Ranking the Best NHL Players Still on the Trade Market
Early July is usually when the focus is on the potential destinations of the NHL's top unrestricted free agents. With most of the best players now signed, there could be an increase in trade activity involving stars such as Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop.
Prior to the July 1 start of unrestricted free agency there were two blockbuster deals. One saw the Montreal Canadiens swap defenseman P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber. The other was the Edmonton Oilers dealing left winger Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for blueliner Adam Larsson.
Factor in the quick draining of talent from this summer's free-agent pool, and it wouldn't be surprising if another notable star is traded this summer.
The following slideshow ranks the best players believed to be on the trade market and why they're on this list. Age, skill, performance, salary and roster need factored into this compilation.
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8. Scott Hartnell, Columbus Blue Jackets
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Why he's here
Despite buying out Fedor Tyutin and Jared Boll, the Columbus Blue Jackets only have just over $4.4 million in salary-cap space. They still lack a suitable first-line center. On June 11, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Scott Hartnell agreed to waive his no-movement clause for several clubs.
Analysis
Despite his age (34) and $4.75 million annual average salary, Hartnell remains an effective left wing. In 79 games last season, he tallied 23 goals and 49 points. If he cannot be dealt for a top center, moving his salary could give the Jackets the necessary cap space to pursue one via a separate deal.
Possible suitors
The rebuilding Arizona Coyotes could use Hartnell's skills, experience and leadership. So could the Carolina Hurricanes.
7. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers
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Why he's here
Despite the Edmonton Oilers' recent acquisition of defenseman Adam Larsson, they still lack a top-two puck-moving blueliner. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl emerging last season as the Oilers' top-two centers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets bumped down to their third line.
Analysis
Nugent-Hopkins, 23, has three 50-plus point campaigns in five NHL seasons. At $6 million annually, he's a very expensive checking-line center for the Oilers.
The former first-overall pick (2011) should prove enticing to clubs in need of scoring depth at center. After plugging through five seasons with the continually rebuilding Oilers, Nugent-Hopkins might benefit from a change of scenery.
Possible suitors
On June 29, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reported the Oilers discussed a deal involving Nugent-Hopkins. Having since signed Eric Staal via free agency, however, the Wild probably aren't interested any longer in the Oilers center.
The Columbus Blue Jackets still need a first-line center, but Nugent-Hopkins' contract is likely too expensive for them. The Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes also lack skilled depth down the middle. They have the cap space to take on his salary.
6. Tyson Barrie, Colorado Avalanche
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Why he's here
The Colorado Avalanche could find it difficult to re-sign defenseman Tyson Barrie. Over the past two seasons, he tallied 53 and 49 points respectively.
A restricted free agent with arbitration rights, the 24-year-old is completing a two-year, $5.2 million contract. He could seek as much as $6 million per season on a long-term deal.
Analysis
On June 24, Terry Frei of the Denver Post reported Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic made a long-term proposal to Barrie before the recent 2016 NHL draft. Sakic said the blueliner could end up heading to arbitration. The fact there's no word on progress in contract talks adds fuel to the Barrie trade speculation.
According to a June 16 report by Frei's colleague Mike Chambers, Sakic dismissed the notion of Barrie being traded. On July 3, however, the Edmonton Journal's David Staples suggested the Edmonton Oilers could keep monitoring the defenseman's contract status.
Possible suitors
The Oilers won't be the only club with interest in Barrie if his contract discussions with the Avs break down. The Boston Bruins need a young, skilled puck-moving defenseman. The Detroit Red Wings could also make inquiries.
5. Rick Nash, New York Rangers
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Why he's here
After bowing out in the opening round of the 2016 playoffs, the New York Rangers must shed salary and shake up their roster. Left wing Rick Nash, 32, only has two seasons left on his contract. It could be worthwhile to move him now while he still has reasonable trade value.
Analysis
Injuries hampered the 6'4", 220-pound Nash in two of the last three seasons. Still, he had a career-high 42-goal campaign in 2014-15. That could prove tempting for playoff contenders in need of experienced scoring punch.
It won't be easy, however, to move his $7.8 million annual cap hit. The Rangers might have to absorb part of it in order to ship him to another club.
Possible suitors
Forget about Canadian NHL teams. On June 23, the New York Post's Larry Brooks reported none of them were on Nash's 12-team list of preferred trade destinations.
The Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild could use a big scoring left wing. Both have depth in skilled defensemen to offer up as trade bait. Same goes for the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes, though Nash might prefer going to a playoff club.
4. Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Why he's here
The Tampa Bay Lightning aren't expected to re-sign goaltender Ben Bishop, who's eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. They can only protect one goaltender in next year's expansion draft. That's expected to be Andrei Vasilevskiy, who was re-signed to a three-year contract extension.
Analysis
For the Lightning to trade the 29-year-old Bishop, he must agree to waive his no-movement clause. Trading him before the start of 2016-17 frees up salary-cap space to re-sign restricted free-agent forwards Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn to substantial raises.
If the Lightning fail to move Bishop this summer, they could attempt to shop him at some point next season. There could be a strong market for his services leading up to next February's NHL trade deadline.
Possible suitors
On June 24, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos tweeted the Lightning and Dallas Stars were working on a deal involving Bishop during the 2016 NHL draft. On July 1, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News tweeted the Dallas Stars were "very interested," but he's not sure if the Bolts want or need to move Bishop.
If Brian Elliott fails to pan out for the Calgary Flames next season, they could look at acquiring Bishop.
3. Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
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Why he's here
St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. With a salary-cap hit in 2016-17 of $4.25 million, he'll be in line for a significant pay increase. The Blues might be unable to afford it.
Analysis
On June 28, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Shattenkirk was surprised he hadn't been traded at that point. Rutherford noted Blues general manager Doug Armstrong recently met with the blueliner's agent to discuss a new contract. However, Shattenkirk's salary demands (believed to between $6-$7 million annually) also sparked trade talk.
Armstrong acknowledged having trade discussions, telling Rutherford he hadn't received the right offer for Shattenkirk. On July 1, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty cited Armstrong appearing that afternoon on NHL Network saying his intention is to re-sign the blueliner. He added they could start the season with Shattenkirk in the lineup.
Possible suitors
Whether Shattenkirk hits the trade block this summer or sometime in 2016-17, he will be attractive to clubs seeking a top-pairing mobile defenseman.
Haggerty reported the Boston Bruins had interest. The New York Rangers still lack a suitable replacement for the departed Keith Yandle. The Buffalo Sabres could also use another skilled top-two rearguard.
2. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
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Why he's here
On June 30, TSN's Darren Dreger (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) said there was a recent discussion between the Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks. Dreger said the talks involved a swap of Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog for Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
Analysis
Dreger said Ducks general manager Bob Murray doesn't want to trade Lindholm. He feels, however, there could be a fit for Landeskog or center Matt Duchene elsewhere.
The Avs could be looking to shake up a roster that failed to reach the playoffs over the past two seasons. Teams in need of a scoring left wing could look into this.
Over the past five seasons, the 23-year-old Landeskog had four 50-plus point performances. He'll be an expensive acquisition, as he's signed through 2020-21 with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.571 million.
Possible suitors
On July 2, Jason Botchford of the Province reported the Vancouver Canucks are in the market for an impact forward. He named Landeskog as a trade possibility.
The Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes have the cap space to take on his salary. They also have the depth in affordable young talent to tempt the Avs.
1. Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks
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Why he's here
The Anaheim Ducks have considerable depth in young defensemen. They also need scoring depth at forward, particularly at left wing. That could make Cam Fowler expendable.
While the Ducks have over $14 million in salary-cap space, they're also a budget team. Restricted free agents Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell still need to be re-signed. Clearing Fowler's $4 million salary-cap hit could make it easier to sign those two.
Analysis
The Ducks have to make room for promising blueliners Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour. Fowler will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2018 and could seek upward of $7 million per season.
The Ducks could risk losing Fowler in next year's NHL expansion draft if forced to leave him unprotected. It could be better to get something for him via trade this summer than lose him to an expansion club for nothing.
Possible suitors
On July 2, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported the Detroit Red Wings had interest in Fowler. The Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs could also come calling.
Stats via NHL.com. Salary information via Cap Friendly.
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