Finding Ideal Landing Spots for NHL's Top Trade Deadline Targets
The 2023 NHL trade deadline is Friday, March 3, at 3 p.m. ET. As in previous years, activity in the market will increase as the big day approaches, culminating in the usual blizzard of deals in the final hours leading up to the deadline.
Notable talent has already moved. On Jan. 30, the Vancouver Canucks traded center Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders. Ten days later, the New York Rangers acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues.
We can expect non-contending clubs to peddle players they can't or won't re-sign before their July 1 eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status. This year's crop includes such notable stars as Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and St. Louis Blues center Ryan O'Reilly.
San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier could also be on the move. He'll be a restricted free agent this offseason, but they could prefer trading him rather than pay $10 million before July 1 to qualify his rights.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Coyotes could trade defenseman Jakob Chychrun following months of trade speculation stretching back to last season. Unlike the other stars in this season's rumor mill, he's under contract through 2024-25 and has an average annual value of $4.6 million.
They are among this season's top trade candidates who could end up with playoff contenders by deadline day. Here's our look at the ideal landing spots for each one.
Jakob Chychrun: Los Angeles Kings
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A fixture in the rumor mill since last season, Jakob Chychrun has played well since he returned in November from offseason wrist surgery. The 24-year-old Arizona Coyotes defenseman has 28 points in 36 games with a plus/minus of plus-eight. He also carries an affordable $4.6 million salary-cap hit through 2024-25.
On Saturday, the Coyotes said Chychrun would be out of the lineup for at least a week for trade-related reasons. He would be a perfect fit with the Los Angeles Kings, who've made do with right-shot defenseman Sean Durzi on the left side of their blue line. If they can acquire Chychrun, they could slide Durzi back over to the right side.
Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong hasn't wavered from his high asking price for Chychrun. On Feb. 7, PHNX's Craig Morgan reported Armstrong still seeks two first-round picks and a second-rounder or a prospect equivalent.
The Kings could be unwilling to part with two first-round picks but have considerable depth in promising young talent. Perhaps a first-rounder along with right-shot defenseman Matt Roy ($3.2 million cap hit), a second-rounder and a prospect such as Jordan Spence or 2019 first-rounder Alex Turcotte might tempt Armstrong to part with Chychrun.
Vladislav Gavrikov: Edmonton Oilers
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Though he's not as big a name as the others on this list, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Columbus Blue Jackets could be among the most sought-after players in this year's trade market. The 27-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. On Tuesday, the Blue Jackets announced they scratched him from their lineup for trade-related reasons.
A left-shot blueliner who can chip in offensively, Gavrikov carries an affordable $2.8 million salary-cap hit. That could make him enticing to cap-strapped playoff contenders such as the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported the Leafs could be unwilling to part with their 2023 first-round pick or top prospect Matthew Knies.
The Oilers, however, could be in a better position to make an enticing offer to the Jackets. On Feb. 8, Oilers general manager Ken Holland told TSN podcast Got Yer Back he's looking at a "dollar-in, dollar-out" scenario. Perhaps he could convince the Jackets to part with Gavrikov by offering winger Jesse Puljujärvi ($3 million cap hit) along with a first-round pick.
Oilers fans might howl against bundling a first with Puljujärvi for Gavrikov, but it might be necessary to their club's hopes for a Stanley Cup run. Edmonton needs skilled, experienced and affordable depth beyond Darnell Nurse on the left side of their blue line. Gavrikov could prove to be a worthwhile addition.
Patrick Kane: Vegas Golden Knights
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The Vegas Golden Knights suffered a significant blow when team captain Mark Stone was sidelined indefinitely by back surgery on Jan. 31. His absence leaves them in need of scoring depth at right wing. The addition of a proven postseason performer such as the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane would address that issue.
With the Golden Knights in a tight race in the Pacific Division, Stone's absence could affect their efforts to nail down a playoff spot. Kane would be a solid fit alongside first-line center Jack Eichel. His experience and leadership could help them win their first-ever Stanley Cup.
If Stone is out until the playoffs, the Golden Knights can gain salary-cap flexibility by placing him and his $9.5 million average annual value on long-term injury reserve. They would still need Chicago to retain part of Kane's $10.5 million AAV, which it might do for the right offer, assuming he's willing to waive his no-movement clause.
The Golden Knights have a history of making big trade acquisitions, Eichel among them. Acquiring Kane could cost the Golden Knights their 2023 first-round pick as well as one of their two third-round picks in this year's draft. They might also have to include a prospect such as Carl Lindbom or Zach Dean in the deal. However, it could be worth it if Kane can help them win the Cup.
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Timo Meier: New Jersey Devils
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The most intriguing of this season's trade candidates is Timo Meier. The 26-year-old San Jose Sharks winger is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights and is also a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. His current average annual value is $6 million but his actual salary is $10 million, which is what it will cost to qualify his rights.
A skilled offensive winger, Meier had 76 points in 77 games last season and is maintaining that pace with 31 goals and 52 points in 55 games. His skills plus the potential to retain his rights beyond this season made him the top player on our February NHL Trade Block Big Board.
The New Jersey Devils may be the best destination for Meier. On Jan. 27, general manager Tom Fitzgerald told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun that he'd like to add a top-six forward whose rights he could control beyond this season. Meier would provide additional scoring punch on either wing on their top-six lines for the 2023 playoffs and beyond.
With $2 million in projected deadline cap space, the Devils could squeeze the remainder of Meier's cap hit within their payroll but might request that San Jose retain part of it. Sitting at No. 2 on The Athletic's 2023 NHL Prospect Pool Rankings, their depth in promising young talent puts them in a strong position to outbid other suitors for Meier.
Ryan O'Reilly: Carolina Hurricanes
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The Carolina Hurricanes lost a top-six winger when Max Pacioretty was sidelined with a torn Achilles in January. However, they have a greater need for a reliable second-line center after trying Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Paul Stastny in that role. Left unaddressed, it could hurt their chances of winning the Stanley Cup this spring.
Ryan O'Reilly could fill that need if the St. Louis Blues part ways with the impending free-agent center. The 32-year-old has just 18 points in 39 games and missed 14 contests with a broken foot. But he has recently returned to action, and his production could improve on a deeper club such as the Hurricanes.
O'Reilly has considerable playoff experience, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019 while leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup. He carries a cap hit of $7.5 million and lacks no-trade protection. With Pacioretty and his $7 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve, the Hurricanes have a projected $10.1 million in deadline cap space.
The Blues received a conditional first-round pick in 2023, a conditional fourth in 2024 and a prospect plus veteran winger Sammy Blais from the New York Rangers in the Vladimir Tarasenko trade. Their asking price for O'Reilly could be a first-round pick plus a prospect such as Scott Morrow or Jack Drury.
Jonathan Toews: Colorado Avalanche
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Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is expected to reach a decision soon over whether he'll waive his no-movement clause before the March 3 trade deadline. If he does, the 34-year-old center could draw the attention of the Colorado Avalanche.
They have had a pressing need for a reliable two-way center for their second line since Nazem Kadri departed for Calgary as a free agent last August. Toews' playoff experience and leadership would provide a significant boost to the Avalanche's hopes of defending the Stanley Cup.
With $5.5 million in projected trade deadline cap space, the Avalanche have room to squeeze in the remainder of Toews' $10.5 million cap hit. However, that could prove difficult if sidelined winger Gabriel Landeskog ($7 million AAV) returns from a knee injury before season's end. They'll have to get Chicago to retain half of Toews' cap hit and perhaps shed additional salary in a separate deal.
Chicago could seek a first-round pick as part of the return for Toews, but the Avs might be able to instead offer a second-rounder if no other club steps up to bid for him. It could also cost them a prospect such as Oskar Olausson or Jean-Luc Foudy.
Stats (as of Tuesday) via NHL.com, salary info and line combinations via CapFriendly and prospect info via The Athletic.
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