Ranking the 10 Players Most Likely to Be Traded After the 2014-15 NHL Season
NHL teams are shuffling for final positions and making sure their players are healthy and ready for the long trip through the Stanley Cup playoffs.
General managers have one eye on their teams and another on the future, which means several players who will be relied on in pivotal roles are playing their final games for certain franchises. Cap issues, emerging youngsters bubbling under and teams changing directions will all contribute to veterans leaving their current NHL cities.
Here are the 10 biggest names likely to be dealt this season and why they're leaving town.
10. Matt Read, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
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What Is His Current Job? Matt Read is a true Philadelphia Flyers success story. Signed as a college free agent after playing at Bemidji State, he combines speed, skill and two-way acumen and is a versatile forward.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? The Flyers use Read in all areas of the game, and he has played all three forward positions. For a team with so many injuries every season, Read's value as a plug-and-play forward is enormous.
Why Will They Deal Him? Philadelphia has several contracts among their forwards that may well be unmovable. The Flyers are tapped out when it comes to the cap, and trading Read may be one of the few moves that relieves the money worry and returns good value at the same time.
9. Dennis Seidenberg, D, Boston Bruins
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What Is His Current Job? Dennis Seidenberg is a quality veteran defenseman for the Boston Bruins. He has been an important player since coming over in the 2009-10 season.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? Seidenberg (when healthy) gives Boston major minutes at even strength and on the penalty kill. He's a top-quality NHL defender.
Why Will They Deal Him? Boston's cap situation probably means more veterans will be sent away this summer. Johnny Boychuk was the victim before this season, and Seidenberg's advancing age—he will be 34 this summer—makes him a strong candidate for a trade.
8. T.J. Oshie, RW, St. Louis Blues
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What Is His Current Job? T.J. Oshie is a productive winger for the St. Louis Blues. He plays significant minutes in all three disciplines—even strength, power play and penalty kill.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? He plays a strong two-way game and brings a physical element to every shift. He is famous for being money in the shootout.
Why Will They Deal Him? St. Louis is likely going to pay Vladimir Tarasenko a lot of money for a long-term deal this summer. The Blues will have to cut back somewhere, and Oshie's playing style may make him a candidate to move before injuries reduce his value.
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7. Patrick Sharp, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
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What Is His Current Job? Patrick Sharp is one of the Chicago Blackhawks leaders in ice time among forwards and plays with the Blackhawks' best players, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? Stats.HockeyAnalysis also has Sharp as an effective power-play contributor, and he will be more in demand with the injury to Patrick Kane. He's also an effective two-way veteran, which is always a valuable skill set during the playoffs.
Why Will They Deal Him? Chicago's cap number is going to be very high, owing mostly to the twin contract extensions for Jonathan Toews and Kane. At age 33 and carrying a significant cap number ($5.9 million), Sharp is a likely candidate for a trade.
6. Dustin Brown, RW, Los Angeles Kings
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What Is His Current Job? Dustin Brown is the captain of the Los Angeles Kings. His job is to play a rugged style and contribute offensively.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? Brown's style is very difficult for the opposition to handle. He plays the game right on the edge—sometimes over the line—and helps give the Kings their well-earned reputation for being a physical load to handle.
Why Will They Deal Him? There are two reasons Los Angeles may decide to move Brown: his salary and his reduced offense over the last two seasons. He will make over $7 million this year and is on track for fewer than 15 goals.
5. Craig Anderson, G, Ottawa Senators
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What Is His Current Job? Craig Anderson is a quality NHL starting goalie and the No. 1 man for the Ottawa Senators.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? The Senators value Anderson as their top goaltender and have shown no hesitation to stay with him despite attractive alternatives.
Why Will They Deal Him? Ottawa is a team that doesn't spend a lot of money. Anderson is easily the Sens' highest-paid goalie, and the emergence of Andrew Hammond may mean the club will trade their veteran. Robin Lehner has been the starter-in-waiting, but Hammond may give him a run for the top job.
4. Patrick Marleau, LW, San Jose Sharks
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What Is His Current Job? Patrick Marleau has been the franchise player for the San Jose Sharks for many years. He's no longer the team's big gun but remains a quality offensive winger.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? Marleau's ability on the power play gives San Jose a reliable player who can impact special teams in a positive way. The Sharks power play is among the most effective in the NHL again this season.
Why Will They Deal Him? The Sharks are nearing the end of the line with the veterans who gave them a strong chance to win in previous seasons. Trading Marleau would be a drastic move seeing has how he's been a big part of the team for so long, but if San Jose retools, he could be dealt this summer. He has a no-movement clause, as noted by The Fourth Period, but may want to be traded to a contender if the rebuild takes hold in San Jose.
3. Taylor Hall, LW, Edmonton Oilers
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What Is His Current Job? Taylor Hall is the face of the Edmonton Oilers franchise and their best offensive player. He was the first No. 1 overall selection in team history, and his electrifying style makes him a fan favorite.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? Hall is the straw that stirs the offensive drink for the Oilers. According to his numbers on Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, he is a feature player on the top line and can impact the game on any shift.
Why Will They Deal Him? This is Hall's fifth season, and the team has yet to make it out of the basement. If the Oilers end up with one of the top two picks in the 2015 draft, their face of the franchise will be either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. If that happens, Edmonton may deal Hall for an impact defender.
2. Ryan O'Reilly, C, Colorado Avalanche
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What Is His Current Job? Ryan O'Reilly is an effective two-way player for the Colorado Avalanche. He is 24 and playing in is his sixth NHL season.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? O'Reilly has a complete skill set, allowing him to play big minutes in all three disciplines. This year, he has been playing with Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.
Why Will They Deal Him? The Avalanche have been shopping O'Reilly for several weeks. Bob McKenzie of TSN wrote in January about the situation, quoting Adrian Dater—then of The Denver Post—in regard to O'Reilly's availability. McKenzie further reported on Colorado targeting specific teams they deemed as good trade fits for their needs.
1. Joe Thornton, C, San Jose Sharks
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What Is His Current Job? Joe Thornton is a brilliant playmaking center for the San Jose Sharks. His career in California has been exceptional, including his capturing the Art Ross and Hart Trophies in the season he came over from Boston.
In What Areas Is He Relied on? Thornton is a legendary playmaker and remains a top member of the power play for the Sharks.
Why Will They Deal Him? San Jose may not make the playoffs this season, and that may spell major changes. Thornton does have a no-movement clause, per The Fourth Period, but it's likely to get very uncomfortable for Thornton if the franchise keeps losing.
All salary-cap information courtesy of NHLNumbers.com. All advanced stats courtesy Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.
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