Top 20 Players To Keep An Eye On At The 2021-22 NHL Trade Deadline
By Jim Lynch
11. Phil Kessel – Arizona Coyotes
Phil Kessel is in the final year of his contract worth 6.8 million and is definitely looking to get out of the desert. The Coyotes are looking to acquire as many prospects and draft picks as possible for their never-ending rebuild, and moving Kessel to a team in a playoff spot would be a good call for this team.
Kessel’s production might not be what it once was, but for a team looking to get that final boost for a playoff run adding a rejuvenated Kessel to their roster might be a good call. Remember he was once a big part of two championships in Pittsburgh. Considering the Coyotes could just lose him if he walks at the end of the season, one would imagine they would trade him before that happens.
12. Joonas Korpisalo – Columbus Blue Jackets
With Elvis Merzlikins signed long-term, Joonas Korpisalo is the odd goalie out in Columbus. At one point it looked like the team had two starting goalies with their roster, but this season Korpisalo’s numbers have fallen off a little bit.
We usually don’t see goalies traded a lot at the deadline but Korpisalo would probably walk from Columbus in the offseason so a team looking to pick up an insurance goalie for the playoffs would be well served to grab Korpisalo.