Ranking the top candidates to be dealt before the NHL trade deadline
The 2022-23 NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and we've already seen some significant moves.
Bo Horvat, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O'Reilly, and Patrick Kane were four of the best players available before they were sent packing by their former teams, but plenty of others could join them in being shipped out before March 3. Many of them are pending unrestricted free agents, as usual, but some - including the No. 1 player on the market - are either pending restricted free agents or still have term left on their contracts beyond this season.
On this list, we've taken the talent of each player into account but also considered their likelihood of being dealt.
Here are the top candidates to be dealt before deadline day:
1. Jakob Chychrun| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD | 25 on March 31 | Signed through 2024-25 | $4.6M |
It seems like Chychrun's been on the trade block forever, but at least the saga appears to be nearing a conclusion. The Arizona Coyotes are holding him out of games for trade-related reasons "until something happens," so his days in the desert certainly appear numbered. As has been the case for a while now, the term and digestive cap hit on the skilled blue-liner's pact further enhance his value.
2. Brock Boeser| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 26 on Feb. 25 | Signed through 2024-25 | $6.65M |
The Vancouver Canucks already parted with their biggest trade chip in Horvat, but Boeser should also garner some interest. He's having a somewhat disappointing season, though so are the Canucks as a whole. Other teams may figure he'd rediscover his scoring touch with a change of scenery, and while the American's AAV isn't ideal, the fact that he's under contract for two more seasons could make him more of a target.
3. James van Riemsdyk| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW/RW | 33 | Pending UFA | $7M |
Some of the Philadelphia Flyers have flown under the radar this season amid the team's struggles, and one of those players is Van Riemsdyk. He's Philly's second-highest-paid forward and will turn 34 in May, but he's posted favorable underlying numbers despite the Flyers' lackluster play. Although the American winger missed all of November with a broken finger, he's been healthy for a while and offers a combination of playmaking ability and experience.
4. John Klingberg| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RD | 30 | Pending UFA | $7M |
Klingberg's failed bet on himself has been well-documented, but he's still appealing for a couple of reasons. Since the calendar flipped to 2023, the Anaheim Ducks rearguard has raised his offensive game and started to play like he has for most of his career. Also, it may not be a coincidence that as of Jan. 1, his previously full no-trade clause turned into a modified one with a 10-team list of teams he'd be willing to join.
5. Max Domi| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW/C/RW | 28 on March 2 | Pending UFA | $3M |
Domi has been streaky but fairly effective while playing primarily as Chicago's top-line center, and he also occupies the net-front position on the team's top power-play unit. The former Coyote, Canadien, Blue Jacket, and Carolina Hurricane's positional flexibility makes him even more intriguing as a potential addition.
6. Joel Edmundson| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LD/RD | 29 | Signed through 2023-24 | $3.5M |
Edmundson's not the most appealing defenseman available, but he's a good bet to be traded as the Montreal Canadiens' rebuild continues. His defensive metrics aren't pretty this season, but that could be partially a result of playing for one of the worst teams in the league. He's got term and a reasonable AAV. Plus, he helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
7. Sean Monahan| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW/C/RW | 28 | Pending UFA | $6.375M |
The Canadiens could look to move Monahan, considering he's playing on an expiring deal. His AAV won't make that easy, though, and he can also submit a 10-team no-trade list. The ex-Calgary Flames forward has been out since December due to injury but is nearing a return and could fetch the Habs an asset if he heals up before the deadline.
8. Matt Dumba| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| RD | 28 | Pending UFA | $6M |
Much like with Chychrun, it's hard to remember when Dumba wasn't on the trade block. It's been another uncertain season for the Minnesota Wild rearguard, who head coach Dean Evason twice made a healthy scratch earlier in the campaign. Dumba isn't playing like he has in the past, and both his AAV and 10-team no-trade list make a deal more difficult. He could be a worthwhile depth addition, though the Wild may not become sellers if they stay in a playoff spot.
9. Karel Vejmelka| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 26 | Signed through 2024-25 | $2.725M |
It's pretty rare that a relatively young goaltender with term and a team-friendly cap hit gets traded, but this is the Coyotes we're talking about. Vejmelka's underlying numbers have been stellar this season, too. His favorable contract and commendable performance on a subpar Arizona squad make him an intriguing option for contenders looking for stability in the crease.
10. Nick Bjugstad| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| C/RW | 30 | Pending UFA | $900K |
The Coyotes may not stop there, as Bjugstad could be another Arizona trade chip. The veteran forward comes at a cost that's just above the league minimum, and he plays on both the power play and penalty kill for the Desert Dogs. Bjugstad would likely improve a contender's bottom six and could probably be had for a reasonable price.
11. Nick Seeler| Position | Age | Contract | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 29 | Signed through 2023-24 | $775K |
Another Nick may get a call or two before the deadline, and for good reason. Seeler has emerged as a potential trade candidate because of the Flyers' struggles, his bargain-bin price tag, and the fact he's under team control for another season after this one. The Minnesota-born defenseman has impressive underlying figures considering his club's woes.
(Contracts source: CapFriendly)
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