Top 20 players fans must know about ahead of the 2024 NHL trade deadline

With the 2024 NHL trade deadline now roughly a week away, it’s time to get ultra-familiar with quite a few names who could be on the move either as rental pieces or, in some cases, long-term assets. 

This article will list 20 players who may be in high demand and are linked to several teams as the deadline approaches. You can expect some players to be involved in blockbuster deals while others may just be flipped for a draft pick or a prospect or two. 

Regardless of the ultimate trade package, it doesn’t mean those players potentially on the move will be any less valuable to a presumed contender. For example, the Chris Tanev trade was not the most blockbuster transaction out there, but you also can’t deny that he will be a huge help for Dallas’ championship aspirations. 

So, who are the top 20 names at the 2024 NHL trade deadline that you need to be aware of between now and March 8th? Let’s start with a couple of the more prominent players who will only see themselves playing elsewhere if it involves blockbuster compensation. 

Noah Hanifin’s time in Calgary may also come to an end at the right price

Noah Hanifin is the grand prize among blueliners who could find themselves going elsewhere, and he’s been playing well on both sides of the ice to date. In 59 games so far in 2023-24, Hanifin has 34 points, a career-high 11 goals, and a solid plus-17 as we head into March. 

He’s also logging 23:44 of ice time, showing off sound durability in what is the most he’s played since entering the league in 2015-16. Hanifin has stolen the puck 39 times and has 86 blocks on the year, and he’s also been an incredible help when Calgary is shorthanded, boasting an on-ice save percentage of 87.7 when the Flames are facing opposing power plays. 

Hanifin has also been on the ice for nine power play goals, and he’s spent over 100 minutes on the man advantage for the second year in a row, which further raises his value if a contender needs an upgrade at 5-on-4.

He’s been linked to several strong contenders per The Fourth Period, like the Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. If Hanifin joins any of the organizations mentioned, he could be all they need to win the Stanley Cup in 2024.

Jake Guentzel makes for a high-end rental with virtually any serious contender

Don’t expect Jake Guentzel’s injury to be a dealbreaker for many contenders, especially since they will still get plenty of games out of him. Even with the Pittsburgh Penguins falling way short of expectations in 2023-24, it hasn’t kept Guentzel from averaging over a point per game, with 52 in 50 contests. 

Guentzel would work well with any team that either needs another layer of offense or someone who is already great with the puck in the offensive zone and wouldn’t mind adding another dynamic points producer to create even more mismatches. 

Teams like Vancouver, Edmonton, and Detroit would immediately reap the benefits of a player like Guentzel joining them for at least the remainder of the season. He could also be the last piece of a puzzle in Florida or Colorado and perhaps even turn one of them into the NHL’s best organizations by the time the regular season reaches its conclusion. 

The real concern with Guentzel will be his ability to stay healthy, as his current upper-body injury has kept him out for an extended time. However, Guentzel has shown he can keep himself off of injured reserve for the most part in the previous three seasons, so that is a good sign for teams interested in trading for him.

A change of scenery will work wonders for Kaapo Kahkonen

The San Jose Sharks should be major players over the next week, as they will look to collect high draft picks and prospects while potentially selling off up to five players that includes goaltender Kaapo Kahknonen. So far, Kahkonen’s time in San Jose hasn’t been ideal, having collected just 17 wins in one full season and parts of two others, a 0.894 save percentage, and a 3.63 GAA. 

But the Sharks were also never a good team since Kahkonen arrived in March 2022. He also looked more than serviceable for San Jose throughout his 11 appearances with the team after the Minnesota Wild sent him to California in 2022, notching a 0.916 save percentage and a 2.86 GAA. 

Since then, it’s been downhill for Kahkonen, but he has shown he can be a willing starting goaltender or a 1B. And he would fare much better with a contender or someone on the outside and looking in who needs more talent in their rotation. 

The New Jersey Devils are a team you think of here, given their awful situation involving Vitek Vanecek and the current duo of Nico Daws and Alex Schmid. Despite Samuel Ersson putting up solid numbers, the Flyers could also be in the hunt for a goaltender like Kahkonen as a backup should they buy at the deadline. 

Scott Laughton would bring an edgy playing style to a contender’s lower lines

While Jake Guentzel and Noah Hanifin are worthy of playing on the top lines and pairings and thus will give their respective teams blockbuster compensation in a trade, Scott Laughton is a player who wouldn’t go for such a maximum price. However, a team that needs to bring on a physical presence will see value in Laughton, and there is a significant chance they will give up more than just solid compensation to land him. 

Laughton is scoring just a half point per game with 30 in 60 contests, with nine goals, and a meager 7.0 shooting percentage. Therefore, teams that call the Flyers will be those looking for more defense from a forward who is landing almost two hits per game and has nearly a 50-50 chance of winning faceoffs. 

Teams looking for better performances out of their special teams will also see value, as Laughton has recorded over 70 minutes on the man advantage, plus nearly 110 minutes on the penalty kill. 

His value when shorthanded has been incredible, with the Flyers giving up an average of one power play goal every five games when he’s on the ice, not to mention their eye-popping seven shorthanded goals. Teams like the Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Vancouver Canucks can use some help when they are at 4-on-5.

Vladimir Tarasenko is an experienced player a serious contender will value

Vladimir Tarasenko won a Stanley Cup in 2019 with the St. Louis Blues, and he helped them take it by scoring 11 goals in 26 contests. If you took that number and stretched it over 82 games, it equals nearly 35 goals, so Tarasenko not only knows what a deep playoff run looks like, but also a successful one. 

Unfortunately for him, his current team, the Ottawa Senators, is going nowhere, but that also doesn’t mean Tarasenko won’t play in a different uniform if the Sens trade him. Experienced teams that are currently in the top two of their respective divisions should be calling Ottawa to work out a deal for the 32-year-old winger, who is still capable of providing sound productivity. 

This season, he has 38 points and 15 goals through 55 games, and he can still give teams top-six minutes. With over 125 power play minutes, Tarasenko could hold even more value for teams that haven’t fared well at 5-on-4, like the Philadelphia Flyers if they buy, the Winnipeg Jets, and the Vegas Golden Knights.

He also brings an edge to his game and has given the Senators outstanding play regardless of whether they are possessing the puck. Tarasenko’s 30 blocks are just 15 away from a career-best, and he’s once again on pace to supersede 70 hits. 

Adam Henrique will add much-needed depth to a contender if the Ducks trade him

The Anaheim Ducks are another team looking toward the future instead of worrying about pulling off an unprecedented run to the postseason. That said, there are a few names to get familiar with this trade deadline season in Southern California, and Adam Henrique is one of the most prominent. 

Since 2023-24 is the final year of a relatively lucrative contract, contenders looking to trade for him may not need an incredible amount of cap space to bring Henrique in should the Ducks retain a portion. Therefore, there are plenty of potential suitors for a player who would immediately sidle into the second or third line, and to give a contender an adequate scoring threat. 

Henrique hasn’t had much of a chance to showcase what he still offers this season offensively, thanks to the meager 151 goals Anaheim has scored this season, a mark that ranks 30th in the NHL. However, Henrique still has 16 goals and 22 assists on the year, so he has been productive and also physical, with 53 blocks and 57 hits. 

If a team needs help defensively, they should be front-runners to trade for Henrique, as he’s still good at helping a bad team like Anaheim claw their way out of the defensive zone. His 47.9 on the Corsi at 5-on-5 plus a 46.8 Fenwick, despite an offensive zone starting percentage of 41.4, gives us more than enough evidence.

Joel Edmundson is another former Cup winner looking for a second one

Earlier, we mentioned Vladimir Tarasenko winning a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues, but he’s not the only one on this list who hoisted a Cup during that unforgettable year. Joel Edmundson was also part of that team, and he would be a great fit for anyone looking for a defenseman who knows how intense things will get in the coming months. 

Edmundson will also come cheap, given his $1.75 million cap hit courtesy of the Montreal Canadiens still holding onto half of his contract. Therefore, teams lacking cap space, like the Edmonton Oilers or the Toronto Maple Leafs, may be interested in bringing in a bargain piece like Edmundson.

The 30-year-old is once again playing a sound, stay-at-home game, which should further impress high-scoring teams like the Oilers and Maple Leafs, especially the latter, since they could use one more piece on the blue line. He hasn’t played the same number of minutes, so the third pairing is the likeliest spot for the remainder of the year. 

Fewer minutes aside, Edmundson is still a physical player with 46 blocks and 56 hits, and he’s also an asset on the penalty kill. Opponents also have a relatively tough time scoring against Edmundson, with Washington’s on-ice save percentage sitting at 90.5 at even strength and 90.7 at 5-on-5.

David Savard would serve a team in need of a stay-at-home player with top-four potential

Few defensemen on this list know how to get in front of pucks better than David Savard, as he has 103 blocks and counting for the Montreal Canadiens this season in just 37 games. That’s nearly 2.8 per contest, and any playoff-bound team looking for a blueliner willing to stop a few shots from reaching the crease should try to bring him in. 

Savard is still willing to finish checks against opponents, as he also has 46 hits on the year, and when healthy, he can offer top-four minutes. He would be especially valuable for teams looking to keep him on for more than just the remainder of the season, as his contract doesn’t expire until 2024-25.

Expect teams not looking to go all-in this season to be strong contenders for Savard, especially those looking for help when they are shorthanded, as he has logged 122.3 minutes in his 37 contests this season. Despite playing for a rebuilding hockey team, he continues to be a strong asset at 5-on-5, with the Canadiens enjoying a solid 90.4 save percentage when he’s helping to box out opponents. 

Pavel Buchnevich will help a team that needs one more prolific scorer in the top-six

Don’t expect Buchnevich to go anywhere unless the St. Louis Blues snag some luxurious compensation. The Blues are another one of those bubble teams that can go either way here, so whether they contend or if they play for a lottery pick depends on what they may get out of a player like Buchnevich. 

No one short of a top-tier contender will likely call the Blues. Of that group, only those looking for someone to immediately become a productive asset offensively would be willing to give up at least a couple of A-prospects and a few draft picks to bring in a player who has scored 48 points in 57 games this season. 

Since he arrived in St. Louis, Buchnevich has 80 goals and 191 points in 193 contests, and at 28, he’s still in the middle of his prime. He’s selective with his shots, but when he fires pucks at the net, there is roughly a one-in-six chance they are going in if his 16.8 shooting percentage over the past three seasons is anything to go on. 

It’s also worth mentioning that he has 23 power play goals during his time with the Blues. So, if any top-tier contender needs help on the man advantage, they need to call St. Louis’ front office immediately.

Don’t let the down season Anthony Duclair has had fool you; he can score

Anthony Duclair is another member of the San Jose Sharks slated to go elsewhere at the right price. And while it’s been a tough year for everyone involved with the organization, it doesn’t mean he holds less value. Duclair is still a player quite a few contenders would want on their middle-six, especially if they are looking to add someone for a reasonable price. 

Before spending time in San Jose, Duclair enjoyed a solid run with the Florida Panthers, especially last season when he scored 11 points and four goals in 20 playoff games. That’s over a half-point per game, and it shows what he can do when he’s with a premier team. 

Given his recent postseason production, it’s also worth overlooking what he’s done this season in San Jose, which has been a meager 19 points in 52 games. While we won’t likely see the winger who scored 31 goals with Florida in the 2021-22 season, Duclair also doesn’t need to be that player if he lands with a team looking for a reliable depth scorer. 

The New York Rangers could be a strong fit here, along with teams with little to spend, like the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Edmonton Oilers. 

Matt Dumba could find himself on a contending team after Arizona’s collapse

Matt Dumba probably figured he’d be playing the entire season in the Phoenix area after the Arizona Coyotes played surprisingly good hockey early. But that’s now a distant memory, and Dumba’s name has once again come up since he’s still a productive player who won’t cost a ton of money, especially if the Coyotes are willing to keep some of his salary.

Dumba will give a team lacking sound defense top-four minutes, and if they need a player who can bring physical play, he should end up catching their eye. Dumba has 139 hits and counting this year, plus 82 blocks. He would also improve a contender’s penalty kill despite the 26 Arizona has given up with Dumba on the ice. 

Ideally, teams with poor goaltending, like Toronto, should be the most serious about acquiring a player like Dumba. He’s somebody who is willing to prevent opponents from creating chaos around the crease, so the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers would also benefit if they called the Coyotes and landed a deal for the 29-year-old. 

His days as a two-way player in this league didn’t last (84 points between 2016-17 and 2017-18), but teams with high-scoring identities like the ones mentioned above shouldn’t be too worried. 

Sean Walker will find himself finishing the year in another town if the Flyers sell

Should the Flyers sell, then Sean Walker is a player who will finish the 2023-24 season somewhere else and potentially help a contender hoist the Stanley Cup. However, it’s still worth mentioning Walker’s contract situation, so if Walker and the Flyers figure to remain at their current stalemate for a prolonged period, Philadelphia may believe they’re better off getting something for him anyway. 

So, even if the Flyers bought, don’t be surprised if they send Walker elsewhere, even if that team isn’t a contender, but willing to sign the blueliner to an extension - hence the word ‘potentially’ in the above paragraph. It doesn’t mean a contender won’t come calling, as Walker won’t cost much in cap space to bring on for the rest of the season.

He has also shown more of an edge this season than he did during his days with the Kings, with 83 hits, 31 takeaways, and 91 blocks, not to mention a career-high of 19:30 of average total ice time. While not known for his scoring, Walker also has over one-third of a point per game, with six goals and 22 points. 

If a contender needs a cost-effective player who has enjoyed a more complete overall game this season, then they must inquire about Sean Walker and see if they can get a deal done with the Flyers. 

Jordan Eberle is another forward who will be on the move if his team sells

Like Sean Walker’s situation in Philadelphia, where Jordan Eberle ends up spending the rest of the season may not be so clear-cut as the Seattle Kraken are yet another bubble team that could buy or sell. That said, it’s hard to see Eberle going anywhere until we get closer to March 8th, which will give us far more insight of where the Kraken stand. 

Should Seattle sell Eberle, they will trade away a player who has 76 career playoff games, so the winger’s sheer postseason experience should attract suitors regardless of how many playoff appearances they have made over the last few seasons. 

Also, like Walker, Eberle is due for an extension, so if the Kraken don’t believe they can keep him around, they could make a trade regardless of where they stand come the deadline. Eberle’s production on both sides of the ice should pique the interest of several teams, especially if the Kraken are okay with retaining some of his contract for the rest of the season. 

However, teams in need of more help when they don’t have the puck should be the first callers, given Eberle’s ability to steal pucks, plus Seattle’s sparkling 93.1 save percentage when he’s on the ice. 

Jakob Chychrun could finally land with a legitimate contender in March

Last year, the Ottawa Senators believed Jakob Chychrun was one of a few missing pieces that would help them return to the postseason. However, the Senators are still struggling, so once again, Chychrun could find himself landing with a more legitimate contender come March 8th. 

Chychrun is showing his value regardless of whether the Senators are controlling the puck, with 30 points and nine goals in 57 games. He has also quarterbacked the Senators power play, spending 143.5 minutes on the man advantage this season, and is nearing a career-high of his team scoring at 5-on-4 when he’s on the ice with 16 goals, four of which came courtesy of him. 

Defensively, he’s once again getting in front of pucks, having put up 104 blocks on the year and logging over 22:30 of average total ice time. A team like the Detroit Red Wings, one of a few brewing contenders who could use more defense, should come calling. But don’t be surprised if someone like the Los Angeles Kings or the St. Louis Blues join in the sweepstakes. 

Regardless of where he goes, a player of Chychrun’s caliber will warrant more compensation for a struggling organization. Expect the Senators to take calls, and if a team matches what they want, Chychrun will be playing for a contender.

Ilya Lybushkin has enjoyed a resurgence in 2023-24 and will warrant attention

Ilya Lyubushkin looked like an afterthought when the Buffalo Sabres traded him to the Anaheim Ducks last summer, thanks to his injury-riddled 2022-23 campaign. Other than scoring a shorthanded goal in overtime, Lyubushkin was a disappointment in Buffalo, and few expected him to make quite the comeback in Anaheim of all places.

But as we near March 8th, Lyubushkin has played his way back into consideration among teams that will look to contend for a playoff spot come the second half of April. He’s appeared in 55 games this season and has put up an outrageous 138 blocks and 112 hits. He’s also been incredible on the penalty kill, with 162.1 minutes. 

Lyubushkin won’t play in the top-four, so a team that needs a hard-hitting, stay-at-home player on the bottom pairing shouldn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call the Ducks. He won’t cost teams much in compensation, and even those with little cap space can likely take on the 29-year-old’s contract. 

Lyubushkin is no longer an afterthought, and given his hard-nosed approach at a low price, he will likely end up playing for a contender to finish out the season. There are plenty of teams out there seeking a player of his style, such as Toronto, Boston, and Tampa, to name a few. 

Update: The Toronto Maple Leafs landed Ilya Lyubushkin in what was a three-team trade.

Frank Vatrano may have more trade value than anyone else in Anaheim

While we have seen a lot of talk geared toward Adam Henrique, Frank Vatrano could be the ultimate player to watch in Anaheim. Despite the Ducks poor performances while in possession of the puck, Vatrano has been the one outlier, with 26 goals on the year, 19 assists, and 45 points. 

Vatrano has also proven his worth to potential contenders, given his ability to come up big when the Ducks need a go-ahead goal. He’s logged six game-winners this season, and 10 goals on special teams. Vatrano can also join any top-six and keep playing what has been a high-octane game for a bad team this season. 

But what makes Vatrano so valuable isn’t just his offense, but what has been an outstanding two-way game. He’s a physical forward who has finished 116 checks this year to go with 61 blocks. There have been quite a few complete players on this list who have warranted more attention than Vatrano, but if your favorite contending team lands him, be very, very excited. 

The only downside is that, thanks to Vatrano’s numbers, Anaheim’s price won’t come cheap. So if he goes elsewhere by March 8th, expect the Ducks to collect a lot in compensation. 

Logan Couture is yet another member of the Sharks who may find himself on the move

No team will field more calls than the Sharks, and there is even a chance that a player like Logan Couture could be wearing a different uniform either for the rest of this season or come 2024-25. This is because an injury could prevent him from playing any more games this season, so there is a good chance that a bubble team or even a non-contender looking to make their mark next season will call general manager Mike Grier. 

The Sabres are one potential non-contender who could make a trade for Couture, since they have enough cap space to take on his contract, and a young team like Buffalo could benefit from his leadership. Currently, the Sabres have Kyle Okposo as their captain, but he could be finished once their season reaches its conclusion. 

Couture, 34, would also be an upgrade over Okposo, as when healthy, he has shown that he can still produce, even for a bad hockey team. Last season, he put up 67 points and 27 goals in 82 contests, and the year before that, he had 56 in 77. Couture is also a hard-hitter who is willing to play defense, and a team like Buffalo could use another defensive forward with scoring ability. 

The Flames already moved one big name, and Jacob Markstrom could be next

Expect to see a few goaltenders remain in the rumor mill, and since the Calgary Flames already made one trade, they will surprise nobody if they move Jacob Markstrom in the coming days. Although he’s an older player with 14 seasons worth of experience in the crease, Markstrom has yet to slow down, with 20 wins in 37 starts this season. 

Although the Flames haven’t been a great team this year, Markstrom has been outstanding in keeping things manageable for this average hockey team, posting a 0.914 save percentage and a 2.56 GAA. 

If a contending team has any concerns regarding their current starting goaltender, or if they have one that has missed an extended time with injuries in the past, they need to call up Calgary. The New Jersey Devils are one team that comes to mind, as their play at goaltender this season is a major reason for what has been a “step back” in 2023-24.  

Should the Devils make a move, it needs to occur sooner than later, as a lot can happen in the next eight days that could change the trajectory of what Calgary decides to do. If a contender sees an injury to their top netminder or even a 1B, there is a good chance they join the sweepstakes for Markstrom. 

Jake Allen can give several contenders insurance for more than just 2024

There will be a lot of rentals this season, and it’s no different from what we have seen in past trade deadlines. But there are also players who can give perennial contenders not just one, but two years, and Jake Allen is one of those older players who makes for an incredible insurance policy in 2024 and 2025. 

It’s been another long season for Allen and the Montreal Canadiens, and it shows on the stat sheet. But he also has 11 years of experience, and Allen is only a few years removed from what was an epic outing back in 2019-20 when he posted a 0.927 save percentage and a 2.15 GAA in 24 games. 

While we shouldn’t expect that kind of productivity from Allen, he would be great for a team with less-than-stellar situations at the position. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, who have a solid, but inconsistent netminder in Stuart Skinner, is one organization to potentially make a call. And you can say the same for the Carolina Hurricanes, despite Pyotr Kochetkov’s recent surge.  

You also can’t talk about goaltenders potentially on the move without mentioning the Devils, so if they don’t end up with someone like Markstrom, Allen could be a solid consolation.