The trade deadline is only a couple days away and
fans of all teams are on the edge of their seats. There's teams such as the
Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets that will be
huge sellers. There will be plenty of contending teams looking to land some
rentals and push themselves over the top to make a deep Stanley Cup run. We'll
be taking a look at the top 8 player’s available going into the deadline.
Eric Staal
This isn't the old Eric Staal, but he can still
be a very effective player on the right team. The price may be steep, but he
would help teams such as Nashville and the New York Rangers greatly. I can also see Anaheim having some interest
as he's a big body and some more scoring depth.
Potential landing spots: Nashville, New York
Rangers, Anaheim
Mikkel Boedker
With the Coyotes and Boedker seemingly not being
able to get a deal done, all signs point to him being traded by the deadline.
He's a young, quality forward that could fit on a contending team’s second
line. I see the Los Angeles Kings as clear front runners for Boedker, with
Gaborik out with an injury.
Potential landing spots: LA Kings
Dan Hamhuis
Hamhuis has a no trade clause in Vancouver, but
it is expected he will waive to a contending team. There was speculation about
his abilities earlier in the year, but he just came back from an injury and has
looked quite good. There will be a lot of offers for Hamhuis but I can only see
him waiving to a true contender. It has been speculated that there's lots of
interest from the Blackhawks, but I can see Pittsburgh making an offer as well.
Potential landing spots: Chicago and
Pittsburgh
Loui Eriksson
Loui is flying under the radar as a potential
player on the move. He's a very skilled forward that can play up and down a
line-up. The price shouldn't be all that steep, and he could put one of the
contenders over the top to help on a Cup run. I see Anaheim and Los Angeles
having great interest.
Potential landing spots: Anaheim and LA
Radim Vrbata
It has been a rather underwhelming year for Radim
Vrbata in Vancouver. The price won't be high because of his lackluster play,
but he's still a very useful player. He could slide onto a second line right
wing position on the majority of NHL clubs. I'd be shocked if Vrbata was still
a Canuck by the end of the deadline. I can see the Blues being interested in
him.
Potential landing spots: St Louis
Kris Russell
Russell is a reliable defenceman that will be a
cheaper alternative than Dan Hamhuis for a lot of teams. I expect Pittsburgh to
be the front runners, but I wouldn't be surprised if the New York Rangers were
interested.
Potential landing spots: Pittsburgh and the
New York Rangers
Jonathan Drouin
Drouin is the only player who isn't an
unrestricted free agent on my list. I expect him to move by the deadline and go
to a Canadian market. Montreal has some
pieces to offer for Drouin, and he would help their offensive problems going
forward. I can see Vancouver and Toronto having interest, but I don't believe
either of them have the right assets to offer.
Potential landing spots: Montreal, Vancouver + Toronto (?)
Hudler has had an abysmal year in Calgary. The
Flames will be shipping him out and could fetch a decent return. I would expect
Detroit and Florida to be interested. Detroit could use him greatly during the
playoffs, while his experience would be of great use in Florida with all those
kids. Maybe it would give Jagr a bit of a break.
Potential landing spots: Detroit and Florida
I hope you enjoyed the read, Christmas is only a
couple days away.
Labels: Matt Hawryluk