The Player on Each NHL Team Most Likely to Be Traded in 2016-17
There are plenty of reasons for NHL trades. Teams in danger of missing the playoffs will look to ditch their expiring contracts for an asset or two before they potentially lose them for nothing. Those looking to make a playoff run will seek out depth players to bolster their roster. In some cases, regardless of position in the standings, teams will be forced to shake things up because of an unhappy player or salary-cap troubles.
Not every team will be involved in the deals made over the 2016-17 season, but each of the 30 franchises has a player most likely to be moved. Whether or not it happens will depend on the events that unfold over the next few months.
Here's a look at every NHL franchise's most likely trade candidate for the 2016-17 season. Join the conversation in the comments section and add your two cents.
Anaheim Ducks: Cam Fowler
1 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The Anaheim Ducks have a tremendous amount of defensive depth with Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm, Kevin Bieksa, Simon Despres and Clayton Stoner among those on the current roster. At the same time, the team has a real lack of scoring depth at the forward ranks. If the Ducks can part with one in exchange for the other, it would be tough to pass on.
Fowler is the most likely candidate because the cornerstone defenseman has two years left on a contract worth $4 million per season, which would both be considered good value for a team looking to add a top rearguard and a nice salary to shed in order to bring in a top-six forward.
Reasonable return
Considering Adam Larsson turned into Taylor Hall this offseason, the price for Fowler should be high. The Edmonton Oilers, however, were pretty desperate to make a change to the core and add a top-pairing blueliner, so the motivation may not be quite as strong for Fowler. Still, a top-six forward in his early or mid-20s would be a fair return for the Ducks.
Arizona Coyotes: Martin Hanzal
2 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Martin Hanzal is a 6'6" center who is coming off a career year for assists and points. As of now, he's due to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the coming season and with the Arizona Coyotes working on a rebuild and unlikely to be very competitive this year, it would make sense to do what they've done with the likes of Antoine Vermette and Zbynek Michalek. They traded both of those players for assets at the deadline only to bring them back to the Coyotes fold in free agency later.
Reasonable return
The Coyotes landed a first-round pick and defenseman Kris Dahlbeck for Vermette and a third-rounder and a roster player for Michalek. The return for the 29-year-old Hanzal could be closer to the Vermette haul. He's solid in the faceoff circle and has size and offensive skill. He'd be a hot commodity if he were to be dangled.
Boston Bruins: David Krejci
3 of 30
Why he could be dealt
When the Boston Bruins brought in unrestricted free agent David Backes, it created a logjam at the center position with Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Backes and Ryan Spooner all capable of playing on the top two or three lines. It also handcuffed the Bruins when it comes to the future of their salary-cap situation with Brad Marchand eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and both Spooner and David Pastrnak becoming restricted at the end of the season.
Krejci is a great playmaker and had 63 points in 72 games last season, but the 30-year-old has a $7.25 million cap hit for the next five seasons, and that contract will look worse as time moves on and his numbers decline. If they can move him sooner than later and get top value, it would be a smart move that validates the addition of the gritty Backes.
Reasonable return
Krejci is the blockbuster trade kind of candidate, and the Bruins could definitely land a top-pairing defenseman they desperately need. They could likely also get other assets, whether it's a draft pick, prospect, roster player or combination of those things. He has had five 60-point seasons in nine years with the Bruins.
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Buffalo Sabres: Evander Kane
4 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Evander Kane continues to cause the Buffalo Sabres stress with his legal issues, and although they traded for the big power winger only 17 months ago, they might be better off parting ways and letting another team give him his next opportunity to prove he can be a better player on the ice than distraction or headline grabber off it. The team is building with some nice pieces. They can add to the youth, prospect or pick pool by moving the frustrating Kane.
Reasonable return
His value has definitely taken a hit. The Sabres parted ways with defenseman Tyler Myers, winger Drew Stafford, prospect Joel Armia and the rights to Brendan Lemieux, as well as a first-round pick in exchange for Kane and blueliner Zach Bogosian. If the defensemen cancel each other out, the price was a roster player, two prospects and a top pick. They might be lucky to get a high draft pick or high-end prospect in return at this point, even though Kane is still probably capable of big things on the ice. It would be a way to turn the page.
Calgary Flames: Dennis Wideman
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Why he could be dealt
The Calgary Flames have a deep defensive group and probably would have dealt Dennis Wideman years ago. His $5.25 million cap hit, however, has been too cumbersome for teams in need of the offensively gifted defenseman's skill set to take on. This year is the last of the five-year deal, which means the cost will be much lower by the time the trade deadline rolls around, and his services can be added for a much more reasonable pro-rated cap hit.
Even if the Flames are somehow in contention for a playoff spot, it would make sense to part with Wideman for draft picks or prospects knowing they won't be signing him as an unrestricted free agent next summer and that they'd be dealing from a position of strength with Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie and Dougie Hamilton taking on most of the minutes on the back end.
Reasonable return
Wideman had a career-high 15 goals and 56 points two seasons ago, but last year's lengthy suspension for crosschecking a referee after suffering a concussion made it easy to forget about those totals. That incident may affect his trade value. However, a strong start to this season and a second-round draft pick and prospect or roster player isn't out of the question.
Carolina Hurricanes: Ron Hainsey
6 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Ron Hainsey is a veteran defenseman known for his stay-at-home skills but also enough of an offensive touch to be of value to teams looking to add depth for playoff runs during the season. The Carolina Hurricanes hope to be one of those postseason contenders, but if they are still in an uncertain battle for one of the final spots, they have the luxury of many solid prospects they can promote, putting them in a position to part ways with the journeyman and advance the development of their youngsters.
Reasonable return
John-Michael Liles has a different set of skills from Hainsey but fetched third- and fifth-round picks last year at the deadline. Kris Russell is more similar and the return for him was a pair of prospects and a second-round pick. The reasonable return is more in line with the Liles return—a couple of future picks with one potentially as high as a third-rounder.
Chicago Blackhawks: Marian Hossa
7 of 30
Why he could be dealt
This scenario may not take place during the regular-season timeline. It's almost unimaginable the Chicago Blackhawks would trade away a future Hockey Hall of Famer during another Stanley Cup chase. But the Hawks have historically had to make big and difficult salary-cap savings decisions between the end of the regular season and start of the free-agency blitz.
They traded away Teuvo Teravainen and Bryan Bickell and then Andrew Shaw in June. The previous year, they shipped out Brandon Saad and then Patrick Sharp in June and July. Before that, it was Dave Bolland and Michael Frolik. Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien were also traded after the 2010 Cup victory. There's a real precedent for the Hawks' big moves, and they've remained very successful.
Hossa is 37 and has five years remaining on a deal that takes up $5.275 million a season. He's been a key part of three Cup victories, but his turn to be sacrificed may have come so the team can sign soon-to-be restricted free agent Artemi Panarin to a fat raise and still have money for a potential UFA improvement.
Reasonable return
This one could be a memorable blockbuster if it comes to fruition. A first-round pick and top prospect would be a starting point for any discussion.
Colorado Avalanche: Jarome Iginla
8 of 30
Why he could be dealt
When Jarome Iginla signed on for three years with the Colorado Avalanche back in the summer of 2014, the team was coming off a division title with a 112-point season and what was considered one of the league's most impressive groups of young forwards. Two seasons later and the team has missed the playoffs in back-to-back years, been abandoned by head coach Patrick Roy and looks like a long shot to make the postseason for a second time in seven seasons.
Iginla has already put together a Hall of Fame career, but one thing that's missing is a Stanley Cup. He fell one win shy in the spring of 2004 and has been chasing it ever since. Although the 39-year-old has a no-movement clause, he may be willing to leave at the deadline to have another shot at a Cup in case he fails to find another contract as he turns 40.
The Avs would be wise to grab an asset or two in return for the sniper before losing him to either retirement or free agency in July.
Reasonable return
It's been a handful of years since Iginla was first traded by the Calgary Flames to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a pair of prospects and a first-round pick. The first-rounder is now probably a second, and they may only get one prospect from the college ranks or minors in return.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Jack Johnson
9 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Jack Johnson is one of those players you seem to wait forever for to take a giant leap forward and become an elite defenseman. He's hit the 40-point mark twice but also been a disappointment or injury risk in most of his nine seasons. With two more years left on his contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnson has enough offensive talent to attract some suitors looking to bolster depth on the back end at the deadline.
His cap hit is less than $4.4 million, which is pretty reasonable for a top-four guy who plays a lot of minutes and can put together a 30-point year with ease in a full and healthy season. So why would the Blue Jackets want to trade him away? He hasn't been a part of the playoff solution in Columbus so far and at 29, is the oldest member of an increasingly youthful defensive squad. If they can add to the prospect depth, the Blue Jackets would be wise to look for offers over the next year or two before his deal expires.
Reasonable return
A second-round pick might be possible, and a team might throw in a prospect or project defenseman to help fill the hole Johnson's departure left.
Dallas Stars: Valeri Nichushkin
10 of 30
Why he could be dealt
It's tough to give up on a 21-year-old high first-round pick, but the Dallas Stars may be willing to move on from the 10th overall selection in the 2013 draft. He's struggled through inconsistency, injury and carelessness over the first three years of his NHL career. The Stars will have plenty of restricted free agents to sign next summer and may want to lock up pending UFA Patrick Sharp as well.
Patience may pay off in the long run with the Russian, but if he plays the first half of this season without showing much in the way of growth, he could find himself with a fresh start and the Stars taking a shot on another prospect they get in return.
Others make more sense in terms of trades. Patrick Eaves, Ales Hemsky and Patrick Sharp are all entering the last year of their deals. The problem (if you can call it that) is the Stars should be conference and division contenders in the West and won't want to part with much until the offseason.
Reasonable return
It might be tough to get a first-round pick back for a player considered to be a bit of a bust entering his fourth NHL season. That would have to be the asking price, however, for it to work for the Stars. The reality here is the team won't likely be parting with people on the active roster, barring a total meltdown in the standings this year.
Detroit Red Wings: Jimmy Howard
11 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The Detroit Red Wings have plenty of options should their playoff streak finally end after 25 years. Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott were brought in as free agents on one-year deals, and defenseman Brendan Smith is another pending UFA in the Motor City. However, it's the one player they most want to trade who becomes the most likely to go.
Goaltender Jimmy Howard is signed through 2018-19 at an annual cap hit of just under $5.3 million. A team that discovers it has goalie problems early in the season has a few options to look at, and some may kick tires on Howard as well as Ben Bishop and Marc-Andre Fleury.
Reasonable return
At this point, it's almost a salary dump. Not only would the Red Wings have to retain some of it in a potential deal, but the return would likely be fairly meagre—perhaps a third-round pick and a warm body from the roster.
Edmonton Oilers: Nail Yakupov
12 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The Edmonton Oilers already made a big move this summer by parting ways with one of their best players in Taylor Hall. However, more pieces of the core could move as the team works toward a new attitude in the dressing room and on the ice. Nail Yakupov, the first overall pick in 2012, has long been mentioned in trade rumors, but the market isn't very good for a return.
That could change during the season if the winger gets to play with center Connor McDavid and piles up some decent numbers. Then again, would that change the Oilers' minds about dealing the talented but troubled winger?
Reasonable return
Depending on when the deal takes place and how he's playing at the time, the return could vary greatly. There's no way the Oilers pull the trigger on anything that doesn't include a first-round pick or equal- risk/reward prospect coming back.
Florida Panthers: Reto Berra
13 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The Florida Panthers find themselves with a glut at the goaltending position. They made a deal with the Colorado Avalanche for Reto Berra in the spring and then followed up with the free-agent inking of James Reimer. The Reimer pick-up wasn't a sure thing, but it sort of made Berra expendable. A team looking for an upgrade at the backup spot might come calling for the 29-year-old pending UFA with a modest $1.45 million cap hit.
The Panthers have hopes of winning another Atlantic Division title, and there's no reason to believe that isn't possible again. That makes the trading of draft picks or a prospect more likely than a roster player—but Berra is the obvious exemption here.
Reasonable return
The cost to pick Berra up originally was prospect Rocco Grimaldi—a second-round pick in 2011. They would probably be happy with a mid-round pick for Berra now, which is what Grimaldi might have gone for if it was a draft choice rather than a player-for-player swap.
Los Angeles Kings: Dustin Brown
14 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Being stripped of a captaincy doesn’t always mean you are unwanted, but it’s a good way to alter a relationship with a player. That’s the awkward phase the Los Angeles Kings are now in with Dustin Brown. Brown still has six seasons on his current deal, and the cap hit is $5.875 million per year.
The Kings have to sign restricted free agents Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson next summer and have been tight to the salary cap for years. Moving Brown would finally give them the flexibility they need to add better complementary pieces to the core.
Reasonable return
Brown is no longer a reliable top-six forward. Although he’s scored 20 or more goals five times in his 11-year career, the physical winger’s play has steadily declined since the lockout-shortened 2013 season. At 31 and with a no-trade clause, shipping him out won’t be easy, and the price would likely be paltry. The Kings might even have to part with a prospect to make it worth another team’s time to take on that salary for another half decade.
Minnesota Wild: Darcy Kuemper
15 of 30
Why he could be dealt
With the addition of Bruce Boudreau as head coach, the Minnesota Wild may feel like they are capable of quickly taking a leap forward and making some waves in the playoffs. That likely rules out parting ways with any of the promising young players on the roster. However, goaltender Darcy Kuemper has shown in the past he may have some starter potential, and as a pending unrestricted free agent, he may be moving on from the Wild to seek out playing time.
Because they have star Devan Dubnyk in front of Kuemper, they may want to get an asset back for the 26-year-old backup before he leaves for nothing.
Reasonable return
With the looming expansion draft, there will be plenty of goaltenders made available for trades with any teams looking to improve depth or starters there, so that will hurt Kuemper’s value. A mid-round pick or project prospect might be the most the Wild can expect back.
Montreal Canadiens: David Desharnais
16 of 30
Why he could be dealt
David Desharnais is the Montreal Canadiens' third-line center, and the team has others capable of filling that role. He's a pending unrestricted free agent and may be able to make more on the open market with a chance at landing a top-six role. His current deal has a $3.5 million cap hit, and anything beyond that won't fit into their salary structure with top pivot Alex Galchenyuk in line for a big raise as an RFA next summer.
He may have value as a smaller but shifty player who has been versatile for the Habs over the years, maxing out at 60 points and hitting at least 40 in the last three full seasons he's been able to play.
Reasonable return
The Habs won't get much more than a fourth- or fifth-round pick or a prospect who may take a few years to develop.
Nashville Predators: Mike Ribeiro
17 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Mike Ribeiro took a step backward in his second year with the Nashville Predators, and he was a healthy scratch in the playoffs, which could mean a departure from the team that gave him another shot at the NHL after Phoenix bought him out a few years ago. At the same time, he's proved he still has skills as a setup man, and other teams might be curious about what he can bring to their lineup for a playoff push.
The Predators may not be inclined to make a deal after getting to the second round of the playoffs last season, but if things go awry, Ribeiro would be the first to go.
Reasonable return
Ribeiro's days of 60 and 70 points are behind him, but a conditional draft pick or two are reasonable.
New Jersey Devils: Mike Cammalleri
18 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The New Jersey Devils have done a very nice job of getting younger up front over the past couple of years, and Michael Cammalleri is one of just three forwards over the age of 30 on the active roster, along with Travis Zajac (31) and Vernon Fiddler (36). Of those three, Cammalleri has the most successful recent track record and would have tremendous value if made available.
At 34, if the Devils fall out of the playoff hunt too quickly, their top veteran journeyman could be shopped at the deadline. He has three more seasons at a $5 million cap hit, which is reasonable if teams think he can continue to be a 20-goal, 50-point guy.
Reasonable return
Cammalleri’s performance during the season obviously will be a big factor in his ultimate value. If he’s projecting as a 30-goal guy, a first-round pick is on the table. If it’s more like 20, maybe a second-round pick and younger prospect could be had. Retention of salary may not be an issue, either.
New York Islanders: Jaroslav Halak
19 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Veteran goaltender Jaroslav Halak seems to have been surpassed as the starter by former backup Thomas Greiss, who took over after Halak suffered a season-ending injury in early March and led the New York Islanders to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
The team recently signed restricted free-agent goalies Christopher Gibson and Jean-Francois Berube to new deals, and Berube is not waiver-exempt. Halak has two years left on his current deal, which comes with a cap hit of $4.5 million per year.
Parting ways with Halak would provide some salary-cap relief the Isles could really use. Carrying three goalies has proved in the past to be an extremely inconvenient formula.
Reasonable return
A draft pick or a prospect might be all the Islanders can expect in return, but the cap relief would provide them the opportunity to make other additions and re-sign defenseman Calvin de Haan in the offseason.
New York Rangers: Rick Nash
20 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The New York Rangers are dealing with some defensive contracts that have become an anchor and are essentially un-tradable. Rick Nash has value, and his departure would allow the Rangers to make other moves to improve enough to take advantage of goalie Henrik Lundqvist's brief window for success.
The Rangers have undergone a bit of a re-tooling over the past couple of years, avoiding a total rebuild but definitely creating a new atmosphere in the Big Apple. Nash is now 32 and coming off a down year, and the team has left wingers Chris Kreider and Jimmy Vesey ready to succeed him.
He has two more years at a $7.8 million cap hit before hitting unrestricted free agency, and unless he’s looking like a clear leader in a quest for the Cup this season, it would be hard not to entertain offers for his services. He’s an aging star nearing the end of a deal and has scored 30 or more goals eight times.
Reasonable return
Even at his age and coming off an injury-plagued season, Nash has a strong perceived value across the league thanks to the frequency and strength of his shot. He’s also still got some speed. Teams looking for a power forward capable of driving offense will jump at the chance to grab Nash if he’s made available. First-round pick, prospect and either a second-round pick or player is a good bet.
Ottawa Senators: Chris Kelly
21 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Poor Chris Kelly just rejoined the Ottawa Senators, and he may be destined to move on at the trade deadline. The Sens brought the 35-year-old veteran center to bolster the bottom six, take key defensive-zone faceoffs and stabilize the penalty kill. Those are all nice traits to help a playoff roster—which is why he’s most likely to be dealt.
The Senators were 11 points off the postseason pace last season, and Kelly’s addition was the biggest in relation to the team’s porous defensive play. They’ll have Dion Phaneuf for a full season, but his attributes are best suited for the offensive zone.
Kelly is an unrestricted free agent next July so if the team remains out of the playoff picture, he would be a nice depth addition for a postseason contender.
Reasonable return
Kelly is the kind of player who will be cheap to acquire but worth every bit of whatever the return is. A mid- to late-round pick or player in need of a new start is the kind of bargain price a team will pay for Kelly.
Philadelphia Flyers: Mark Streit
22 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Mark Streit is 38 and in the last year of his current contract. He’s just a season removed from a 52-point year with the Philadelphia Flyers and has cracked 40 six times in the last seven full seasons. Even though the Flyers made the playoffs this year and could push their way in again, the veteran’s value on the trade market might outweigh his worth to the Flyers—who have plenty of young offensively gifted prospects like Shayne Gostisbehere and Ivan Provorov eager to earn big roles.
Reasonable return
Streit would land a second-round pick and possibly a second-tier prospect. Maybe even a first-round pick. He has pedigree with five double-digit goal seasons and three with 50 or more points.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Marc-Andre Fleury
23 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Marc-Andre Fleury’s fate is essentially sealed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. A concussion last season opened the door for his protege to show he was ready for the starter’s role, and Matt Murray did exactly that by backstopping the Pens to the Stanley Cup. NHL expansion looms, and teams can protect only one goalie. The Pens want that to be Murray. If Fleury is still with the team, his no-movement clause would force it to protect him instead.
With a no-trade clause that can list a dozen acceptable trade partners, Fleury may be better off choosing his next destination rather than battling the Pens front office over the expansion-draft details.
Reasonable return
The goaltending market isn’t very strong with most teams in need of help making their moves this offseason. The Calgary Flames, for example, picked up Brian Elliott for a second-round draft pick and a future third-round selection conditional on Elliott signing an extension with the Flames.
The asking price for Fleury was probably a little higher than that, but the market has been set now, and a second-rounder may be the max. It’s possible they'll have to accept lower to move him given the obstacles the Pens are facing with the expansion draft.
San Jose Sharks: Patrick Marleau
24 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Patrick Marleau was bandied about plenty in the first half of last season as potential trade bait, especially after Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman talked about it in November (via Sportsnet's Jeff Simmons). Although the San Jose Sharks made it to the Stanley Cup Final, Marleau's role changed significantly from scoring winger to third-line center. As a result, he netted just 48 points in 82 games—his lowest since 2008.
Entering the last year of his current deal with the Sharks, the team faces the quandary of letting him walk for nothing or dealing him. With teammates Joe Thornton and Brent Burns also in need of new deals before July 1, it's unlikely Marleau will be offered an extension. The team simply can't afford it. Because of that, they can't afford not to trade him. It might be tough to sign Thornton as well, but if only one of the two forwards can come back, it's certainly Jumbo, leaving Marleau the odd man out.
Reasonable return
The guy is a consistent scorer, putting together 13 seasons with at least 20 goals, six with 30 and a pair of 40-goal campaigns. His point production has dipped, but he is versatile and valuable to a team with a real chance at a Stanley Cup looking for more top-six scoring power. A second-round pick with a conditional attachment that could make it a first-rounder if he signs a new deal with the team is the kind of creative deal we could see by the deadline.
St. Louis Blues: Kevin Shattenkirk
25 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The St. Louis Blues have great defensive depth and are facing long odds to re-sign Kevin Shattenkirk at market value with the stud blueliner eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 28 next summer. His current deal comes with a cap hit of $4.25 million, but the next one will be much steeper. Shattenkirk has had at least 40 points in every full season, and his point-per-game average is 46th-best all-time and sixth among active defensemen who have played at least 400 NHL contests.
The Blues have some key contracts to work on this year with winger Alex Steen set to become an unrestricted free agent and young defenseman Colton Parayko in line for a big raise coming off a 33-point rookie season in the final year of his entry-level deal.
Although the team could keep Shattenkirk for the season and trade his negotiating rights after the playoffs, the Blues will be listening to offers around the trade deadline when the potential return may be highest.
Reasonable return
When it comes to rentals, Shattenkirk is going to be a great one for some fortunate team. A first-round pick and a depth player could be a starting point. Another pick could be involved, with the potential to become a higher one if Shattenkirk signs to remain with his new team. Fortunately for the Blues, Shattenkirk doesn't have a no-trade clause.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Ben Bishop
26 of 30
Why he could be dealt
There are a few things working against Ben Bishop being with the Tampa Bay Lightning for much longer. For one, the Bolts have a goalie in waiting with 22-year-old Andrei Vasilevskiy signing a three-year extension starting in 2017-18. Maybe more importantly, Bishop is a pending unrestricted free agent who will command plenty of money on the open market, and the Lightning have to find enough money to go around for key pieces Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson, Jonathan Drouin and Andrej Sustr next summer.
There is also the complication of June's expansion draft, which requires teams to protect players with no movement clauses in their contracts. That would leave Vasilevskiy exposed since clubs can only keep one goalie.
Reasonable return
Bishop would be an upgrade in goal for many NHL franchises. The 29-year-old was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last year and was second among netminders to play at least 20 games with a .926 save percentage. He's first-round-pick material, even as a rental player. A couple of prospects would likely be included as well, and the value goes up if he agrees to a long-term deal in the process.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Brooks Laich
27 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Brooks Laich was a salary-cap dump for the Washington Capitals last season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs got a second-round pick and a prospect for taking on the contract and parting ways with depth forward Daniel Winnik at the deadline. Laich is a nice player who despite being past his prime has value as a fourth-line center on a team looking for some veteran leadership, size and grit.
As a pending unrestricted free agent, Laich's $4.5 million contract won't be so burdensome for other teams to take on later in the year. The Leafs have plenty of other potential names to dangle for what is sure to be a big purge next summer but can leave many exposed for the expansion draft.
Reasonable return
A mid-round pick or an exchange that sees the Leafs part with a later-round selection for a higher one is something that could be worked out.
Vancouver Canucks: Ryan Miller
28 of 30
Why he could be dealt
Ryan Miller is a pending unrestricted free agent on a Vancouver Canucks team embarking on a youth movement. He's no longer at the top of his game and the 2010 Vezina Trophy win is way in the rearview mirror, but Miller still has value after posting a .916 save percentage in 51 games last season. The value isn't likely as a starter, but a team looking to protect itself with some depth could be searching for a bargain at the backup spot.
With Jacob Markstrom playing more than 30 games for the first time in his career last season and posting numbers as good as Miller's, the Canucks may be ready to move on from Miller and still get something of value back.
Reasonable return
There won't be much coming back for Miller at this point of his career, but a third- or fourth-round pick might be hard to pass up after the Canucks hung on to Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis at the deadline last season and saw them both walk away as UFAs this summer with no compensation coming their way.
Washington Capitals: Justin Williams
29 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The Washington Capitals are likely going to have to part ways with either Justin Williams or T.J. Oshie this season despite the fact they are both important parts of the team's success. The Caps don't have the cap space to lock up all their important restricted and unrestricted free agents with guys like Andre Burakovsky, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Karl Alzner all looking for new deals as well.
Williams is 34 and has a reputation as a dependable playoff performer, which would make him impossible to part with during the season. In fact, it's unlikely the Caps will trade away one of their pending UFAs before season's end. However, they may look to deal one before the free-agent window opens to offer another team exclusive negotiating rights. Williams' age determines him over Oshie, but the one who has the better season could be the one sticking around.
Reasonable return
A late-round pick is probably all that can be asked when it comes to a window of negotiation that doesn't guarantee success before a player becomes a UFA. Alex Goligoski's rights earned the Dallas Stars a fifth-round selection. Keith Yandle earned the New York Rangers a sixth. Another pick could be added for incentive and given only if the new team signs him.
Winnipeg Jets: Drew Stafford
30 of 30
Why he could be dealt
The Winnipeg Jets are anticipating being a playoff team, but in the event things don't work out, Drew Stafford is a prime candidate to be shipped out for an asset at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old winger had his first 20-goal season since 2012 last year and would be an attractive addition for teams looking to pad their offensive numbers down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Stafford is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, and there are enough young players on the roster and in the pipeline to fill in for Stafford when he's gone. Even if the team is in position to make a push for the postseason, they could look to see what they can get for Stafford at the deadline.
Reasonable return
A third-round pick and a college prospect is a fair asking price that could be met by one of the top contenders. Lee Stempniak went for second- and fourth-round picks last year.
All statistics via NHL.com. Salary information courtesy of General Fanager.
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