NHL Trade Scenarios: One Untouchable Prospect Each Team Won't Trade

Great prospects in the NHL are so valuable because they allow you to replace aging stars with fresh talent without the burden of large contracts.

These players are also very hungry and determined to prove themselves at the highest level. Some prospects have so much potential that teams are very firm on not trading them at all.

Let's look at one untouchable prospect each NHL team would refuse to give up.

Anaheim Ducks: Emerson Etem

Emerson Etem is one of the Anaheim Ducks' most talented prospects, and because the team lacks offensive depth at the NHL level, I'd be surprised if they traded him before he gets a chance to shine on the Ducks' roster.

Boston Bruins: Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton was the ninth overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft by the Boston Bruins, and at 6'5", he's an imposing defenseman who will have a tremendous pro career.

The Bruins always build their best teams from the back, which is why they won't trade Hamilton. He is a two-way defenseman that has superstar potential.

Buffalo Sabres: Joel Armia

Joel Armia has starred in Finland's SM-liiga this season and will add some nice strength and scoring to the Buffalo Sabres' lineup when he arrives for good. 

The Sabres need more power forwards who can bring toughness and scoring to the lineup, so Armia isn't a guy they will look to deal anytime soon.

Calgary Flames: Sven Baertschi

With the Calgary Flames nearing a rebuilding mode, trading away a prospect such as Sven Baertschi, who should become a real NHL star on the wing, would be a really foolish move by the team.

He will score goals and create great scoring chances for his teammates with his playmaking ability for the Flames quite soon, maybe even as early as next year. His speed and scoring talent is quite special.

Carolina Hurricanes: Zac Dalpe

With Eric Staal as the only center on the Carolina Hurricanes with immense skill, it would be a bad idea for them to trade center prospect Zac Dalpe, who will be a solid player in the NHL one day.

The Hurricanes need all the playmaking talent they can get, and Dalpe should be a fixture at the NHL level next season to address Carolina's lack of center depth.

Chicago Blackhawks: Jeremy Morin

Jeremy Morin is a really talented prospect, and the Chicago Blackhawks will welcome his scoring and playmaking ability when he is ready to be at the NHL level full time. With many star offensive players on the NHL roster already, there is no need for Chicago to rush Morin to the pros.

Colorado Avalanche: Duncan Siemens

The Colorado Avalanche need more quality defenseman, and Duncan Siemens is one of their top prospects who could make an impact at the NHL level next season.

He has played well in the WHL this season and will be a welcomed addition to the Avalanche blue line which needs more players with two-way capabilities like Siemens.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Johansen

Ryan Johansen has scored seven goals with seven assists this season and is one guy the Blue Jackets can build around in the future.

He is one of their top prospects, if not the best, and the team would be foolish to trade him considering the offensive potential he has.

Dallas Stars: Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell is a tremendous goalie prospect and projects to be a solid player for the Dallas Stars very soon.

Quality young goaltenders are so coveted in the NHL, so the Stars would be dumb to trade Campbell before he shows how good he can become.

Detroit Red Wings: Teemu Pulkkinen

Teemu Pulkkinen has been excelling in Finland for the past season-and-a-half, and he projects to be an elite offensive player in the NHL. His speed and shot accuracy are world-class.

The Detroit Red Wings may have found a future superstar in Pulkkinen, and with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on the wrong side of 30, the team needs young stars who can score goals.

Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

You may not consider Ryan Nugent-Hopkins a prospect anymore, but he has only played about a half season in the NHL and is an elite young talent.

With superstar potential, there is no way Edmonton trades Nugent-Hopkins anytime soon. Taylor Hall would go before he does, and Hall isn't going anywhere anytime soon, either.

Nugent-Hopkins is the complete package offensively, and is capable of being a point-per-game player in the near future.

Florida Panthers: Jonathan Huberdeau

The Florida Panthers have a real chance to be a perennial playoff contender with their current roster developing nicely, plus the fact their prospect pool is loaded with some great offensive talent.

Jonathan Huberdeau could be a top goal scorer in the NHL soon and is a complete offensive player. The Panthers won't trade Huberdeau unless they are blown away with a package including a young NHL superstar.

Los Angeles Kings: Tyler Toffoli

The Los Angeles Kings have struggled to score goals this season, so trading a prospect such as Tyler Toffoli, who has spectacular goal-scoring and playmaking talent, would be a terrible idea.

Toffoli scored more than 50 points by mid-December for the Ottawa 67's of the OHL, and could join the Kings as early as next season.

Minnesota Wild: Mikael Granlund

Mikael Granlund has been playing quite well in Finland and could be one of the best players in this article.

He's going to score a ton of goals in the NHL, and he has shown the ability to be a talented playmaker in the SM-liiga over in Finland. Granlund's offensive skills are tremendously polished for someone so young, and he is already NHL-ready.

The Wild have a superstar in Granlund, and he could arrive to the NHL next season.

Montreal Canadiens: Nathan Beaulieu

With the depth issues and injuries that have plagued the Montreal Canadiens' defensive corps this season, they cannot afford to trade away their best blue-line prospects, most notably, Nathan Beaulieu, who will excel in the pros.

Nashville Predators: Taylor Beck

The Nashville Predators need offensive talent and goal scoring to take the next step in the playoffs as a franchise, and left winger Taylor Beck is someone who can hep them get there.

Beck can score goals and create for his teammates. The Predators would be foolish to trade him before he has been at the NHL level for an extended period of time.

New Jersey Devils: Reid Boucher

Reid Boucher is a really talented left wing prospect that has been performing well for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL this season.

With star winger Zach Parise's long-term future with the Devils uncertain, the team may need another left winger pretty soon, so Boucher is someone they have to hold on to.

New York Islanders: Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome is likely the New York Islanders' best prospect, and he has been scoring goals with regularity in the OHL this season.

Strome his a future star and will be a talented NHL goal scorer that the Islanders cannot part ways with. His speed and shot accuracy is amazing, and it would not be surprising if Strome becomes a consistent 30-goal scorer.

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider

Chris Kreider of Boston College is one of the New York Rangers' best prospects, and he could join the team late in the season when the Eagles conclude their Hockey East and NCAA tournament schedule.

Kreider will score goals at the NHL level and give the Rangers some much needed depth at left wing.

Ottawa Senators: Mika Zibanejad

Mika Zibanejad is going to be a really good NHL goal scorer, but he needs a bit more time to develop and polish his skills.

His potential is too good for the Ottawa Senators to part ways with, especially when you consider that the team lacks consistent goal scorers at the NHL level.

Philadelphia Flyers: Sean Couturier

The No. 8 pick in the 2011 NHL draft was Sean Couturier, and he has played well this season for the Philadelphia Flyers in his rookie campaign.

Couturier will be a fine offensive player very soon, and luckily for the Flyers, they don't need to rush his development considering they already have a roster that is capable of making a deep playoff run.

In his brief NHL career, he has shown the composure and maturity of a veteran.

Phoenix Coyotes: Brandon Gormley

The Phoenix Coyotes need a lot more talent on defense, and Brandon Gormley is a top defensive prospect who will give them production at both ends of the ice.

He is playing very well in the QMJHL this season and could join the Coyotes next season. His two-way ability is impressive, and he's capable of being a top-tier power play quarterback at the NHL level.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Simon Despres

Is anyone untouchable with the Pittsburgh Penguins in win-now mode, especially since there's a chance Sidney Crosby could be out for the season?

I think the Penguins would trade just about any prospect for the right NHL player, but Simon Despres is a player they would not give up without thinking long and hard.

San Jose Sharks: Taylor Doherty

The San Jose Sharks need young defensemen to play now and in the future, so trading Taylor Doherty would be insane.

The 6'7" defenseman is an imposing, physical player who has a thunderous shot from the point that would be a welcomed addition on the Sharks' power play. Players of his size and skill are a rarity.

St. Louis Blues: Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko will be a superstar NHL talent. He has shown a point-per-game ability in the KHL this season, which is impressive for a young player in one of the world's most talented hockey leagues.

The Russian forward has extremely high offensive talent and will instantly make the St. Louis Blues a better goal-scoring team. His speed and shooting skills are world-class.

Remember this kid so you're not surprised when he dominates the NHL.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vladislav Namestnikov

The Tampa Bay Lightning's prospect pool isn't filled with a ton of talent, but Vladislav Namestnikov is a quality offensive talent that will score goals consistently at the NHL level.

The winger has good playmaking skills and he could be a future replacement for Martin St. Louis on the wing.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri

I don't believe Brian Burke would really label any of his best prospects untouchable because of his willingness to look for ways to make the Maple Leafs better, but Nazem Kadri is someone who he certainly wouldn't part with easily.

The Leafs really need to have Kadri play a full NHL season before deciding to trade him or not.

Vancouver Canucks: Nicklas Jensen

Goaltender Eddie Lack may be the best Vancouver Canucks prospect, but because they already have two talented goalies at the NHL level, I don't think he is an untouchable trade asset.

Nicklas Jensen, however, will be a star offensive talent someday, and the Canucks don't exactly have a ton of young goal scorers.

I'd love to see Jensen and the Sedins work some magic on the ice soon.

Washington Capitals: Evgeny Kuznetsov

With Alexander Semin possibly leaving the Washington Capitals via trade this season or by free agency in the summer, the team needs more scoring on the wings.

Evgeny Kuznetsov is doing well in the KHL this season and will be a star in the NHL. The Russian forward is a talented goal scorer and has exceptional speed.

Winnipeg Jets: Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele is a quality center prospect who could find a permanent spot on the Winnipeg Jets' roster next season. He can score goals, but he's an even better playmaker with his exquisite passing skills.

He has 36 points in just 19 games with the OHL's Barrie Colts this season.