NHL Trade Deadline: Top 15 Available Options
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Trade Deadline: Available Players, Rentals, Separating the Buyers and Sellers
2015-16 NHL trade deadline is on February 29th, at 3:00PM (EST), leaving us with nearly a month and a half for teams to decide whether they’re sellers or buyers.
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A nice winning streak could quickly turn a seller into a buyer, and vice-versa. With that in mind, let’s explore which potential selling teams have target-able rentals/available players from the list below:
Boston, New Jersey, Carolina, Toronto, Buffalo, Columbus, Colorado, Vancouver, Anaheim, Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton
The only team currently locked into a playoff spot in the Western Conference that has a chance to fall out over the last half is Arizona. The two teams currently occupying the wild-card spots (Nashville and Minnesota) are likely playoff bound. The only West team on the outside looking in with a chance to sneak in is the Anaheim Ducks.
Eastern Conference is far less stable than the West, particularly in the Atlantic Division. For the sake of buyers and sellers, we’re deeming Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Philadelphia as teams that could look to add in hopes to secure a playoff position. Tampa Bay is the only team securing a playoff spot currently, while the other three sit just outside the final playoff spot.
“Potential Targets” are based solely on best fits, disregarding salary cap. We’ve also included some divisional opponents, even though divisional trades are extremely rare.
NHL Trade Deadline: Top 15 Available Players/Rentals
1. D Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg – 32 years old (Pending Free Agent)
Based on the projected salary cap for 2016-17 with the constant falling Canadian Dollar, it’s looking more likely that Winnipeg will be unable to afford Andrew Ladd, Jacob Trouba, and Dustin Byfuglien. He largely controls his destiny with a no-trade clause, but if the right team comes calling, who knows. Any team trading for Byuglien will do so with confidence that a new contract can be reached before July 1st.
Potential Targets: Philadelphia, San Jose, St.Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington
2. F Eric Staal, Carolina – 31 years old (Pending Free Agent)
At this point, it would be surprising if Eric Staal signs a new contract in Carolina. Teams have shown interest, but we’re probably waiting for the trade deadline based on the size of his contract and cap hit. Montreal seems like the most logical fit at this point, but expect other suitors to jump in over the next month and a half.
Potential Targets: Dallas, Detroit, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, NY Rangers, Ottawa, St.Louis
3. F Matt Duchene, Colorado – 24 years old (Signed Through 2018-19)
The only reason Colorado even considers trading Matt Duchene is a quality young defenseman in return. The Avalanche share the same issue as Columbus, with much more offensive talent up-front, but thin on the blueline. GM Joe Sakic isn’t about to accept a Ryan Johansen/Seth Jones type deal without a significant return. No.1 center’s don’t grow on trees, and they’re difficult to come by. Don’t be surprised if Duchene stays in Colorado. But he is the most valuable trade asset to help fix their issues.
Potential Targets: Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Nashville, NY Rangers, Ottawa, St.Louis, Tampa Bay
4. F Loui Eriksson, Boston – 30 years old (Pending Free Agent)
Eriksson’s availability will be solely based on Boston’s position in the Standings closer to the trade deadline. After a couple below average seasons, he’s decided to show up in a contract year. Why would Boston want to re-sign a guy who only shows up when it matters?
Potential Targets: Chicago, Los Angeles, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, St.Louis
5. F Radim Vrbata, Vancouver – 34 years old (Pending Free Agent)
For any team looking to add secondary scoring down the stretch, Radim Vrbata is a proven goal-scorer. He’s spent some time alongside the Sedin’s during his time in Vancouver, and could be a solid 2nd/3rd line fit on a good team.
Potential Targets: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, St.Louis
6. F Jiri Hudler, Calgary – 32 years old (Pending Free Agent)
He’s spent a lot of time alongside Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau over the past couple seasons, resulting in a career-high point total in 2014-15. He’s given the illusion he can handle first line duties while overachieving in Calgary, but make no mistake, he’s nothing more than a productive 2nd/3rd line forward on a much better team.
Potential Targets: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, St.Louis
7. D Keith Yandle, New York Rangers – 29 years old (Pending Free Agent)
It seemed that locking down Yandle long-term after giving up Anthony Duclair would make the most sense. Latest rumblings out of New York suggest Keith Yandle could find himself headed for free agency. The Rangers could keep him for their playoff run, but they’ve got enough depth to trade Yandle and address bigger needs up-front.
Potential Targets: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, St.Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington
8. F Leo Komarov, Toronto – 28 years old (Signed Through 2017-18)
The only way the Maple Leafs would move Uncle Leo is if another team “knocks their socks off” with an outstanding offer. He’s still young enough to be part of Toronto’s rebuild plan, and can be a quality player for years to come. On the flip side, his value may never be higher than it is right now. For a rebuilding team, building up your veteran assets and moving them is a good way to build for the future.
Potential Targets: Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Jose, St.Louis
9. F Dennis Wideman, Calgary – 32 years old (Signed Through 2016-17)
He largely controls his own destiny based on his no-movement clause. Convincing teams to take on his $5.25 million dollar cap hit is the tricky part. He’s still proving an offensive juggernaut from the back-end. Signed through next season, the remaining number and term could be tempting for teams ready to win now.
Potential Targets: Colorado, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh, San Jose
10. D Justin Schultz, Edmonton – 25 years old (Pending Restricted Free Agent)
It’s been a rough season in 2015-16 for Justin Schultz. Due for a new contract, it was make or break season for the young defenseman. With bigger money committed to Andrej Sekera and Oscar Klefbom, it wouldn’t make sense for Edmonton to sign Justin Schultz at the money he’ll be requesting.
Potential Targets: Arizona, Boston, Buffalo, Colorado, Columbus, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh, San Jose, St.Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver
11. F David Jones, Calgary – 31 years old (Pending Free Agent)
The Flames would likely prefer to keep David Jones, and sign him to a new contract. He’s never really played up to his $4 million dollar price tag until this season. If Calgary thinks they can re-sign him at 1/2 or 2/3 of his current cap number, he’s worth it. Otherwise, time to move on. He’s a versatile forward that can player anywhere up and down the entire lineup, so expect teams to inquire about his availability.
Potential Targets: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, Ottawa, Pittsburgh
12. F Teddy Purcell, Edmonton – 30 years old (Pending Free Agent)
Don’t be surprised if Edmonton signs him to a new contract. They’d surely love to have him back. The Oilers also need to make sure there’s room to lock down Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid when entry-level contracts expire. There’s going to be a lot of looking ahead when it comes to financial decisions in Edmonton.
Potential Targets: Arizona, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Nashville, NY Rangers, Ottawa, St.Louis
13. D Roman Polak, Toronto – 29 years old (Pending Free Agent)
A responsible, physical defenseman at a very affordable cap hit, Polak is nearly guaranteed to be moved before the trade deadline is over. He can fill in temporarily on a second pairing, but is one of the NHL’s better bottom pair defenders. He’ll add quality depth to any playoff bound team.
Potential Targets: Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Los Angeles, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Tampa Bay
14. F P.A. Parenteau, Toronto – 32 years old (Pending Free Agent)
He’s once again proving in 2015-16 that he has a knack for finding the back of the net. Perhaps the most inexpensive goal-scorer a team can add down the stretch, expect Parenteau to garner interest around the league.
Potential Targets: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville, NY Rangers, Pittsburgh, St.Louis, Washington
15. F Lee Stempniak, New Jersey – 32 years old (Pending Free Agent)
After signing a PTO and eventually earning a contract, Stempniak is having one of the most productive seasons of his NHL career. He’s not a long-term solution, but adds bottom six depth to any team in need. If he can continue his strong play in 2015-16, he’ll have no problem earning a new contract next summer.
Potential Targets: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Los Angeles, Nashville, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington
Next: Trade Speculation: 5 Hypothetical Hockey Deals
Honorable Mentions:
G Frederik Andersen, Anaheim – 26 years old (Pending Restricted Free Agent)
We’re still unsure what Anaheim’s plans are moving forward with their goaltenders. John Gibson is the only one locked down, and looks to be the future bulk starter. Both Anton Khudobin and Frederik Andersen are due for new contracts next summer. Khudobin is too expensive for any other team, and likely walks into free agency. Both Andersen and Gibson are capable of playing a ton of games, so moving Andersen is a very real possibility, as it would be unfair to force one into a backup role.
F Kris Versteeg, Carolina – 29 years old (Pending Free Agent)
Acquired at the beginning of the season, it’s unlikely the Canes sign Versteeg to a new contract. A playoff bound team may be interested in adding bottom six depth.
F David Perron, Pittsburgh – 27 years old (Pending Free Agent)
If Pittsburgh decides at some point to become sellers, David Perron will quickly shoot up charts for trade rentals. It doesn’t look like he’ll be moved unless Pittsburgh decides to start preparing for next season.
F Brandon Prust, Vancouver – 31 years old (Pending Free Agent)
His off-the-ice antics would turn off some organizations, but on-the-ice, Prust plays a gritty style game desirable to many NHL clubs. There’s no guarantee any team would pick up his $2.5 million dollar cap hit for the rest of 2015-16, although someone may need depth down the stretch.