NHL Trade Scenarios: 5 Players from Playoff Teams Moving This Offseason

With the first round of the playoffs under way, there have been some surprises. While some teams have performed worse than expected, others have done well for themselves.

The Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins, both favorites to reach the Finals, are both looking up at 0-3 deficits in their respective series. While the Penguins are more evenly matched with their cross-state rivals in Philadelphia, the Presidents' Trophy winning Canucks have fallen flat on their faces.

Early round exits for teams with high expectations means big changes. Whether it's a coaching change or a major personnel overhaul, just getting to the playoffs doesn't cut it anymore.

Teams set the bar during the regular season for the expectations in the playoffs. The Presidents' Cup for the league's best record means nothing more than home ice advantage, and it's a piece of hardware most teams could care less for.

An early end to the season can also mean curtains for key players. While no individual can shoulder the blame for a team's playoff failure, under-performing players are typically the scapegoats who are sent out of town. Whether a certain player has worn out his welcome or not earned his contract, it's hardly uncommon for playoff teams to trim the fat at season's end.

Here are the top five playoff players that will be moved this offseason.

Zach Parise

Whether he bolts during free agency or the Devils deal him to recoup something, Zach Parise is as good as gone. The Devils' captain has refused to discuss his deal all year, and the team's well chronicled financial troubles will make it hard to convince him he should stay.

The Devils finished strong to get the sixth seed in the East in large part to Parise's improved chemistry with Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Elias. Goaltender Martin Brodeur has been publicly campaigning for the young winger to stay put as their captain, but it may not be enough. The lure of a humongous payday may be too great for Parise to stay in New Jersey, even if he isn't dealt.

Ryan Suter

The potential availability of Nashville's top two defensemen means that it may be difficult for Nashville to keep both. With Shea Weber, the Predators' captain, having a spectacular, if not controversial, playoff so far, he will probably earn the majority of the attention and cash this offseason.

Ryan Suter is hardly a slouch though and will be a focal point for a majority of the NHL looking to make the 27-year-old a (more) wealthy man.

Depending on how far the Predators' run goes this year, they may make both of the two stud blueliners a priority. Limits on their available cap space might make it an impossibility because the Preds will only have 12 players under contract July 1.

Suter will certainly be able to make more money in another city but might give a hometown discount if Nashville contends late in the playoffs.

Dustin Penner

Yes the Dustin Penner of the five-year $21.25 million deal is finally coming to the end of his blockbuster offer sheet deal. Penner has shown some impressive signs of life this postseason—a stark contrast to his worst regular season to date, which saw his point total hit 17.

A goal and an assist in the Kings surprising three games to none lead over No. 1 seed Vancouver, might remind a few teams that ol' Dusty can still put his 6'4", 250 lb body to good use.

There's not a snowball's chance in the Staples Center parking lot that Penner gets a deal like the one that's expiring, but the Kings will have an easier time dealing him with fewer dollars left on his deal.

Mike Green

It's hard to believe that the oft-injured Capitals' defender is only two years removed from Norris Trophy consideration during his 76 point campaign. After missing the bulk of the 2011-12 season with various injuries, including hernia surgery on his abdominal muscles, Green is back and healthy for the playoffs.

In the final 22 games of the season Green registered a single assist and a plus-4 rating. Hardly the offensive threat he appeared to be in his first five seasons.

The Capitals as a team performed well below the standard they have set for themselves the last few years, finishing seventh in the East. While it may be too much to ask of Washington to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champs, the Capitals have given the Bruins fits through three games.

Green's lackluster play and sizable contract make for popular trade rumors around D.C.. With Alex Semin also unlikely to return, the Caps will probably look to deal Green and rebuild their roster around franchise players Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

Cory Schneider

Restricted free agent Cory Schneider will be the hottest goalie commodity this offseason. There will be no shortage of suitors for the 26-year-old Vancouver apprentice, specifically from teams whose season ended at game 82.

While Vancouver can still match any offer that he receives from another team, it is believed that they cannot and will not match an offer that would cripple the Canucks' salary cap.

His regular season stats left many of the Canuck faithful calling for Schneider to get the nod in the playoffs, but coach Alain Vigneault opted for the more experienced Roberto Luongo.

Schneider actually supplanted  Luongo in Game 3 at Los Angeles in an attempt to fire up the lethargic Canucks. While he was at the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat Saturday night, Schneider was hardly to blame, stopping 19 of 20 shots.

It isn't clear if Schneider will be back in net for Game 4 as the Canucks try to keep their Cup hopes alive. If they can' t beat the Kings Wednesday night, chances are Schneider will be in a different sweater, leading a different dream next fall.

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