NHL Trade Block Big Board for January 2024
We've bid farewell to 2023 and entered the 2024 segment of this NHL season. With just over two months until the league's March 8 trade deadline, we can expect activity in the trade market to increase in the coming weeks.
Only four trades took place in December, in part because of the holiday roster freeze from Dec. 20-27. The ongoing lack of salary-cap space for so many clubs continues to dampen trade activity. However, that could soon change as some teams accrue cap room while others become more anxious to address their pressing roster needs.
The number of notable names surfacing in the trade rumor mill has also increased. Some of them, such as the Calgary Flames' Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin, have appeared in our Trade Block Big Boards earlier this season. Others, like the Nashville Predators' Tyson Barrie, surfaced in trade speculation throughout December.
We've factored in skill level, experience, contracts, the likelihood of getting traded and how often they surfaced in trade rumors during the previous month into our January compilation of 10 trade candidates. You can weigh in with your thoughts in our app comments section.
10. Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks
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Stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings, the rebuilding San Jose Sharks are expected to become sellers by the March 8 trade deadline. On Dec. 2, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported they're willing to entertain offers on some of their defensemen, with Mario Ferraro expected to draw the most interest.
Two days later, Friedman followed up during his 32 Thoughts podcast by claiming the Carolina Hurricanes were believed to have looked into acquiring Ferraro. The 25-year-old blueliner is signed through 2025-26 and carries an affordable $3.3 million annual cap hit.
Ferraro is among the few bright spots in an otherwise miserable season for the Sharks. It's no surprise that he'd draw lots of interest if available. Along with his cost-effective contract, he's a blue-line workhorse, leading the Sharks in time on ice per game (22:15), short-handed ice time (3:28) and blocked shots (101).
On Dec. 12, the Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka noted that Ferraro wants to remain with the Sharks as part of their rebuild. He believes moving the defenseman would say something about how long the club's rebuild could last. If the Sharks get a strong offer, they might be willing to part with Ferraro.
9. Karel Vejmelka, Arizona Coyotes
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Entering 2023-24, Karel Vejmelka was considered the Arizona Coyotes' starting goaltender. In the second season of a three-year contract with an average annual value of $2.7 million, the 27-year-old had handled the starter's duties with the rebuilding Coyotes over the past two seasons, playing in 50 or more games with a save percentage of around .900.
As this season has gone on, however, Vejmelka has lost the starter's job to Connor Ingram, who has put up much better stats and seen more playing time as a result. With Ingram sitting among the league's goaltending leaders, the Coyotes are jockeying for a wild-card spot while Vejmelka has surfaced in the rumor mill as a trade candidate.
On Dec. 16, the Hockey News' Christian Larsen included Vejmelka on his list of four goalie trade targets that could help a playoff contender. ESPN.com's Kevin Weekes reported the Coyotes' netminder was starting to garner interest in the trade market.
Vejmelka also surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to last season's trade deadline, but nothing came of it. However, if Ingram continues to outperform him, perhaps the Coyotes could be tempted to move Vejmelka for a return that helps them now and in the future.
8. Andrei Kuzmenko, Vancouver Canucks
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Making his NHL debut in 2022-23, Andrei Kuzmenko tied with Elias Pettersson for the most goals among the Vancouver Canucks with 39 and finished fourth among their scoring leaders with 74 points. His performance was among the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for the Canucks as they missed the playoffs for the third straight year.
The team is playing much better this season, jockeying for first place in the overall standings. Kuzmenko, however, has struggled to score with just eight goals and 19 points in 31 games, leading to a reduction in his playing time. That's led to rumors that he could become trade bait to address other roster needs.
On Dec. 9, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said teams were calling about Kuzmenko. Two days later, Friedman's colleague Iain MacIntyre reported Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said they were trying to help the 27-year-old winger improve his game. He's signed through 2024-25 with an annual salary of $5.5 million and a 12-team no-trade clause.
The Canucks' patience could be wearing thin. On Dec. 20, the Vancouver Province's Patrick Johnston reported Kuzmenko was a healthy scratch against the Nashville Predators. He was also scratched from their subsequent game against the Dallas Stars before returning to the lineup. His inconsistent play ensures he'll remain the subject of trade conjecture.
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7. and 6. Nick Seeler and Sean Walker, Philadelphia Flyers
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The Philadelphia Flyers have been among the biggest surprises so far in the 2023-24 season. Expected to finish near the bottom of the standings, the rebuilding club entered 2024 sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with 43 points in 35 games.
Defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler have been part of their success thanks to their solid play as the Flyers' second defense pairing. However, their status as potential unrestricted free agents in July has sparked speculation one or both could be peddled by the March 8 trade deadline.
On Dec. 4, The Athletic's Shayna Goldman suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers as possible landing spots for Wheeler. Five days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said at least one team looked into acquiring Walker and Seeler together.
For now, the Flyers aren't in any hurry to move either blueliner. Nevertheless, they are still a rebuilding club. Walker and/or Seeler could be shopped by the deadline if the Flyers tumble out of playoff contention or they receive a significant offer for one or both defensemen.
5. Elias Lindholm, Calgary Flames
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Topping our September 2023 Trade Block Big Board following a summer of speculation, Elias Lindholm didn't appear in our subsequent listings of trade candidates, as the focus shifted to the status of teammates Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. However, the future of the 27-year-old Calgary Flames center was once a topic of media conjecture.
The Colorado Avalanche shipping out Tomas Tatar on Dec. 15 to the Seattle Kraken prompted Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman to report that some clubs were paranoid the Avs were preparing to make a bigger move. During his Dec. 18 32 Thoughts podcast, Friedman suggested they could look at someone such as Lindholm.
Four days later, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun listed the Avalanche, Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suitors for Lindholm. On Dec. 27, Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy felt that acquiring the Flames center could be too costly for the Bruins. Meanwhile, the Denver Post's Corey Masisak speculated the Avs could look at more affordable options.
LeBrun also indicated the Flames and Lindholm haven't closed the door yet on their contract talks and there's no indication he's on the trade block. If an extension isn't possible, the Flames will entertain trade offers, but those discussions might not occur until closer to the March trade deadline.
4. Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames
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The Calgary Flames shipping Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks at the end of November prompted speculation over Noah Hanifin's trade status. With his contract talks put on hold earlier this season, the 27-year-old Flames defenseman topped our December NHL Trade Block Big Board.
On Dec. 1, Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy suggested the Bruins look into a potential sign-and-trade scenario for Hanifin. Given the Bruins' limited number of tradeable assets and cap space for this season, that seems an unlikely scenario.
During the Dec. 4 episode of Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Arizona Coyotes expressed an interest in Hanifin earlier this season. On Dec. 23, the New York Post's Larry Brooks suggested the Flames' blueliner could be a good fit as a playoff rental for the New Jersey Devils with Dougie Hamilton sidelined until the playoffs.
On Dec. 7, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Flames hadn't given up on re-signing Hanifin. That could still be the case, but the situation could change if he remains without a contract as the trade deadline approaches. For that reason, he remains on our list, though not as high as he was on our December board.
3. Jake Allen, Montreal Canadiens
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With goaltenders Sam Montembeault, Cayden Primeau and Jake Allen on the roster since the start of this season, the Montreal Canadiens have been the focus of trade speculation for weeks. It led to Allen and Primeau landing on our December NHL Trade Block Big Board at No. 2 and 3.
The Canadiens signing Montembeault to a three-year contract extension on Dec. 1 heightened speculation over whether Allen or Primeau would be traded. On Dec. 22, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported teams with an interest in Allen told the Canadiens they'd circle back on him in January to restart trade discussions.
LeBrun believes the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils have spoken with the Canadiens at some point during this season. Allen, 33, is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $3.9 million with a seven-team no-trade list. The 11-year veteran has a career goals-against average of 2.72 and a save percentage of .909.
The Hurricanes, Oilers and Devils might not be the only clubs with an interest in Allen. On Dec. 5, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Seattle Kraken and Buffalo Sabres were believed to have reached out to the Canadiens about the veteran netminder. On Dec. 11, Montreal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont included the Los Angeles Kings in his list of suitors.
2. Tyson Barrie, Nashville Predators
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Four days before last year's March 3 NHL trade deadline, the Edmonton Oilers shipped Tyson Barrie to the Nashville Predators as part of the return for Mattias Ekholm. Entering January, the 33-year-old defenseman could be on the move again before this year's deadline. He's in the final season of his contract with a salary-cap hit of $4.5 million.
On Dec. 2, Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Predators allowed Barrie's agent to speak with other clubs about a potential trade. Nashville Hockey Now's Michael Gallagher suggested the Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders as possible trade destinations.
Four days later, The Athletic's Shayna Goldman suggested the Devils as a landing spot for Barrie. She also proposed the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames as clubs that could use the puck-moving Barrie.
So far, there's no indication that the Predators are close to moving Barrie. Given the fact that his agent is allowed to seek a deal for his client, we can't rule out the possibility of a trade taking place in January. Teams seeking a puck-moving defenseman who generates offense from the blue line could become more in demand as the trade deadline approaches.
1. Chris Tanev, Calgary Flames
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Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev has been the subject of media trade speculation since late October. As a result, the 33-year-old was No. 4 on our December NHL Trade Block Big Board. The conjecture over Tanev's future continued throughout last month as well. He carries a $4.5 million cap hit for this season along with a 10-team no-trade list.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been most frequently linked to Tanev. General manager Brad Treliving knows him well from his days as the Flames GM. On Dec. 2, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Treliving looked into acquiring Tanev as well as Nikita Zadorov from the Flames before the latter was traded to the Vancouver Canucks.
Friedman still believed Treliving remained interested in Tanev. However, on Dec. 12, TSN's Pierre LeBrun claimed the Flames had told teams they weren't yet ready to trade the blueliner. They could be waiting to see if Tanev's trade value will improve in the coming weeks.
The Hockey News' Adam Proteau had Tanev atop his list of four players most likely to change teams by the March 8 trade deadline. In addition to the Leafs, Proteau anticipated the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche could be among the suitors.
Tanev's affordable contract, solid defensive game, experience and leadership are among the reasons he holds the top spot on our January trade board.
Stats (as of Monday) via NHL.com with salary info via CapFriendly.
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