Wednesday, 15 February 2017

{coyotes} Top 20 NHL Trade Deadline targets

 

The NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on March 1 is fast approaching, and there could be many big names switching teams in the next two weeks. Here is a look at some of the most coveted players who could be on the move:

1. Matt Duchene, C, Colorado Avalanche -- Duchene's name has surfaced in trade rumors over the past few months while the Avalanche have plummeted to the bottom of the League standings. Duchene would provide a huge boost for any team looking to upgrade at center but his $6 million average annual salary could make it difficult for those up against the cap.

2. Kevin Shattenkirk, D, St. Louis Blues -- Shattenkirk, 28, is what every team craves, a right-handed, puck-moving defenseman. He is on pace to score 40 or more points for the sixth time in seven seasons. But the Blues likely will not be able to afford Shattenkirk if he reaches unrestricted free agency on July 1, so they could trade him before the deadline despite still being in decent shape to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

3. Ben Bishop, G, Tampa Bay Lightning -- Goalies could be in play in a major way at the deadline because of the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft and the rule that allows each team to protect one goalie. Of the goalies likely available, Bishop is the most desirable. He is 30, has started over 250 NHL games, has a career .919 save percentage and made a run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Lightning in 2015.

4. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche -- One would have to think Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic would have to be blown away to part with his 24-year-old captain, but Landeskog will make $5,571,429 in each of the next four seasons, according to CapFriendly.com. Landeskog has had at least 52 points in four of the past five seasons.

5. Shane Doan, RW, Arizona Coyotes -- It's hard to envision Doan playing anywhere else but he could OK a trade to a Cup contender after 21 seasons with the same franchise. The 40-year-old has only played beyond the opening round of the playoffs once in his career (2012).

6. Jarome Iginla, RW, Colorado Avalanche -- Iginla is in the final year of his contract and has struggled this season (he had seven goals and eight assists in 54 games as of Feb. 14), but he could be an attractive option for a team looking for someone who has been through the rigors of the postseason. Iginla has 68 points in 81 playoff games.

7. Brian Boyle, C, Tampa Bay Lightning -- Boyle is a solid two-way center who played in the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 with the New York Rangers and 2015 with the Lightning. He can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has played 100 playoff games. 

8. Radim Vrbata, RW, Arizona Coyotes -- Vrbata's offensive production has slowed in recent years, but he is a two-time 30-goal scorer and could be a cheap rental. Vrbata can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

9. Patrick Eaves, RW, Dallas Stars -- Eaves is enjoying his best offensive season in the League at the age of 32. Playing on the top line with Jamie Benn and Cody Eakin, Eaves has scored an NHL career-high 21 goals in 56 games. He can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

10. Thomas Vanek, LW, Detroit Red Wings -- The Red Wings have qualified for the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons, a streak very much in danger of ending. General manager Ken Holland will likely field offers for Vanek before the deadline.

11. Patrick Sharp, RW, Dallas Stars -- Sharp is in the final year of his contract and has plenty of playoff experience, winning the Stanley Cup three times with the Blackhawks.

12. Jaroslav Halak, G, New York Islanders -- Halak has enjoyed success since being demoted to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Dec. 31, but he has another year on his contract that carries an average annual value of $4.5 million.

13. Brian Gionta, RW, Buffalo Sabres -- Gionta reportedly would like to remain in Buffalo, but his contract expires at the end of the season and the Sabres captain could be an attractive option for some teams looking to add an experienced forward.

14. Alexandre Burrows, RW, Vancouver Canucks -- A four-time 20-goal scorer, the Canucks will likely make Burrows available. He can become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

15. Patrik Berglund, C, St. Louis Blues -- Another potential rental, Berglund is a solid two-way center.

16. Martin Hanzal, C, Arizona Coyotes -- Hanzal is a big center (6-foot-6, 226 pounds) who can contribute at each end of the ice. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

17. Scottie Upshall, LW, St. Louis Blues -- Upshall is inexpensive ($900,000 cap charge) and soon-to-be an unrestricted free agent. He played 17 playoff games for the Blues last season, helping them reach the Western Conference Final.

18. Johnny Oduya, D, Dallas Stars -- Teams could take a flyer on Oduya, a playoff-tested, puck-moving defenseman whose contract expires at the end of the season.

19. Ryan Miller, G, Vancouver Canucks -- Miller, 36, ranks among the top 15 goalies in the NHL in save percentage who have played at least 30 games this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

20. Brandon Pirri, C, New York Rangers -- Pirri appears to be the odd-man out now that the Rangers are healthy but he could chip in elsewhere, particularly on the power play.

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