NHL Trade Deadline 2015: Last-Minute Predictions for Deadline Day

Over the last week, NHL executives have feverishly worked the phones, and they have worked hard to get a feel for the market. Others made the decision to pull the trigger early, but there are still some top targets available.

The trade window will close promptly at 3 p.m. EST on Monday, although deals often are announced after NHL's Central Registry processes them. Without further delay, here are your last-minute predictions for the top players who may move on deadline day.

Jeff Petry Gets Traded to Detroit Red Wings

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The Detroit Red Wings are having an amazing season, and they are looking to bolster the roster for a lengthy playoff run. The Red Wings have coveted a right-handed defender for quite sometime, and adding Petry would be a move that would help the team for the next few seasons.

Detroit isn't pressed against the salary cap so it is completely possible that they could trade for Petry and sign him to an extension after the season is over. The 27-year-old defender is starting to show his true potential, and he would be a great second-pairing defender for the Red Wings.

Zbynek Michalek Traded to Pittsburgh Penguins

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The Pittsburgh Penguins got ahead of the market by acquiring Daniel Winnik from the Toronto Maple Leafs and look for general manager Jim Rutherford to add a familiar face at the deadline. 

Zbynek Michalek spent two seasons with the Penguins from 2010 to 2012, and the 32-year-old defender would add depth to the second or third pairing. Michalek's HERO chart is pretty solid, and he would really bolster the Pens' defense corps.

Chris Stewart to the New York Islanders

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Kyle Okposo's status for the playoffs is an unknown, and it would hurt the New York Islanders to add a physical top-six winger for the long haul. Stewart is having a down season with the Buffalo Sabres, but he would get a rush from leaving a bottom-dweller for a Stanley Cup contender.

Stewart has shown in the past that he can be a decent secondary scorer, and he could be a nice final piece for the Islanders as they attempt to win their first Stanley Cup since 1983.

Mats Zuccarello Remains with the New York Rangers

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General manager Glen Sather has a history of playing mind games with his players, and the rumors that the New York Rangers are considering dealing Mats Zuccarello certainly came out of nowhere.

The Blueshirts' skilled winger is set to become a free agent, and according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the two sides are about $1 million apart per year.

Zuccarello is a player who is a key to the Rangers' future success, and just like he did with Derek Stepan, Sather will use stiff negotiation tactics in order to get a new contract signed. While there's still a chance Zuccarello is moved, it would be foolish of the Rangers to deal him before a long playoff run.

Patrick Sharp Remains with the Chicago Blackhawks

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Patrick Sharp's future with the Chicago Blackhawks will be coming to an end soon, because of the team's impending cap crunch.

However, don't expect Sharp to be trading teams before Monday's deadline. Although Sharp's name entered the rumor mill on Friday, there are currently no plans to move him.

According to beat writer Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times, Sharp's agent Rick Curran has been assured that his client will not be moved at the trade deadline by Blackhawks' general manager Stan Bowman.

Cam Atkinson Gets Traded to the Boston Bruins

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The Boston Bruins don't have a ton of cap room going forward, so any addition will have to be low in price. Cam Atkinson makes only $1.15 million a year, and he's a goal scorer who could bolster the Bruins offense.

It is unlikely he will be re-signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, because he has more value via trade. He is on pace to finish with over 20 goals, and he would add some solid depth to the Bruins' second line.

Antoine Vermette Gets Traded to the Chicago Blackhawks

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Antoine Vermette is considered to be the top target for the 2015 NHL trade deadline, because he is a forward who can play both center and wing. The 32-year-old is a solid secondary offensive contributor, and one of the NHL's best when it comes to winning faceoffs.

The Blackhawks could use another forward to fill the void left by Patrick Kane, and his versatility could really bolster a roster that is looking to win another Stanley Cup. Vermette's No. 50 is currently occupied by Corey Crawford, so here is what the Coyotes' forward could look like in his new sweater.

Curtis Glencross Gets Traded to the Washington Capitals

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The Washington Capitals were rumored to have interest in Patrick Sharp, according to Blackhawks' beat writer Chris Kuc, and they will likely target other forwards before Monday's deadline. Curtis Glencross would be a great fit for the Capitals, because he's a player who'd fit Barry Trotz's system perfectly.

Glencross is a veteran two-way winger with some offensive skill, and he could be a stabilizing force on the Capitals' top line. He has a very low cap hit, and the price to add him wouldn't be too astronomical when you consider that Glencross is an older player with an expiring contract.

Tyler Bozak Remains with Toronto Maple Leafs

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Tyler Bozak's name has been included in trade rumors over the past few weeks, partially because the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be starting a rebuild. Although he's got a reasonable cap hit and a deal that expires in three seasons, look for the Maple Leafs to try and deal him during the summer.

The Maple Leafs may have a larger market during the summer, because teams that miss out on free agents could then look to Toronto to make a deal for a forward.

Keith Yandle Remains with Arizona Coyotes

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The Arizona Coyotes are likely to move players who have expiring contracts at the trade deadline, but Keith Yandle's deal expires after the 2015-16 season. There is a good chance that Yandle could be traded before the start of next season, but look for the Coyotes to make an offer to every team this summer.

There may be contenders who are interested in acquiring Yandle, but they may be unwilling to deal multiple assets before a playoff run. The market for Yandle will definitely grow this summer, and that is when Arizona will deal him.

Rumors via NHL.com and TheFourthPeriod.com unless otherwise noted. Stats via Hockey-Reference.com and NHL.com unless otherwise noted, and HERO charts via Own The Puck. Salary Cap Info via Hockey Buzz Cap Central