NHL Players Whose Trade Value Will Never Be Higher

There is always plenty of talk ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Until a player is dealt, however, there's no telling what the cost of his acquisition will be.

Dictated by supply and demand, a domino effect of deals will be triggered either in the days or hours before the actual March 2 deadline or on the day itself.

With a month left on the market, we take a look at players whose trade value will never be higher. To qualify, they have to be among those likely to be traded at the deadline as opposed to the offseason, when more teams may be interested rather than just the ones in contention for the playoffs.

Parity has made it a much larger pool of hopefuls this year, which means expensive rentals and perhaps a few guys with term remaining and big dollars on their contracts finding new homes as well. Individually, these players will likely never be traded for more than the potential return between now and March.

Click ahead to see who makes the cut, where they could go and what they might command in compensation.

Jeff Petry, Edmonton Oilers

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

What he offers: Jeff Petry is not a flashy scorer, but he does offer a well-rounded game and depth for a large number of teams looking to add to the blue line for a playoff run. The 27-year-old defenseman who is set to become a unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer might be more valuable with the focus on possession numbers this season.

According to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, he has a 50.4 Corsi-for percentage on a terrible team.

Who might be interested: The Detroit Red Wings have seemingly been on the hunt for a right-handed defenseman forever, and Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News mentions that need again in a recent article. Petry is a Michigan product, and his dad pitched for the Detroit Tigers, so there are other reasons besides his value for the Wings to bring him aboard.

What he may fetch: Depending on how the other bigger names pan out on the market, Petry could be a reasonably cheap pickup. It's possible a third-round draft pick could lock him up late on deadline day for a team that waits for value. If things get crazy, he might even go for a second-rounder, which is a lot for a rental of his stature. He will never fetch more than that because his next NHL deal could be his last.

Erik Cole, Dallas Stars

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

What he offers: Erik Cole provides a veteran leadership presence and scoring touch. He's got 12 goals in 44 games and racked up six goals and 10 points in his last nine games before an upper-body injury put him on the shelf before the All-Star break.

Who might be interested: If the Dallas Stars decide they want to get assets for the 36-year-old who will be a free agent this summer, they will have a few teams kicking tires. Younger squads that are playoff-bound will be interested. Winnipeg, Calgary and Washington may be among those who could use the veteran factor.

What he may fetch: Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News believes the Stars could roll with younger players down the stretch if they receive an offer they can't refuse for Cole. At this point in his career, it could be a third-round pick or a mid-level prospect in need of a fresh start.

Chris Stewart, Buffalo Sabres

Bill Wippert/Getty Images

What he offers: On a good day, Chris Stewart offers toughness, a physical presence and goal-scoring potential. The winger has twice scored 28 goals in a season but has also been traded twice—dumped by the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues because of his inconsistency in bringing his best every night.

Who might be interested: The Boston Bruins are seeking a winger who can play in their top six, and according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch, are in competition with the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings. The Nashville Predators have also been linked to Stewart by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada, via colleague Evan Peaslee.

What he may fetch: Thanks to a recent hot streak—four goals and six points in his last five games—Stewart's value is on the rise. Garrioch suggests in that same article the Sabres are seeking a high price of a "high-end prospect and a top pick." They're more likely to get a second-round draft pick OR a prospect, at best, which is still solid value for a 27-year-old pending UFA with motivation issues.

Drew Stafford, Buffalo Sabres

Bill Wippert/Getty Images

What he offers: The versatile winger is a former 30-plus goal-scorer who offers a big-bodied frame that can withstand and inflict some punishment along the boards in the playoffs. He's not a power forward like Chris Stewart but has more playmaking ability.

Who might be interested: The aforementioned Bruins could look to Drew Stafford over Stewart, although both have struggled offensively this season. Others looking for depth, such as the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins or Winnipeg Jets, could also see what might pry him away from Buffalo.

What he may fetch: He's a pending UFA who could bring in a second-round or third-round selection depending on the number of bidders. He's 29 and could be a deadline steal. The Sabres could hang onto him until they get a price they consider acceptable.

Jaromir Jagr, New Jersey Devils

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

What he offers: A fun-loving locker-room presence with a strong work ethic and a great secondary scoring source. Jaromir Jagr is 42 and forever seeking another Stanley Cup before he retires.

Who might be interested: In a Pittsburgh Penguins fan's dream scenario, Jagr would come home to the Pens, win another Stanley Cup and then ride off into the sunset (or maybe sign one more deal with them in the summer). Dejan Kovacevic wrote that the Pens management approached Evgeni Malkin to see if Jagr would be a fit on his line. Of course he said yes.

What he may fetch: When Jagr was traded to the Bruins a couple of years ago, the deal was a conditional pick that turned into a first-rounder if Boston made the Eastern Conference Final. This time around it could be a third that turns into a second. The conditional part of the pick offers the buyer some protection. If unwilling to make it a first, the Devils could seek a prospect or roster player in addition to the pick.

Andrej Sekera, Carolina Hurricanes

Andre Ringuette/Getty Images

What he offers: The 28-year-old defenseman put up 44 points last season but is nowhere near that total this year. Still, he is a quick, puck-moving D-man who can quarterback a power play or help lead the way out of his own zone. Those skills are highly coveted around the league.

Who might be interested: If the Carolina Hurricanes can't sign him to a new deal, there will be plenty of suitors.

The Dallas Stars have struggled to find the right mix on the back end, and Andrej Sekera is a two-way player they could attempt to sign long term if he meshes. Knowing their Stanley Cup window may be closing soon, the New York Rangers are expected to make a push as well, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, via NicholsOnHockey.com.

What he may fetch: Bob McKenzie of TSN, via NicholsOnHockey.com, believes the bidding on a good crop of rental defensemen who should be available will pull out at least a second-round pick and a good prospect or young player, if not a first-rounder. The next team to sign Sekera will likely give him a long-term deal so his price on the trade market following his career year last season is peaking now.

Cody Franson, Toronto Maple Leafs

USA TODAY Sports

What he offers: Cody Franson has tremendous offensive upside, on pace for his best season to date, and is still in his prime as a defenseman at 27. He's a free agent this summer, but if you're willing to pay him around $5 million a season with term, he could commit to a contender after a trade.

Who might be interested: The Dallas Stars are looking for a top-four defenseman, according to TheFourthPeriod.com. The St. Louis Blues lost Kevin Shattenkirk for an indeterminate amount of time for abdominal surgery and may be motivated to make a move they wouldn't have otherwise.

What he may fetch: The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby reports the Maple Leafs are looking for a second-round pick for Franson if they can't re-sign him before the trade deadline. They should be able to get that return.

Keith Yandle, Arizona Coyotes

Norm Hall/Getty Images

What he offers: Elite offensive skills and a power-play leader come with a tendency to make poor decisions in his own zone. He's got 34 points through 50 games so far, with a minus-24 rating.

Who might be interested: The Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings are all candidates, although it would take some salary-cap sidestepping for the Bruins and Kings to fit Keith Yandle in. TheFourthPeriod.com puts the Stars forward as a capable and eager bidder.

What he may fetch: The Arizona Coyotes will ask for a top prospect or young roster player and a draft pick as a starting point and probably settle for two out of the three or some sort of straight-up deal for a guy like the Colorado Avalanche's Ryan O'Reilly, who also has one more term on his current contract.

Mike Green, Washington Capitals

USA TODAY Sports

What he offers: Relatively healthy this season, Mike Green has 31 points in 42 games this season and looks a lot like the Green of old. The 29-year-old is a rental player with a chance to sign anywhere he wants this summer.

Who might be interested: The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch says the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Green should the Washington Capitals be unable to sign him to an extension. The Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars are also interested in upgrading their blue-line groups. With the Kevin Shattenkirk injury, perhaps the St. Louis Blues will be interested as well.

What he may fetch: TSN's Bob McKenzie doesn't believe Green will sign with the Caps, making him a likely candidate to be dealt, according to an interview with TSN 690 (via NicholsOnHockey.com).

Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

What he offers: Tyler Myers is a former Calder Trophy winner who has regressed the past few years after posting strong offensive numbers early in his career. Still, he's just 25 and has lots of time to rediscover his game. He's also 6'7", which makes him intriguing for teams looking to develop a young blueliner.

Who might be interested: According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Anaheim Ducks are holding regular talks with the Sabres about bringing Myers and his four more years at $5.5 million against the salary cap to the West Coast. Garrioch also says the Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens are kicking tires.

What he may fetch: The Sabres should be able to get a big haul for the young defender. When a young player with term remaining is moved it is usually for a high draft pick, a prospect and a young roster player in return.

If it materializes, the Myers deal could be the biggest of the deadline this year. The team has the luxury of waiting until the offseason as well, but Myers' value is peaking because of supply and demand at the moment.

Antoine Vermette, Arizona Coyotes

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

What he offers: Antoine Vermette is a multiple-time 20-goal scorer who can play center or the wing. His versatility and offensive touch make him the prime man on the move this deadline day.

Who might be interested: Pretty much any team looking to add another top-six forward. The Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks are among those, but it will be a vast group bidding.

What he may fetch: A late first-rounder isn't out of the question because of the demand for the 32-year-old. The Coyotes may also settle for a second-rounder and a prospect.

All stats via NHL.com unless otherwise noted.