Friday's NHL trade deadline is coming up fast and while a few big trades have occurred, there is the expectation that there will be plenty more coming. To showcase the exceptional talent that could be potentially traded at the deadline, here is a full 20-man roster made up of the best players who are considered trade bait.
Forwards
Mikko Rantanen - Elias Pettersson - Brock Boeser
Brayden Schenn - Brock Nelson - Dylan Cozens
Trevor Zegras - Ryan O'Reilly - Rickard Rakell
Ryan Donato - Scott Laughton - Alex Tuch
While all these players have been involved in trade rumors one way or another, there are plenty who didn't make the team. Forwards such as Trent Frederic, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and Yanni Gourde are among several others who likely get moved before the deadline.
The top line of this made-up trade bait team holds some serious talent, including two stars from the Vancouver Canucks. Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser have been the two biggest talking points since J.T. Miller was traded to the New York Rangers, especially Pettersson.
The Swedish center makes $11.6 million against the cap for the next seven seasons after this one. However, the 26-year-old is having the worst season of his seven-year NHL career. He has just 11 goals and 35 points in 54 games. It could be unlikely for Vancouver to move on from a young cornerstone of the franchise, but it's been considered.
As for Boeser, he's a pending UFA and General Manager Patrik Allvin hasn't found a way to lock him in. The 28-year-old right-winger is coming off the best campaign of his career, scoring 40 goals and 73 points in 81 games. However, in terms of production this year, he's in the same boat as Pettersson and hasn't proved to earn an extension with the Canucks.
Mikko Rantanen with the Carolina Hurricanes is an interesting scenario. He's easily one of the best players to ever be available at the trade deadline in recent memory. Even though he was traded to Carolina from the Colorado Avalanche earlier this season, he could be moved again.
There is some uncertainty that Rantanen will sign an extension with the Hurricanes. Therefore, General Manager Eric Tulsky won't want to let Rantanen walk without getting assets in return. As the deadline gets closer, it'll be interesting as that story develops.
In terms of the forwards on this team who are most likely to be moved, that would be Ryan Donato, Scott Laughton, and Brock Nelson. Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues could almost be a part of that list as teams push hard to acquire him, but Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong doesn't feel that he has to move his captain. There is a big market for middle-six centers and these players listed fall in that category. It will be a photo-finish for the teams looking to claim these forwards.
Defence
Bowen Byram - Erik Karlsson
Carson Soucy - Brandon Carlo
Mario Ferraro - Rasmus Ristolainen
Defensemen are not as in high demand as centers are this season. However, that's not to say there isn't a market for them. On Saturday, the Florida Panthers made a splash to acquire D-man Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.
There is a good list of blueliners available to be moved in this final week before the deadline, including names not on this team. Luke Schenn, Connor Murphy, David Savard, Brian Dumoulin, and more.
As for defensemen who are listed on this team, Bowen Byram sticks out at the top. At just 23 years old, Byram is already a reliable force on the back end, eating 23:11 of average ice time this season. The Buffalo Sabres would be missing out on a player who will play for over a decade in this league if the decided to trade him.
Brandon Carlo isn't talked a ton about when it comes to trade rumors. However, depending on how the Boston Bruins feel about the rest of their season, he's a D-man that could be moved for a large return. The 28-year-old earns $4.1 million against the salary cap, while playing a first-pairing role with the Bruins while Charlie McAvoy deals with an injury.
Boston is two points away from the Detroit Red Wings, who currently holds the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They'll havve to make a decision on if they want to be sellers or buyers at the deadline and they need to decide fast.
Goaltenders
John Gibson
Karel Vejmelka
There is a very small goaltender market this season. Adding Karel Vejmelka as the backup goalie to this team was a bit of a stretch in itself. While there doesn't seem to be a ton of interest in Utah HC's goaltender, he fits the criteria to be a trade candidate. He is a pending UFA and earns $2.725 million against the salary cap. Vejmelka is very affordable, especially when you consider his .910 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average.
John Gibson has been a trade candidate for the Anaheim Ducks for a few seasons. There were rumors and reports about Gibson demanding a trade two summers ago, but nothing came of it. The Hurricanes could consider acquiring the 31-year-old goaltender.
Carolina’s goaltending has been inconsistent over the last couple of seasons. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman mentioned he could see Rantanen being moved to the Ducks, maybe Gibson becomes a part of that package. The Ducks netminder costs $6.25 million for two more seasons after this campaign.