15 Players to Watch Ahead of the Trade Deadline Who Are UFA’s

The NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching, so get ready for trade rumors daily. Below are 15 players to watch ahead of the trade deadline.

Goaltenders

Chicago Blackhawks netminder Marc-Andre Fleury is the top goalie available this year after being traded to Chicago. Fleury can be a UFA after this season and comes with a $7 million cap hit. Look for the Edmonton Oilers to make a phone call with the struggles their duo has had this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo is also a top name out there that could be had for half the price of Fleury. He too could be a UFA at season’s end and comes with a $2.78 million cap hit. The Oilers and Ottawa Senators could be bidders.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Ville Husso could be an interesting name out there. He could draw interest if the Blues are committed to Jordan Binnington as their starter. The Oilers, Senators, and Buffalo Sabres could be front runners.

Defensemen

Defenseman Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, whose cap hit is $7.25 million and could be a UFA, could be available for the right price. Pittsburgh might have one shot left and then decide to go rebuild, and many teams could want his services for his offensive productions and Stanley Cup experience.

Teams looking for experience could call about Seattle Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano. He has the experience and still has offensive production. His cap hit is $6.75 million. A reunion with the Calgary Flames would be interesting

Hampus Lindholm of the Anaheim Ducks is an attractive option due to his cap hit of $5.205 million. The steady, two-way defenseman could be a top-pairing defenseman on the right team. Maybe the Detroit Red Wings inquire about his services.

Forwards

St. Louis Blues forward David Perron is a steal at $4 million as he is consistent and could be crucial in the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins could be an option for playoff scoring and forward depth.

Florida Panthers winger Frank Vatrano is coming into his own and is a solid two-way player with playmaking ability. His cap hit is an affordable $2.53 million, which could fit right into the Boston Bruins who need scoring help and depth.

15 players to watch at the NHL trade deadline.

Johan Larsson of the Arizona Coyotes could be one of the many casualties if the Coyotes want to shed salary in attempts to rebuild. His cap hit is $1.4 million, and he could get a call from the Bruins or New York Rangers.

Right-Winger Phil Kessel could be another Coyotes casualty based on his cap hit of $6.8 million. He does have playoff experience and scoring ability. Maybe a reunion in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust could also be a UFA after this season and his cap hit is an affordable $3.5 million. As a dependable and reliable winger, he could get a few phone calls.

Arizona Coyotes winger Dmitrij Jaskin has a cap hit of $3.2 million and is a good two-way winger. He may get interest from Florida.

Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, a UFA after this season with a cap hit of $8.275, has been rumored to be on the move. The Flyers could get a nice return if he is moved, and maybe the Minnesota Wild or Winnipeg Jets are interested.

Nashville Predator forward Filip Forsberg, cap hit of $6 million, was due to become a UFA then Nashville announced they are willing to trade him. The prolific scorer could end up with the Los Angeles Kings.

An underrated, versatile forward with a reasonable cap hit of $4.5 million, New York Ranger Ryan Strome could be on the move before or at the deadline. A good two-way player, he could get moved to Winnipeg if the deal is right.

Some of these players will be moved either at the trade deadline or in the offseason, and some will be re-signed. These 15 players may just in fact create the most buzz from now until the start of next season.