NHL End to End Hockey top 40 trade bait board
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Hello everyone, we are back with the End to End Hockey’s trade bait list, so after a few months of a break we are back here a well before the draft and I have a completely updated trade board with a whole bunch of new players on it, now all of the players on this trade board are from every team in the NHL and this will be my 1st trade board of the offseason and we have 40 players on this board, now there are a handful of players on here who I think have a strong likelihood of being dealt at some point in the offseason, so there are definitely some interesting names on here, so without further ado here is my updated trade bait list of the 2026 season with 40 players being on it.
1.) Dylan Larkin
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 5 years left at a $8.7 Million AAV
Stats: 34-33-67 in 74GP
Position: C
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Wild and Mammoth
Analysis: so one of the biggest names you will see out there in trade rumours this offseason is on my trade board and that is Wings Captain Dylan Larkin, now he has been playing with his hometown team since day 1 and has been a fantastic 1C for Detroit over the last decade, however with Detroit not making the postseason for a 10th straight year this season it seems like the Wings Captain is ready to jump ship and has asked for a trade out, now Yzerman doesn’t have to move Larkin who is still under contract but I think a deal will get done and the Wings should get a haul for him as any
2.) Vincent Trocheck
Previous Ranking: 2
Contract Status: 3 years left at a $5.63 Million AAV
Stats: 16-37-53 in 67GP
Position: C
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Kings and Wild
Analysis: now a name I am putting on my trade bait board was heavily being mentioned as a potential trade candidate at this past years trade deadline and I think has a very good likelihood of moving and that is Vincent Trocheck, now Trocheck has been with the Rangers the past few years after signing in free agency from the Canes and has worked really well for NYR helping them reach the ECF, however now the Rangers are a retooling team and it seems like Trocheck is the Rangers best trade chip, so given the fact I highly doubt Trocheck wants to be a part of a retool and given the haul they might be able to get for him, I think there is a likely chance we see a Trocheck deal at some point.
3.) Darnell Nurse
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 4 years left at a $9.25 Million AAV
Stats: 7-17-24 in 82GP
Position: LD
Age: 31
2 landing spots: Red Wings and Sharks
Analysis: now one name out there that I put on my list that will be difficult to move but I think Oilers fans will be happy when it happens is Darnell Nurse, now Nurse has been in Edmonton for quite some time now and is on a deal he signed a few years ago with a AAV of $9.25 Million, now that contract has aged terrible as Nurse isn’t a great defensive defender and some of his numbers have gone down in years past but now it seems like his time in Edmonton is at a close as the team wants to move him and he has asked for a trade, now salary retention would have to be involved due to his cap but if they retain enough and get a few decent pieces I think Nurse Is very likely to get moved this offseason.
4.) Morgan Rielly
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 4 years left at a $7.5 Million AAV
Stats: 11-25-36 in 78GP
Position: LD
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Sharks and Oilers
Analysis: now a name that has been mentioned over the last few months as being moved by the team who drafted him and now finding his name on my board is Morgan Reilly, now Reilly was drafted a number of years ago by the Leafs and over the past number of years has morphed into a pretty solid top pair offensive defender and was the play driver from the backend for quite some time, however over the past 2 years his offensive numbers in Toronto have tanked and he hasn’t been the dominant offensive force he once was, so that has lead a lot of people to thinking he will get dealt and I do agree that Reilly may need a fresh start to find his offensive form again.
5.) Jordan Binnington
Previous Ranking: 22
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $6 Million AAV
Stats: .873 SV% and a 3.33 GAA in 41GP
Position: G
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Oilers and Hurricanes
Analysis: now maybe the top goalie available this offseason and one that a acquiring team wouldn’t have to commit to long term is Jordan Binnington, now Binnington was a great story back in 2019 as he became the Blues starter and lead them to the Stanley Cup in his first year and the few seasons after that were pretty good for Binnington but over the last 2-3 years his production has taken a drastic hit as he even lost the starting job to younger goalie Joel Hofer this past season, now even coming off of a bad year he is still a pretty solid 1A and with him being in the last year of his deal, the Blues going nowhere and Hofer showing he can be the starter, it makes a Binnington deal very likely to happen before the start of next year and is a team we will have to watch closely.
6.) Mason McTavish,
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 5 years left at a $7 Million AAV
Stats:17-24-41 in 75GP
Position: C,LW
Age: 23
2 landing spots: Red Wings and Habs
Analysis: now a bit of a surprise to me at least to be putting on this trade board but someone who is being listened on by the Anaheim Ducks right now is Mason McTavish, now the Ducks are coming off their first postseason birth in years so you would think they would want to keep most of their players but lots of reporters have mentioned the Ducks listening to other teams with trade offers for McTavish, now McTavish is a solid 2C who wasn’t playing great at the 3 end of the postseason run with Anaheim and the Ducks do have other needs like on the blueline and maybe adding another winger plus there is a need for Center’s on the trade market which might make McTavish more of a hot button item especially given he is on a long term deal, so while I wouldn’t move him it seems like the Ducks are open to it.
7.) Blake Coleman
Previous Ranking: 5
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $4.9 Million AAV
Stats: 20-15-35 in 69GP
Position: WIN
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Jets and Flyers
Analysis: now a Flame player that was mentioned as a trade target heavily at the trade deadline but seems likely to be dealt in the offseason is Flames veteran Blake Coleman, now after helping the Bolts win back to back Cups Coleman signed in Calgary and helped them make RD2 a few years back but over the past few years Coleman’s production has gotten worse and Calgary is now a rebuilding team, now as much as Calgary likes Coleman he is in the final year of his deal and likely to not sign a extension next year which makes it seem like a trade is likely and I feel the Flames would probably get a solid return for Coleman as a lot of teams would love to add a guy like him.
8) Jordan Kyrou
Previous Ranking: 12
Contract Status: 5 years left at a $8.13 Million AAV
Stats: 18-28-46 in 72GP
Position: RW
Age: 28
2 landing spots: Blue Jackets and Kraken
Analysis: now a name that has been mentioned since last season that could potentially get dealt as early as a few weeks is from St.Louis and that is Jordan Kyrou, now Kyrou is one of the highest paid blues players and recently had a long term extension kick in as the Blues have been liking the play from Kyrou who over the past few years has been able to put up 70-80 points a year but last offseason there was talks the Blues almost dealt him before his extension kicked in and then even after the extension was put through there was talks at last trade deadline that he could be moved again and now it seems like Kyrou getting dealt is extremely possible, now the Blues are going through a retool and Kyrou may not want to be a part of that and St.Louis could get a huge return for a lethal top 6 forward so I do think a Kyrou trade is very likely.
9.) Dougie Hamilton
Previous Ranking: 21
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $9 Million AAV
Stats: 12-27-39 in 77GP
Position: RD
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Ducks and Penguins
Analysis: now a Devils defender who is on this list and very likely to get dealt in the coming weeks is Dougie Hamilton, now at various points last year Hamilton’s name came up in trade discussions as it looked like the Devils wanted to move on from the free agent addition from a number of years ago but then he started to play great and talks died down, however now the trade talks are back and it is quite simple why, Hamilton is making $9 Million and the Devils need cap space and Jersey also has too many blueliners, so moving Hamilton would help both situations and there would be lots of teams who would love to add Hamilton to their top 4 so he is a name to watch out for.
10.) Simon Nemec
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: RFA
Stats: 11-15-26 in 68GP
Position: RD
Age: 22
2 landing spots: Sharks and
Analysis: now a bit of a surprising name and one that came up at the trade deadline is Simon Nemec, now there were conflicting reports earlier that Nemec asked for a trade out of Jersey but that was never confirmed, either way he was the 2nd overall pick a few years ago in the Wright draft and it took some time and developing but he has turned into a solid 2nd pair defender and looks like he could still be a top pair guy, now the Devils have a abundance of D and need some more forward help so it seems like if they were able to get a young forward who would work well in their top 6 they may be open to dealing the RFA defender, so while I think it is highly unlikely there is a scenario where Nemec is moved by the Devils.
11.) Shane Wright
Previous Ranking: 8
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $.886 Thousand AAV
Stats: 12-15-27 in 74GP
Position: C
Age: 22
2 landing spots: Jets and Bruins
Analysis: now a player that seems to be destined to be dealt after not having great development and developing like the Kraken wanted is Shane Wright, now a few years ago Wright fell to the Kraken at number 4 in the draft and at the time it looked like the Kraken were getting a steal at the draft taking Wright but while Slafkovsky and Cooley have thrived elsewhere Wright has not been able to fit in with Seattle as he barley gets top 6 minutes, some times get healthy scratched and only had 27 points last year, now with Seattle looking for a superstar and Wright still having 2/3 Center potential I do think we could see the young Center be dealt by the Kraken at some point this offseason to get help elsewhere.
12.) Bryan Rust
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $5.13 Million AAV
Stats: 29-36-65 in 72GP
Position: WIN
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Senators and Ducks
Analysis: now a Penguin player on my list that has been a stalwart player in Pittsburgh for a number of years but might have his time in Pittsburgh coming to a end if Bryan Rust, now Rust has been a long time Penguin player helping them win Cups a decade ago and consistently playing with Sidney Crosby on the Penguins top 6, however over the past few years his name has come up more and more in rumours and that is because the Penguins are trying to get younger and get better for the future, now Rust has 2 years left on his deal so a trade doesn’t need to happen but if Pittsburgh is presented a offer that would give them a good haul and help them going forward I think they may consider dealing him and there would be a ton of teams who would love to add a stellar top 6 forward like Rust so he is a name to keep an eye on for sure.
13.) Brendan Gallagher
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $6.5 Million AAV
Stats: 7-16-23 in 77GP
Position: RW
Age: 34
2 landing spots: Canucks and Blackhawks
Analysis: now a bit of a surprising name here on my list and a guy who is absolutely likely to be dealt is Habs forward and fan favourite Brendan Gallagher, now Gallagher has been in Montreal for quite some time and has usually been a hard to play against middle six forward who can put up points but is also a pest to play against, however he hasn’t been as good in years past and this year his ice time dwindled and he was a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, so that has lead some people to believe that he could be dealt to try and find some playing time elsewhere, now he does have a $6.5 Million cap hit but it is only for 1 year and I think for some teams who need bottom six help and have cap space it might make a ton of sense to go after a guy like Brendan Gallagher.
14.) Jake DeBrusk
Previous Ranking: 26
Contract Status: 5 years left at a $5.5 Million AAV
Stats: 23-19-42 in 81GP
Position: WIN
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Senators and Bruins
Analysis: now a very intriguing and highly sought after player that seems to be getting a lot of attention right now is Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk, now DeBrusk spent the bulk of his career in Boston where he was able to put up some pretty solid points totals and be a key factor in the Bruins top 6, and then he went to free agency where he signed a long term deal a few years ago with Vancouver and it hasn’t worked out as he hasn’t been as productive as he was in Boston and the Canucks are no in rebuild mode, so with DeBrusk not wanting to be a part of a rebuild and DeBrusk being Vancouver’s best trade asset a deal seems destined to happen and a lot of teams have interest so a deal may come together soon.
15.) Adin Hill
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 5 years left at a $6.25 Million AAV
Stats: .871 SV% and a 3.04 GAA in 27GP
Position: G
Age: 30
2 landing spots: Oilers and Blue Jackets
Analysis: now a name that has popped up on the trade market in the last few months and one that I think stands a very good chance to get moved in the next few weeks is Knights goalie Adin Hill, now Hill last year was signed to a extension to be the Knights starter going forward after he was acquired from the Sharks some years ago and helped the Knights win a Stanley Cup, but injuries and bad play really derailed the season for Adin Hill and by the start of the playoffs he had lost the starting job to Carter Hart, now Vegas has Hart and Schmid who they can run with starting next year and need cap space and with Hill making over $6 Million he seems like a prime candidate to be dealt, and even though he is coming off a down year I still think some teams would have interest in a Stanley Cup winning keeper.
16.) Ryan O’Reilly
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $4.5 Million AAV
Stats: 25-49-74 in 81GP
Position: C
Age: 35
2 landing spots: Habs and Canes
Analysis: now another player that has been mentioned over the last year to get moved and could be dealt this offseason is Nashville Center Ryan O’Reilly, now O’Reilly has been with a few teams in the past like Buffalo, Colorado, winning a Cup with St.Louis and Toronto and a few years ago signed a multi year deal with the Predators, now he is in trade rumours not because of his lack of production because some of his better seasons have actually come in Nashville including this year when he put up 74 points, but Nashville isn’t a team who is a playoff contender right now and O’Reilly is entering the last year of his deal, so instead of potentially losing him for nothing, maybe trading him this offseason for a good return would make a lot of sense.
17.) Cole Perfetti
Previous Ranking: 18
Contract Status: RFA
Stats: 12-20-32 in 68GP
Position: WIN
Age: 24
2 landing spots: Kraken and Devils
Analysis: now a player that came up in trade rumours around last years trade deadline and is in need of a new contract is young Jets forward Cole Perfetti, now around the deadline Perfetti’s name popped up as a potential trade candidate because after being taken top 10 a few years ago in the draft Perfetti has shown some bright spots but is coming off a down year when he only put up 32 points, now I still think he can be a second line player on a few teams and has 50-60 points upside but it seems the Jets may want a 2C right now and moving Perfetti to get it may make some sense and he is a RFA and in need of a new deal which in my opinion would make a trade a lot more likely to happen.
18.) William Eklund
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 3 years left at a $5.6 Million AAV
Stats: 15-38-53 in 78GP
Position: LW, C
Age: 23
2 landing spots: Devils and Sabres
Analysis: now one of the most surprising names on my trade list has to be Sharks forward William Eklund, now the former 7th overall pick from a few years ago has been able to carve out a fantastic role in the Sharks top 6 over the past few years and has been one of the point drivers for the Sharks, however the Sharks blueline is looking bleak and San Jose’s forward group is quite crowded so that has lead some to believe the Sharks will move a forward for defensive help and Eklund makes the most sense as he is expendable and I think a lot of teams would love to add him to their lineup, so if you think the Sharks may move a forward I would look to William Eklund.
19.) Devon Levi
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $.813 Thousand AAV
Stats: .904 SV% and a 2.83 GAA in 52GP
Position: G
Age: 24
2 landing spots: Senators and Oilers
Analysis: now a goalie I have on my trade board is one I do believe is very likely to get moved and that is Devon Levi, now at one point a number of years ago after completing his college career a lot of people thought Levi would be the goalie of the future in Buffalo but unfortunately he has been stuck in the minors the past few years and a number of players have surpassed him in the depth charts like UPL and Ellis so with Levi needing waivers now and Buffalo not wanting to lose him for nothing it seems like a trade is imminent and he will be dealt at some point over the next few weeks.
20.) Rickard Rakell
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $5 Million AAV
Stats: 24-24-48 in 60GP
Position: RW, C
Age: 33
2 landing spots: Devils and Kraken
Analysis: now a name that has been floated around over the past few days and is a possibility to be moved in the coming weeks is Rickard Rakell in Pittsburgh, now Rakell has been in Pittsburgh for the last handful of seasons and has actually carved out a nice role in the Penguins top 6 with guys like Crosby and Rust but he only has 2 years left on his deal and with Pittsburgh trying to get younger it may make sense for the Penguins to deal Rakell right now to get a good return and get younger and a lot of teams would be all over trying to get Rakell so watch out for a Rakell trade.
21.) Erik Cernak
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 5 years left at a $5.2 Million AAV
Stats: 3-8-11 in 61GP
Position: RD
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Sharks and Ducks
Analysis: now one name that may be a bit surprising to see on my trade board but is one that I could see happening with Tampa in the Cap Position they are and that is Erik Cernak, now after the Raddysh deal I think he is more likely to stay then go but at this point the Lightning need cap space to try and get some depth forwards as well as improve their top 4 D then they may have to move some cap and Cernak makes the most sense as he is on a long term deal making over $5 Million and could still be a 2nd pair defender elsewhere which is why a trade seems to be likely from the Bolts.
22.) Morgan Frost
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $4.38 Million AAV
Stats: 22-21-43 in 82GP
Position: C
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Blackhawks and Devils
Analysis: now a Flame who is entering the Final year of his deal and is very likely to be dealt this offseason has to be Flames Center Morgan Frost, now Frost started his career in Philly and had done pretty well but a few years ago was dealt in the Kuzmenko deal to Calgary where he has been able to shine as a 2/3 Center on the Flames, however Calgary is in rebuild mode and Frost deal ends next offseason and with him very unlikely to resign it seems inevitable that Calgary will deal him to get as much as they can so they don’t lose him for nothing next year.
23.) Colton Parayko
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 4 years left at a $6.5 Million AAV
Stats: 4-14-18 in 77GP
Position: RD
Age: 33
2 landing spots: Ducks and Kings
Analysis: now a player who almost got traded at the deadline but didn’t do to not waiving his NMC but may still be moved in the offseason and that is Colton Parayko, now Parayko is arguably the Blues best defender and has been there for years and really rounded into a solid defensive top pair guy with some offensive upside in his game, now over the past few years his name has come up in trade discussions but nothing ever happened and then last year at the deadline he was almost a Sabres but vetoed the trade, so he will be interesting to keep an eye on because if the Blues find a place he wants to go and trade him there then I do think Parayko could get dealt this offseason.
24.) Rasmus Ristolainen
Previous Ranking: 15
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $5.1 Million AAV
Stats: 1-13-14 in 44GP
Position: RD
Age: 31
2 landing spots: Oilers and Knights
Analysis: now a name that has been in the rumour mill for a while but might actually be dealt this offseason is Rasmus Ristolainen, now a number of years ago Buffalo traded Ristolainen to the Flyers as they were going through another retool and the first few years in Philly he was doing great but then his production fell off a bit and Philly went into retool mode which is why his name came up but Philly never got what they were asking for so he never got dealt, now he is entering the final year of his deal and if he doesn’t want to sign a extension then cutting bait right now and avoiding losing him for nothing makes a ton of sense, so keep and eye on Ristolainen who might be dealt this offseason.
25.) Jaccob Markstrom
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $6 Million AAV
Stats: .883 SV% and a 3.07 GAA in 44GP
Position: G
Age: 36
2 landing spots: Sabres and Panthers
Analysis: now a bit of a surprising name that has come up recently that I wasn’t expecting that seems to be in play is Jacob Markstrom, now a few years ago after the Flames had some good seasons with him, Calgary dealt Markstrom to the Devils for 2 pieces and that was one of the missing pieces for Jersey because they needed a starting goalie and it was a great add as 2 years ago Markstrom was great and lead the Devils to the playoffs, however he had one of his worst seasons this year and in the midst of it he was signed by Jersey to a 2 year extension and now with new management it seems like they don’t want to have that contract on the books anymore, so while I would still be surprised if he got dealt it seems like Markstrom’s name is definitely out there.
26.) Ilya Lybushkin
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $3.25 Million AAV
Stats: 1-8-9 in 53GP
Position: RD
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Penguins and Blackhawks
Analysis: now another potential cap dump that we could see this offseason is in Dallas and that is with defender Ilya Lyubushkin, now over the past few years Lybushkin has established himself as a solid 3rd pair defender with teams like Toronto and Arizona and a few years ago he signed a 3 year deal in Dallas to help out their blueline, however he has not lived up to that contract he signed in Dallas and with Dallas cap strapped and needing some cap flexibility it makes sense the Stars would look to deal him, and although he is out priced in Dallas I think some other teams would have some serious interest in adding him to their 3rd pair and that is why he is on the trade board.
27.) Evan Rodrigues,
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $3.08 Million AAV
Stats: 11-20-31 in 69GP
Position: C,RW
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Avalanche and Ducks
Analysis: now another potential cap dump that we could see this offseason is with the Atlantic division Panthers and middle six forward Evan Rodrigues, now Rodrigues early in his career couldn’t find a good fit in the NHL and bounced around from teams like Buffalo and Pittsburgh but a handful of years ago he joined Florida and was a perfect fit as he has had some of his better years in Florida and helped them win back to back cup finals and was a pretty big piece of their team, however with the depth Florida has Rodrigues has become a expendable piece and his $3.08 Million AAV is something the Panthers can live without which is why he makes such a likely trade candidate for the Panthers.
28.) Danila Yurov
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $.973 Thousand AAV
Stats: 12-15-27 in 73GP
Position: C,RW
Age: 22
2 landing spots: Rangers and Red Wings
Analysis: now a name that has come up in rumours as potential being moved to get the Wild a upgrade is Danila Yurov, now Yurov was a first round pick a couple of years ago and had a few good seasons in the KHL before recently signing his ELC and had a pretty good rookie year this past year putting up 27 points in 73 games and showing flashes of his NHL potential, now I think eventually he could be a stellar top 6 forward but he still needs some time to get there and the Wild have a few holes and are in win now mode, so it seems likely that with the Wild needing to move out picks and prospects that Yurov would be a guy they look to move to get that 1st line Center they have been looking for.
29.) Adam Pelech
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 3 years left at a $5.75 Million AAV
Stats: 4-12-16 in 82GP
Position: LD
Age: 31
2 landing spots: Blues and Blackhawks
Analysis: now a bit of a surprise name on the trade board that hasn’t been talked about a ton but I feel like might be moved at some point is Adam Pelech, now Pelech has been a pretty solid defender for the Islanders for quite some time now and has developed into a stellar top pair defender and is still under contract for a few more seasons so a trade isn’t a necessary outcome, but the Islanders are in a cap pickle right now and Pelech might be expendable with the Islanders having Schaefer, Romanov and Pulock under contract and clearing his $5.75 Million could help the Isles improve elsewhere and that is why his name is on the trade board.
30.) Jonathan Marchessault
Previous Ranking: 19
Contract Status: 3 years left at a $5.5 Million AAV
Stats: 12-19-31 in 62GP
Position: WIN
Age: 35
2 landing spots: Knights and Mammoth
Analysis: Now a Predator player that seems very likely to get dealt in the next few weeks is Jonathan Marchessault, now after signing a few years ago with Nashville, Marchessault hasn’t been playing overly well as after being one of the more impactful Knights players since day 1 he left in free agency to play with Nashville and he hasn’t fit in overly well and sounds like he would be alright with a change of scenery, now the contract and his production makes it a bit hard to trade him but with Marchessault cup winning pedigree I think there would still be teams that give Nashville something solid for him and that makes Marchessault a likely trade candidate.
31.) Jarred McCann
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $5 Million AAV
Stats: 20-20-40 in 52GP
Position: LW,C
Age: 30
2 landing spots: Senators and Devils
Analysis: now a little bit of a surprising name but one that has come up in recent months is Kraken forward Jarred McCann, now McCann has been with Seattle since day one and one can argue was the best expansion pick the Kraken made as he has been a consistent 20-30 goal scorer in Seattle and has been smashing career highs their, however he is entering the final year of his deal and with Seattle still in no man’s land McCann may not want to extend and it seems like the Kraken would be alright dealing him for the right price and I think with a few teams looking for a top 6 scorer McCann could very likely get dealt.
32.) Zach Whitecloud
Previous Ranking: 27
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $2.75 Million AAV
Stats: 2-15-17 in 78GP
Position: RD
Age: 29
2 landing spots: Sharks and Red Wings
Analysis: now when it comes to a guy who was just dealt a few months ago but might be moved again that guy is Zach Whitecloud, now Whitecloud who had spent the past few years in Vegas and was traded to Calgary in the Andersson deal has been a pretty solid 4-5 defender with both Vegas and Calgary and the Flames really liked him and I think would be alright keeping him, however he only has 2 years left on his deal and the Flames are in tank mode so Whitecloud might now want to be part of a rebuild and the Flames could probably get something good for Whitecloud to help their retool and that is why Whitecloud is here.
33.) Darcy Kuemper
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $5.25 Million AAV
Stats: .891 SV% and a 2.78 GAA in 50GP
Position: G
Age: 36
2 landing spots: Oilers and Penguins
Analysis: now a player who 2 years ago was a Vezina finalist but now may be dealt with Darcy Kuemper, now the Kings a few years ago acquired Kuemper to get out of the Dubois contract, and he instantly became the starter for the Kings 2 years ago being a Vezina finalist and leading LA to within 2 wins of the 2nd round, however last year he had a really bad season only putting up a .891 SV% and lost the starting role in LA to Anton Forsberg, he now has 1 year left on his deal and if the Kings go in a different direction in net then Kuemper becomes expendable and even coming off of a down year I think some teams would still like to add Kuemper as a short term starter.
34.) Casey Mittlestadt
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $5.75 Million AAV
Stats: 15-27-42 in 71GP
Position: C,LW
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Hurricanes and Jets
Analysis: now a guy who has been in the rumoured mill recently and actually has been dealt the past few years is Casey Mittlestadt, now the former 1RD pick in 2017 was drafted and developed by the Sabres and turned into a solid 3C for Buffalo but was dealt for Byram a few years ago and then the Avalanche dealt him a year later to Boston to get Coyle and he spent the past year with the Bruins, now he is coming off a solid season putting up 42 points but he is a year away from Free Agent status and if the Bruins don’t see a path to sign him then moving him has to be a priority as I don’t think they can go into next year and potentially lose him for nothing which is why he is a trade candidate.
35.) Elias Pettersson
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 6 years left at a $11.6 Million AAV
Stats: 15-36-51 in 74GP
Position: C, LW
Age: 27
2 landing spots: Red Wings and Kings
Analysis: now a player in trade discussions that will be very hard to be moved because of his cap but has been mentioned over the past year is Elias Pettersson, now at one point a few years ago the Canucks viewed Pettersson as a cornerstone piece of their team as he had a 100+ point season and really did great a few years ago when the Canucks made the 2nd round, but since then Pettersson’s play has been terrible as he hasn’t even sniffed a point per game pace and that $11.6 Million AAV he is on is looking terrible, now the Canucks may need to retain to move him but EP40 is still a solid Center who can at least be a 2C and put up between 60 and 70 points with the right team and with so many teams needing Center help it makes a Pettersson trade a bit more likely.
36.) Nick Robertson
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: RFA
Stats: 16-16-32 in 78GP
Position: LW, RW
Age: 24
2 landing spots: Kings and Stars
Analysis: now a guy who has been in trade rumours over the past numbers of years and may finally get his fresh start is Nick Robertson, now Robertson ever since 2 years ago has been mentioned would like a fresh start as over the past few years he has been a pretty solid top 9 forward for the Leafs but Toronto has been reluctant to give him top 6 minutes even though it looks like he is ready for it, now he is a RFA again and coming off a decent season where he had 32 points, so there is a chance he stays but with new management Robertson might finally get his wish and be dealt somewhere where he can have a bigger role, so he is a guy to watch out for.
37.) Braden Schneider
Previous Ranking: 7
Contract Status: RFA
Stats: 2-16-18 in 82GP
Position: RD/LD
Age: 24
2 landing spots: Sharks and Ducks
Analysis: now a player who was on my trade board at the deadline and is staying here for this trade board is Braden Schneider, now Schneider unlike some of these other players has actually been a pretty decent player over the last few years as over the past 2-3 years he has emerged as a really solid top 4 defender with the Rangers and while he doesn’t put up a lot of points he is a pretty sound defensive defender and is also on the younger side of things so he is the sort of player you want to have on your blueline, however he is a RFA and with the Rangers going through a retool people think that Schneider might now want to extend with NYR and may want to be dealt to a contender like Miller was last year and that is why Schneider is on my trade board.
38.) Anthony Duclair
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $3.5 Million AAV
Stats: 12-15-27 in 62GP
Position: WIN
Age: 30
2 landing spots: Capitals and Maple Leafs
Analysis: now another name here on the board and a potential cap dump in the Islanders organization is Anthony Duclair, now Duclair had some pretty good season over the past few years with teams like Florida, San Jose and Tampa and a few years ago he signed a 4 year deal in NYI to help complement some of their forwards and be a solid middle six scorer, but unfortunately over the first 2 years with the Islanders he hasn’t found that level of production and hasn’t lived up to his contract only having 27 points last year and being healthy scratched, so with the Islanders needing cap space and Duclair having a pretty hefty cap Duclair is emerging as a pretty reasonable cap dump for the Islanders.
39.) Elvis Merzlikins
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 1 year left at a $5.4 Million AAV
Stats: .883 SV% and a 3.40 GAA in 30GP
Position: G
Age: 32
2 landing spots: Blues and Ducks
Analysis: now here we have Elvis Merzlikins who at one point was viewed as the Blue Jackets goalie of the future and as recently as a few years ago their starter, however over the past 2-3 years his numbers have been taking and he hasn’t been as dominant in Columbus as in recent memory and this year even lost the starters net to the young upstart goalie Jet Greaves, now the Jackets want to move forward with a new goalie tandem which is why Merzlikins is a trade candidate, now I don’t the the asking price would be too high and he only has 1 year left on his deal albeit with a $5 Million AAV, but he has shown promise in the past and for goalie needy teams it might make sense to buy low and hope that Merzlikins could find his game from a few years ago.
40.) Fabian Zetterlund
Previous Ranking: NR
Contract Status: 2 years left at a $4.28 Million AAV
Stats: 17-16-33 in 82GP
Position: WIN
Age: 26
2 landing spots: Flyers and Flames
Analysis: here on my board right now is Fabian Zetterlund in Ottawa, now he was acquired a few years ago from San Jose in a surprising deadline deal to help bolster the Senators offense that they were lacking but since arriving in Ottawa his production hasn’t been great and he is coming off a down year, now he can still be a solid 3rd line forward for a number of teams, is signed for 2 more years and may just be a cap casualty for the Senators but in the right organization he may be able to be a 20-25 goal scorer which is why he probably has a lot of suiters this offseason if the Sen’s move on from him
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 in the offseason, 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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