High 30 gamers to look at approaching the 2020 NHL commerce deadline

Perhaps the NHL commerce deadline gained’t disappoint in 2020. Not as a result of it should yield spectacular offers, however as a result of the listing of names on the commerce block isn’t very thrilling in comparison with these of current years, so expectations gained’t be very excessive. The 2019 deadline, for example, had Mark Stone and Matt Duchene being dangled. The 2020 class doesn’t provide any participant with potential to make an affect on their stage. As a substitute, second-liners, good-but-not-elite aim scorers, second-pair defensemen and fallen stars populate the rumor mill.
Nonetheless, what the group lacks in star energy, it makes up in depth. Who’re the highest names with potential to maneuver earlier than the Feb. 24 deadline?
First off, let’s outline what “prime” means. The listing is sorted by potential affect, with the higher gamers rating greater – however solely inside the context of gamers with sensible potentialities of being dealt, in accordance with reported rumors, their groups’ locations within the standings and their contract conditions. You gained’t see a top-end participant with little likelihood of being traded make this listing.
With that, let’s take a look at 30 names to look at over the subsequent month and a half. I’ll replace the listing a minimum of another time earlier than the deadline arrives.
1. CHRIS KREIDER, LW, RANGERS
Age: 28Cap hit: $four.625 millionYears left: UFAClauses: 11-team no-trade listing
His mix of velocity, physicality and scoring contact make him the prized rental piece of 2020. The Rangers haven’t dominated out protecting him however, with RFAs Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Strome taking part in so nicely, there will not be sufficient cap house for Kreider anyway.
2. KYLE PALMIERI, RW, DEVILS
Age: 28Cap hit: $four.65 millionYears left: 1Clauses: Eight-team no-trade listing
Palmieri may not have been somebody Ray Shero needed to commerce, however Shero’s out as Devils GM. There are already experiences that interim GM Tom Fitzgerald will get calls on Palmieri, who might increase just about any contender together with his correct shot and power-play presence.
three. JEAN-GABRIEL PAGEAU, C, SENATORS
Age: 27Cap hit: $three.1 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
At what level does he play his method into Ottawa’s future plans? On the similar time, the two-way menace and penalty-killing dynamo won’t ever be extra worthwhile than he’s proper now. It’s not inconceivable he fetches a first-round decide.
four. TOMAS TATAR, LW, CANADIENS
Age: 29Cap hit: $four.Eight million (Vegas retained $500,00o)Years left: 1Clauses: None
Tatar isn’t a UFA this summer time, so there’s no strain to maneuver him, however he might additionally command a greater return than a pure rental. By the point the Habs’ prospect core matures right into a contender-worthy roster, Tatar can be in his 30s, so is now the time to money within the chip?
5. TYLER TOFFOLI, RW, KINGS
Age: 27Cap hit: $four.6 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
In all probability the almost certainly NHL participant to get traded by Feb. 24. He hasn’t performed on a contender for years, and he’s by no means performed on an offensive juggernaut, so there’s untapped potential in his sniper’s stick.
6. P.Ok. SUBBAN, D, DEVILS
Age: 30Cap hit: $9 millionYears left: 2Clauses: None
Simply because Subban says he hasn’t requested for a commerce doesn’t imply he gained’t get moved. With simply two years left on his contract, he wouldn’t be a complete albatross if the Devils retained some wage in a commerce. He’s gifted sufficient to get his profession again on observe in the suitable atmosphere.
7. ROBIN LEHNER, G, BLACKHAWKS
Age: 28Cap hit: $5 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
AND…
Eight. COREY CRAWFORD, G, BLACKHAWKS
Age: 35Cap hit: $6 millionYears left: UFAClauses: 10-team commerce listing
That is sophisticated. The much-younger Lehner has seemingly earned a long-term have a look at Chicago’s No. 1 job. He additionally has zero clauses limiting his motion, whereas Crawford has submitted an inventory of simply 10 groups to which he’d settle for a commerce, and there’s no assure a man with two Stanley Cup rings longs to spend a number of months chasing a 3rd. Lehner arguably provides greater commerce worth as a difference-making rental given his age and more-reliable well being.
9. SAMI VATANEN, D, DEVILS
Age: 28Cap hit: $four.875 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
Vatanen shoots right-handed, can play both aspect, can work an influence play and provides good mobility. He’s a reliable top-four rental for a crew needing an injection of offense.
10. JASON ZUCKER, LW, WILD
Age: 28Cap hit: $5.5 millionYears left: 3Clauses: 10-team no-trade listing
He’s quick, defensively accountable and beneath crew management for a number of extra seasons at a good worth. There’s technically no strain to deal him, however GM Invoice Guerin might obtain a proposal too tempting to show down. The Pittsburgh Penguins are the plain crew to look at right here after dropping Jake Guentzel long run.
11. ALEC MARTINEZ, D, KINGS
Age: 32Cap hit: $four millionYears left: 1Clauses: None
Martinez might be only a third-pair man on a great crew at this stage of his profession, however he kills penalties, can play the suitable aspect and has a pair of Cup rings. There’s a marketplace for that resume.
12. JOSH ANDERSON, RW, BLUE JACKETS
Age: 25Cap hit: $1.85 millionYears left: RFAClauses: None
Anderson will tempt purchaser groups together with his distinctive throwback device set. He’s huge, robust and likes to shoot the puck. He’d rank greater if he wasn’t on the shelf with a shoulder damage – and enduring a foul season.
13. SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE, D FLYERS
Age: 26Cap hit: $four.5 millionYears left: 3Clauses: None
He needs to be again from his knee surgical procedure a pair weeks earlier than the deadline, throughout which the Flyers would have a showcase window. He hasn’t jived with new coach Alain Vigneault, to the purpose of being a wholesome scratch a number of occasions. However Ghost Bear’s uncooked offensive skill hasn’t gone wherever. A change of surroundings might revive his profession.
14. ERIK GUSTAFSSON, D, BLACKHAWKS
Age: 27Cap hit: $1.2 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
Predictably, his unsustainable taking pictures proportion from his breakout 2018-19 regressed. He’s gone from a 17-goal, 60-point blueliner to somebody who appears extra like a depth rental for a crew searching for a cheap-to-acquire puck-mover. It’s potential GM Stan Bowman gained’t need to promote low, however it’s a vendor’s market proper now.
15. BRANDON SAAD, LW, BLACKHAWKS
Age: 27Cap hit: $6 millionYears left: 1Clauses: None (10-team commerce listing kicks in subsequent season)
He’s anticipated again from his ankle damage after the all-star break. He brings an identical package deal to Zucker however in a much bigger physique – velocity and two-way hockey sense. Saad has a yr left on his deal however has no restrictions on motion just for this season – and will command a great return proper now because the commerce market is skinny at ahead.
16. MIKAEL GRANLUND, RW, PREDATORS
Age: 27Cap hit: $5.75 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
If new coach John Hynes can’t proper the ship, the Predators must discover promoting off their expiring property subsequent month. Granlund is undeniably gifted however hasn’t been a slot in Music Metropolis. Even when he heats up beneath Hynes, it’s robust to think about him not going to market this summer time.
17. ONDREJ KASE, RW, DUCKS
Age: 24Cap hit: $2.6 millionYears left: 1Clauses: None
His incapability to remain wholesome scares off some suitors. However Kase’s per-60 manufacturing suggests he’s one of many recreation’s most underrated gamers, and he needs to be an economical acquisition. He could possibly be a steal.
18. ANDREAS ATHANASIOU, LW, RED WINGSAge: 25Cap hit: $three millionYears left: RFAClauses: None
There’s no historical past between the Steve Yzerman regime and Athanasiou, whose velocity and palms give him commerce worth even whereas he’s enduring a nightmare season by way of luck and well being.
19. MARCUS JOHANSSON, RW, SABRES
Age: 29Cap hit: $four.5 millionYears left: 1Clauses: 10-team no-trade listing
Commerce season wouldn’t be full with out ‘MoJo.’ He’s not a real rental with a yr left on his contract however might have some enchantment if Buffalo ate a little bit of his wage. He doesn’t determine to be a part of the franchise’s long-term plans. Would a Boston reunion make sense after he was so helpful through the 2019 playoffs there?
20. BRENDEN DILLON, D, SHARKS
Age: 29Cap hit: $three.27 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
He’s a really perfect rental for groups searching for a heavy recreation from the again finish and, in San Jose, he’s accrued expertise taking part in alongside high-end companions.
21. JAKE GARDINER, D, HURRICANES
Age:29Cap hit: $four.05 millionYears left: 3Clauses: 7-team no-trade listing
It simply hasn’t labored out for Gardiner in Carolina, however he’s nonetheless an above-average puck-mover. If he might get again to the productiveness he confirmed in Toronto, he’d be a discount on a brand new crew at his worth. Perhaps the Hurricanes’ blueline is simply too deep. They don’t want him sufficient, though, hours after I wrote these phrases, Dougie Hamilton broke his leg, so possibly that adjustments issues.
22. CONOR SHEARY, RW, SABRESAge: 27Cap hit: $three millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
His numbers are a great distance from the enjoyable of taking part in with Sidney Crosby, however Sheary is quick, has a pair of Cup rings and may preserve tempo with high-skill linemates in a pinch. Not a foul depth piece for a contender.
23. SAM BENNETT, LW, FLAMES
Age: 23Cap hit: $2.55 millionYears left: 1Clauses: None
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman already reported about “lowball provides” the Flames have acquired for Bennett, so we all know the curiosity is there. Relative to his fourth-overall draft slot from 2014, he’s a bust, however he’s settled in as feisty third-liner. Perhaps a brand new crew might unlock second-line upside.
24. ALEX GALCHENYUK, LW, PENGUINS
Age: 25Cap hit: $four.9 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
For the second season in a row, he hasn’t discovered a match together with his new crew. However because the Strome brothers have confirmed, gifted gamers of their early to mid-20s can nonetheless understand their potential in the suitable conditions. Drawback is, Galchenyuk looks as if a greater match on a struggling crew searching for upside, but he’s arrange as a rental as a result of he’s a UFA.
25. WAYNE SIMMONDS, RW, DEVILS
Age: 31Cap hit: $5 millionYears left: UFAClauses: None
His recreation has fallen off a cliff as he reaches his early 30s, so that you’re not renting him to be a front-line scorer and power-play maven anymore. However how about Simmonds as a luxurious fourth-liner?
26. ALEXANDAR GEORGIEV, G, RANGERS
Age: 23Cap hit: $793 KYears left: RFAClauses: None
He’s an NHL goalie. He’s merely squeezed out by a veteran who holds extra clout in Henrik Lundqvist and a superior prospect stealing work in Igor Shesterkin. Loads of groups want to take a shot at Georgiev’s upside. At 23, he has 59 NHL begins to his identify with a .914 save proportion.
27. MICHAEL FROLIK, RW, SABRES
Age: 31Cap hit: $four.three millionYears left: UFAClauses: 10-team no-trade listing
You in all probability can’t depend on Frolik for double-digit aim totals anymore, however he has tons of expertise taking part in on shutdown traces. He can solidify a contender’s bottom-six ahead group.
28. JESSE PULJUJARVI, RW, OILERS
Age: 21Cap hit: RFAYears left: RFAClauses: None
If the Oilers search to make an improve for his or her playoff push and like to not give up excessive draft picks, they will dangle the man who doesn’t need to play for them anymore. Puljujarvi has undoubtedly been a bust, however he’s lighting it up in Finland and is younger sufficient to show his profession round.
29. JEREMY BRACCO, RW, MAPLE LEAFS
Age: 22Cap hit: $843 KYears left: RFAClauses: None
He has little left to show within the AHL however, as a result of his ability set is only offense-oriented, he can’t crack Toronto’s lineup, because the scoring traces are occupied and he doesn’t work in a checking project. Bracco is an apparent commerce candidate.
30. CONOR TIMMINS, D, AVALANCHE
Age: 21Cap hit: $925 KYears left: 1Clauses: None
The Avs have already got two of the sport’s finest younger puck-movers on the NHL stage in Cale Makar and Samuel Girard, with one other top-tier prospect on the way in which in Bowen Byram. Their defensive surplus renders promising-but-injury-prone prospect Timmins comparatively expendable if it helps GM Joe Sakic rating a home-run commerce to place his Cup-contending squad excessive.
Different commerce candidates to look at: Ilya Kovalchuk, Melker Karlsson, Tyler Ennis, Zach Bogosian, Andy Greene, Ron Hainsey, Craig Anderson, Valtteri Filppula, Luke Glendening, Kyle Clifford, Mike Inexperienced, Marco Scandella, Lias Andersson
DARK HORSES
These gamers aren’t apparent sufficient commerce candidates to populate the highest 30 however might make the listing in weeks to return relying on rumors and the standings:
Ryan Murray, Craig Smith, Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, Marcus Foligno, Jeff Petry
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Tags: lists, trades, nhlConnect: Concerning the AuthorMatt LarkinMatt Larkin is a senior author at The Hockey Information and has been a part of the crew since 2011. He is your one-stop store for deep-dive participant interviews, predictions, statistics, fantasy participant rankings, participant security and hair suggestions. Catch him weekly as host of The Hockey Information Dwell and The Hockey Information Podcast.