While I had to do my due diligence when projecting which players in the NHL’s Central Division would be going elsewhere, I needed to use the process of elimination regarding the Pacific. It seemed like I could’ve written a list of three players from each team who wouldn’t finish the year in the same uniform and I’d still have some capital left over.
That said, I went with three players most likely to end the year elsewhere and for different reasons. One just no longer looks like a good fit for his hockey team while another would benefit elsewhere as opposed to a rebuilding effort he’s currently dealing with.
As for Player No. 3, I never envisioned them playing in their current city long, and their presence there seemed like a glorified paper transaction. Anyway, enough talk. Let’s get to the fun stuff.
Elias Pettersson
Because you know it’s only a matter of time, right? Listen, I’m no Canucks insider so I can’t tell you exactly what’s been up with that team. All I know is, Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser, among others, have seen a lot of friction lately, so it’s no surprise that they’re the focal point of trade talks.
Of the trio, it looks like Pettersson’s getting the most coverage, and there’s a good chance he’ll be the first one out once general manager Patrik Allvin strikes a deal that fits his liking. Maybe it’ll be with a championship contender, but at this point, Pettersson could potentially end up on the lowly Buffalo Sabres.
Wouldn’t that be something? Anyway, if I’m making a not-so-bold prediction at this point, it’s that Pettersson’s days in British Columbia are numbered, and you’ll see him playing elsewhere at some point before March 7th.
Mikael Granlund
They may be a bad hockey team, but the San Jose Sharks have been a pleasure to watch, given their youth headlined by rookie Macklin Celebrini. But, this team isn’t done selling yet, something their meager points total should clue you in on.
And Mikael Granlund’s one of those players who’s too old to see this rebuild through since he’s in the middle of his age-32 season. Still, he’s leading the Sharks in points, with 44 in 51 games to go with 15 goals.
That said, someone sees a sound middle-six forward who will be a playmaker on a championship contender and even someone they can keep entrenched in the top six. He’s also been ultra-effective on the power play, where he’s got 15 points and five goals.
Since he will give a contender so much, expect a top-tier executive to overpay for his services, providing the Sharks yet another generous return. And while this article only talks about three players, don’t be surprised when general manager Mike Grier trades away a few more aging assets.
Jacob Trouba
Yep, prepare to see Jacob Trouba in yet another uniform, as Anaheim seemed to be a placeholder until the Ducks could swap him for a larger haul. Plus, at this point in his career, Trouba would rather play for a championship instead of leading a rebuilding effort, and who wouldn’t?
Some may point to Trouba’s numbers, scoff, and claim he’s no longer the player he was, and they’d be right. Through 49 games prior to Thursday’s slate, Trouba has just 11 points, all assists.
But they’re missing the fact he’s still regularly landing body checks and getting in the way of shots. He remains an effective top-four defenseman when he’s in his own zone, and the Ducks are scoring 12.8 percent of the time when he’s on the ice at even strength. Trust me, Trouba will generate a lot of interest at the deadline.