Most Likely to Be Traded

Corey Perry (Col) – Colorado continues to sell everything off that isn’t bolted to the floor. While lesser names could go, and speculation remains around Tuukka, Perry is almost assuredly on his way out. Possible destinations could include Montreal, San Jose, Tampa, or Arizona.

Brian Boyle (Clb) – Decent ratings, and a short-term piece, who would be attractive to resign. He’s pretty much the only Jacket with any value on the trade market who is likely to go. Could be a late addition as he looks like a typical buy low rental. I’m guessing a piece that would fit the Philly model.

Connor Murphy (Bos) – We’re running out of even half useable pieces for Boston, so while not a typical short term asset. Murphy is the one likely to move from Boston. He’s a name we’ve heard linked to the Islanders, but one would have to guess that a late night foreplay session could see him head to Dallas.

Bobby Ryan (Ana) – Depending how many years retention (the Ducks are paid up for two future years, meaning they could retain into those years, and how much money is moved, Ryan could be a sought after asset. There ain’t much else on this roster that anyone is going to want. Ryan makes some sense to the Blackhawks, and to the Senators, amongst others.

Kris Russell (Car) – Why do I have the Canes selling? They already showed they’re willing to take small steps back this year to address the future a bit. Russell has some Oiler fans salivating. A deal to Ottawa for a Brandon Manning type could make sense for both.

Milan Lucic (Win) – Kidding, no-one will pay the insane price on him, asset, and contract wise.

Tyler Bozak (Win) – Solid ratings, not too ornerous of a contract. For a team looking for a multi year, cheap asset, Bozak could fit a lot of plans. Does Calgary take a look for depth and a cheap addition?

Ben Hutton (LA) – Not a name commonly talked about, but he’s a good puck mover, and there still are some Canuckleheads here. With the Kings selling, picks are likely, but a team like Washington could make a lot of sense, and have the young assets to make something happen.

Mikko Koivu (Tor) – The Leafs will have to retain half, and have to get realistic about the return. When/if they eventually do, Koivu will be a good add for teams after a 2^nd line center, and should return a good young player or 2^nd round pick type spec. Blues and Isles make sense as destinations.

Dan Girardi (Tor) – A solid second pairing guy who can help on the PK, he may need retained on too though. Girardi should fetch a mid-range young guy who can help the Leafs. Teams like St. Louis, Washington and Vancouver will all be interested.

Pavel Datsyuk (Edm) – The Oilers still appear to be sellers, but perhaps buying low at the same time. I would expect Dastyuk to be highly sought after. Philadelphia, Detroit, St. Louis, and New Jersey all could be in play.

Henrik Zetterberg (Edm) – See above, with Zets being a UFA and the Oilers selling off, he’s a logical candidate to move for a good young asset Given the dearth of spec depth on the Oilers, there’s plenty of options. I would expect the same teams, Philly, Detroit, St. Louis and Jersey to all be potential landing spots.

Corey Crawford (Fla) – Sorry Rich, it took too long. Crawford would need to be half retained, but could be a huge pickup, like Fleury last year, that vaults a mediocre team into a contender. Pittsburgh would have to be the most likely destination, with Dallas in play as well.

Alex Steen (Fla) – Another pending UFA, if half retained, would be well sought after in the market. For some reason he seems like a player who could end up on the Hurricanes, though I haven’t the foggiest what they would move.

PA Parenteau (NYR) – I know, shocking to know he’s available. But the bottom line is, he can score, and while the contract is hefty, it’s not debilitating. He isn’t going to return much, the Rangers may need to eat some of the contract next year to facilitate a move.

Most Likely to be used as Bait

Andreas Athanasiou (Chi) – The Hawks could use an upgrade on D. With so many rentals on the team already, expect them to try and get someone with term. The likely piece used to acquire said piece? That’d be AA who is vastly overrated in some Cordellian circles. Could the Hawks and Ducks have Bobby Ryan and a stack of retention and cash on the move here?

Hudson Fasching (Stl) – The big winger has appeal to many teams, and with the Blues in desperation mode to get into the playoffs, he’s a good bet to get moved. Likely the Blues are aft an upgrade on D or at center. He’d be an overpay, but we are hearing both Koivu and Girardi have been scouted heavily by the Isles at recent Leaf games.

Johan Larsson (Mon) – While his rates this year are useful, expect a nice jump next year, unfortunately, the Habs may not wait on that and could fill his rates this year for nothing, but use the upside piece to land an upgrade on their top 6 defensemen. The market is kind of thin, but

Reid Boucher (Van) – Boucher has had a weird NHL year, and while he doesn’t have a ton of value, there’s enough that the Canucks could use him to make a buy low deal on a middle ranged vet like Girardi of Toronto

 Michael McCarron (Was) – Despite the lack of success thus far, McCarron still is appetizing to many. Expect Washington to use him as a trade chip to bring in another dman, ideally one with offensive chops who can play a top 6 role. This would be another spot Connor Murphy would make sense in.

Devante Smith-Pelley (Ari) – While he has good rates this year, I believe that the Coyotes would like to add to him to get a true top 6 player who can step in immediately and help them out. I’ve said all year the Coyotes would rise, and they have recently. Getting another top 6 forward would be key. Datsyuk and Perry are names we’ve heard. Either way, expect them to make a big move.

James Reimer (Cal) – With Pickard and Rinne in town, Reimer isn’t needed. With solid rates, he could provide some depth if a team runs into an issue in net down the stretch. This move, more than any, could be reliant on an injury, so let’s say he ends up in Dallas, as Junya continues to stop a leak with a bandaid. Tampa also would make a lot of sense.

Olivier Bjorkstrand (NJ) – While he has solid ratings this season, he’s not going to duplicate them next year. It would make sense for a bubble team to trade a better immediate asset for Bjorkstrand and hope to win longterm, while the Devils could again load the cupboards for an impressive run. Possibilities include Pavel Datsyuk and Alex Steen, though Bjorkstrand would be an overpayment for either. 

Dan Renouf (Phi) – Having a solid rookie AHL campaign, Renouf is one of the few young assets Philly has that either aren’t star assets, or complete shit. While we recognize that picks are likely the best thing the Flyers will move, with a need in the top 6, a Zetterberg or Datsyuk make a lot of sense.

Dennis Malgin (Stl) – Dynamic rookie has struggled as he adjust to the North American game, but there’s plenty to be tantalized by. The Isles could use him to acquire a top 6 player, potentially one with term even. While blue balls has shown an aversion to making a big deal, by simply adding Franzen’s contract in, the Isles could be in the market for a big name at the deadline. Corey Perry? Bobby Ryan? Someone else? All could be in play.

Anton Slepyshev (TB) – The Bolts are clearly going for it. They could use a better backup/platoon guy or a shut down defenseman. There are options out there, Reimer in Calgary is one that jumps out, from a defensive standpoint a guy like Dan Girardi of the Leafs would make sense as well.

Madison Bowey (Pit) – The Pens are in a dog fight to make the playoffs, nevermind win it all despite Dan’s fellatio attempt on the podcast. The Pens need an upgrade in net. If Korpisalo can’t provide the spark needed (here’s betting he won’t), then the Pens will need to stop being half pregnant, and pony up. I could see Varly and Bowey getting packaged to the Panthers for Corey Crawford. Giving the Pens perhaps the missing piece to truly be a power in the East.

Nikita Nesterov (Nas) – He’s having a decent NHL season, and while the Preds would like to hold him, there simply isn’t a ton of other assets that hold much value that will help the Preds here at the deadline. While we don’t expect them to be in on any huge names, maybe this is a spot for Lucic if the Jets eat a ton of money. The Preds have lots coming off the books, and could make a move like that. Ditto Bobby Ryan.

Mirco Mueller (Det) – Former first round pick is developing slowly, but the Sharks remain optimistic, produced in limited NHL time this year, there is still very much a high upside with this player. With the Wings losing Draisaitl, a move for a top 6 forward would make sense for the team, and Mueller would probably get a rental. Teams like Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto would all be interested.

Nick Cousins (Buf) – I don’t know we will see a ton of activity out of the Sabres at the deadline, but a move for James Reimer might make sense, as would a move for a pure defensive dman like Girardi. Cousins would probably be enough of an asset to get either, should the Sabres go down that route.

Josh Manson/Brandon Manning (Ott) – These two have been whored around the league lready, and with the Sens struggling as GM Kirk has spent too much time learning the finer points of drama from his neighbor Trudeau, moving either for a rental like Kris Russell would make a lot of sense.

Andrew Copp (SJ) – With the team still hanging in the playoff race, and plenty of good young assets, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Sharks make an impact move. Copp has value as an elite young defensive player, perhaps enough that he could land a scorer with term to the team that would help them more in the short term. Copp would make sense for a rebuilding team like Boston or the Rangers.

Kasperi Kapanen (Dal) – A mediocre spec, Kapanen may have enough cache to land a top rental, or perhaps a guy with term. Dallas is always looking for a competent goaltender, and one might wonder if they dangled Kapanen plus in front of Carolina, if they may part with Jake Allen.

Cam Ward (Min) – Here’s a guy who makes sense to Dallas. Upgrades their platoon with Miller, the Wild could retain half, and Kapanen you would think gets the job done. Minny has done a good job at improving their team, piece by piece, and while they could use defense, are thinking next year and looking for value.