Patrick Kane did not mince words. When news broke of Vladimir Tarasenko heading to the New York Rangers, one of his preferred potential destinations, Kane admitted: “It’s not like the happiest I’ve been to hear about a trade.”
“If things are going to happen, that was a team I was definitely looking at,” Kane told reporters Friday. “It seems like they kind of filled their void and went ahead and made a deal.”
Yes, the NHL’s trade landscape has shifted in the last 48 hours after Tarasenko was dealt. Three players have been wiped off our trade targets board in the last week, but the ripple effect isn’t just limited to Kane and the Blackhawks. Tarasenko also took a potential landing spot off the board for Timo Meier and the San Jose Sharks, and yet another market price has been set for an impact, rental forward.
How does that shake up the market?
2023 Trade Deadline Countdown: 21 Days
Let’s find out with our fourth trade targets board of 2023 with 40 names in play, including eight newcomers. Reminder, the board is a blend of a player’s potential value with his likelihood of a trade:
1. Timo Meier
Left Wing, San Jose Sharks
Age: 26
Stats: 53 GP, 30 G, 21 A, 51 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $6 million AAV (due $10 million Qualifying Offer)
Scoop: How amazing would it be if the New Jersey Devils get their guy and load up with Timo Meier? Not only would they go tit-for-tat with the Rangers, but the Hudson River rivals appear to be on a collision course in the first round of the playoffs. There is an instant Swiss connection possible with Meier and Nico Hischier. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald wasn’t exactly cryptic when he said he’s looking for a “top six winger under team control.” For the rebuilding Sharks, Meier is one of the few assets they can move freely for a massive return. While the qualifying offer due will diminish San Jose’s return, most teams believe they can negotiate a long-term deal and keep Meier in the fold. For more detail, read Meier’s trade deadline player profile.
2. Ryan O’Reilly
Center, St. Louis Blues
Age: 31
Stats: 37 GP, 10 G, 6 A, 16 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $7.5 million AAV
Scoop: O’Reilly is in the process of working his way back from a broken foot and should have two weeks or so of games under his belt before the March 3 deadline. Contract extension talks between O’Reilly’s camp and the Blues have been cordial. GM Doug Armstrong expressed his affinity for O’Reilly, but at this point in time it doesn’t feel like a deal is within reach. That means the smart money is still betting on the 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner being on the move. His injury may actually enhance his value since teams know they’d be acquiring a well-rested player. This has not been O’Reilly’s best season. The entire Blues team has been inconsistent, but the Blues captain is a true competitor, still has plenty of game left and is the quintessential deadline add for a team looking to get over the hump.
3. Jakob Chychrun
Left Defense, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 24
Stats: 35 GP, 7 G, 20 A, 27 Pts
Contract: 2 more seasons, $4.6 million AAV
Scoop: Give him credit: After this saga has dragged on for more than a calendar year, Chychrun has held up his end of the bargain since returning on Nov. 21. His point production has been outstanding, on track for a 63-point season over a full 82 games, and his mobility has been impressive. Depending on whom you talk to, Arizona’s asking price has remained high. It’s either two first-round picks plus a prospect or a first-round pick, a first-round pick equivalent and a grade A prospect. Will a team step up before March 3 to make a deal, or will this drag into the summer? For more on Chychrun and his game, including a full scouting report, read Chychrun’s trade deadline player profile.
4. Patrick Kane
Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 34
Stats: 46 GP, 9 G, 26 A, 35 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $10.5 million AAV
Scoop: The Kane market may have shifted dramatically in the last day or so with the Rangers’ acquisition of Tarasenko. New York and Kane likely had a mutual infatuation, but the Rangers were likely scared off by his acquisition price and perhaps, more importantly, his nagging hip injury. What does that mean for the rest of the market at large? Vegas would seem to be a natural potential destination given Mark Stone’s back surgery. Will watching the Rangers disappear as a landing spot cause the Kane camp to step up? The Hawks and Kane’s camp have been in contact but haven’t had any sort of substantive talk about how this will work or when or where. Maybe Kane decides to stay put. “Showtime” holds all the cards with full no-move and no-trade clauses. For a current evaluation of his game, read Kane’s trade deadline player profile.
5. Jonathan Toews
Center, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 34
Stats: 46 GP, 14 G, 14 A, 28 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $10.5 million AAV
Scoop: Toews’ recent illness has certainly raised an eyebrow on the trade market. He hasn’t skated in six consecutive days and won’t play in either game of the team’s back-to-back set this weekend. Typically, that wouldn’t be concerning, but Toews missed the entire 2020-21 season with long COVID-related effects. How will he bounce back now? Kane and Toews share the same agent, so nothing has heated up quite yet on the trade front. Toews used to be known as the stingy, difficult-to-play-against center and unshakeable leader. He’s really slowed down of late. There will still be interest given his pedigree, track record and the hope that a new environment will provide him a shot in the arm. For a deeper dive on his game, read Toews’ trade deadline player profile.
6. Jake McCabe
Left Defense, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 29
Stats: 46 GP, 2 G, 12 A, 14 Pts
Contract: 2 more seasons, $4 million AAV
Scoop: The Blackhawks have received a number of calls on McCabe and teammate Connor Murphy in recent weeks. Why? They’re two cost-controlled defensemen with reasonable cap hits. Edmonton, Los Angeles and Toronto are believed to be among the interested teams. Complicating factors include 1) McCabe has a seven-team no-trade list that word is includes all seven Canadian teams with the exception of the Maple Leafs; and 2) McCabe does have a questionable injury history, but he’s been healthy this season. Where it gets really interesting on McCabe is if a team is willing to pay Chicago to leverage cap space and retain half on him. All of a sudden, McCabe for two more seasons at a bargain $2 million cap hit will warrant a juicier return. Good luck finding a UFA better than McCabe at 2 x $2 million. For more, read McCabe’s trade deadline player profile.
7. Vladislav Gavrikov
Left Defense, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 27
Stats: 50 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.8 million AAV
Scoop: Everything has gone so wrong in Columbus that the Blue Jackets have reached the proverbial “our pets’ heads are falling off” stage. For a team that spent $80 million this offseason, they’re leading the Connor Bedard watch. Injuries have mounted. Structure has been lacking, and Gavrikov is sitting there as a nice potential trade chip. Gavrikov is a strong defender, a true defense-first defenseman, and nearly every team can maneuver his cap hit. What does the package look like? The Blue Jackets received first- and third-round picks for David Savard in 2021. Gavrikov is probably a better player and definitely younger. A haul for Gavrikov would be the one bright spot in a sad season for the CBJ. For a breakdown of Gavrikov’s game, read his trade deadline player profile.
8. Ivan Barbashev
Left/Right Wing, St. Louis Blues
Age: 27
Stats: 51 GP, 9 G, 15 A, 24 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.25 million AAV
Scoop: As evidenced by moving Tarasenko, Armstrong is ready to dance. He just needs a partner, and one hasn’t been hard to find for Barbashev. The Barbashev camp disputed our report last week that he will not receive a new contract in St. Louis, but we stand by our reporting. Barbashev has been told to expect a trade before the deadline. There is no doubt the Blues have been showcasing Barbashev of late; his minutes were way up prior to the All-Star break. There is interest with teams hoping to rehabilitate a player who collected 26 goals and 60 points last year for the Blues. The biggest question surrounding his game is the consistency of his compete level, but his talent has never once been in question. He’s an intriguing deadline pickup for anyone on an inexpensive, expiring deal.
9. Brock Boeser
Right Wing, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 25
Stats: 44 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 Pts
Contract: 2 more seasons, $6.65 million AAV
Scoop: With Bo Horvat traded, Boeser is on the clock. A four-point night on Long Island won’t hurt. With the desire and need to create salary cap flexibility, the Canucks have somehow only added upward of $10 million in wingers to their cap in the last 10 days by re-signing Andrei Kuzmenko and acquiring Anthony Beauvillier. That spells the end of Boeser’s run in Vancouver, as he’s already been given the ability to seek a trade through his representative. Boeser hasn’t scored at his typical rate this season, but he’s still at 0.73 points per game and does have value as a scoring winger. The issue is the term. Will the Canucks be willing to retain a portion of his salary? If not, would they be willing to take a contract back, or would Vancouver simply be willing to take a little less on the return in order to move on? Those are questions the Canucks are asking themselves now.
10. Erik Karlsson
Right Defense, San Jose Sharks
Age: 32
Stats: 53 GP, 17 G, 53 A, 70 Pts
Contract: 4 more seasons, $11.5 million AAV
Scoop: There has been increased chatter on Karlsson in recent days as he continues to pile up points. Every night, Karlsson does something that makes your jaw hit the floor. He’s tied for second in the league in assists, on pace to become the NHL’s first 100-point defenseman since Brian Leetch. A few weeks back, word leaked that the Sharks’ asking price was reported as three first-round picks and San Jose would be willing to retain 18 percent of his salary. GM Mike Grier responded by saying that report was not “totally accurate.” Either way, what is clear is the Sharks aren’t willing to give Karlsson away, but with that cap hit and that term, the ask is either going to have to plummet or the amount retained will have to increase — or he will be in the Bay Area for the foreseeable future. For more on Karlsson, read his in-depth trade deadline player profile.
11. John Klingberg
Right Defense, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 30
Stats: 44 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $7 million AAV
Scoop: This was always the plan when Klingberg signed in Anaheim: Check out the fit, see how the season started, and if things go sour, he’d be on the move as a flippable asset for the Ducks. It seemed to be a smart play at the time. Klingberg would put $7 million in his pocket for the season, shoulder the security risk and hope to cash in again next summer. The problem is: Klingberg has struggled this season. His stock has fallen precipitously, but it’s also been a mostly miserable season for all in Anaheim. He isn’t long for the Ducks. The bigger question is the interest level and potential return. For a deep dive on the current status of Klingberg’s game, read his in-depth trade deadline player profile.
12. Matt Dumba
Right Defense, Minnesota Wild
Age: 28
Stats: 49 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $6 million AAV
Scoop: The Wild are in a serious slump. They’ve fallen out of the gate with three straight losses on the back half of the All-Star break. They can’t score at even-strength, and more concerning are the comments from coach Dean Evason, who has harped on poor individual decisions with regard to pinching and taking chances. Dumba has been guilty of that all season. We know that Matt Boldy’s extension last month officially spelled the end of Dumba’s run in Minnesota, but the recent comments from the coach and the team’s overall play certainly make it seem like it is likely that Dumba is on his way out before the trade deadline. It’s important to keep in mind that the Wild won’t be rushed. If the price isn’t right, they are more than willing to keep him for a playoff run before letting him walk, but they might not be making a playoff run now the way they’re playing. For a breakdown of Dumba’s game, read his in-depth trade deadline player profile.
13. Jesse Puljujarvi
Right Wing, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 24
Stats: 49 GP, 4 G, 6 A, 10 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $3 million AAV
Scoop: Kailer Yamamoto is inching closer to a return to the lineup, and that will likely force a decision on Puljujarvi’s future in Edmonton. Last month, Yamamoto’s injury bought the Oilers some time, but prior to Yamamoto returning, Oilers GM Ken Holland sent a note to all 31 other clubs advising them that Puljujarvi was available for trade. A handful of teams reached out with interest. The Oilers ended up not needing to pull the trigger. Yamamoto is eligible to return to the lineup on Feb. 12, and once that happens, provided that everyone else is healthy, they will likely need to execute a trade. If he doesn’t go then, the 2016 No. 4 overall pick will likely need to be included in any sizable trade at the deadline in order to make the money work. In other words, Puljujarvi’s tenure in Edmonton is on borrowed time. For more on his potential, read Puljujarvi’s trade deadline player profile.
14. Sam Lafferty
Center/Left Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 27
Stats: 43 GP, 8 G, 9 A, 17 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $1.15 million AAV
Scoop: Given the way Lafferty departed his hometown Pittsburgh Penguins, traded for AHL contract burden Alex Nylander, few could’ve seen his resurgence into a hot trade commodity, but his elite speed has turned heads – particularly on the penalty kill, where Lafferty has scored three short-handed goals. That’s one off the league lead, second only to Vegas’ Reilly Smith. Here’s the rub: The Blackhawks don’t have to move Lafferty. Teams would have to make it worth Chicago’s while to move on – and the return is going to surprise someone, because it has the potential to surprise. For a look at Lafferty’s game and the potential comps, read Lafferty’s trade deadline player profile.
15. James van Riemsdyk
Left Wing, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 33
Stats: 33 GP, 8 G, 13 A, 21 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $7 million AAV
Scoop: Death, taxes and JVR scoring at a 20-plus-goal clip in the NHL. Those are three things you can bank on. Van Riemsdyk has rebounded from a fractured finger earlier this season into his usual form. He’s never been fleet of foot, so his speed isn’t a concern, because he has a knack like few others to find the puck at the exact right moment. It’s for that reason that JVR is the 12th-best net-front scorer in the NHL, according to our archetype rankings series. If the Flyers are willing to retain half his salary, which every indication is they would be willing to do, they can salvage a nice asset from a most disappointing season. That’s a long way from having to pay to move him last summer.
16. Luke Schenn
Right Defense, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 33
Stats: 51 GP, 3 G, 15 A, 18 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $850,000 AAV
Scoop: Schenn’s recent injury makes him day-to-day, no cause for concern. GM Patrik Allvin hasn’t ruled out the possibility that the Canucks re-sign Schenn, but the much more likely move is Vancouver seeks to maximize the return on Schenn. The Cancuks like what he’s brought to the lineup in his two seasons back in Vancouver. Word is the Canucks actually turned down a second-round pick for Schenn in last year’s deadline period. He’s a proven winner with Stanley Cup pedigree on an expiring, inexpensive deal. He has as many points as Klingberg. Calgary and Boston are just a few of the teams Schenn has been linked to, but others have also expressed interest. They say you can never have too many defensemen on a playoff run, and Schenn is a fit for just about every team, particularly as a right-shot who can also play the left if needed. For more, peruse Schenn’s trade deadline player profile.
17. Lawson Crouse
Left Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 25
Stats: 46 GP, 16 G, 12 A, 28 Pts
Contract: 4 more seasons, $4.3 million AAV
Scoop: Crouse is a bit of a surprising name given that he just inked a five-year extension in Arizona in August. Sources say Crouse has popped up in conversations – either internally or externally – as a fit. He’s grown into his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame nicely and has already put up 16 goals this season. That pace, coupled with his cost certainty on the contract, might provide the kind of surplus value that teams were drooling over initially with guys like Chychrun and Brandon Hagel last year. The question is Crouse has never really played in the spotlight in a big market, and he has little by way of playoff experience. Arizona is likely content on keeping him, but GM Bill Armstrong probably isn’t in the business of slamming the phone down on most roster players right now.
18. Noel Acciari
Center, St. Louis Blues
Age: 31
Stats: 51 GP, 10 G, 8 A, 18 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $1.25 million AAV
Scoop: Acciari is one Blues player who has played up to his expectation this season. The one-time 20-goal scorer is enjoying the second-best season of his career, making it the perfect time for the Blues to cash in. He isn’t a big, flashy name, but his hockey intelligence and awareness, coupled with his sneaky production, means that he almost always provides surplus value above his cap hit. He makes sense in Vegas, where he could be reunited with coach Bruce Cassidy. Acciari plays an important role, and he plays it well, also appearing in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.
19. Gustav Nyquist
Left Wing, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 33
Stats: 48 GP, 10 G, 12 A, 22 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $5.5 million AAV
Scoop: This is going to sound crazy, but the Blue Jackets announcing last week week that Nyquist will miss the remainder of the regular season – that has actually increased his likelihood of a trade. He is essentially a free addition. The return may have been diminished for Columbus, of course, but think back to what the Toronto Maple Leafs did a few years back with Riley Nash. They traded a sixth-round pick for him (also from Columbus). He never appeared in a regular-season game but returned from his injury for the playoffs. There was no risk. He was no salary cap consequence since he was on LTIR for the duration of the regular season, and Nyquist is a much better player than Nash. For more on how he can boost a third line, read Nyquist’s trade deadline player profile.
20. Max Domi
Center/Left Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 27
Stats: 49 GP, 14 G, 21 A, 35 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3 million AAV
Scoop: The Blackhawks aren’t in a position to say no to any asset harvest, though Domi and Andreas Athanasiou have been exactly what they were signed to be: smart bets. They’ve both fit in well on a line with Kane – and all three players are on the trade targets board. Domi has delivered for Chicago in an impressive way, certainly better than some of the bigger-name top-six forwards on this board who would theoretically be more expensive. Keep in mind: Domi netted a game-winner for the Hurricanes last year in the playoffs. One playoff contribution like that, winning one postseason game, would be enough to justify an acquisition.
21. Shayne Gostisbehere
Left Defense, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 29
Stats: 45 GP, 9 G, 19 A, 28 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $4.5 million AAV
Scoop: Argh, tough break for Gostisbehere and the Coyotes. Arizona announced that Gostisbehere will be out four to six weeks with an “upper-body” injury. He was trending toward being a solid deadline addition, and this injury will hurt his value. Gostisbehere found his confidence again in the desert after it crumbled under coach Dave Hakstol in Philadelphia. Not surprisingly, the former 65-point defenseman can still play. He’s rejuvenated his game and was on track to hit 50 points again before the injury. He’s very efficient moving the puck and a solid addition to any power play. This isn’t a recent phenomenon: Ghost’s underlying metrics were damn good last season. For more detail, see Gostisbehere’s trade deadline player profile.
22. Jakub Vrana
Left Wing, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 26
Stats: 2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $5.25 million AAV
Scoop: Vrana cleared waivers on Jan. 4 and has been languishing in AHL Grand Rapids (6 goals in 15 goals) since his demotion. He only appeared in two NHL games this season after returning from the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Assistance program for what sources say was a substance abuse issue. That Vrana notched a goal and assist in those two games was par for the course. He is a gifted goal scorer, fourth in the league in goals-per-60 minutes at even-strength over the last three seasons. That has caught the attention of teams. The Red Wings would add that they believe he isn’t a consistent competitor, particularly in practice. If the Red Wings are going to buy him out of the remaining year in the summer – would they retain that much now and take an asset in return for him?
23. Joel Edmundson
Left Defense, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 29
Stats: 39 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $3.5 million AAV
Scoop: With one year remaining on his contract, Edmundson might not be at the top of the Habs’ list of players to move, but as teams scour the market for defensemen, he will have value with both Stanley Cup pedigree and cost certainty. The Canadiens have taken a beating in the standings, which hasn’t been pretty for anyone, but teams have plenty of tape on Edmundson to understand his value and contribution to a contending team.
24. Conor Garland
Right Wing, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 26
Stats: 51 GP, 10 G, 17 A, 27 Pts
Contract: 3 more seasons, $4.95 million AAV
Scoop: For all of the hemming and hawing about the money the Canucks have spent on wingers, Garland quietly lived up to his end of the bargain last season with 19 goals and 52 points. He burst onto the scene under Rick Tocchet in Arizona, the guy who gave him his shot. Nonetheless, the fact remains the Canucks committed $10 million more to wingers for next season in Beauvillier and Andrei Kuzmenko. Garland has never fit quite right in Vancouver, signed by the previous regime. He is a prime candidate to try and create salary cap flexibility for the Canucks, but the term is a sticking point.
25. Nick Seeler
Left Defense, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 29
Stats: 50 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $775,000 AAV
Scoop: Seeler is a human nail gun. He’s tough, physical and has flown under the radar as a late-blooming, late-round pick. The Flyers have raved about Seeler’s competitive drive, ability to make a simple outlet pass and patience with the puck. Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher drafted Seeler in Minnesota and brought him to Philadelphia. Now he may have to part with him as Seeler has some real value on the trade market with one more season remaining at league minimum. He is a similar story to Jacob Middleton, who was in the second-round pick return range last year in San Jose.
26. Mattias Ekholm
Left Defense, Nashville Predators
Age: 32
Stats: 48 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 Pts
Contract: 3 more seasons, $6.25 million AAV
Scoop: This is a tough call for David Poile. His team is hanging tough in the playoff race, and whenever the Predators seem to be left for dead in the standings, they bounce back. But they’re still not in the driver’s seat and not really even viewed as a threat given the teams they need to jump over. We’re told Poile began to peruse the market for Ekholm earlier in January. He did that before with Mikael Granlund and Calle Jarnkrok but pulled them back when his team went on a run. Will he do the same here, or does this team have some uncomfortable decisions to make with expensive, term-laden contracts? For more detail, read Ekholm’s in-depth trade deadline player profile.
27. Tyler Bertuzzi
Left Wing, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 27
Stats: 19 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $4.75 million AAV
Scoop: What’s the best way to describe the interest level in Bertuzzi? GM Steve Yzerman is intrigued. Why wouldn’t he be? Bertuzzi has missed a significant chunk of the season with injury, but he had a monster season last year with 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games. His contract is also up, and that means a monster raise, at a time when the Winged Wheel will need to balance a new deal for Dylan Larkin (or trade him) as well as future contracts for Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, et. al. Bertuzzi has plenty of game, and most importantly, he has bite. He seems like a prime playoff player. He’s just never gotten a taste at the NHL level.
28. Nick Bonino
Center, San Jose Sharks
Age: 34
Stats: 50 GP, 9 G, 8 A, 17 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.05 million AAV
Scoop: If you listen closely, you can still hear Harnaryan Singh’s call from the Pittsburgh Penguins’ run in the Stanley Cup playoffs – “Bonino, Bonino, Bonino, Booooonnniiiiiiiinnnnnooooooo.” It was the soundtrack of the spring in the Steel City, a legendary call on a player who showed up in significant situations for the Pens. Bonino has never been fleet of foot, but he’s incredibly smart and his attention to detail is second to none. He is a diligent worker and has a strong work rate, and his point production hasn’t wavered much at all from his career averages. He’s got plenty of game left and would be a valuable add for any playoff-bound team.
29. Karel Vejmelka
Goaltender, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 26
Stats: 36 GP, 3.16 GAA, .908 Sv%
Contract: 2 more seasons, $2.75 million AAV
Scoop: Aside from having one of the great nicknames in the league, “Veggie” also is perhaps one of the best goaltenders available on the market. He’s closing in on almost 100 career NHL games played and has a .902 save percentage over the last two years on some pretty putrid Coyotes teams. His high-danger and short-handed save percentages are pretty strong, and he’s signed for the next two years at high-level backup money, making him an affordable 1A or 1B tandem option for a team looking to right its goalie situation. The Coyotes are listening to understand the market on him, but there are only so many teams in the goalie carousel come this deadline – even though Vejmelka could be a longer-term solution.
30. Nick Bjugstad
Center, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 30
Stats: 50 GP, 11 G, 10 A, 21 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $900,000 AAV
Scoop: Arizona has been the land of opportunity for Bjugstad, who has cashed in on more ice time with his best offensive season since 2018-19 in Florida. His ice time is up more than six minutes from last year. By now, we probably have a pretty complete picture of what Bjugstad is at the NHL level – a big body with skill but lacking the consistent competitiveness to be a difference maker. The Wild made him a healthy scratch for all six of their first-round games last year against St. Louis. Still, at that contract and relatively low acquisition cost, a GM will always be willing to take a flier on a 6-foot-6 center.
31. Taylor Raddysh
Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 24
Stats: 49 GP, 14 G, 10 A, 24 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $758,333 AAV
Scoop: The season Raddysh has put together has probably surprised most. He’s an under-the-radar type addition for a playoff team where money is tight. Raddysh has fresh legs. He’s piled up 14 goals, putting him on pace for 23 over a full season on a mostly miserable Blackhawks team. With one more season on a cap hit that will technically be under league minimum next season, Raddysh is a steal. He’ll remain under team control after that, too, as a restricted free agent. That means the acquisition cost wouldn’t necessarily be cheap. The Blackhawks are more than happy to keep him – they still need to ice a team next year – but the truth is Raddysh has more value elsewhere than he does to Chicago.
32. Sean Walker or Matt Roy
Right Defense, Los Angeles Kings
Ages: 28 | 27
Stats: 46 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 Pts | 53 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 16 Pts
Contracts: Both 1 more season, $2.65m | $3.15m AAVs
Scoop: It’s a bit of a logjam on the right side of the Kings blue line, which is typically a good problem to have. The problem is that neither one of Walker or Roy is really moving Los Angeles in a contending direction. They both have one more year on their contracts, and Jordan Spence is waiting in the wings in AHL Ontario. There is no guarantee that one of them will move, but the Kings have a surplus — and there is room for improvement. The deal may wait until the summer, but it’d be a surprise to see both back in a Kings uniform next season.
33. Jack Roslovic
Center, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 25
Stats: 48 GP, 4 G, 23 A, 27 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $4 million AAV
Scoop: There have been some rumblings that the Blue Jackets are curious about the market for Roslovic, who was a big part of the deal for Pierre-Luc Dubois back in 2021. Was he part of a potential push for Horvat? Unlike rentals Gavrikov and Nyquist, Roslovic would represent a hockey trade. Roslovic’s point production has been solid, touching 20 goals for the first time last year, but his effort and work rate have been described as inconsistent. The difficult part for Columbus is it’d be trading when his value is low – and he’s a homegrown Columbus kid.
34. Andreas Athanasiou
Left Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 28
Stats: 48 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3 million AAV
Scoop: Feels like we’re a long ways away from February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, when Athanasiou garnered two second-round picks from Edmonton. He struggled with injury in L.A. Now, he’s back to flying around again in Chicago with incredibly valuable speed. He was among the league leaders in breakaways earlier this season, according to Stathletes, and generates a league-leading number of scoring chances off the rush. He is the perfect flippable asset for Chicago.
35. James Reimer
Goaltender, San Jose Sharks
Age: 34
Stats: 28 GP, 3.31 GAA, .895 Sv%
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.25 million AAV
Scoop: It’s still a little early to map out the goaltending market, but if any team runs into a pinch with goaltending, Reimer is the perfect solution. He’s as rock solid as they come in the most fickle position in pro sports. Here’s an incredible stat: In 13 full seasons in the NHL, Reimer has never finished a season with a sub-.900 save percentage. This would be the first if it holds up, but it’s hard to place the blame at his feet with the group in front of him. Reimer is steady, durable and comes with a cap hit and contract that make him no-risk. Other netminders potentially available: Alex Stalock, Cam Talbot.
36. Florida Panthers Forward *
Scoop: While Anthony Duclair and Patric Hornqvist slowly make their way back from injury, one Panthers player must be traded in order to be cap-compliant once everyone on the roster is healthy. Maybe that should say if everyone gets healthy. It’s been a long road back for Duclair from a July Achilles tear. Hornqvist has been out indefinitely with a concussion. Can the Cats avoid a trade of significance? Maybe, but the Panthers are flying close to the sun with the cap. They had to play with a short bench a few times earlier this season. Since there is no one to send down, a trade is necessary (barring other injury) to make room for Duclair and Hornqvist when both are ready. Keep an eye on Sam Bennett and/or Sam Reinhart.
37. Teddy Blueger
Center, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 26
Stats: 35 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.2 million AAV
Scoop: If the Penguins are looking to make a move at the deadline to bolster Sidney Crosby’s squad, they’re going to have to get creative. They have no salary cap space and limited prospects of interest. It’s unlikely a team is willing to take on Kasperi Kapanen unless the Penguins pay to do so. That might mean someone like Blueger could be on the move to clear space. GM Ron Hextall is loathe to part ways with centers, but Blueger’s ice time is down almost three minutes from last season — and teams would find his versatile skill set valuable. He is smart but has struggled at even-strength this season.
38. Justin Braun
Right Defense, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 36
Stats: 36 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $1 million AAV
Scoop: We’re just one season removed from the Flyers sending Braun to the New York Rangers for a third-round pick at the deadline. There have been teams keeping a close eye on Braun this year, who has no doubt had his struggles, as a potential deadline add again this time around. The acquisition cost will be lower, but the salary cap hit is also low. He’s an insurance piece who has maintained his confidence despite a rocky season or two. He is a steady veteran presence.
39. Olli Maatta
Left Defense, Detroit Red Wings
Age: 28
Stats: 46 GP, 4 G, 11 A, 15 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.25 million AAV
Scoop: Add Maatta to the pile of rental defensemen available at the deadline. There isn’t a ton about Maatta’s game that will wow you, but he is actually quite solid in his own end. Given the giant gap between what Gavrikov will go for, some teams have asked: How different is his overall impact than Maatta? That’s a question that got me thinking. If the Wings are interested in acquiring an asset or two for a decent depth piece, Maatta could well be on the move.
40. Nikita Zaitsev
Right Defense, Ottawa Senators
Age: 31
Stats: 23 GP, 0 G, 4 A, 4 Pts
Contract: 1 more season, $4.5 million AAV
Scoop: No shock, but the Senators have been trying to move Zaitsev for months. They can’t give him away right now, not with that extra year remaining at $4.5 million. They’ve resisted the urge to pay an asset to move him, but that might come to pass before the deadline — or he’s likely heading for a buyout.
TRADED: No. 1 Bo Horvat; No. 16 Vladimir Tarasenko; No. 18 Ryan Reaves; No. 26 Niko Mikkola; No. 27 Jaycob Megna; No. 30 Ryan Merkley.
Next up: Sean Monahan, Montreal Canadiens.
