NHL Players Whose Trade Stock Is Peaking Right Now

Every year the NHL trade deadline comes and goes with a ton of buildup and fanfare. Teams are always looking for ways to get better, and they are often willing to pay a premium for talent that will help put them over the top in an attempt to win the Stanley Cup.

There are some players whose trade value is currently peaking, and they could fetch a nice bounty on the open market. With that in mind, here are the players with value that is currently soaring.

Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings

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Justin Williams is a 33-year-old winger whose value is peaking at just the right time. The Los Angeles Kings forward is set to become a free agent this July, and there is no guarantee that Mr. Game 7 will be retained.

He's been a clutch performer and a key part of the Kings for the past few seasons, but in a salary-cap world you can't keep every player you would like to.

With 13 goals in 43 games, Williams is on pace to finish with 25 goals, and that would be the most of his career with the Kings.

Cody Franson, Toronto Maple Leafs

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Brendan Shanahan joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a corporate executive as the head of hockey operations in April of 2014. Since that time he has laid low for the most part, but he's been more visible over the last few weeks.

While most of the media have suggested that Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf should be traded, it would make sense for the Leafs to trade someone who is unlikely to be back in town next season. 

Cody Franson is set to be a free agent, and his trade value couldn't be any higher. After recording 33 points in 79 games last season, Franson is currently sitting on 27 points through 43 games.

His points-per-game average is up .21, and he is due to make a boatload of dough. The 6'5", 213-pound right-handed defender has a booming shot, and he could fetch a nice return that puts the Leafs' rebuild in motion.

Andrej Sekera, Carolina Hurricanes

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The Carolina Hurricanes are a contender in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes, and they may sell off some of their better players to increase their odds of selecting No. 1 overall. Andrej Sekera is the team's biggest asset worth dealing, and he could fetch a nice return even though he is a rental.

Sekera is a steady top-four defender who plays solid in his own zone and contributes about 27 points a season.

The Hurricane blueliner's value is higher now than it will be at the deadline, because teams would be willing to integrate him into the makeup of their team sooner rather than later, so he fits in like a missing puzzle piece by the time the playoffs are underway.

There is also a chance teams could trade for him and sign him to an extension, and that would make acquiring him even more lucrative.

Alex Tanguay, Colorado Avalanche

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Alex Tanguay is a veteran winger who rejoined the Colorado Avalanche last season, but it could be in the team's best interest to trade him while his value is insanely high.

Tanguay has 31 points through 43 games, and he could be a solid veteran addition to a team looking for a punch in the top nine that can also play on the power play. He has a low cap hit at $3.5 million, and that is a figure that most teams could add to their books for the remainder of the season in addition to next year.

The chances of Tanguay becoming a better scorer at age 35 and so on is unlikely, so it would make a ton of sense to deal a viable asset in exchange for a pick in a very deep draft.

Keith Yandle, Arizona Coyotes

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The Arizona Coyotes are ready to blow things up. With word out via TSN's Insider Trading that both the owner and general manager are on the same page, Keith Yandle's value will never be higher.

When a team is ready to have a fire sale, it often loses negotiating power with other teams, because another general manager won't go out of his way to help a team cut its losses for no reason.

Yandle is a very talented offensive defender, and it would make sense for the Coyotes to cash in now, because there are going to be a number of high-profile free-agent defenders available this summer.

Antoine Vermette, Arizona Coyotes

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Antoine Vermette is the other member of the Arizona Coyotes who has optimal trade value at this point. Vermette is slated to become a free agent this summer, and he could command a salary of at least $6 million a season.

The 32-year-old pivot is having a solid season with the Coyotes, and his points-per-game average is up to .65 from .55 in 2013-14. Vermette isn't a top offensive center by any means, by his all-around two-way game and ability to win faceoffs makes him an ideal player to acquire for a lengthy playoff run.

Stats as of January 16 via Hockey-Reference.