NHL Trade Block Big Board for February 2023
With the 2023 NHL-Star Game now history, the next big date on the league calendar is the trade deadline on Friday, March 3, at 3 p.m. ET. That leaves the 32 general managers with less than four weeks to make whatever moves they have planned in the trade market.
Only 17 trades have taken place since the start of the regular-season schedule on Oct. 7. That's because 17 teams are using long-term injury reserve to remain salary-cap compliant, with another eight clubs carrying less than $6 million in cap space. Most GMs looking to make trades are waiting until deadline day to accrue sufficient cap space to make the dollars fit.
Trade activity should soon pick up. The Vancouver Canucks trading Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders on Jan. 30 removed the top player from our January NHL Trade Block Big Board. A number of notable stars, including Chicago's Patrick Kane, St. Louis' Ryan O'Reilly and San Jose's Timo Meier, continue to generate headlines in the rumor mill.
The following is our listing of the top 20 trade candidates for February 2023 based on NHL media speculation, level of talent, market value and the likelihood of getting traded. You can express your thoughts on this list in the comments section below.
20. Jesse Puljujärvi, Edmonton Oilers
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A regular fixture in our previous trade block big boards, Edmonton Oilers winger Jesse Puljujärvi's trade value has been declining over the course of this season. The 24-year-old's offensive struggles land him at the bottom of our February ranking.
Puljujärvi has managed just 10 points in 49 games this season, well below last season's promising 36 points in 65 games. He's on a one-year, $3 million contract and is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.
It may be time for the Oilers to part ways with Puljujärvi. They won't get much in return, but it will clear his cap hit from their books. That would free up room to perhaps bolster their blue-line depth.
Despite the decline in his performance, Puljujärvi is still being mentioned as a possible trade target. On Jan. 17, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported the Oilers had several promising trade conversations with a couple of teams. Two weeks later, Vegas Hockey Now's Owen Krepps included Puljujärvi among his list of depth trade targets for the Golden Knights.
19. Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
2 of 20
On Jan 18, The Athletic's Michael Russo reported Matt Dumba knows his days are numbered with the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old defenseman is an unrestricted free agent on July 1 with an annual cap hit of $6 million.
Dumba has struggled in his contract year. On Jan. 21, Russo's colleague Joe Smith observed that the blueliner was scratched from consecutive games, fuelling speculation that he could be shopped before the March 3 trade deadline.
A week later, Smith and Russo reported Wild general manager Bill Guerin could retain Dumba despite the inconsistency in his play. They believe Guerin won't trade the veteran blueliner without having a suitable replacement lined up and risk weakening his blue-line depth.
The recent conjecture over Dumba's future in Minnesota merits inclusion on our trade block big board. We can't rule out the possibility that Guerin might shop Dumba if he can land another defenseman in a separate deal.
18. Shayne Gostisbehere, Arizona Coyotes
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Arizona Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere is often overshadowed in the rumor mill by the attention focused on teammate Jakob Chychrun. Nevertheless, he could prove to be an affordable addition for a playoff contender seeking production from the blue line.
Acquired by the Coyotes in 2021 following three difficult seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Gostisbehere regained the scoring touch that he displayed earlier in his career. He finished fourth among the Coyotes in 2021-22 with 51 points in 82 games. As of Feb. 5, the 29-year-old rearguard sat second in scoring with 29 points in 48 games.
An unrestricted free agent on July 1, Gostisbehere carries an affordable $4.5 million cap hit this season. In actual salary, however, he's earning $1 million. During a recent 32 Thoughts: The Podcast (16:30 mark), Elliotte Friedman said a source told him the Edmonton Oilers could be interested in Gostisbehere.
Gostisbehere was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 26 with an upper-body injury for four to six weeks. That could carry him past the March 3 trade deadline and potentially affect his value to interested clubs.
17. Luke Schenn, Vancouver Canucks
4 of 20
The Vancouver Canucks trading center Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders on Jan. 30 signaled that the club is now in sell mode as their playoff hopes fade. That's sparked speculation over which players could be on their way out of Vancouver by deadline day.
Luke Schenn frequently popped up in media trade chatter in January. The 33-year-old is a big, physical depth defenseman who helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. An unrestricted free agent on July 1, his $850,000 cap hit will be attractive to cap-strapped playoff contenders seeking blue-line help.
On Jan. 16, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported the Boston Bruins called the Canucks about Schenn. Two weeks later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman pondered the possibility of a reunion between Schenn and the Lightning.
The Buffalo Sabres could also be a suitor as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011. On Jan. 13, The Athletic's Matthew Fairburn included Schenn on his list of potential trade targets, citing his experience, physical play and his right-handed shot.
16. Sean Monahan, Montréal Canadiens
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Sean Monahan's ongoing absence with a lower-body injury has sent him tumbling in our rankings. The 28-year-old Montréal Canadiens center slides from No. 9 on our January NHL Trade Block Big Board. He's slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and carries an average annual value of $6.4 million.
Prior to his injury, Monahan had 17 points in 25 games. As we noted last month, there was talk of the Canadiens re-signing him. Still, the expectation remains that he could be shopped by the March 3 trade deadline. His performance, if he returns before deadline day, could determine the amount of interest and offers from other teams.
Monahan still surfaced as a trade candidate in recent media rumors. On Jan. 26, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun wrote the Colorado Avalanche have discussed the Canadiens' center.
On Jan. 31, Montréal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont suggested the Bo Horvat trade could be good news in terms of the return the Canadiens could get for Monahan. He pointed out that the Vancouver Canucks received a top-12 protected first-round pick from the New York Islanders as part of that deal.
15. John Klingberg, Anaheim Ducks
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Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Klingberg continues to slide in our rankings. Having dropped from No. 4 to No. 13 on our January Trade Block Big Board, the 30-year-old blueliner slips to No. 15 for February.
Klingberg bet on himself last summer when he signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks. After netting 40-plus points in six of his eight previous NHL seasons with the Dallas Stars, a solid performance with the rebuilding Ducks would've bolstered his value in this year's trade market and the 2023 free-agent market.
So far, however, Klingberg is on pace for the worst season of his NHL career. With 17 points in 42 games, he could finish with less than 32 points for the first time. His full no-trade clause reverted to a 10-team trade list on Jan. 1, but the Ducks could find it difficult to drum up interest in the puck-moving blueliner.
The Seattle Kraken could be a suitor. On Jan. 17, the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker reported various rumors suggested the Kraken could make a play for the offensive-minded Klingberg to bolster their blue-line depth beyond their first pairing.
14. Jake McCabe, Chicago Blackhawks
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Pending Chicago free agents such as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Max Domi are expected to be moved before the March 3 trade deadline. However, general manager Kyle Davidson could be willing to entertain offers for players under contract beyond this season.
Jake McCabe was frequently mentioned as a trade candidate throughout January by pundits. The 29-year-old defenseman is signed through 2024-25 with an average salary-cap hit of $4 million. A physical stay-at-home left-shot blueliner who kills penalties, McCabe averages 19:20 minutes of ice time per game.
McCabe could draw interest from clubs seeking defenders capable of logging heavy minutes in the heat of playoff competition. On Jan. 30, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings as potential destinations. He noted that every Canadian team except Toronto was on his seven-team no-trade clause.
Seravalli felt that Chicago's asking price "absolutely starts with a first-round pick." Interested clubs could be reluctant to pay that much and might wait out Davidson in the hope of driving down that price.
13. Ivan Barbashev, St. Louis Blues
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The St. Louis Blues could be sellers leading up to this season's trade deadline. Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko are the big names they could be peddling, but there are other pending free agents they could also attempt to move before March 3.
Ivan Barbashev has surfaced in recent Blues trade speculation. A solid two-way player who can play all three forward positions, the 27-year-old was part of the Blues' Stanley Cup run in 2019. He has 24 points in 51 games this season but netted a career-high 60 points in 2021-22.
Barbashev also carries an affordable contract. With a cap hit of $2.3 million, he could draw attention from contenders with limited cap space seeking a skillful middle-six forward with postseason experience.
On Jan. 31, the New York Post's Larry Brooks included Barbashev among his proposed trade targets for the Rangers. The Blues forward also made The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa's list of Bruins trade options. The following day, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Vegas Golden Knights looked at Barbashev and teammate Noel Acciari.
12. Tyler Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings
9 of 20
Tyler Bertuzzi's eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1 has sparked speculation over his future with the Detroit Red Wings. As a result, the 27-year-old winger makes his debut on our NHL Trade Block Big Board.
A skillful but oft-injured winger, Bertuzzi is earning $4.8 million annually on his current contract. He could be shopped if he and the Red Wings fail to work out a contract extension before the trade deadline. The Wings appear to be putting their focus on re-signing team captain Dylan Larkin, who sees himself staying in Detroit.
Bertuzzi has three seasons with 21 goals and 47 or more points on his resume. He enjoyed a career-best 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games last season, but injuries have limited him to just five points in 17 games this season.
On Jan 31, Detroit Hockey Now's Kevin Allen suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars as potential destinations for Bertuzzi. However, The winger's injury history could dampen the possibility of the Wings getting a first-round pick as part of the return.
11. James Van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers
10 of 20
Appearing at No. 10 on our January NHL Trade Block Big Board, James van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers slipped a bit in our February rankings. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old winger is still garnering attention in the rumor mill.
Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, van Riemsdyk carries a $7 million cap hit this season. Despite missing 20 games earlier this season, he has 21 points in 31 games with the struggling Flyers. He's tallied 20-plus goals seven times in his 13 previous NHL seasons.
That cap hit could be a significant trade obstacle. On Feb. 1, NHL.com's Dan Rosen speculated the Flyers could retain part of it for a suitable offer.
On Jan. 26, The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor felt the Flyers would attempt to ship out van Riemsdyk and fellow UFA Justin Braun as playoff rental players. Two weeks earlier, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli suggested van Riemsdyk as a trade option for the New York Rangers.
10. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
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After making his season debut on our Trade Block Big Board last month at No. 7, Jonathan Toews slides down to No. 10 for February. Like teammate Patrick Kane, the 34-year-old Chicago center is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He carries an average annual value this season of $10.5 million plus a full no-movement clause.
Toews remains a well-respected two-way center and leader, but the Chicago captain's best seasons are behind him now. Of his 28 points this season, 20 of them came in his first 31 games. Since a three-point performance on Dec. 23, he's managed eight points in his last 15 games and was held scoreless in nine of those contests.
Another factor is the uncertainty over whether he and Kane will waive their no-movement clauses. On Jan. 21, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reported the duo wasn't prepared to make that decision until mid-February. That creates the impression they could be reluctant to be traded.
That hasn't kept Toews' name out of the rumor mill. On Jan. 31, The Athletic's Peter Baugh included the Chicago captain on his list of Colorado Avalanche trade targets. Three days later, Shayna Goldman suggested the Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars as possible trade destinations.
9. Joel Edmundson, Montréal Canadiens
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The rebuilding Montréal Canadiens are expected to be sellers at this year's trade deadline. Pending free agents such as Sean Monahan, Jonathan Drouin and Evgenii Dadonov are expected to become trade bait.
There's also talk that Joel Edmundson could become a trade chip for the Canadiens. The 29-year-old defenseman has a year left on his contract with a $3.5 million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause. Injuries have, at times, sidelined the physical shutdown defenseman since last season, but that hasn't stopped the media trade chatter.
On Jan. 18, Montréal Hockey Now's Marco D'Amico listed the Oilers, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets as potential destinations. Three days later, Ryan Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic wrote that Edmundson was among the Edmonton Oilers' trade targets.
In his Feb. 3 mailbag, Montréal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont reported that Edmundson continues to draw plenty of interest around the league. He believes the Canadiens will have to retain some of his salary if they hope to land a first-round pick.
8. Max Domi, Chicago Blackhawks
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Max Domi's performance has moved him from No. 12 on our January Trade Block Big Board into the top-10 trade candidates for February. The 27-year-old forward remains Chicago's leading scorer with 14 goals and 35 points in 48 games. Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, he carries an affordable one-year, $3 million contract.
On Dec. 31, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reported Domi enjoys playing in Chicago. Marek said there was an ongoing discussion between the two sides about a potential contract extension. However, during a Jan. 24 "Insider Trading" segment, TSN's Chris Johnston felt Chicago would gauge the trade market and move on from Domi.
Chicago could retain Domi with the intent of re-signing him. They could also move him to a playoff contender at the trade deadline and then sign him this summer as a free agent. His style of play, ability to play as a top-nine forward at center or on the wing, and his affordable contract should make him a popular trade target.
On Jan. 11, The Athletic's Julian McKenzie included Domi among his list of proposed trade targets for the Calgary Flames. Three weeks later, his colleague Fluto Shinzawa suggested Domi could be a fit with the Boston Bruins. Meanwhile, Vegas Hockey Now's Owen Krepps had him on his list of trade options for the Golden Knights.
7. Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
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Following the Bo Horvat trade, pundits wondered which players the Vancouver Canucks might trade next before the March deadline. Brock Boeser inevitably came up in their speculation.
On Jan. 31, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported there were repeated rumblings linking Boeser to the Minnesota Wild. The 25-year-old winger is a Minnesota native and seems a natural fit with his hometown club. However, Friedman indicated the math doesn't work. That's because they can't afford to take on his full $6.7 million cap hit for next season.
TSN's Darren Dreger reported there is plenty of interest in the winger, but those clubs want to know if there will be any salary retention. It could be that the Wild hope the Canucks will retain part of Boeser's cap hit.
With Boeser signed through 2024-25, the Canucks aren't under pressure to move him by March 3. If they don't find a deal to their liking, they can afford to wait until the offseason and try again. Still, we can't rule out the possibility of him changing teams by the deadline if the right offer comes along.
6. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
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For most of this season, Patrick Kane had featured regularly on our monthly trade block big boards. He's eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1 with a $10.5 million cap hit this season and a full no-movement clause. However, there's uncertainty over whether the 34-year-old Chicago winger will be moved by the March 3 trade deadline.
On Jan. 21, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reported Kane and teammate Jonathan Toews weren't prepared to make any decision about their futures until mid-February. In his Jan. 31 profile of Kane, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli didn't rule out the possibility of the winger finishing the season in Chicago.
Seravalli included the New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars as possible destinations for the playmaking Kane. On Jan. 31, however, the New York Post's Larry Brooks felt the Rangers could prefer a physical scoring forward who drives to the front of the net and wins puck battles.
Kane's health could also be an issue. The same day as Seravalli and Brooks published their reports, The Athletic's Arthur Staple wrote that the entire league seems to know that Kane needs hip surgery. He felt the longtime Chicago star could be damaged goods by the trade deadline unless he ends his season to undergo surgery and prepare for free agency.
5. Ryan O'Reilly, St. Louis Blues
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Sitting at No. 3 on our January 2023 NHL Trade Block Big Board, Ryan O'Reilly remains high on our current list of trade candidates. However, a broken foot suffered on Dec. 31 landed the 31-year-old St. Louis Blues center on injured reserve. He's slated to be re-evaluated in mid-February.
Prior to his injury, O'Reilly was struggling offensively with just 16 points in 37 games. Nevertheless, the Blues captain is still a respected two-way center and leader with an established record as a playoff performer, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP for leading the Blues to the 2019 Stanley Cup.
On Jan. 24, TSN's Darren Dreger reported O'Reilly was "officially in play" as Blues management attempted to gauge his value in the trade market. Two days later, however, O'Reilly told The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford that he wants to stay in St. Louis.
O'Reilly is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Blues could shop him if the two sides fail to reach an agreement on a new contract before the March 3 trade deadline. He should draw plenty of interest from playoff contenders if he returns to action later this month.
4. Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes
17 of 20
Another month, another trade block big board featuring the Arizona Coyotes' Jakob Chychrun. The 24-year-old puck-moving defenseman has been the subject of constant media trade chatter since last season. However, the combination of the Coyotes' high asking price and a series of injuries have kept him in Arizona.
On Jan. 29, Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong told NHL.com's Mike Zeisberger that he's set his asking price by what teams received for comparable players last season. He could be referring to the first-round pick, two second-rounders and the two players the Boston Bruins sent to the Anaheim Ducks last March for defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
Since Chychrun's November return from offseason wrist surgery, he's tallied 25 points in 34 games and a plus-minus of plus-six with the struggling Coyotes. Unlike most on this list, Chychrun isn't slated for free agency in July. He's signed through 2024-25 with an affordable $4.6 million average annual salary.
On Jan. 24, NYI Hockey Now's Stefen Rosner cited a report by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claiming the Islanders were looking at the Coyotes defenseman. However, their Jan. 30 acquisition of high-scoring center Bo Horvat has probably killed off that possibility as it cost them their 2023 first-round pick.
3. Vladislav Gavrikov, Columbus Blue Jackets
18 of 20
Entering the All-Star break, the Columbus Blues Jackets are stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings. They're expected to become sellers leading up to the March 3 trade deadline, with most of the media trade chatter focused on defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, Gavrikov carries a very affordable $2.8 million cap hit for this season and lacks no-trade protection. A solid defender who can chip in offensively, the 27-year-old blueliner would be an enticing target for cap-strapped playoff contenders seeking defensive depth.
Gavrikov's defensive skills and cost-effect salary put him into this spot in our rankings with the trade deadline less than a month away. On Jan. 24, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported the Blue Jackets management wants a return comparable to what they got for David Savard two years ago: a first-round pick and a third-rounder.
Fox suggested Gavrikov could be a good fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs but felt the Edmonton Oilers could outbid them. A week later, Elliotte Friedman reported the Boston Bruins could be looking at adding Gavrikov to their blue line.
2. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues
19 of 20
Now in his 11th season with the St. Louis Blues, Vladimir Tarasenko acknowledged his time with the club could soon come to an end. In a Feb. 2 interview with The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford, the 31-year-old winger indicated that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will determine his future in St. Louis.
An unrestricted free agent on July 1, Tarasenko reportedly never rescinded the trade request he made at the end of the 2020-21 season. He told Rutherford that he hasn't had any talks lately with Armstrong about a new contract.
Tarasenko's been a regular in our monthly NHL Trade Block Big Board this season. On Jan. 20, The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek suggested Tarasenko could be a fit with the Calgary Flames. Over a week later, NYI Hockey Now's Stefen Rosner wondered if the New York Islanders would look at adding another forward following their acquisition of Bo Horvat.
With a cap hit for this season of $7.5 million, Tarasenko could be a difficult acquisition for cap-strapped playoff contenders. His full no-trade clause gives him complete control over the situation despite his remarks about Armstrong determining his future. Still, the six-time 30-plus goal scorer should remain a fixture in the rumor mill leading up to deadline day.
1. Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks
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Sitting 11th out of 15 players on our January 2023 NHL Trade Block Big Board, Timo Meier rockets to the top of our February ranking. The 26-year-old winger is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights. He's also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. It will cost the San Jose Sharks $10 million just to qualify his rights.
A talented offensive winger, Meier is on pace to exceed 75 points for the second straight season. On Jan. 28, San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng cited The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun suggesting the qualifying offer isn't the only factor that could worry suitors. There's also the cost of re-signing Meier, which LeBrun felt could start at $9 million annually.
Meier's contract status hasn't kept him out of the NHL rumor mill. On Jan. 25, Pierre LeBrun told TSN's "Insider Trading" he felt the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs could make sense as destinations. He also indicated the Buffalo Sabres were believed to have reached out to the Sharks.
On Jan. 31, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wrote that the New Jersey Devils were "very much" in the Meier sweepstakes. Re-signing him could be an issue, as Friedman thinks the Devils prefer not to have any forwards exceeding Jack Hughes' annual average value of $8 million.
Stats (as of Feb. 5, 2023) via NHL.com. Salary info and line combinations via Cap Friendly.
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