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Hello everyone, we are back with the second End to End Hockey’s trade bait list of the year, so after a few early trades this year with the likes of Hughes, Danault, Palat and Panarin we now have a trade board heading into the last few weeks before the deadline as we have to wipe the slate clean from the last board as 4 of my previous top 5 are off the board entirely, now all of the players on this trade board are from every team in the NHL and this will be my 2nd trade board to come out this year, but for this second one of the new year we are expanding it to 40 players on it, there are a handful of players on here who I think have a strong likelihood of being dealt at some point before this years trade deadline, so there are definitely some interesting names on here and the hope is to post another just before the deadline, so without further ado here is my updated trade bait list of the 2026 season with 40 players being on it.
1.) Nazem Kadri
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 3 years left after this one at a $7 Million AAV
Stats: 10-29-39 in 56GP
Position: C
Age: 35
2 landing spots: Avalanche and Kings
Analysis: now we have a very interesting name here on the trade board that sounds more and more likely to get dealt as we get closer to the deadline and that is Kadri, now Kadri has term left on his contract and trade protection so he isn’t a guarantee to get moved, but it seems that with the Flames still doing bad that Kadri might be more open to a trade then earlier in the year and with a huge need in the NHL from playoff teams for a top 2 Center, the return the Flames could get may be too good to pass up and may result in a Kadri deal before the deadline.
2.) Vincent Trocheck
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 3 years left after this one at a $5.63 Million AAV
Stats: 12-24-36 in 43GP
Position: C
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Minnesota and Detroit
Analysis: now another top Center who has had a lot of interest and is picking up interest in him is Rangers Center Vincent Trocheck, now at the beginning of the year it seemed like Trocheck being moved was very unlikely as he was a huge piece of the Rangers over the past few years, but now the Rangers are sellers and dead last in the east so that makes a trade a little bit likelier and Trocheck doesn’t have as much trade protection as a guy like Kadri so trading him would be easier, and he is a guy who can play top 2 Center minutes so with a ton of teams looking for Center help and the return NYR could get, I think a Trocheck trade is likely before this years deadline.
3.) Ryan O’Reilly
Previous Ranking: 6
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $4.5 Million AAV
Stats: 20-36-56 in 57GP
Position: C
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Montreal and Minnesota
Analysis: now as we mentioned previously there is a need for 2nd or 3rd line Center’s out there and another big time vet on a rather underwhelming team is Ryan O’Reilly, while I don’t think he is a 1st line Center anymore he can still be a valuable 2nd or 3rd line Center as he has actually had a solid season producing this year and knows what it takes to win (helped St.Louis win the Cup) and I think lots of teams would love to add O’Reilly down the middle even if the ask is a bit high.
4.) Justin Faulk
Previous Ranking: 16
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $6.5 Million AAV
Stats: 11-19-30 in 57GP
Position: RD
Age: 33
2 landing spots: Vegas and Buffalo
Analysis: now another defender that has been brought up a ton this year and could be amongst some of the best defensive trade candidates heading into the deadline is Justin Faulk, now the Blues aren’t a good team and Faulk was one of the names mentioned as potentially being on the trade block, he is having a solid season and is on pace for 20+ goals, isn’t on a terrible contract and has another year left on his contract after this one, so if teams don’t want a rental then they would probably target Faulk and I feel there is a strong likelihood that he gets dealt.
5.) Bobby McMann
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $1.35 Million AAV
Stats: 19-13-32 in 56GP
Position: WIN
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Edmonton and Anaheim
Analysis: now a guy who could be dealt before the deadline and is on the trade board is a guy on a team I never expected to be potentially sellers this year, and that is McMann on the Leafs, now with the Leafs on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason there is a lot of speculation that at LEAST the Leafs may move there pending UFA’s before this years deadline and one of those guys is McMann, now McMann is having himself a season on pace for between 25 and 30 goals and is a hard to play against bottom six forward that would be able to improve a ton of teams 3rd lines and with the amount of interest there seems to be out there for McMann, I don’t think a trade is out of the realm of possibility.
6.) Blake Coleman
Previous Ranking: 8
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $4.9 Million AAV
Stats: 13-8-21 in 44GP
Position: WIN
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Anaheim and Philly
Analysis: now we have another Flame on this list and this guy is one who helped a team win back to back cups and that is Blake Coleman, Coleman who was coming off a solid season a few years ago has looked pretty good for Calgary this year, now unlike some of the other guys Coleman is not a Pending UFA and therefore less likely to get dealt as it is less urgent, but he plays that playoff style game a lot of teams love and is signed for another season beyond this one so if a team would offer a nice enough package I could see him get dealt at some point this year.
7.) Brayden Schenn
Previous Ranking: 2
Contract Status: 2 years left after this one at a $6.5 Million AAV
Stats: 12-12-24 in 57GP
Position: C,LW
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Carolina and Dallas
Analysis: now there is a need from a lot of teams for a 2nd or 3rd line Center so any selling teams who have a Center of that caliber could get a haul and that is the sort of situation with Schenn in St.Louis, Schenn was brought up last year in trade discussions but nothing ever came to fruition as they didn’t get the return they liked, but with St.Louis sub .500 again, the amount of teams needing Centers and Schenn having a few years of term left, he seems like a prime trade candidate and I wouldn’t be shocked if a team playoff bound gave St.Louis a big haul for him.
8.) Shane Wright
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $.887 Thousand AAV
Stats: 11-11-22 in 56GP
Position: C
Age: 22
2 landing spots: Winnipeg and NYR
Analysis: now one of the more surprising names that is on my trade board is young Kraken forward Shane Wright, now the Kraken are in a peculiar position as they are in a playoff spot but do have a few UFA’s they could deal, but the Wright situation is interesting as the Kraken have stuck him in the bottom six and Wright seems to want to play in a bigger role, so with the Kraken looking for a top 6 forward they may look to deal Wright as part of a package to get him a fresh start and them a major upgrade up front so I could see the Kraken deal Wright.
9.) Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left after this one at a $3.5 Million AAV
Stats: 8-26-34 in 57GP
Position: LD/RD
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Edmonton and Dallas
Analysis: now a player who seems to be drawing a lot of interest on the trade market and may be one of the better defensive trade chips on the market is Ekman-Larsson, now the Leafs are on the outside looking in and could look to deal some of their players and OEL is a interesting case as he has been one of the better defenders for the Leafs this year and with OEL still having term there isn’t a guarantee that he gets moved especially if the Leafs get back in the race, but there are a lot of teams who could use a solid 2nd pair defender who isn’t terrible defensively and is still signed for a few years so while I don’t think it is a guarantee that he gets dealt I wouldn’t be surprised if he was.
10.) Jordan Kyrou
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 5 years left after this one at a $8.13 Million AAV
Stats: 13-19-32 in 47GP
Position: RW
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Seattle and Utah
Analysis: now a name that I have personally said that I could see get dealt by the trade deadline is Blues young winger Jordan Kyrou, now the Blues have been one of the worst teams all year and there have been a ton of Blues players mentioned in trade discussions but Kyrou is interesting, it sounded like teams like the Habs and Kraken tried to acquire him in the offseason before his NMC kicked in but it never happened, but with the Blues being terrible this year his name has come up again and it seems like he may be willing to waive his NMC for the right team, he is a dynamic top 6 winger signed for a number of seasons and if the Blues get a big enough ask I could see Kyou get dealt before this years trade deadline.
11.) Andrew Mangiapane
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $3.6 Million AAV
Stats: 6-6-12 in 49GP
Position: WIN
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Anaheim and Pittsburgh
Analysis: now a Oiler player who hasn’t fit in this year after signing in the offseason and could very likely be a cap dump before the deadline is Mangiapane, now Mangaipane signed a 2 year deal in the offseason and was supposed to help the Oilers replace some of the depth they lost this offseason but that hasn’t gone as expected as Mangiapane had been healthy scratched on occasion and look nothing like he has over the past few years, so with that in mind and the Oilers pressed up against the Cap, there is a likely possibility that the Oilers are going to deal Mangiapane before this years deadline.
12.) Steven Stamkos
Previous Ranking: 9
Contract Status: 2 years left after this one at a $8 Million AAV
Stats: 28-16-44 in 57GP
Position: RW, C
Age: 35
2 landing spots: New Jersey and Toronto
Analysis: now a guy who signed in Nashville a few years ago and hasn’t really worked out is Stamkos, now he has trade protection and a very high cap hit so a trade would definitely be difficult, but he does have some term still left on his deal, and isn’t too far removed from his time in Tampa where he was a elite goal scorer and point getter, and I just think the fit isn’t there in Nashville but if he feels that he could be a good player on a better team and would be willing to waive his trade protection then I could see him get dealt.
13.) Logan Stanley
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $1.25 Million AAV
Stats: 9-9-18 in 55GP
Position: LD
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Detroit and Edmonton
Analysis: now another pending UFA defender who is a solid 3rd pair guy and having a career year point wise is Logan Stanley, now the Jets have had a terrible season this year after winning the President Trophy last year and are now well out of the playoff race which seems to be leading them to selling off at the very least some UFA’s before this years deadline and Stanley is at the top of the list, Stanley is a behemoth of a human and plays pretty well defensively but also has gained a offensive touch this year as well and with Stanley being a UFA it seems inevitable that he gets dealt and I personally think he gets dealt before this years deadline.
14.) Charlie Coyle
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $5.25 Million AAV
Stats: 15-27-42 in 56GP
Position: C,RW
Age: 33
2 landing spots: Los Angeles and Carolina
Analysis: now another Center who has been talked about in trade discussions a lot and could be moved before the deadline is Charlie Coyle, now Coyle was acquired in the offseason by Columbus and has fit in great so with his good fit with the Jackets, talks about a extension and the fact that the Jackets are close to a playoff spot it isn’t a guarantee that Coyle gets dealt, but as I have mentioned there is a need from around the NHL from playoff teams for Center help and Coyle could be a solid 2/3 Center on a number of other teams and if the Jackets retained salary then they might be able to get a solid haul for him, so while I am not saying it is a guarantee I could still see Coyle get dealt.
15.) Jesper Wallstedt
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $2.2 Million AAV
Stats: 2.72 GAA and .914 SV% in 23GP
Position: G
Age: 23
2 landing spots: Ottawa and Philadelphia
Analysis: now one of the most surprising names in my opinion I put on this trade board has to be Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt, now personally I don’t think nor believe the Wild should deal Wallstedt as his play to start the season was exceptional, and he has tailed off a bit but he is a rookie and you would expect that, but there has been talks that if the Wild were able to land a clear cut 1C that they would consider a Wallstedt move and it has been mentioned a few times, so while I did put him on the trade board and could see him get dealt, I don’t think be any means he is a lock to get dealt and I think the Wild should hold onto him.
16.) Dougie Hamilton
Previous Ranking: 7
Contract Status: 2 years left after this one at a $9 Million AAV
Stats: 7-14-21 in 52GP
Position: RD
Age: 32
2 landing spots: San Jose and Detroit
Analysis: now a very interesting name I put on my trade bait list is Dougie Hamilton, now he isn’t on a bad team and besides some injuries he isn’t having half bad of a season, but the Devils are in a cap bind and would need to clear some cap space to make a much needed forward upgrade trade, so with that in mind any team who has some cap space and a need for a top 4 defender I feel would be all over a Dougie Hamilton trade.
17.) Timothy Liljegren
Previous Ranking: 21
Contract Status: final year at a $3 Million AAV
Stats: 1-10-11 in 42GP
Position: RD
Age: 26
2 landing spots: Seattle and Vegas
Analysis: now a Sharks Pending UFA defender who could easily get moved by the trade deadline is Timothy Liljegren, now Liljegren was acquired last year from Toronto and has worked out alright as a top 4 defender but hasn’t had a great start this year and I feel there could be some teams who are looking for a 2nd or 3rd pair right shot defender who could bolster their blueline which I think Liljegren could do, and I also feel like the ask wouldn’t be terribly high so I could see Liljegren get dealt even if the Sharks are close to a playoff spot.
18.) Cole Perfetti
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $3.25 Million AAV
Stats: 6-12-18 in 42GP
Position: WIN
Age: 24
2 landing spots: Seattle and Buffalo
Analysis: now a very interesting name that has come up in trade talks recently and could be a guy that gets moved is Cole Perfetti, now like I have said the Jets are not overly good this year and could look to deal some vets but it’s a bit of a different situation with Perfetti as the former top 10 overall pick had a great year last season but has tanked a nose dive in production this year, so because of that and the Jets potentially looking for a long term 2C option Perfetti has been mentioned as a trade candidate and I do think if the right deal came along Perfetti could be involved in a deal come the trade deadline.
19.) Braden Schneider
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $2.2 Million AAV
Stats: 2-9-11 in 57GP
Position: LD/RD
Age: 24
2 landing spots: San Jose and Calgary
Analysis: now another Ranger that is potentially a bit surprising to potentially get dealt but has been popping up in trade rumours is young top 4 D Braden Schneider, now Schneider is a Pending RFA and will need a new contract in the offseason so that may be one of the reason NYR would consider a deal, now the Rangers have been opposed to moving Schneider in the past but they look like they are heading down the path of a rebuild and with Schneider needing a new deal he may not want a contract with the Rangers and NYR could get a massive haul for a young top 4 RD so I think there is a strong possibility Schneider gets dealt, maybe before the deadline.
20.) Conor Garland
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $4.95 Million AAV (then 6x$6 Million extension)
Stats: 7-18-25 in 46GP
Position: WIN
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Boston and Utah
Analysis: now a name that I feel isn’t overly likely and shouldn’t be moved but has come up a ton in trade rumours is Conor Garland, now Garland just this past offseason signed a 6 year extension with the Canucks to remain with them and has been a fantastic middle six forward ever since arriving in Vancouver, but unfortunately the Canucks have been terrible and seem to be open to dealing anyone which includes Garland, now his trade protection doesn’t kick in until July so moving him now would make a ton of sense and given he is the sort of player a team would love to have for the playoffs, the return they could get would be pretty high as well, so while I do t think Vancouver should move him, I do wonder if they consider it before the deadline.
21.) Jonathan Marchessault
Previous Ranking: 17
Contract Status: 3 years left after this one at a $5.5 Million AAV
Stats: 10-7-17 in 38GP
Position: WIN
Age: 35
2 landing spots: New Jersey and Carolina
Analysis: now another Predators veteran who has been mentioned in the rumour mill a lot of the past few months and seems could be dealt in the coming weeks is Jonathan Marchessault, now since coming over to Nashville as a free agent from Vegas he has not lived up to expectations as last year he did alright but not as good as Nashville was hoping and this year he hasn’t looked great at all, now he is signed for a few years but at a reasonable $5.5 Million per year and I feel he could get back to his scoring ways from Vegas with a new team, so I do feel he is very likely to get moved and maybe the most likely of the Preds vets.
22.) Pavel Mintyukov
Previous Ranking: 11
Contract Status: final year at a $.918 Thousand AAV
Stats: 6-9-15 in 51GP
Position: LD
Age: 22
2 landing spots: Calgary and Boston
Analysis: now a young player who might be on the move at some point is Pavel Mintyukov, now the Ducks former 1RD pick defender was unhappy with his playing time earlier in the year and while he didn’t ask for a trade it seems he may be open to a fresh start where he could get more playing time and I feel any semi bad team who is looking for some youth on the blueline would be all over trying to pry Mintyukov out of Anaheim so we could wind up seeing a Mintyukov trade at some point.
23.) Warren Foegele
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $3.5 Million AAV
Stats: 6-2-8 in 43GP
Position: LW,C
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Edmonton and Montreal
Analysis: now a name that has very recently come up after the acquisition of Panarin is Warren Foegele in LA, now Foegele in his first season in LA last year was a fantastic fit and had some career highes but unfortunately that success hasn’t transferred to this year and he hasn’t been the same player, now after the acquisition of Panarin it gives the Kings a few to many wingers signed for the foreseeable future and would most likely mean that Foegele would be stuck on the fourth line which is something I don’t believe the Kings want to do, so they may try and flip him to get a draft pick or use him in a bigger trade to get another upgrade but I strongly think that Foegele could get dealt before the deadline after Panarin was acquired by LA.
24.) Connor Murphy
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $4.4 Million AAV
Stats: 4-8-12 in 57GP
Position: RD
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Florida and Edmonton
Analysis: now a pending UFA player on the Blackhawks who seems to be getting a ton of attention as we near the deadline is Connor Murphy, now there has been some rumblings over the last year or two about a potential Murphy trade but nothing has so far come to fruition, but that might be changing as the Hawks are still not close to a playoff spot and now Murphy is a Pending UFA, so it seems a lot more likely now that a trade could happen, the Hawks should be able to get a solid return and while he isn’t the best offensively he is a stellar 2nd pair defensive defensemen who a lot of teams would have interest in so I do think k a Murphy trade will happen before the deadline.
25.) Andrew Copp
Previous Ranking: 19
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $5.63 Million AAV
Stats: 8-25-33 in 58GP
Position: C,LW
Age: 31
2 landing spots: Sharks and Sabres
Analysis: now here we have a guy who was a top free agent signing a few years ago but hasn’t lived up to the contract so far and I could see being dealt later in the year and that is Andrew Copp, now Copp is still a decent 3rd line forward who could really help a few teams middle sixes but his $+5 Million AAV would scare a few teams off, however if the Wings are going big game hunting and need to move some cap I think Copp is the most likely option and I do think he could get dealt.
26.) Jonathan Toews
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $2 Million AAV
Stats: 7-12-19 in 56GP
Position: C
Age: 37
2 landing spots: Detroit and LA
Analysis: now another Jets player who might be on his way out is Jonathan Toews, now as I have mentioned the Jets who have had a bad season could look to move some of their UFA’s and one of the more intriguing names out there if Jonathan Toews, now after not playing last year he hasn’t looked totally out of place but isn’t the same Toews that used to play in Chicago, however he could be a serviceable 2/3 Center for a few playoff teams and the Jets may try and get him to a place so he has a chance to win a Cup, so I think the Jets are probably very likely to deal Toews before the trade deadline.
27.) Zach Whitecloud
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left after this one at a $2.75 Million AAV
Stats: 2-8-10 in 55GP
Position: RD
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Boston and Columbus
Analysis: now one of the more surprising names on the board has to be a player who was dealt just a few weeks ago in a trade but does have the potential of being flipped and that is Zach Whitecloud, now Whitecloud is a solid 4/5 Defender who has been a pretty good D-Men in Vegas but was dealt to the Flames a few weeks ago as part of the Andersson trade, but there have been some reports recently that mentioned that the Flames may look to flip him as their is still interest in Whitecloud and the Flames could get a draft pick or prospect for him, so while they doesn’t have to as he still has term we could see Whitecloud get flipped in the next few weeks.
28.) Mario Ferraro
Previous Ranking: 12
Contract Status: final year at a $3.25 Million AAV
Stats: 4-8-12 in 55GP
Position: LD,RD
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Detroit and Toronto
Analysis: now another potential rental defender on the trade market is one that has been mentioned in trade talks over the past few years now and that is Ferraro, now the Sharks have had a better start then most people expected and that has brought into question how many pieces the Sharks are gonna move, but they still have a boatload of pending UFA defenders so I feel they will move at least a couple and with Ferraro most likely not coming back after this year and being a really solid defensive minded defender, I could still see him get dealt even if the Sharks are still in the playoff hunt.
29.) Mason Lohrei
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $3.2 Million AAV
Stats: 6-17-23 in 52GP
Position: LD
Age: 25
2 landing spots: St.Louis and Calgary
Analysis: now a player who hasn’t been mentioned a ton in trade rumours but is someone I could see getting dealt is Mason Lohrei, now Lohrei has been a decent 2nd/3rd pair defensemen for the Bruins over the past few years but there was some talk earlier in the year that he was upset with his playing time and might want a fresh start and then his name came up again when the Bruins were trying to acquire Andersson, so while I don’t see him being moved for the sake of being moved, I could very well see the Bruins deal him in a big package that would land them some
Massive upgrade.
30.) Nick Jensen
Previous Ranking: 25
Contract Status: final year at a $4.05 Million AAV
Stats: 4-11-15 in 54GP
Position: RD
Age: 35
2 landing spots: Boston and Anaheim
Analysis: now a bit of a surprising one to many I guess as this player hasn’t been mentioned a ton in trade rumours but I also have Nick Jensen on my trade board, now after acquiring him from Washington in the Chychrun trade he has been a very serviceable 2nd or 3rd pair defender, however he is getting up there in age, the Senators already have 6 other solid defenders on their roster and are pressed for cap space and with Jensen making over $4 Million it would make a ton of sense for the Senators to move him to get a forward upgrade at the deadline, so although he hasn’t been mentioned much I could really see Jensen be a cap dump before this years trade deadline.
31.) Nick Foligno
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $4.5 Million AAV
Stats: 2-8-10 in 33GP
Position: WIN
Age: 38
2 landing spots: Columbus and San Jose
Analysis: now a Hawk player who has been in Chicago the past few years but may have his time there coming to a end soon is Nick Foligno, now the Hawks veteran leader has been a good player to have throughout this rebuild for the Blackhawks and has helped some of their younger players, however the Hawks are still outside of the playoffs and Foligno is a pending UFA which makes it a ton more likely that the Hawks will deal him, now he has dealt with some injuries this year but all in all is a good veteran leader who could help out in most teams bottom sixes, so it may take some salary retention to make a deal happen as Foligno’s cap hit is high but for what he brings I think it is very likely we see a Foligno trade by the deadline.
32.) Jamie Oleksiak
Previous Ranking: 22
Contract Status: final year at a $4.6 Million AAV
Stats: 3-6-9 in 54GP
Position: LD,RD
Age: 33
2 landing spots: Edmonton and Montreal
Analysis: so a player I thought entering the year was very likely to get dealt and then I thought they might not trade him and now I think it is likely again is Jamie Oleksiak, now the Kraken had a solid start so I thought they would hold on to him and they may still do that as they are in a playoff spot after recovering from a bad stretch, now he is a behemoth of a player and really good on the defensive aspects of the game and I do feel that any team wanting to add a 2nd or 3rd pair defender to the mix at some point before the trade deadline may give the Kraken a offer they can’t refuse so I could see him be a trade deadline deal for the Kraken.
33.) Rasmus Ristolainen
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $5.1 Million AAV
Stats: 1-5-6 in 19GP
Position: RD
Age: 31
2 landing spots: Ottawa and Anaheim
Analysis: now another defender with term who might be moved and has been mentioned in years past in trade rumours is Flyers defender Rasmus Ristolainen, now this isn’t a trade that has to happen before the deadline as Ristolainen isn’t a pending UFA yet, but he has been mentioned at various points last year as a trade candidate and with the Flyers on the outside again his name is coming up, now he isn’t the best offensive guy but is a decent defensive defender and could be a good value add as a 4/5 defender on a playoff team, and I think there may be a team or two who overpay for him and that is why I think a trade may happen before the deadline.
34.) Anthony Mantha
Previous Ranking: 20
Contract Status: final year at a $2.5 Million AAV
Stats: 20-22-42 in 56GP
Position: WIN
Age: 31
2 landing spots: Montreal and Ottawa
Analysis: now a very interesting potential rental that I could see being dealt that we haven’t heard much about is Anthony Mantha, now he signed a 1 year deal in Pittsburgh to be a stopgap replacement for the Pen’s but has fit in really well with guys like Malkin and Brazeau and is on pace to have 20+ goals and 50+ points, so I could see him staying especially with the Pen’s in a playoff spot but with the fact he is a pending UFA I could definitely see the Penguins flip him at the deadline if they are on the outside and I think lots of teams would love to add him to their middle six.
35.) Oliver Bjorkstrand
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $5.4 Million AAV
Stats: 10-17-27 in 55GP
Position: RW
Age: 30
2 landing spots: St.Louis and Anaheim
Analysis: now another intriguing guy who I put on the trade board who hasn’t been talked about a bunch is Oliver Bjorkstrand, now Bjorkstrand was acquired last year at the deadline from the Kraken and did quite well with the Bolts after being acquired, but the Bolts are pressed against the cap right now and if they want to make some massive upgrade then they may need to move some cap and that is where Bjorkstrand comes in, he is a pending UFA making $5+ Million, so if the Bolts could find a long term upgrade on Bjorkstrand to help their forward group I could see Bjorkstrand be a cap dump even though he has been a good player for the Bolts this year, so while I don’t think it is a guarantee I could see him be moved.
36.) Stuart Skinner
Previous Ranking: 23
Contract Status: final year at a $2.6 Million AAV
Stats: 2.78 GAA and .889 SV% in 36GP
Position: G
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Montreal and Columbus
Analysis: now a maybe a bit of a surprising name to see here on my trade bait list after he was dealt 2 months ago from Edmonton is Pen’s goalie Stuart Skinner, now Skinner was the Oilers starter for a long time but was recently dealt to Pittsburgh, however with Skinner in the final year of his deal and Pittsburgh already having 3 young goalies, it seems likely that Skinner is a prime candidate to get flipped at the deadline and I think any team in need of some goalie help would be calling on Skinner.
37.) Connor Clifton
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $3.33 Million AAV
Stats: 1-2-3 in 26GP
Position: RD
Age: 30
2 landing spots: Boston and Edmonton
Analysis: now another Penguin who might get moved by the deadline is Connor Clifton, now Clifton was acquired in the offseason to help bolster the Penguins blueline, but he has been a healthy scratch a lot this year and with the Penguins on the fringe of making the playoffs it may make some sense to move him, he is a guy who can be a solid 6/7 defender for a playoff team or two and he is pretty good defensively, now I think this trade is rather unlikely as the Penguins would have to most likely retain and they would t get much back in return, but I could see him still be dealt potentially in a bigger package.
38.) Brad Lambert
Previous Ranking: 15
Contract Status: 1 year left after this one at a $.886 Thousand AAV
Stats: 1-0-1 in 4GP
Position: C,RW
Age: 22
2 landing spots: Vancouver and Nashville
Analysis: now another young player who wants out of his current situation and doesn’t want to stay with his current team is Brad Lambert, now the former 1RD pick of the Jets is a decent prospect and has gotten a couple looks at the NHL level this year, but he just hasn’t been a consistent NHLer at this point in time and seems to want a fresh start where he may have more opportunity to play at the NHL level, and I think teams who are looking for youth up front and don’t want to pay too much to get it would be all over trying to acquire Lambert.
39.) Patrick Laine
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: final year at a $8.7 Million AAV
Stats: 0-1-1 in 5GP
Position: WIN
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Los Angeles and Carolina
Analysis: another one of the more surprising names has to be Patrick Laine, now Laine has dealt with a ton of injuries over the past few years and this year is no exception as he has missed the entire year due to a injury again and ever since leaving Winnipeg he hasn’t been able to find his game, but it seems like his time in Montreal may be coming to a end as he could near a return from his injury and some point and with Laine not being the greatest point producer and making $8+ Million, there was some talk that the Habs could deal him to free up cap space, now I don’t know how that would happen but I could definitely see the Habs deal Laine.
40.) Jean Gabriel Pageau
Previous Ranking: 18
Contract Status: final year at a $5 Million AAV
Stats: 12-12-24 in 50GP
Position: C
Age: 33
2 landing spots: Carolina and Utah
Analysis: now a guy who came into the season as a trade candidate but might not be as much of one right now is JG Pageau, the 3rd line Center in NYI was entering the final year of his deal and a lot of people thought it was a forgone conclusion he would get dealt, but the Isles have been off to such a good start I am not so sure they would like to move him, but he is a reasonably priced Center and hasn’t looked terrible this year and with the amount of teams still needing Center help I could see the Islanders still move him because of the return they would get.
Players kicked out of Rankings
1.) Rasmus Andersson (dealt to VGK)
3.) Kiefer Sherwood (dealt to SJ)
4.) Artemi Panarin (dealt to LA)
5.) Alex Tuch (unlikely to be dealt)
10.) Bryan Rust (unlikely to be dealt)
13.) Maxim Tsyplakov (dealt to NJ)
14.) Alex Lyon (unlikely to be dealt)
24.) Alex Wennberg (resigned)
Honourable mentions
Robert Thomas, Alexis Lafreniere, Ryan Lomberg
So this is my top 40 trade bait list, as these are players that I have heard could be potentially on the move but are also players I feel we could see dealt at some point before the deadline, so I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments, did I leave anyone off, should I have have put certain players higher or lower, and who would you have in the top 40 right now and who could be moved soon from teams before this years deadline who are sellers, definitely love to hear your thoughts as this is my current top 40 trade bait list down in the comments below.
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