NHL Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should be biggest sellers

As the trade deadline approaches, it looks like this is going to be a seller’s market, according to the latest NHL trade rumors. Here’s a look at the five likely sellers who hold all the cards. 

The NHL trade deadline is getting close. Each year, teams are either buyers or sellers. If you’re the former, you want to load up for a Stanley Cup run. Meanwhile, if you’re the latter, you want to get future assets for players you might lose for nothing. The latest NHL trade rumors suggest this could be a strong market for sellers. Especially with the Western Conference playoff race being so close.

Here’s a quick look at five teams who should be selling. They have no real reason to hang onto certain guys. If these teams play their cards right, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them emerge from the trade deadline as a better team in the future.

5. New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have every reason to sell off assets right now. Frankly, they should even listen to offers for reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall unless they are 100 percent confident he will re-sign. Just be clear that it would take the sun, the moon, and the stars (along with a few planets) to get him.

Realistically, the Devils will likely at least trade three of their pending unrestricted free agents – Marcus Johansson, Drew Stafford, and Keith Kinkaid. Johansson should net them a mid-round pick while Stafford and Kinkaid should get them a late-round pick each.

They might trade defenseman Egor Yakovlov, but they’d be wise to give him a longer look to see if he’s a part of their future. He’s shown enough to justify it. Depending on the health of Ben Lovejoy, the Devils could move him. Captain Andy Greene is another guy they could look to move, though they’d likely need to retain salary to make it happen.

The more they tank, the more likely it is they’ll win the draft lottery. A future with Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes down the middle is a bright one. Even one with Kappo Kakko and Hischier is pretty bright.

4. Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are interesting as sellers. Most of their best assets aren’t pending free agents. Their only UFAs after this season are Carl Hagelin, Nate Thompson, Oscar Fantenberg, and Jonny Brodzinski (who’s on the injured reserve list). Hagelin and Thompson should fetch a mid to late round draft pick, as teams are always looking for depth this time of year.

Expect the Kings to be aggressive as the trade deadline draws near. Tyler Toffoli, who has an additional season on his contract after this one, is driving up his price. He has three multi-point games in his last four games. Toffoli has 24 points in 53 games, including 11 goals. Even though he’s having a down year, his resume is impressive enough to warrant a big return.

Defenseman Alec Martinez, famous for his Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2014, has two years left on his deal after this one. He’s declining but is still a very capable defenseman who would solidify any contender’s second or third pairing. Martinez’s suboptimal cap hit of $4 million will likely make the Kings have to retain some salary. But there should be some interest in him nonetheless.

The Kings have also been fielding offers on Jeff Carter and goaltender Jonathan Quick. Moving either would be difficult, but certainly well within the realm of possibility. The Kings are definitely a team to watch, as they have a few trump cards they could play.

3. Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are much closer to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings than they are to a playoff berth. Ergo, selling makes a ton of sense for them. The Red Wings have some intriguing trade candidates that should make them popular over the next few weeks.

In theory, Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky could be traded. But his no-movement clause will basically kill any trade value he has. This leaves Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard as the best available goaltender at the trade deadline. He’s among the league leaders in most goaltending categories, so expect someone to pay a hefty price for him.

Gustav Nyquist and annual trade candidate Thomas Vanek both have no-trade clauses. However, it’s safe to say they’d likely be willing to waive them if it means going to a contender. Nyquist could fetch the Red Wings a second-round pick and potentially even a first rounder.

For some odd reason, teams don’t value Vanek as much as they ought to. He’s a proven scorer who, in an offensive role, can put up some very nice numbers. But Vanek should still net them at least something.

Defenseman Nick Jensen would make a lot of third pairings better. He could likely even play up on the second pairing in a pinch. Jensen is a pending free agent, so his departure seems quite likely. His cap hit is merely $812,500, which is very attractive, especially for teams who are close against the salary cap.

2. New York Rangers

Last year, the New York Rangers were the biggest sellers at the trade deadline. After starting a much-needed rebuild, they did a great job maximizing their assets. The Rangers are in a very similar position this year.

Defenseman Adam McQuaid should net them a late round pick. He’s a veteran defenseman who is good in the locker room and can kill penalties. In short, McQuaid is someone who contenders are going to want for depth. If someone gave up a seventh-round pick for Cody McLeod, McQuaid should get a similar return.

Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello are both unrestricted free agents after this season. Ergo, expect them to be traded to a contender. Each of them should fetch the Rangers a first-round pick. Hayes is the more likely of the two to do so. Centers like him have a concrete price – at least one first-round pick. Zuccarello is heating up, so someone might be willing to give up a late first-round pick for him.

The Rangers also have several players with term who could be traded. Chris Kreider is the most popular, as he’s having one of the best seasons of his career. He has an additional year on his deal after this season, so a huge return would be necessary for the Rangers to trade him. Vladislav Namestnikov is another possibility, though the Rangers would likely have to retain salary on him.