5 Trade Targets NHL Buyers Should Avoid at the Deadline
The 2024 NHL trade deadline is at 3 p.m. ET on March 8. We can expect activity in the trade market to increase over the next several weeks. Playoff contenders will attempt to bolster their rosters while non-contenders attempt to peddle pending free agents who no longer fit into their plans beyond this season.
While the deadline is two months away, there are already players being mentioned as trade candidates. Some of them are stars at the top of their game such as the Calgary Flames' Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. If they hit the trade block, they should provide an invaluable boost to whichever contender acquires them.
However, some should have "buyer beware" warnings. They are the focus of our five trade targets that buyers should avoid. Their previous performances could draw interest from contenders, but factors such as their contract and inconsistent play should make potential suitors think twice.
Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Is there a player you feel we missed? Let us know in the app comments section.
Jakub Vrána, St. Louis Blues
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Chosen 13th overall in the 2014 NHL draft by the Washington Capitals, Jakub Vrána made his NHL debut in 2016-17. Blessed with speed and offensive skills, he had two seasons with 20-plus goals and 47 or more points with the Capitals, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Traded to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2021 trade deadline, Vrána had 11 points in as many games with his new club over the remainder of the season. Injuries limited him to 26 games in 2021-22, and he struggled last season following a stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, spending time with the Wings' AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids.
Vrána was on the move at the 2023 trade deadline as the Red Wings shipped him to the St. Louis Blues. Once again, he finished with a flourish on a new team with 10 goals and 14 points in 20 games. However, he managed just six points in 19 games this season before being demoted to the Blues' AHL affiliate in Springfield.
Before that move, there was a report that Vrána was available for a trade, suggesting he could be on the move. Nothing's materialized yet, but The Athletic's Chris Johnston placed the 27-year-old winger at No. 28 on his trade board. He's on an expiring contract with the Red Wings and Blues splitting his $5.3 million annual cap hit.
Johnston suggested that Vrána's offensive upside makes him difficult to ignore. However, his ongoing consistency woes combined with his five-on-five defensive issues suggest he wouldn't be much help to a playoff contender. Teams looking for reliable scoring for a postseason run might consider other options.
Kevin Labanc, San Jose Sharks
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After his first three seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Kevin Labanc appeared to be established as a top-six winger. He followed up a 40-point sophomore campaign in 2017-18 with a 56-point performance in 2018-19, along with nine points in 20 playoff games.
Despite a drop in his production the following season to 33 points in 70 games, then-Sharks general manager Doug Wilson signed Labanc to a four-year contract in October 2020 with an average annual value of $4.7 million.
Labanc's performance since then has not measured up to his annual salary. He had 28 points in 55 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, was limited by injury to just 21 games in 2021-22 and managed just 33 points in 72 contests last season.
Now in his contract year, Labanc has been scratched from several games. When he has played there's little production to show for his efforts, managing just six points in 27 games. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli wondered if a rival club would take a flier on Labanc as he needs a change of scenery.
Labanc will likely be among several pending unrestricted free agents that GM Mike Grier will peddle leading up to the deadline. Perhaps a fresh start elsewhere could boost his play. However, that might be a gamble worth taking in the offseason on an affordable one-year contract, rather than by a playoff contender seeking a reliable scoring winger.
Tony DeAngelo, Carolina Hurricanes
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A skillful puck-moving defenseman, Tony DeAngelo put up impressive offensive numbers in three of the past four seasons. He netted a career-best 53 points with the New York Rangers in 2019-20, 51 points in 2021-22 with the Carolina Hurricanes and 42 points last season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
DeAngelo also moved around a lot during that time in part because his defensive play often isn't on the same level as his offensive game. Now in his second stint with the Hurricanes, he's been a frequent healthy scratch. As of Jan. 3, he appeared in just 20 games and netted nine points with a plus-minus of minus-10.
Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli indicated the Hurricanes prefer Jalen Chatfield's defensive style. Chatfield also carries a more affordable cap hit ($762,500) compared to DeAngelo's $1.7 million. Those two factors have made the latter available in the trade market.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston believes DeAngelo can make a difference if plugged into the right role. He could prove beneficial to a club in need of some production from the blue line, especially on the power play.
Nevertheless, DeAngelo's defensive difficulties could make him a liability in the heat of playoff competition. His offense could also be stymied throughout the postseason as teams tighten up and put more focus on neutralizing scorers.
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Anthony Mantha, Washington Capitals
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During the 2021 NHL trade deadline, Anthony Mantha was shipped to the Washington Capitals by the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik and two first-round picks. At the time, it seemed like a swap that would benefit both clubs. However, it didn't work out that way.
Vrana wound up traded by the Red Wings at the 2023 trade deadline to the St. Louis Blues and is once again the subject of trade speculation. So is Mantha, who has struggled to regain the scoring potential that he had in Detroit.
A two-time 48-point performer with the Red Wings, Mantha has been hampered by injuries and inconsistency since joining the Capitals. The low point came last season when he managed just 11 goals and 27 points in 67 games, making him the subject of trade rumors last June as the Capitals informed rival teams that the winger was available.
Now 29, Mantha is having a bit of a bounce-back season, sitting tied for second with Tom Wilson among Capitals scorers with 11 goals in 31 games. Nevertheless, The Athletic's Chris Johnston observed he's a one-shot scorer who needs help getting the puck in shooting areas.
Eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, Mantha carries a $5.7 million cap hit that Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli felt could be difficult to move. Throw in his injury history and erratic scoring and he could be passed over by clubs looking for a more reliable scoring presence.
John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
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The Anaheim Ducks' ongoing roster rebuilding has made John Gibson a frequent target of trade speculation. With several teams in need of help between the pipes, the 30-year-old goaltender is an experienced starter who may seem like a worthwhile target leading up to deadline day.
Gibson's stats had suffered over the last two seasons because of his club's rebuilding process. However, he's bounced back this season despite the Ducks' porous blue line with a 2.96 goals-against average and .904 save percentage. He also has playoff experience, and he's under contract through 2026-27.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston had Gibson at No. 30 on his trade board. While acknowledging Gibson's expensive $6.4 million annual average value complicates efforts to move him, Johnston suggested the Ducks' workhorse goalie could be worth the trouble.
Gibson's contract could be more hassle than it's worth. The Ducks will likely want any interested club to take that hefty cap hit off their books. They'll also seek a return of draft picks and young players to put toward their rebuild. The Ducks' asking price will probably increase if a possible suitor wants them to retain up to half of Gibson's annual salary.
How well Gibson adjusts to his new club could also make this a risky venture, especially if there's no salary retention by the Ducks. His last playoff appearance was six years ago, so he could have difficulty adjusting to that pace. If his best seasons are behind him, his new club could be stuck with an expensive goalie best suited for backup duty.
Stats (as of Jan. 3, 2024) via NHL.com with salary info via Cap Friendly. Our list was drawn from names on Daily Faceoff's Dec. 2 list of Trade Targets and The Athletic's Trade Board 2.0 from Dec. 20, 2023.
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