2016 NHL Trade Deadline: 25 Hypothetical Trades
We’re now 10 days away from the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline, and it’s about that time where trade activity begins to heat up. With several big name free agents in this summer’s class, including some players rumored to be on the trade block, there’s a high likelihood of increased movement in comparison to previous years.
*Several players listed carry no-trade or no-movement clauses. The hypothetical trades are presumably assuming those clauses would be waived.
Below, we’ve constructed 25 hypothetical trades heading into the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline:
2016 NHL Trade Deadline: Hypothetical Trades (25-21)
25. Montreal Trades F Dale Weise and F Lars Eller to Los Angeles in exchange for F Trevor Lewis, F Valentin Zykov, and D Alex Lintuniemi
In this scenario, the Canadiens begin subtracting after a disappointing collapse in 2015-16. Given Weise’s solid performance this season, there’s bound to be teams interested in adding him as a rental. For some reason, Lars Eller has the notion that he’s a better player than he actually is. He would be a decent fit in the Kings bottom six forward group.
Trevor Lewis’ contract is also expiring at the conclusion of the 2015-16 campaign. He’s one of those proven bottom six forwards that you need to win a championship (has a couple Stanley Cup rings to back it up). Montreal could easily sign Trevor Lewis to a new contract before July 1st. Zykov is a top prospect in the Kings organization that played for Gatineau in the QMJHL. He joined AHL’s Ontario Reign in 2015-16 for his first year of pro hockey. Lintuniemi is two-way defender that likes to get involved offensively. He’s playing for the Kings ECHL affiliate this season after spending 2014-15 with OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.
24. Winnipeg Trades G Ondrej Pavelec to Arizona in exchange for F Laurent Dauphin, D Kevin Cannauton, and F Jordan Szwarz
Jets head coach Paul Maurice already stated that Connor Hellebuyck‘s stint back in the AHL is temporary. Pavelec has a few years term left at a very reasonable cap hit. Mike Smith is starting to become an afterthought in Arizona, but perhaps Smith and Pavelec could work as a tandem – at least for the short-term.
Heading to Winnipeg is a crop of prospects. Dauphin began his first year of pro hockey in 2015-16, but suited up for QMJHL Chicoutimi last season. He’s a creative forward with offensive upside. He had 75 points in 56 games his last year of junior. Cannauton is more of a depth defender – a bottom pair d-man. Szwarz is a former 3rd rounder from 2009 who hasn’t quite panned out. He needs a change of scenery to see if he has a future, or whether he’s a draft bust.
23. Toronto Trades G James Reimer and F Peter Holland to Montreal in exchange for 2016 Conditional 1st Round Draft Pick
One of the cheaper options if Montreal felt obligated to add a goaltender and offensive depth for the stretch run. Reimer would strictly be a rental – but still an upgrade on both Mike Condon and Ben Scrivens. Peter Holland was a highly touted prospect at one point. He’s shown improvement in 2015-16, and would make for a relatively cheap gamble on Montreal’s part in an attempt to add scoring.
The conditional 1st would be lottery protected. If Montreal misses the playoffs, that pick becomes a 2017 1st rounder. They could also get creative with the conditions. Say Montreal misses the playoffs, perhaps it turns into a 2nd and 3rd/or 4th.
22. New Jersey Trades F Lee Stempniak and F Bobby Farnham to Nashville in exchange for F Yakov Trenin and 2016 3rd/or 4th Round Draft Pick
Surprisingly, we’ve heard very little regarding Lee Stempniak as a 2016 NHL Trade Deadline rental. After earning a one-year contract on a PTO, Stempniak is having one of the most productive seasons of his career. The Preds can realistically add a piece similar to this and be very competitive in April. Farnam is nothing more than a 4th line forward, but he’s got high-intensity and plays with an edge (sometimes gets him in trouble). Regardless, these are the type of depth pieces that can help down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Trenin is one of Nashville’s better prospects. He makes for a top target based on how thin New Jersey’s prospect pool is for left wingers. He’s a reliable two-way forward. The Devils would presumably be interested in adding draft picks.
21. Calgary Trades D Kris Russell to San Jose in exchange for F Dylan Sadowy and 2016 2nd Round Draft Pick
There’s no defenseman in the NHL that blocks more shots than Kris Russell over the past few years. He led the league by a long-shot in 2014-15 – while only averaging around 20 minutes of ice-time/game. He’s also capable of 30-plus points per season. In the last season of a two-year contract, Russell is technically a rental. If you’re a GM acquiring him, you likely have intentions of signing him to a new contract before July 1st. In this scenario, San Jose could add a quality defender, while at the same time not having to sacrifice players from the 23-man roster.
Sadowy was a 2013 3rd rounder from OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. He produced 74 points in 65 games in 2014-15. After putting up 34 points in 36 games with Saginaw in 2015-16, he was traded to the Barrie Colts where he now has 17 points in 14 games (total 41 points in 40 games). San Jose traded away their 3rd round pick in 2016 – if a 2nd is too expensive, perhaps a 2017 3rd is an option.
Next: 20-16