The Athletic has dwell protection of the NHL trade deadline with the newest information, offers and evaluation.
A flurry of NHL trades early in deadline week has wreaked havoc on The Athletic’s trade board, which on Wednesday morning, misplaced:
After which, after a re-ranking, on Wednesday night and Thursday morning we misplaced:
Different key names, comparable to Timo Meier, Bo Horvat, Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko, disappeared from the board in earlier trade motion.
Which top targets stay? Who are the new names rising?
Be aware: Gamers are ranked so as of who’s producing the most buzz, taking into account the potential influence of the participant and the chance he’d be traded. Evaluation is from The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek, Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo.
This listing is a dwelling doc, with common updates to rankings and evaluation, primarily based on the newest rumblings and the market’s ebbs and flows, so bookmark it and test again.
Beforehand: 2
The Flyers are going nowhere, that means JVR’s going someplace. He can produce, however he’s in a major droop simply at the time numerous groups in want of scoring are paying consideration. He has two objectives and three assists in his previous 17 video games. With the market thinning, the Wild are amongst the potential suitors. That they had tepid curiosity just a few weeks in the past however now appear to be paying consideration. The Wild aren’t keen to surrender a major asset for JvR though their scoring wants are nicely publicized and he lives in the Twin Cities in the offseason. Groups seem sheepish as a result of an early-season damage and the reality he solely has two power-play objectives this season. — Russo, Feb. 27
The clock is ticking. The trade deadline looms.@charlieo_conn is not anticipating a very eventful trade deadline for the Flyers.
So who is likely to be moved as contenders jockey for depth? He solutions mailbag questions:https://t.co/8M2h17MBUg
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) February 27, 2023
Beforehand: 3
As the massive names at heart have trickled off the trade board, the fallback positions are turning into extra intriguing. Most likely nowhere is that extra evident than with Schmaltz. He’s a 27-year-old heart who missed the early a part of the season recovering from surgical procedure, however he has 39 factors in 43 video games this yr. Instructively, that’s the identical points-per-game common (0.91) produced by Timo Meier this season — and locations him forward of such luminaries as Martin Necas, Andrei Svechnikov, Mat Barzal, Elias Lindholm, Anze Kopitar and Mark Scheifele. The issue with Schmaltz is making the {dollars} work. Not solely does he have a comparatively excessive cap hit ($5.85 million), however his contract has three years to run after this one. Complicating issues additional is the deal can also be backloaded, so Schmaltz’s highest incomes years are nonetheless to return. This yr, in actual {dollars}, the Coyotes are paying Schmaltz $4.5 million. Subsequent yr, it jumps to $7.5 million, then $8.45 million, then $8.5 million. It explains why Arizona is likely to be ready to trade away its second-best ahead. Looking for a match is likely to be troublesome, although. Of the groups on the lookout for center-ice depth, Colorado and Dallas might not have the cap area to make it work, however Carolina would possibly. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27
Beforehand: 4
The Geese are a multitude defensively, and Klingberg has contributed greater than his share to the mess. Klingberg missed two video games final week with a lower-body damage, however he returned on Saturday and scored a purpose, his eighth of the season, in opposition to the Hurricanes — a reminder that even with some defensive deficiencies in his recreation, he could be a productive participant, with managed minutes. Klingberg signed a one-year, $7 million show-me contract in the summer season, which turns him into an unrestricted free agent once more following the season, and Anaheim is keen to take some {dollars} again to make him extra financially viable to a contender seeking to enhance offense from the protection. Assuming Edmonton’s pursuit of Erik Karlsson can’t be managed forward of the deadline, Klingberg could be a logical fallback place. They inquired about him in the summer season. The largest query now isn’t whether or not Klingberg will transfer on however what sort of return can the Geese fairly count on for him. A primary-round choose, which didn’t appear out of the query in October, appears unlikely. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27
Klingberg and kulikov out for trade associated causes
— lisa dillman (@reallisa) March 1, 2023
Beforehand: 5
Domi has been a uncommon brilliant spot on a misplaced yr in Chicago. With three weeks to go till the trade deadline, he was tied with Patrick Kane for the staff’s scoring lead. Domi’s been a hockey vagabond, enjoying for 3 groups the previous three years. As a rental from Columbus to Carolina final yr, he produced modest outcomes: six factors in 14 playoff video games. He signed a one-year, $3 million prove-it contract with the Blackhawks, the place he’s had an opportunity to play top-line minutes with Kane. The almost definitely situation for Domi: The Blackhawks get what they’ll for him as a rental after which circle again and signal him to a longer-term extension subsequent summer season. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10
Patrick Kane on the Tarasenko trade: “It is not like the happiest I have been to listen to a couple of trade.”
The most recent on Kane in our Blackhawks trade tracker:https://t.co/MS6z1kk3je
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 10, 2023
5. Brock Boeser, Canucks
Beforehand: 6
Groups hold poking round on Boeser and are exploring it extra realistically — attempting to see how they may make it work. He nonetheless has one other two years on his contract after this season at a $6.65 million common annual worth, so it’s attainable the solely means he will get dealt is that if Vancouver retains cash and so they discover a third-party dealer. The Wild have talked to Vancouver and agent Ben Hankinson about Boeser, and Boeser would welcome a return to his residence state if he’s going to be dealt. However as of now, as a lot as the Wild might desperately use one other scorer, they really feel they’ll’t make it work cap-wise, even when the Canucks ate half the contract and took Jordan Greenway’s $3 million a yr contract. That’s as a result of Minnesota already has to shed cash this summer season to conduct its offseason enterprise. — Russo, Feb. 27
Who says no? The VIPs recommended a whole bunch of enjoyable #Canucks trade proposals on J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Luke Schenn and extra.
So what could be workable? @harmandayal2 and I broke it down.
through @TheAthleticNHL: https://t.co/dyypHb8AmI
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) February 27, 2023
Beforehand: 7
Bjugstad is one in all solely 4 Coyotes gamers in double digits in purpose scoring, which can be partly attributed to his utilization on a talent-thin staff. He’s 30 now and signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with Arizona as an unrestricted free agent final summer season, attempting to get a profession undermined by damage again on monitor. He’s a 6-foot-6 behemoth enjoying affordable minutes (16:46 per night time), and apart from Chychrun, is one in all solely two gamers with constructive rankings on the staff — and it’s by a statistically vital margin. Extra excellent news: After lacking lengthy stretches of the previous handful of years due to quite a lot of points — together with a sports activities hernia surgical procedure after which a spinal surgical procedure to restore a herniated disc — Bjugstad has performed each recreation to date this season, so his well being points appear to be factor of the previous. He’d be a motivated depth addition for any staff wanting so as to add measurement at the deadline. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10
Patrick Kane on Broadway? Or enjoying subsequent to Connor McDavid? And the place do Jakob Chychrun and Timo Meier land?
This week, we requested our NHL specialists for his or her daring predictions forward of the March 3 trade deadline.https://t.co/YkH04CFzFN
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 25, 2023
Beforehand: 8
Henrique has been a Duck mainstay since coming over from the New Jersey Devils in the Sami Vatanen trade. Although he got here up as a middle, he’s performed principally the wing with the Geese, normally alongside Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry earlier than Terry received damage. He was flying beneath the radar as a helpful trade-deadline piece till lately as a result of his contract doesn’t run out till the finish of subsequent season and carries a major cap cost, at $5.85 million. Henrique was out there on waivers again in February of 2021 and, unsurprisingly, there have been no takers. He was amid one in all the solely actual down occasions in his profession and that prohibitive contract scared groups off. But when Anaheim had been to retain half of that deal, then any contender might have Henrique for this yr and subsequent at what would quantity to a modest wage dedication for a participant who’s strong, skilled, versatile and well-regarded by his friends. Nevertheless, a lower-body damage, which leaves him week-to-week, might dampen curiosity at the deadline. If he’s in play, groups will need particulars about his restoration timeline. — Duhatschek, Feb. 22
Beforehand: 9
Soucy is 28, a 6-foot-5 210-pound behemoth, who’s on an expiring contract for a modest $2.75 million and might be an unrestricted free agent this summer season. He shoots left however can play each side. Provided that he’s from Viking, Alberta, he has been linked to each the Oilers and the Flames. My colleague Dom Luszczyszyn did a pleasant job of summarizing what Soucy’s worth could be to a contender, noting: “Soucy is every part basic managers declare to be on the lookout for presently of yr: a troublesome however cell defensive defender with measurement. … He simply doesn’t play powerful minutes, (however) what makes Soucy a sexy commodity is that yr after yr, opposing gamers have a really powerful time scoring whereas he’s on the ice. Soucy persistently permits fewer possibilities than his teammates, however his influence on precise objectives in opposition to is even bigger. Over 4 years that has that means and in 3,254 minutes his groups have allowed 0.49 fewer objectives in opposition to per 60 with him on the ice in comparison with off. It’s one in all the highest marks in the league.” If he’s in play, he may very well be the fallback repair in Edmonton, provided that touchdown Erik Karlsson appears to be much less possible with each passing day. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27
Beforehand: 10
After Bo Horvat and Ryan O’Reilly had been traded and Jonathan Toews took himself out of the operating for a trade by issuing a press release that he’s targeted totally on coping with the results of lengthy COVID, instantly the marketplace for center-ice depth thinned shortly. That’s the reason Hayes is instantly beginning to appeal to consideration. Philadelphia’s No. 2 scorer this season after Travis Konecny is having a productive offensive season, even when coach John Tortorella has made him a wholesome scratch. Hayes’ complication is a well-recognized one: an excessive amount of cash for groups tight to the cap except Philadelphia eats a a few of the contract. The issue is, it’s a $7.142 million common annual worth for not simply this yr however three years past this one. That’s a roadblock except the Flyers are ready to take a contract again. However Hayes would have worth to Colorado and Dallas, for starters — two groups on the lookout for assist down the center. — Duhatschek, Feb. 22
Some fast Rumblings which is able to get dated in a rush! Patrick Kane’s resolution, the Capitals’ subsequent strikes plus extra deadline intel ⤵️
through @TheAthletic https://t.co/3WgBvXPfNd
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 24, 2023
Beforehand: 12
Approach again at the begin of his profession, Sheary had two productive playoffs as a helpful help participant on behalf of the Penguins. He’s 30, earns a modest $1.5 million and is on an expiring contract, so he wouldn’t be a very expensive addition as a depth ahead. He’s at the moment averaging just below half a degree per recreation, partly as a result of he’s in the midst of a 10-game drought during which he hasn’t registered a degree. However for what he’d value, and the kind of veteran gravitas he might present, with Washington in full promote mode, he’ll nearly definitely be on the transfer someplace. Minnesota, possibly? — Duhatschek, Feb. 27
Beforehand: 13
Final month, the veteran defenseman talked with The Athletic about how exhausting it was to play realizing he may very well be traded and that this was going to be his remaining season with the Wild regardless. Hours later, Dumba performed a horrible recreation in opposition to the Capitals and paid the piper by sitting the subsequent two video games. Rumors ran rampant that Dumba was on the verge of being traded, however the actuality was that coach Dean Evason was punishing Dumba for efficiency. Evason had basic supervisor Invoice Guerin’s blessing, which was an attention-grabbing resolution when he was actively attempting to trade Dumba, and it could have made issues extra sophisticated. Guerin didn’t care, telling The Athletic on the “Straight From the Supply” podcast Thursday, “Folks are at our video games watching, so we’re not fooling anyone. There’s a monitor document there … for Matt Dumba enjoying some actually good hockey. You don’t simply turn out to be a foul participant in a single day. He’s nonetheless a great hockey participant.” Dumba is now enjoying his greatest hockey of the season, the Wild’s protection has been impeccable and Guerin has indicated Dumba will stay after the deadline and play out the remainder of the yr. — Russo, Feb. 27
Up to date #mnwild trade tracker: How Guerin plans to be energetic in a skinny market, plus Dumba possible staying, extra deadline updates
From @JoeSmithNHL and me https://t.co/c6giFFBbpi
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 27, 2023
Beforehand: 14
Not each staff that’s looking for trade-deadline reinforcements is essentially simply on the lookout for a rental, which is the place Edmundson would possibly are available in. He has this yr and subsequent yr left on a contract at a manageable AAV of $3.5 million. Edmundson performed 22 video games in the Blues’ 2019 run to the Cup and Montreal’s 2021 run to the remaining. The Canadiens have had somewhat cottage business these previous few years of sending defensemen out the door to groups on the lookout for blue-line assist – Ben Chiarot to Florida and Brett Kulak to Edmonton final yr – and so they might do the identical with Edmundson. At age 29, on an inexpensive contract, he’d have some worth. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10
Beforehand: 15
The Predators are making strikes on and off the ice, with basic supervisor David Poile asserting that he’s stepping down at the finish of June to make means for former coach Barry Trotz, who might be the staff’s new GM going ahead. In the meantime, Poile is attempting to clear the deck as a lot as attainable. And whereas Mattias Ekholm is the extra fascinating piece, the most cost-effective add is likely to be Fabbro, a 24-year-old right-shot defenseman who earns $2.4 million and is on an expiring contract, heading into a restricted-free-agent yr with arbitration rights. Fabbro is likely to be a great slot in San Jose, the place he might play for David Quinn, his former coach at Boston College. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27
David Poile leaving was obligatory, writes @joerexrode. It is the proper transfer.
However is Barry Trotz the proper reply to exchange him?https://t.co/83R6xnjcJi
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) February 27, 2023
Beforehand: 16
Three wins in a row left the Senators inside placing distance of the remaining wild-card spot in the Jap Convention and will give them pause about what to do subsequent with Talbot. Is it value their whereas to maneuver out a participant on an expiring contract who’s had a so-so season however is coming off a powerful begin Monday in the first of the Senators’ back-to-back wins over Detroit? Perhaps not. With Anton Forsberg out for the season, the Senators are getting an opportunity to guage Mads Sogaard who, thus far, has proven exceptional poise. On Wednesday, Sogaard was named the NHL’s rookie of the month for February after posting a 4-0-1 document, with a 2.33 goals-against common and a .922 save share. Talbot in all probability doesn’t determine in Ottawa’s future subsequent yr, as soon as Forsberg returns. On the different hand, if he doesn’t return a lot in a attainable trade — and he in all probability wouldn’t — Talbot’s best short-term worth might lie in merely enjoying out the yr with the Senators, as a part of a tandem with — and a mentor to — Sogaard. — Duhatschek, March 1
This Pink Wings- Senators sequence might account for a 22-percentage level swing in the Pink Wings playoff hopes. It might have an effect on their trade deadline plans. @ian_mendes and I broke it down: https://t.co/w58TQqagwg
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) February 27, 2023
Beforehand: 17
Kulikov is likely to be the fallback place for any staff that strikes out on Vladislav Gavrikov. Anaheim is Kulikov’s fifth staff in 4 years, however he’s a sturdy (6 ft 1, 201 kilos), skilled stay-at-home defender who’s third when it comes to time on ice for the Geese. Briefly, simply the kind of depth participant whom nearly any contender might use. His cap cost is an inexpensive $2.2 million, and he has a restricted no-trade clause. Geese basic supervisor Pat Verbeek was transport out every part that moved ultimately yr’s deadline. There’s no motive to assume he gained’t do the identical this yr, given how poorly Anaheim has performed. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10
16. Jordan Greenway, Wild
Beforehand: 18
The irony of Matt Boldy’s seven-year extension final month is it possible wrote Greenway’s exit papers out of Minnesota — and Boldy and Greenway are good associates and have the identical agent. The Wild are actively procuring Greenway, whether or not the transfer is for now or this summer season. He has had a disappointing season, with two objectives and 4 assists in 43 video games (no factors in the previous 21 video games), has two years left on his contract at $3 million and in January overslept, missed a recreation in opposition to St. Louis and put the Wild in a horrible spot with no further wholesome forwards on the roster. Resulting from in-game accidents, the Wild at one level had 9 forwards enjoying in a second recreation in 24 hours. However there’s little doubt the Wild could be promoting low and might be hoping different groups see a 6-foot-6, 25-year-old energy ahead who averaged 27 factors the previous 4 seasons and was a part of the productive GREEF line — not an underachieving participant in the midst of a poor season. — Russo, Feb. 27
Beforehand: 20
The goalie market could also be heating up, with numerous groups in the Western Convention attempting to shore up a place. Reimer turns into an honest fallback place for anybody needing insurance coverage and never essentially a starter. He’s 34, incomes $2.25 million and has 462 video games of NHL expertise beneath his belt. Which may make him a steadying affect on a staff that wants regular play between the pipes. — Duhatschek, March 1
Beforehand: 21
Grant went from Anaheim to Philly as a rental at the 2020 deadline after which signed again with the Geese, the place he’s carved out a distinct segment as a feisty fourth-line penalty-killing heart. He missed time with a lower-body damage earlier this season however is again enjoying now. He’s 32, on an expiring contract at a modest $1.5 million, and at 52.2 %, is Anaheim’s simplest heart in the faceoff circle. After Lars Eller got here off the trade board Wednesday, Grant might present affordable ahead depth at a modest value. — Duhatschek, March 1
Beforehand: 22
If the Oilers make a secondary transfer so as to add an offensive right-shot defenseman — somebody like a John Klingberg, with wage retained by Anaheim and possibly additional offloaded to a 3rd celebration — they’d should filter out extra wage. At $3.1 million for this season and subsequent earlier than he turns into a restricted free agent, Yamamoto may very well be that roster casualty. To this point, he has not lived as much as his draft pedigree — a first-round choose in 2017, chosen twenty second general. He’s small and feisty however doesn’t actually match into the Oilers’ top six as soon as Evander Kane returns from damage. A contemporary begin is likely to be simply what the 24-year-old proper winger wants. — Duhatschek, March 1
Beforehand: 23
Bonino performed 55 playoff video games over a two-year span with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017 and altogether has 105 profession playoff video games on his NHL resume. That postseason pedigree might depend for one thing on any staff that decided it was quick on playoff expertise. At 34, he’s not the participant he as soon as was, however on the plus facet, he can play all three ahead positions, is on a comparatively modest contract ($2.05 million, expiring this yr) and has 19 factors in 58 video games for the Sharks as a bottom-six ahead. — Duhatschek, March 1
Beforehand: 24
Barrie’s standing is fascinating. He was flipped to the rebuilding Predators to make the cap {dollars} work on the Oilers’ acquisition of Mattias Ekholm, however he appears nearly redundant in Nashville, provided that Roman Josi additionally performs the proper facet and anchors the staff’s No. 1 energy play. Barrie had a quietly efficient yr with the Oilers, enjoying third-pair minutes at five-on-five and quarterbacking the staff’s wonderful energy play. He earns $4.5 million and has a yr left on his contract after this. The sensation is Nashville might flip him, both in the summer season or at subsequent yr’s trade deadline, however there may be nothing to stop the Predators from transferring on from him between now and Friday in the event that they get an inexpensive provide. In an ideal world, he would land in Calgary, including additional gasoline to any future Battles of Alberta which will happen. — Duhatschek, March 1
The Athletic’s NHL trade board at a look
(Editor’s observe: This isn’t an exhaustive listing of gamers who may very well be traded earlier than the deadline. These are the gamers we’re listening to the most buzz about proper now.)
PlayerTeamPos.AgeContract
1
Flyers
LW
33
2023 UFA
2
Coyotes
RW
27
2026 UFA
3
Geese
RD
30
2023 UFA
4
Blackhawks
C
27
2023 UFA
5
Canucks
RW
25
2025 UFA
6
Coyotes
C
30
2023 UFA
7
Geese
LW/C
33
2024 UFA
8
Kraken
LD
28
2023 UFA
9
Flyers
C
30
2026 UFA
10
Capitals
LW
30
2023 UFA
11
Wild
RD
28
2023 UFA
12
Canadiens
LD
29
2024 UFA
13
Predators
RD
24
2023 RFA
14
Senators
G
35
2023 UFA
15
Geese
RD
32
2023 UFA
16
Wild
RW
25
2025 UFA
17
Sharks
G
34
2023 UFA
18
Geese
C
32
2023 UFA
19
Oilers
RW
24
2025 RFA
20
Sharks
LW
34
2023 UFA
21
Predators
RD
31
2025 UFA
Beforehand ranked: Andreas Athanasiou, Ivan Barbashev, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakob Chychrun, Anthony Duclair, Mattias Ekholm, Lars Eller, Vladislav Gavrikov, Alex Goligoski, Shayne Gostisbehere, Bo Horvat, Nick Jensen, Patrick Kane, Joonas Korpisalo, Sam Lafferty, Jake McCabe, Timo Meier, Sean Monahan, Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O’Reilly, Dmitry Orlov, Jesse Puljujarvi, Jonathan Fast, Nick Ritchie, Jack Roslovic, Luke Schenn, Kevin Shattenkirk, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jonathan Toews, Karel Vejmelka.
(Top picture of Kevin Hayes and James van Riemsdyk: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Photos))
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