RW
Age: 27
Potential landing spots: Vegas, Toronto, Winnipeg
Quick Analysis: a very good middle six forward who has shown in the past few seasons he could be a really good depth scorer might also be on the trade block by the Blues. Now Barbashev had a extremely strong season last year putting up outstanding numbers that blew his previous career highs out of the water, and even though he hasn’t been as productive this year, he could still be a valuable 3rd line forward for a contending team as he showed he could be a couple seasons ago when he helped St.Louis win the cup. Now I wouldn’t guarantee at this point he is moved just given the fact that St.Louis isn’t officially a seller yet but with the Blues dropping in the standings I think he could definitely be moved, I think any team who could use some depth scoring could use Barbashev and the Bluse could probably get a couple assets in return, but if a team wants a middle six forward on not too bad of a deal then I would expect a lot of teams to have interest in him.
11 Sean Monahan (MON)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $6.38 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 6-11-17 in 25 games played
Position: C,LW,RW
Age: 28
Potential landing spots: Colorado, Carolina, Edmonton
Quick Analysis: now Monahan is a very possibly trade option for the rebuilding Canadiens and even though they like what he has brought to their team and may want to keep him, I think the offers for him will be too strong. Now Monahan dealt with a lot of injuries last season for the Flames and with Calgary shaking up their roster last offseason they didn’t have the cap room for Monahan so they paid the Flames to take his contract on. And so far that has been a good gamble for Montreal, now Monahan has dealt with a few injuries this season and is currently out, but he should return soon and given how well he played before suffering his injury I think there would definitely be strong interest in him. Now I wouldn’t guarantee he gets moved as their have been some who think the Canadiens like him enough to give him a extension, but I think the offers will convince the Canadiens to move him before the deadline and I think a team like Colorado or Carolina could have serious interest and Montreal could get a couple of assets for him if they retain salary, so don’t be too surprised if Monahan winds up on another team prior to the deadline.
12 Ryan O’Reilly (ST.L)
Previous ranking: 12
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $7.5 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 10-6-16 in 37 games played
Position: C
Age: 31
Potential landing spots Toronto, Colorado, Minnesota
Quick Analysis: O’Reilly is another huge name who could find himself on his way out of St.Louis before the trade deadline. O’Reilly has been a huge piece for the Blues ever since coming over from Buffalo and helped the team to win the cup a couple years ago (and got the Conn Smythe Trophy) but while I think it isn’t a guarantee he gets moved and of him and Tarasenko I think he would be the more likely to Re-Sign, he hasn’t looked as good offensively as he has in recent years and we know St.Louis isn’t afraid of moving Pending UFA’s at the deadline so I think we could wind up seeing O’Reilly moved and I know a team like Toronto seems to definitely be interested and the Center I think could bring in a 1st or 2nd round pick and decent prospect for St.Louis so definitely not as likely to be moved as Tarasenko but I definitely think that he will be a extremely interesting name to watch especially with O’Reilly still injured right now.
13 Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM)
Previous ranking: 15
Contract status: Pending RFA with a $3 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 4-6-10 in 49 games played
Position: RW
Age: 24
Potential landing spots: Anaheim, Montreal, Arizona.
Quick Analysis: now trade rumours have surrounded Puljujarvi since this past offseason and while nothing has happened yet and the Oilers seem intent to move on from him as they could create some cap space and give Puljujarvi a much needed fresh start. There was a lot of speculation in the offseason that the Oilers would move on from Puljujarvi as he was a UFA but then signed him to a 1 year deal and hoped that would help trade interest but it didn’t and he has played with the Oilers for the first half of the year and has played almost always in a bottom six role so it seems like if the Oilers could move him to maybe a bottom dwelling team who could give him a bigger role it may help his confidence and production and I don’t think it would take to much to get him out of Edmonton as I think a 3rd or 4th round pick would probably do it but with Puljujarvi not playing well and Edmonton needing cap space a Puljujarvi trade should happen before the trade deadline.
14 James Van Riemsdyk (PHI)
Previous ranking: 11
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $7 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 8-13-21 in 33 games played
Position: LW/RW
Age: 33
Potential landing spots: Winnipeg, New Jersey, Toronto
Quick Analysis: now here is someone who is almost a guarantee to be moved ahead of the trade deadline and that is James Van Reimsdyk. Riemsdyk has been a very productive goal scorer ever since signing back with Philadelphia and has definitely been one of their better forwards over the past few years and one of the locker room leaders but after trying to move on from him in the offseason and the asking price being too high for Philly, it does seem that with Philly probably not making the playoffs and the Flyers looking to gain assets and are now willing to retain salary it seems like there is a market for the winger, I definitely think a team who needs a 3rd line scorer and is going to the playoffs would have interest in JVR and I think a 2ND or 3RD round pick and maybe another asset would get a deal done, so while JVR isn’t the flashiest of forwards who could be moved I do think that he could be a good backup option if a team strikes out on a different player.
15 Joel Edmundson (MON)
Previous ranking: 8
Contract status: 1 more year after this one at $3.5 Million
Stats: 1-5-6 in 39 games played
Position: LD/RD
Age: 29
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Ottawa, Los Angeles
Quick Analysis: in Edmundson the Canadiens are not in a rush to move and it doesn’t sound like they will for sure move him at the deadline but if they were it seems that there would have to be a hell of a package involved. Edmundson has had a up and down past few years dealing with injuries and off ice stuff but he is still a good 2nd or 3rd pair defensemen who knows what it takes to win in the playoffs so getting a experienced D-Men would be appealing to a lot of contenders but Edmundson does have a extra year on his contract so if the Canadiens don’t move him before the deadline then they could move him next year, so if a team in desperate need of a defensemen were to acquire him before the deadline they would probably have to give a 1RD pick and another asset to pry Edmundson from Montreal so while I would say he probably doesn’t get moved before the deadline, I think he could and the Canadiens would be able to get quite a haul for the veteran defensemen.
16 Andreas Athanasiou (CHI)
Previous ranking: 16
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $3 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 10-6-16 in 48 games played
Position: LW/RW
Age: 28
Potential landing spots: Carolina, Winnipeg, Minnesota
Quick Analysis: another Blackhawk on the list as Athanasiou hasn’t been the most productive of the Blackhawks players this season but is a good middle six forward on a not too expensive deal and I think for a contender looking for some more depth scoring he could be of great interest. Now Athanasiou had a injury riddled last year with LA but when he was healthy he played well and was able to earn a 1 year contract with the lowly Blackhawks and while he hasn’t been as productive as he was with LA last year he has still done quite well and is showing he can still be a solid middle six forward in the NHLand I think that if a contending team were to call the Blackhawks would most likely be willing to move him as I think they could get a mid round pick and decent prospect for him and Athanasiou could help a contending team as a 3rd line forward who can put up some depth scoring so I for one think that Athanasiou is as good as gone from Chicago and should be moved before the deadline.
17 2023 1RD pick NYR or DAL (NYR)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: NA
Stats: NA
Position: NA
Age: NA
Potential landing spots: Chicago, St.Louis, San Jose
Quick Analysis: not much to discuss here but in the offseason the New York Rangers shipped Nils Lundkvist to the Dallas Stars in exchange for their 1st round pick this year. Now we know the Rangers are in full win now mode and are looking for some top six help, and due to this trade it gives the Rangers the luxury of what most other teams don’t have, 2 1st round picks in this years draft. I know this is a deep draft but with both picks probably being in the late 20s, I think the Rangers will probably move one of those two picks to try and get a offensive upgrade whether it be Meier, Kane or someone else before the deadline.
18 Jake McCabe (CHI)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $4 Million
Stats: 2-12-14 in 46 games played
Position: LD/RD
Age: 29
Potential landing spots: Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington
Quick Analysis: now the Hawks have a lot of players on the trade block but most of the other names are pending UFA’s such as Kane, Toews and Athanasiou, but McCabe may be had for a team looking for a defensive upgrade beyond this year. Now McCabe is in the second season of a 4 year deal he signed with Chicago a few years ago and he has been a really good top 4 defensemen ever since signing with Chicago and that has other teams showing interest in acquiring him. Now he does have some trade protection as he has a partial no trade clause and he isn’t a great defensemen to put up points but is still a really good top 4 D. I believe if the Hawks were to move on from him before the deadline, it would have to be for a deal they like and my guess would possibly be a 2ND round pick and prospect, but with the Hawks in full seek mode right now, I think if the right trade presented itself the Hawks would wind up moving McCabe.
19 Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA)
Previous ranking: 13
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $3.9 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 0-12-12 in 45 games played
Position: RD
Age: 33
Potential landing spots: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Seattle
Quick Analysis: the second Duck on the list happens to be another good Pending UFA defensemen as the Ducks seem to also be willing to move on from Kevin Shattenkirk before the deadline for the right price. The Duck signed Shattenkirk 3 years ago and he has been playing for a majority of his time in Anaheim on their 3rd pair and has shown he can still be a good offensive defensemen and even though his production isn’t the best right now, I think going to a contender should help his production as Shattenkirk is a really solid 3rd pair D-Men and would really boost a teams blueline and I don’t think it would take a overly big package to acquire him but with the Ducks doing so poorly right now and with them probably not being back Shattenkirk it does seem like he is also going to be on his way out of Anaheim.
20 Thatcher Demko (VAN)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 3 more years after this one at $5 Million
Stats: 3.93 GAA and .883 SV% in 15 games played
Position: G
Age: 27
Potential landing spots: Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Buffalo
Quick Analysis: now with Horvat gone there is a lot of speculation as to who the Canucks will wind up moving next and some people have said that teams are starting to call on Demko and the Canucks may consider moving the all star goalie. Now Demko is a great starting goalie who prior to this year has put up some fantastic numbers, but he did have a pretty bad start to the season and he has been on IR for a while now, so I definitely don’t think it is a given he is moved but their is still a chance. Now Demko is the Canucks goalie for now and if they do trade him they don’t really have a starter in their system so it would bring them down the path of a rebuild, and he is signed for 3 more seasons so they also don’t need to move him right now, but for a team like LA or Pittsburgh who could use a good starting goalie it may make sense to try and pry Demko out of Vancouver, and I think the Canucks could get 3 assets for Demko including a 1RD pick and good prospect, but definitely not a guarantee he moves but talk around him is picking up and it is definitely a possibility if Vancouver finds a package they like.
21 Luke Schenn (VAN)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $.850 Thousand dollar Cap hit
Stats: 3-15-18 in 51 games played
Position: RD
Age: 33
Potential landing spots: Tampa Bay, Boston, Flames
Quick Analysis: and we have another Canuck on the board as even though Horvat was dealt there is now shortage of interest in Vancouver’s players, as Schenn is a cheap defensemen who is on a affordable contract and could be a great 2nd-3rd pair addition for contender. Now the Canucks once again like Schenn and it seems they have some desire to keep the good defensemen but with a lot of teams being able to fit Schenn in their tight salary cap situation and Schenn being a good top 4 defender, I think the package for Schenn would be too much to turn down. Now I definitely think contenders like Boston and Tampa would have some serious interest in Schenn and the Canucks I think could get a decent prospect and 2ND round pick for Schenn so it isn’t 100% that Schenn winds up being moved but it is starting to feel more and more likely that he will be moved.
22 Sean Walker (LA)
Previous ranking: 17
Contract status: 1 more year after this one at $2.65 Million
Stats: 2-7-9 in 46 games played
Position: RD
Age: 28
Potential landing spots: Boston, Buffalo, Seattle
Quick Analysis: the Kings look really good this year and seem to want to upgrade at a couple of positions but don’t have the cap space so with LA having a ton of good and capable right side defensemen, they may be willing to move Walker so they can get a upgrade. Now Walker had a injury riddled season last year and didn’t play much in the 2nd half but has played pretty well this year in a 3rd pair role and I don’t think the Kings really want to get rid of him because he is a good defensemen, but they lack a good top 4 defensemen who can play on the left side and with guys like Clarke who is a righty who should play full time NHL minutes next year coming in and grabbing spots, it seems like Walker’s future won’t be with LA and I also don’t think it would take a big package to get Walker and I also think he could be used in a deal to get a defensive upgrade and I think he would fit well on a lot of teams 3rd pair, so while he is a good defensemen and plays well on pair 3 I think that he will most likely find himself on his way out prior to the deadline.
23 Anthony Duclair (FLO)
Previous ranking: 14
Contract statuts: 1 more year after this one at $3 Million
Stats: 0-0-0 in 0 games played
Position: LW/RW
Age: 27
Potential landing spots: Calgary, Minnesota, Winnipeg
Quick Analysis: with the Panthers needing to clear cap space when they get back to being healthy, Florida will have a tough decision to make as to who they might need to trade away to keep themselves under the cap and a lot of people have pointed at Duclair as the one the Panthers will move on from. Now over the past few seasons Duclair has showed he could be a very good middle six forward in Florida and has produced well especially with the Panthers but a injury has kept him out all season long so far, but there is a possibility that he could return before the all star break and while the Panthers wouldn’t need to move out cap at that point, once Hornqvist is healthy they would and that offense has done pretty well this year without Duclair so moving him to regain some cap space might be the right move for Florida, I don’t know exactly what they would ask for in a trade but he has shown he is a speedy middle six forward and a team who needs offense could definitely use him so he will be a intriguing name to keep our eye on.
24 Nick Bjugstad (ARI)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $.900 Thousand dollar cap hit
Stats: 11-10-21 in 51 games played
Position: C,RW
Age: 30
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Toronto, Dallas
Quick Analysis: Bjugstad is a very good bottom six forward who is having one of his best seasons in the last few years and with Arizona being a seller as well as Bjugstad being in the final year of his deal, it seems like he will most likely be moved before the deadline. Now Bjugstad has hit 20 points for the first time in the last few years and has showed he is a really good penalty killer with Arizona which I think a lot of teams would like, and Bjugstad is also on a very cheap deal, only making $.950 Thousand dollars for the rest of this year and even though he has played top six minutes with Arizona this year, he would make a good 3rd/4th line forward for a contender. Now I think the Coyotes could get a decent 3rd or 4th round pick for Bjugstad, and I don’t see any contender who wouldn’t want a cheap and productive bottom six forward, so in my eyes Bjugstad is another good Arizona player who will most likely be moved prior to the deadline.
25 Alexander Holtz (NJ)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $.894 Thousand
Stats: 3-1-4 in 19 games played
Position: RW,LW
Age: 21
Potential landing spots: San Jose, Chicago, St.Louis
Quick Analysis: now the New Jersey Devils have showed this year that they are taking strides as they are 2nd in the very difficult Metro division and I don’t think many people saw this coming, but with the team doing so well this year, a lot of people see them trying to upgrade the team prior to the deadline and some do believe that with Holtz not getting much opportunity with Jersey right now that he may wind up being a trade chip for Jersey. Now a lot of people this year and some last year thought that the Devils would give Holtz a top 6 spot as he has done a great job in the AHL, but that has not been the case as Holtz has mostly played in a bottom six role over the past year at the NHL level and with the players in front of him, it seems like Holtz isn’t going to get a top six role so maybe the Devils move him. He is probably going to be a top 6 forward in some team whether it is with jersey or not, and I think if he were to be moved in a package to get a Tarasenko, Kane or Meier the Devils would be willing to do that to get a upgrade on their current roster, so I definitely don’t think the Devils want to part with Holtz, but if it allows the Devils to acquire a good top 6 forward for their team right now, I think they would definitely do that.
26 Nick Ritchie (ARI)
Previous ranking: 23
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $2.5 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 9-12-21 in 48 games played
Position: LW
Age: 27
Potential landing spots: Carolina, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh
Quick Analysis: a very interesting name who i think is almost a given to get moved before the deadline as another Coyote player is on the trade list in Nick Ritchie who I think would be a prefect bottom six forward for a contending team. Now Ritchie started the season very well but has since slowed down a bit but even then he is on pace for one of his better seasons in the last couple of years and has been a force on the power play this year with Arizona and given he is a Pending UFA on a bad Coyotes team i expect him to absolutely be moved before the deadline and I don’t think Arizona would get too much for him, maybe a 3RD pick and decent prospect but to get something for someone they were given a pick to take on would be wonderful and any contending team who could use a 3rd line forward who could do wonders on maybe a 2nd power play unit would definitely have interest in him and I think that in a few weeks Ritchie is going to be a hot topic as there will definitely be trade interest in the winger.
27 Noel Acciari (ST.L)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $1.25 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 10-8-18 in 51 games played
Position: C,RW
Age: 31
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Vegas, New Jersey
Quick Analysis: we have yet another Blues player who has found his way onto the trade list, as Acciari isn’t the best and most productive forward out their, but is a great faceoff guy and can help on the penalty kill a lot and for a team who is looking for a good 4th line Center for a playoff run, I think Acciari could be that guy. Now Acciari is in his first year with the Blues and after playing with teams like Boston and Florida, Acciari has done actually played pretty well with the Blues as he has a decent point total for a 4th line forward and would help any team who is competing for the cup, I think that his $1.5 Million dollar cap hit would be pretty easy for a team to sneak under the cap, and the asking price in my opinion would be no more then a 4RD pick and with the Blues most likely being sellers, I believe that Acciari will probably not be on the Blues roster after the deadline and a team looking for some bottom six help will probably pick him up.
28 Mattias Ekholm (NAS)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 3 more years after this one at $6.25 Million
Stats: 5-12-17 in 49 games played
Position: LD/RD
Age: 32
Potential landing spots: Edmonton, Los Angeles, Washington
Quick Analysis: a big time name in Nashville who could maybe be moved, as we learned earlier in the year that the Predators were willing to listen on top 4 defensemen Mattias Ekholm and possibly move him for the right price. Now the Predators had a rough start and some people thought that the Preds may consider a defensive shakeup as there were names like Fabbro and Carrier out there as well, but I think the Predators are less likely to move players at least at this point given the fact that they have crawled back into the playoff race but after a few losses they may have started to see themselves as sellers again. Now I think Ekholm would draw a lot of interest especially from teams like LA and Edmonton and Nashville could get a pretty good return for him, but with his cap hit I am not sure that many teams could make it work and this may be a deal that we see happen in the offseason, so definitely going to be interesting to see what Nashville does, but even if the Preds are sellers, I think a Ekholm deal would be difficult before the deadline.
29 Sam Bennett (FLO)
Previous ranking: 22
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $4.43 Million
Stats: 13-21-34 in 53 games played
Position: C
Age: 26
Potential landing spots: Colorado, Minnesota, Seattle
Quick Analysis: another Panther on the list as some have said that if the Panthers wanted to free up some money and maybe go out and acquire a defensemen before the deadline then maybe moving Bennett would be the right play. Now since arriving in Florida Bennett has done fantastic as 2nd line Center and really did good last year and has even done pretty well this year but I think one of the reasons Bennett might be moved would be because they have a player who is their long term 2nd line Center in Lundell and if Bennett was to be moved I think Lundell could fit right in at 2nd line Center, so I could see them move Bennett as they could also get a nice return for the good middle six winger and maybe improve their draft capital a bit as it does look pretty bleak right now and some team who may need a 2nd line Center for the next couple of years would surely be interested in Bennett so it will definitely be interesting to see if the Panthers wind up moving on from Bennett and if so what return they could get.
30 Radek Faksa (DAL)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $3.25 Million
Stats: 7-5-12 in 53 games played
Position: C,LW
Age: 29
Potential landing spots: Vancouver, St.Louis, Boston
Quick Analysis: now Faksa is one of the more unlikely candidates to be deadly before the deadline but with the Stars pressed up against the cap and wanting to add before the deadline, Faksa’s name has been out there as possibly being moved to help the Stars gain cap space to go after a addition. Now Faksa has been a really good player for the Stars over the past few years being a good bottom six forward for Dallas, and has consistently put up 20 points for the Stars and been really good but he is making over $3 Million for this year and the next two seasons, and with young guys like Johnston and Stankoven being inserted into the lineup soon, Faksa becomes a luxury they can’t have and they don’t have enough cap space to go after a top six player they want to add before the deadline, so I wouldn’t guarantee that Faksa winds up getting moved but if the Stars are looking to try and add a significant piece, look for Faksa to possibly be a cap casualty.
31 Damon Severson (NJ)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $4.16 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 4-12-16 in 50 games played
Position: RD
Age: 28
Potential landing spots: Vancouver, Seattle, Washington
Quick Analysis: Severson is not someone I would say is definitely going to be moved before the deadline, but with a very deep Right side on the blueline and the fact that the Devils are looking for a forward upgrade and probably won’t bring back Severson after this year, it makes sense that the Devils may wind up using Severson as a trade chip. Now we know the Devils want to add, looking at possible names such as Boeser, Kane and Meier, but there have been some people who think that the Devils may move Severson to help them acquire that forward upgrade, now I think that the Devils would probably like to keep Severson as he has some really well on the 2nd/3rd pair and is a really good offensive defensemen, but with the team probably not bringing back Severson back after this year and his production dropping a bit, I think they could definitely wind up using him as part of a package to get a forward or move him for assets that could help get their forward upgrade. So I would definitely say that although I think Severson will remain a Devil past the deadline, given the fact he is a right shot defensemen that could be intriguing to some, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that he winds up being traded.
32 Mike Hoffman (MON)
Previous ranking: 19
Contract status: 1 more year after this one at $4.5 Million
Stats: 9-9-18 in 37 games played
Position: LW,RW
Age: 33
Potential landing spots: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Nashville
Quick Analysis: now the Canadiens have a deep forward group and even though they are banged up right now there is a high probability they move 1 or 2 forwards before the deadline and I think the most likely of the handful of players in Montreal to get moved will probably be Mike Hoffman. Now Hoffman has done okay since coming over to Montreal and between him and Drouin and Dadonov he has probably been the most productive this year and I think that even though his cap hit isn’t all too appealing and he has next year on his contract as well I think that there would definitely be a team or two who would love to have Hoffman on their 3rd line and be a good sniper and depth scorer for them and I think it wouldn’t take a huge package to get Hoffman from Montreal, so I definitely think a player or two will be moved by Montreal before the deadline and I wouldn’t be half surprised if Hoffman was one of the players moved.
33 Pierre Oliver Joseph (PIT)
Previous ranking: 10
Contract status: 1 more year after this one at $.825 Thousand
Stats: 2-10-12 in 46 games played
Position: LD
Age: 23
Potential landing spots: Ottawa, Los Angeles, Florida
Quick Analysis: the Penguins have been looking to possibly try and upgrade their blueline and I think that even though they made some offseason moves and it may be a bit less likely now, I think there is still a possibility that Joseph is moved by the Penguins. Now Pittsburgh made some moves in the offseason and were able to play Joseph consistently on the 3rd pair but with Friedman still doing good and Smith showing he should be playing at the NHL level after being recalled I think the Penguins still have a pretty crowded blueline and with the Penguins injured right now they probably aren’t looking to subtract but when Letang is back and if the Pens want to upgrade on the blueline I think they would trade Joseph as he is a good 3rd pair or 2nd pair defensemen and I think if he was traded he could possibly get a bigger role so I am not sure if he would be moved before the deadline but I still think Pittsburgh has a crowded blueline and long term maybe Joseph is the odd man out.
34 Kulich, Rosen, Ostlund (BUF)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: NA
Stats: NA
Position: NA
Age: NA
Potential landing spots: Chicago, Arizona, San Jose
Quick Analysis: not too much to discuss here but the Sabres have finally turned a corner and are in the midst of a playoff race, and given the fact that they have been linked to some pretty big names including Chychrun and Meier, if they were to go that route and try to get a major upgrade before the deadline, I would think they would probably put one of these three forwards in a trade package. Now I don’t think the Sabres want to get rid of any of their prospects, but if it was to help their team get a player who could have a major impact now and in the future, I think they would consider it. Because the Sabres have a lot of good and young players, I feel that not all of them would be able to make the Sabres roster, as they already have guys like Peterka, Quinn, Cozens, Thompson, Tuch, Mittlestadt and Savoie waiting in the wing, so if all of these guys have futures with Buffalo it would be really hard to have all of Ostlund, Kulich and Rosen make the team so I think they could wind up moving one of their young forwards who they could give more of a opportunity to and get a asset who could help them now, and while I do believe it is highly unlikely the Sabres do that before the deadline, one can never count out the possibilities and if Buffalo wants a major upgrade, then one of these guys would most likely go.
35 Dante Fabbro (NAS)
Previous ranking: 20
Contract status: Pending RFA with a $2.4 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 1-7-8 in 46 games played
Position: RD
Age: 24
Potential landing spots: Columbus, Seattle, Ottawa
Quick Analysis: the Predators have had a up and down season this year and with them barely making the playoffs the past few seasons I think they could be on the verge of maybe a shakeup in the near future and one guy who I could see being moved would be Fabbro. Now there was a lot of talk earlier in the year that the Predators might consider changing some things on their roster and try to make it better and there was even talk about Ekholm being on the block, but they have been doing better as of late and I don’t think it is a guarantee they move some players but I think it would be good for their future and maybe moving Fabbro is on their radar. Both young defensemen in Fabbro and Carrier haven’t done well this year and we’re occasionally healthy scratches and I don’t think Nashville would move either one unless they got a good enough offer but I think that after not having as good of a impact as some might have thought, I think Fabbro could be a trade piece before the deadline for the Predators, I think the Preds could get a nice package for the young defensemen and a young up and coming team would probably have interest in him so while I definitely think that he is not guaranteed to be moved, I do think Fabbro will be a interesting name around the deadline.
36 Tyler Bertuzzi (DET)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $4.75 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 2-4-6 in 19 games played
Position: LW,RW
Age: 27
Potential landing spots: Toronto, New Jersey, Carolina
Quick Analysis: with the Red Wings most likely being sellers at the deadline, a lot of teams seem to have started to call Detroit about the availability of Tyler Bertuzzi as he could be a serious addition for a contending team. Bertuzzi has done really well with the Red Wings and is even coming off a 30 goal season, and even though he has dealt with a ton of injuries this year, their are still some teams who view Bertuzzi as a lethal top 6 upgrade for their team, and even though it does sound like Detroit has some interest in retaining Bertuzzi and keeping him with the Red Wings, I think his price tag even coming off a injury plagued season would be too high for the Red Wings and the return they could get (which I think could be multiple assets) might be hard to refuse, so I think that it is very likely that Bertuzzi gets shipped to a contender and the acquiring team gives Detroit a nice trade package.
37 Mike Reilly (BOS)
Previous ranking: 18
Contract status: 1 more year after this one at $3 Million
Stats: 0-1-1 in 10 games played
Position: LD
Age: 29
Potential landing spots: Anaheim, Florida, Washington
Quick Analysis: the Bruins have a healthy D-Corp now and while they started banged up they are now fully healthy and with that in mind they don’t have a spot for Reilly on the roster so to free up some cap space and get Reilly playing time elsewhere I think Reilly could be moved before the deadline. Now Reilly started the season on the 3rd pair and looked pretty good but after the Bruins got back McAvoy and Grzelyck they didn’t have the room of space for Reilly so they sent him to the minors and with so many bodies ahead of him he seems to want to go somewhere where he could get more playing time so I think losing him before the deadline to clear some cap space would definitely help the Bruins and I think a team who could use a 3RD pair D-Men for this year and next could use him and it wouldn’t take much at all to acquire him so I definitely think Reilly will most likely be moved prior to the deadline.
38 Frank Vatrano (ANA)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 2 more years after this one at $3.65 Million
Stats: 12-13-25 in 52 games played
Position: RW,LW
Age: 28
Potential landing spots: Toronto, Buffalo, Winnipeg
Quick Analysis: now while he is probably one of the more unlikely players to be dealt before the deadline, I have heard that some teams may have some interest in the speedy winger and even though he just signed with Anaheim, the Sucks who are sellers may wind up moving him. Now Vatrano played extremely well last season especially once he was traded to NYR and helped them get to the eastern conference final, and although he hasn’t produced as well as he did last year, he is still a good speedy middle six winger who can put up points at times, and is definitely drawing interest from other teams. Now he does have some term being signed for two years after this one and he just signed with Anaheim so I am not sure he would be moved right away and I think a Vatrano trade may wait for the offseason, but there is always a possibility and I think if Anaheim got a trade offer they really liked for Vatrano they would move him, so not a guarantee but definitely a name to watch out for as we approach the deadline.
39 Oskar Sundqvist (DET)
Previous ranking: 25
Contract status: Pending UFA with a $2.75 Million dollar cap hit
Stats: 7-12-19 in 41 games played
Position: C,RW
Age: 28
Potential landing spots: Minnesota, Vegas, Tampa Bay
Quick Analysis: another depth player who could bring in a decent return prior to the trade deadline, with the Red Wings slipping right now and more likely being sellers before the deadline, I think they could move a Pending UFA or 2 and I wouldn’t be surprised if Sundqvist was one of them. Now Sundqvist came over from St.Louis at last years trade deadline and for in really nicely before the end of the season and has showed he can be a really productive 3rd line forward this year in Detroit, and with a lot of teams looking for some depth scoring before the deadline I think that Sundqvist would definitely have interest to be acquired and I think the Red Wings could get a couple of assets in return for him but definitely another 3rd line forward who can provide depth scoring who should draw lots of interest prior to the deadline.
40 Kevin Hayes (PHI)
Previous ranking: NR
Contract status: 3 more years after this one at $7.14 Million
Stats: 16-30-46 in 52 games played
Position: C
Age: 30
Potential landing spots: Boston, Carolina, St.Louis
Quick Analysis: and finally we have Kevin Hayes as the top six Center is having a really great season with Philly, especially in the absence of Couturier, but their seems to be some tension between him and the team and it seems like Hayes time in Philly is running out quickly. Now I am not so sure we will see Hayes be moved prior to the deadline due to the fact that he still has three more years left on his contract as a just over $7 Million dollars so it would be extremely difficult for a team to make the cap work ahead of the deadline, and I think a trade or possibly a buyout in the offseason might actually make more sense for Philly, but if they can get a offer they would accept before the deadline I could see him being moved, so even though he is one of Philly’s better point producing forwards, it seems his time in Philly is almost over and he could wind up being dealt before the deadline.
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