Hypothetical Trade Ideas Based on the Latest NHL Rumors

Wednesday was a big day for NHL trades, as several key moves were made. The most notable of these was the Los Angeles Kings' acquisition of defenceman Andrej Sekera from Carolina, a rental that cost the team both a first-round draft pick and the rights to prospect Roland McKeown. 

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TRADE: #Canes acquire defenseman Roland McKeown & a first-round draft pick for Sekera. More: http://t.co/gnsBdMNLll pic.twitter.com/U7xzUQ699U

— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) February 25, 2015"

With the trade deadline set for Monday, we're certain to see more moves. What could be in the works? Looking at the latest rumours, we suggest several hypothetical trades that could yet transpire. 

Martin Erat to the New York Islanders

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Hypothetical trade: The Arizona Coyotes trade winger Martin Erat to the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2016.

Basis for the trade: Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post reported recently that the Islanders aren't likely to make any major moves given the prominent assets the team had to trade to upgrade its blue line. However, he added that the club might be interested in adding a depth forward. It makes sense that Arizona would be interested in getting what it can for Erat, a pending unrestricted free agent, according to NHL Numbers.   

Key factors: Not every team in the league can fit in Erat's hefty $4.5 million cap hit, and his performance hasn't been spectacular this year. The Islanders can afford to take a chance on the low-cost buy of a forward who was a pretty significant scorer as recently as 2012-13 and who has 50 games of postseason experience. 

Torrey Mitchell to the Montreal Canadiens

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Hypothetical trade: The Buffalo Sabres trade forward Torrey Mitchell to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for prospect Dalton Thrower and a sixth-round pick in 2016.

Basis for the trade: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently suggested that Mitchell might be a fit in Montreal based on his speed. He cited general manager Marc Bergevin's emphasis of pace when acquiring players. 

Key factors: This isn't an expensive add for Montreal, but it will give the Canadiens a useful depth guy. A rebuilding Buffalo team adds a pick and also a prospect who was once highly touted but has struggled dramatically as a rookie pro. 

Marek Zidlicky to the Anaheim Ducks

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Hypothetical trade: The New Jersey Devils trade defenceman Marek Zidlicky to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a third-round pick in 2016.

Basis for the trade: Eric Duhatschek recently noted in the The Globe and Mail that the Ducks were interested in upgrading their defence corps, while ESPN's Pierre LeBrun noted that Zidlicky is a pending free agent on a (likely) non-playoff team, though the Devils have not yet talked to him about a trade.

Key factors: Zidlicky's no-trade clause gives him some control over destination, which may limit the Devils' ability to get a bidding war going for the ancient (38 years old) but still useful defenceman. With right-shooting rearguard Sami Vatanen out for a while, the Ducks could use Zidlicky on the power play. 

Zbynek Michalek to the St. Louis Blues

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Hypothetical trade: The Arizona Coyotes trade defenceman Zbynek Michalek to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a third-round pick in 2015 and Magnus Paajarvi.

Basis for the trade: Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on Wednesday that the Blues appear to have interest in adding a defenceman, specifically mentioning Michalek as a possible target. 

Key factors: The draft pick is a useful piece, with the Blues topping off the deal by adding Paajarvi to the mix. The 23-year-old winger cleared waivers earlier in the year but could fill a warm-body role for Arizona and allow the Coyotes the opportunity of taking him out for a test drive to see if there is a player there. 

Curtis Glencross to the Washington Capitals

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Hypothetical trade: The Calgary Flames trade winger Curtis Glencross to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016 and prospect Zach Sanford. 

Basis for the trade: According to Andrew Walker of Toronto radio station Sportsnet 590 The Fan, Glencross would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to Washington, and the Capitals are one of several teams interested. 

Key factors: The Flames are very much in the thick of the playoff race in the West, so it's worth asking whether they would be willing to take a pick in exchange rather than a body back. However, the Flames do have decent depth on the wings, and a team like Washington hoping for a deep run will be looking to load up. The Capitals are loaded with extra picks, so they can afford to cut one loose. Sanford, a 6'4" left wing, is in college and is some years away but fits with team president Brian Burke's preference to add size.  

Jeff Petry to the Detroit Red Wings

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Hypothetical trade: The Edmonton Oilers trade defenceman Jeff Petry to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a second-round pick in 2015 and prospect Mattias Backman. 

Basis for the trade: Petry is a pending free agent for a team well outside the playoff race. General manager Craig MacTavish declined to answer during a February 20 media session when he was asked if he was optimistic of re-signing the player. In an article for the Detroit Free Press, USA Today's Kevin Allen (among others) recently suggested that Petry might be a fit in Detroit, a team looking for a right-shooting defenceman. 

Key factors: Petry is a Michigan native and thus might be more amenable to re-signing with the Red Wings than with another club. Backman is a solid enough prospect to interest Edmonton, but his return to Sweden after what SlapshotGoal of Winging It in Motown reported was a frustrating AHL experience with Detroit means a fresh start makes good sense. 

Erik Cole to the Boston Bruins

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Hypothetical trade: The Dallas Stars trade Erik Cole to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016 and prospect Zane McIntyre.

Basis for the trade: ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun recently suggested that the Bruins were once again trying to pry Chris Stewart out of Buffalo but that the price remains high. He suggested instead that the team might go after Erik Cole, a similar player and fellow pending free agent. 

Key factors: Dallas and Boston have a history of making trades, and the price here is not outside of Boston's reach. The second-round pick is obligatory, but McIntyre makes it interesting. He's a very good college goalie prospect but is blocked in Boston, and the Stars don't have much at the position. 

Jaromir Jagr to the St. Louis Blues

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Hypothetical trade: The New Jersey Devils trade winger Jaromir Jagr to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for winger Dmitrij Jaskin and a second-round pick in 2016. 

Basis for the trade: According to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Blues are interested in adding a forward as well as a defenceman, and he notes that Jagr is believed to be available.

Key factors: St. Louis showed a willingness last season to put a lot of futures on the line to add a missing piece (Ryan Miller). That didn't work out, but this team is a legitimate contender, and with Chicago Blackhawks sinper Patrick Kane hurt, the road out of the Central Division just got easier.

Antoine Vermette to the Chicago Blackhawks

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Hypothetical trade: The Arizona Coyotes trade centre Antoine Vermette to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2015 and goalie Antti Raanta. 

Basis for the trade: ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports that the Blackhawks are looking at their options in the wake of Patrick Kane's injury and that they have significant interest in pending free agent Antoine Vermette. 

Key factors: Vermette will help to keep the Blackhawks alive until Kane gets back as the team pushes for another championship win, and outside of the first-round pick, they can afford the rest. On the Arizona side, a strong package features the first-round pick and a good, cheap goalie to battle Mike Smith for playing time next season.