The 10 Most Likely NHL Players To Get Traded

There has been a lot of debate about which NHL players will be on the move on or before the March 3rd trade deadline.

There are very few NHL teams that are no longer in the playoff hunt. The Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Islanders are the most obvious candidates to miss the playoffs this season, but every other team has a legitimate chance of at least making the playoffs—making a run for the Stanley Cup is another story.

As it stands, as few as six points separate the 16th-ranked team from that of the 25th. With the NHL standings so cluttered, it would appear as if NHL general managers can assume there will be a seller's market staring them in the face, with very few high-end players being made available to them.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke proved to everyone in NHL circles that big moves are still possible when he pulled off a deal with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks for big name/big money players. That said, the task of moving big salaries in a cap-laden NHL will be easier said than done— especially when you consider how many top teams are up against the salary cap as we speak.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at the 10 most likely players to be traded on or before the trade deadline—and which teams will make a push for them.

Martin Biron, New York Islanders

There are plenty of teams that will be looking for an inexpensive goaltender for the purposes of depth, and Martin Biron fits the bill to a T.

With Rick DiPietro seemingly back in the Islanders stable of goalies, the Islanders will look to shed Biron from their payroll.

Scheduled to be a free agent at season's end, Biron— who has had a miserable season in New York, posting a record of 2-11-2 to go along with his lofty 3.22 goals against average and .900 save percentage— could provide a team with some depth between the pipes.

There will not be a huge market for Biron, but he brings a valuable veteran presence and is capable of getting hot. Possible suitors should include the Philadelphia Flyers, who just got news that Ray Emery will be going under the knife, and the Calgary Flames.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has stated on countless occasions that he is “open for business.” The question is, will that business include trading away the talented Alexei Ponikarovsky?

“Pony,” as Ponikarovsky is affectionately nicknamed by teammates and Leafs fans alike, has amassed 19 goals and 41 points through 60 games with the Leafs this season. Known as a player who takes nights off, Ponikarovsky’s competitive level seems to have elevated in recent weeks.

Scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, Pony would be an exceptional addition to any number of playoff-bound teams. In the right situation, Pony could be a difference-maker, a player that could help catapult a team from a first-round disaster to a legitimate Cup threat.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, and Colorado Avalanche should all have interest in Poikarovsky, with a second-round draft pick coming Toronto’s way.

Raffi Torres, Columbus Blue Jackets

Known as a tenacious player with goal-scoring abilities, Torres would be a good fit for any team looking to add a physical presence and solid scoring ability to their lineup.

Through 56 games, Torres has netted 17 goals and 27 points, while posting a healthy 30 penalty minutes.

Torres is making $2.75 million this season, but he is an unrestricted free agent this summer, making him a legitimate short-term fix for many NHL teams looking to make a run in the playoffs.

The Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins could all use a little boost in the scoring department, which makes Torres a legitimate target for each of these teams.

Ray Whitney, Carolina Hurricanes

Whitney is hardly a surprise on this list. His name has been mentioned in numerous trade rumors already, with as many as 10 clubs apparently after his services.

Through 56 games, Whitney has recorded 16 goals and 43 points, third-best on the struggling Hurricanes roster.

Whitney, who turns 38 on May 8, shows no signs of slowing down—and the veteran forward would be a valuable addition to any serious Stanley Cup contender.

Whitney has played for six different NHL clubs in his career (San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes). His no-trade clause is a sticking point, but you have to think Whitney would be willing to waive his rights should the right team come into the picture.

A member of Carolina’s 2006 Stanley Cup-winning team, Whitney brings veteran leadership, playoff experience, and a scorer's touch. He is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, making him a short-term fit for any playoff-bound team.

Matt Cullen, Carolina Hurricanes

Like Whitney, Cullen is an NHL veteran that brings leadership and playoff experience. A member of the Hurricanes 2006 Stanley Cup-winning team, Cullen is a decent penalty killer and can also play the point on the power play.

Cullen’s special teams capabilities, combined with his leadership and playoff experience, make him a great player for teams to target. Cullen has netted 11 goals and 37 points through 58 games and has scored eight goals and 20 points in 57 career playoff games.

Teams that may be interested in Cullen’s services include the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Phoenix Coyotes, and Los Angeles Kings.

Ethan Moreau, Edmonton Oilers

Despite wanting to rid themselves of some of their higher-salaried players, the Oilers may have to consider dealing away some spare parts in order to start the re-tooling process in Edmonton.

There may still be a team out there that is willing to take a chance on the injured Sheldon Souray, but with a huge contract and health concerns, the chances are slim that Souray will be on the move.

In Moreau, NHL teams get a tough competitor that can fit in on just about any team's third or fourth line. Through 57 games, Moreau has registered four goals and five assists—hardly mind-blowing numbers, but again, that’s not why a team would add Moreau in the first place.

Any team looking for depth might want to consider Moreau, who would likely come cheap. It’s my belief that a fourth- or fifth-round draft choice gets this deal done, with teams that miss out on some of the bigger names making a call at the last minute.

Moreau comes with a $1.75 million contract in 2010-11, so any team willing to make an offer for his services will have to be prepared to keep his contract on the books next season.

Interested suitors may include the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings.

Marty Turco, Dallas Stars

If the Dallas Stars fall out of playoff contention, it is reasonable to expect GM Joe Nieuwendyk to explore trading options for veteran goaltender Marty Turco.

Turco has had a spotty playoff record at best, through 47 career Stanley Cup playoff games, Turco has amassed a record of 21-26, sporting a terrific 2.17 and decent .914 save percentage along the way.

With his future in Dallas uncertain and his unrestricted free agent status looming, Turco is an obvious choice for a change in scenery. Dallas could use the money they would otherwise spend in re-signing Turco on another free agent goaltender, and in the process of trading Turco, likely boost its offense, which is in desperate need of a shakeup.

Suitors may include the Philadelphia Flyers (again, consider the Emery news), Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings...and wouldn’t a move to the Ottawa Senators be interesting???

The Chicago Blackhawks have also been rumored to be interested; then again, every rumor out there seems to have the Blackhawks linked to it!

Marek Svatos, Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche seemed destined to make a few moves heading up to the deadline. Darcy Tucker, Brett Clark, and Marek Svatos—a former 32-goal scorer (2005-06) and 26-goal man (2007-08)—are names we have been hearing about for some time now.

All three of these players are set to be unrestricted free agents, but Svatos would seem to make the most sense. NHL general managers love to take a shot on players that once were regarded as great, and Svatos fits that bill.

Through 40 games with the Avalanche, Svatos has registered just six goals and 10 points. His -11 rating will be cause for concern for some GM’s, but if the price is low—I suspect a fourth- or fifth- round draft pick—there may be a team interested in Svatos.

Interested teams may include the Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames.

Colby Armstrong, Atlanta Thrashers

Armstrong, who has amassed eight goals and 18 points through 56 games with the Thrashers this season, will be highly sought after at the trade deadline.

While Armstrong may lack playoff experience (five games with the Pittsburgh Penguins 2006-07), there is little doubt that he can be a difference-maker, and outside of the Maple Leafs Ponikarovsky, he may be the best player available at the deadline.

Armstrong is an Unrestricted free agent in 2010-11, meaning any team that picks him up is likely going to see him sign elsewhere in the off-season.

Look for numerous teams to enter the Armstrong sweepstakes with the Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes making the strongest pitches.

Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes

It’s no secret that Mueller has been struggling this season; that said, there are plenty of NHL GM’s that remember his strong rookie season in 2007-08, in which Mueller scored 22 goals, adding 32 assists, for 54 points.

No question about it, Mueller has the talent to be a top six forward in this league; he just needs the right opportunity—an opportunity that many GM’s are willing to give the soon-to-be restricted-free-agent forward.

Several teams may be interested in Mueller’s services, both long term and for a playoff run. With that in mind, don’t be surprised if teams that are out of the playoff race make a pitch for Mueller with the likes of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, and Calgary Flames all in the mix.