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NHL Trade Deadline: Hypothetical Deals for Top Players Available

By Matt Duscharme

Oct 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against the Washington Capitals during the third period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save against the Washington Capitals during the third period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) reacts during a NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Blues 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Trade Deadline: St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) reacts during a NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Blues 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Trade Deadline is fast approaching, who could be on the move, and who could stay. We share our thoughts on what may transpire in the coming weeks!

The NHL Trade deadline is always exciting if you’re a huge hockey fan, watching your favorite sports network for seven to eight hours just to see if your favorite team made a significant move can sometimes be more exhilarating than even the playoffs. Cause realistically what they do or don’t do at the deadline will result in a playoff appearance or not.

So in this article, we’re going to be taking a look at the top 15 players available ahead of the NHL trade deadline, who will suit them the best, what it would take to pry said player away and some for fun scenarios.

Top Available Players:

F – Matt Duchene (COL) – 44GP, 15G, 17A, 32PTS, -14, $4.25M
F – Martin Hanzal (ARZ) – 43GP, 10G, 9A, 19PTS, -16, $3.1M
F – Radim Vrbata (ARZ) – 51GP, 11G, 24A, 35PTS, -16, $1.5M
F – Gabriel Landeskog (COL) – 39GP, 9G, 9A, 18PTS, -15, $5.57M
F – Jordan Eberle (EDM) – 55GP, 11G, 21A, 32PTS, -3, $6M
F – Thomas Vanek (DET) – 40GP, 12G, 20A, 32PTS, +4, $2.6M
F – Anthony Duclair (ARZ) – 41GP, 3G, 6A, 9PTS, -8, $773K
F – Curtis Lazar (OTT) – 29GP, 0G, 1A, 1PT, -8, $894K
F – Shane Doan (ARZ) – 51GP, 5G, 12A, 17PTS, -5, $3.8M
F – Jarome Iginla (COL) – 49GP, 7G, 7A, 14PTS, -16, $5.3M
D – Kevin Shattenkirk (STL) – 53GP, 11G, 25A, 36PTS, -14, $4.25M
G – Ben Bishop (TB) – 28GP, 12W, 2.79GAA, 0SO, $5.95M
G – Ondrej Pavelec (WPG) – 7GP, 4W, 3.34GAA, 0SO, $3.9M
G – Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) – 28GP, 14W, 3.15GAA, 0SO, $5.75M
G – Jaroslav Halak (NYI) – 21GP, 6W, 3.23GAA, 1SO, $4.5M

to COL – 1st Round Pick (2017), 1st Round Pick (2018), Anthony Duclair
to ARZ – Matt Duchene

Colorado moving Matt Duchene ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline would be a tough task, to say the least. They need someone who needs a center but also has $4.25 million in cap space, a good fit would be Arizona where he would have the chance to play with the likes of Max Domi and Christian Dvorak and make a triple D-line. Arizona has the cap space but Colorado would want a Significant return for their former cornerstone player, and that’s most likely a first round pick (if not two), and a high-end prospect who is ready to play now. That’s something the Coyotes may be hesitant on doing since they’re are going full swing on the youth movement.

to ARZ – Curtis Lazar, 4th Round Pick (2017)
to OTT – Martin Hanzal, 3rd Round Pick (2018)

Jan 16, 2017; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes centre Martin Hanzal (11) is seen out on the ice as they play against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Trade Deadline: Arizona Coyotes centre Martin Hanzal (11) is seen out on the ice as they play against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports /

Next, there is Martin Hanzal, the Coyotes have been trying to unload him all season but have yet to find any sort of partner, the price is high but the potential Hanzal still has is as well. And since he has a cap hit of $3.1 million, if you’re looking for a second to third line center for a deep playoff run, he’s a solid player to cash in on as a rental.

So what would it take to acquire him? A first round pick and a prospect. Where would he fit the best? Since he would be coming in as a second or third line center on a playoff team Los Angeles, St. Louis or Ottawa would be great fits.

to ARZ – 2nd Round Pick, Anton Rodin
to VAN – Radim Vrbata

Radim Vrbata could very well be on the move yet again but where he could end up is a mystery to some. For only having a $1.5 million dollar hit and having put up 35 points so far this season, Vrbata is a pretty hot commodity for a team who wants secondary scoring. So the best fit for him would be the team he played with last year and that’s the Canucks. He’s played great there, it won’t take Vancouver much to acquire him and their experiment with Loui Eriksson so far this season hasn’t quite played out the way some expected. Now with Vrbata back on the top line and Eriksson on the second, that could prove quite dangerous.

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