Ranking the Best NHL Players Still on the Trade Market
While free-agent signings usually make NHL headlines at this time of year, it's been a busier-than-usual summer for trade activity. Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Ryan O'Reilly, Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton are among the notable players dealt thus far.
One reason behind the trade traffic is the lack of top talent in this summer's free-agent market. Another is the limited increase of the salary cap for 2015-16, forcing some teams, such as the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers, to shed expensive players such as Patrick Sharp and Vincent Lecavalier. Rebuilding clubs, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, could shop veterans for promising youth.
The following is a ranking of the best NHL players believed to be on the trade market, explaining why they're on the list. Performance, salary, potential asking price and trade value are factored into this compilation.
8. Vincent Lecavalier, Philadelphia Flyers
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Why he's here: Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia Daily News speculated the Philadelphia Flyers could once again try to trade fading star Vincent Lecavalier. Since joining the Flyers two years ago, the 35-year-old's performance has steadily declined. It's believed the cap-strapped Flyers hope to ditch his contract.
Potential asking price: While Lecavalier's days as a Richard Trophy candidate are well behind him, a change of scenery could improve his production. To shed his $4.5 million annual cap hit, the Flyers would probably accept a draft pick in return.
Possible suitors: Donnellon suggested the Flyers could shop Lecavalier to a club needing to reach the salary-cap floor. The Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes fall into that category.
7. Michael Grabner, New York Islanders
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Why he's here: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported hearing the New York Islanders could move right wing Michael Grabner. He suggested the 27-year-old could be a good fit for clubs seeking speed on the wing.
Potential asking price: In recent years, injuries have hampered Grabner's performance. Still, he has previously been a 20-plus-goal scorer and can play either wing. He has a year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $3 million. To clear Grabner from their books, the Islanders could seek a third-round pick or a prospect.
Possible suitors: The Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs could use depth at left wing. He could also be a fit at right wing for the Arizona Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks or Colorado Avalanche.
6. Patrik Berglund, St. Louis Blues
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Why he's here: TheFourthPeriod.com's Dennis Bernstein reported the St. Louis Blues are still seeking a trade partner for forward Patrik Berglund. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy P. Rutherford claimed the 27-year-old was among several Blues forwards who have been in the rumor mill over the past two months.
Potential asking price: Berglund has been inconsistent for the Blues, who are set to pay him $3.7 million per season for two more years. This will likely be a salary dump. The Blues could seek a draft pick, prospect or an affordable young player in return.
Possible suitors: Rutherford's colleague, Jeff Gordon, suggested Berglund could be valuable as a supporting player on an Eastern Conference team. The New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres or Toronto Maple Leafs could afford him.
5. Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks
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Why he's here: The cap-strapped Chicago Blackhawks must free up salary prior to the start of 2015-16. The Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Lazerus reported left wing Bryan Bickell was among the leading candidates to be dealt. Bickell, 29, is carrying a $4 million annual cap hit through 2016-17 with a modified no-trade clause.
Potential asking price: Bickell is an inconsistent performer, but his 6'4”, 223-pound frame and physical style could be attractive to clubs lacking size and grit. As the Blackhawks can't afford to take on much salary, a draft pick or prospect could get it done.
Possible suitors: Lazerus claimed the Boston Bruins had interest in Bickell, but they've since acquired Jimmy Hayes from Florida. The Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs could use depth on the left wing.
4. Tyler Bozak, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Why he's here: Sportsnet's John Shannon stated he felt the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade center Tyler Bozak. The Globe and Mail's James Mirtle reported the Leafs have been getting offers for the 29-year-old Bozak for some time.
Potential asking price: Bozak tallied a career-best 23 goals and tied a career high in points (49) last season. He has three years remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $4.2 million. The Leafs are rebuilding, so they could seek a draft pick and perhaps a prospect or young NHL-ready player.
Possible suitors: Mirtle reported the Arizona Coyotes seemed the best fit until they signed Antoine Vermette on July 1. The Carolina Hurricanes could be another possible destination.
3. Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
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Why he's here: Prior to the Pittsburgh Penguins' acquisition of Phil Kessel, Dave Molinari and Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jeff Skinner was on their list of trade targets. The rebuilding Hurricanes could still try to move the talented but oft-injured Skinner.
Potential asking price: When healthy, the 23-year-old Skinner is a 30-plus-goal scorer. He's currently earning a $5.725 million annual cap hit through 2018-19 and lacks a no-trade clause until 2017-18. Because of his injury history, the Hurricanes could seek a draft pick and a promising young player or prospect to clear his salary from their books.
Possible suitors: In light of recent trade and free-agency activity, there might not be many destinations for Skinner now. The Toronto Maple Leafs could use scoring depth on the left wing, and Skinner is the right age to fit into their rebuilding process.
2. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
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Why he's here: The Chicago Blackhawks must shed salary for 2015-16. Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reported winger Patrick Sharp is among their leading trade candidates. He's carrying an annual average salary of $5.9 million.
Potential asking price: Sharp, 33, is a four-time 30-goal scorer. Ordinarily, the Blackhawks would want a decent player in return, but they cannot afford to be saddled with much salary. They'll likely accept a second-round draft pick and a quality prospect.
Possible suitors: Lazerus claimed the Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens are interested in Sharp. With the Penguins, Panthers and Capitals having addressed their needs, that leaves the Isles and Habs as potential destinations.
1. Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues
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Why he's here: Jeremy P. Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk's name recently surfaced in the rumor mill. While his agent, Jordan Neumann, denied his client was being shopped, it's done little to silence the speculation. If the Blues were to move Shattenkirk, Rutherford speculates it could be for salary reasons.
Potential asking price: Shattenkirk, 26, collected 44 points in 56 regular-season games last season and eight points in six playoff games. He's the Blues' best puck-moving defenseman and has two years left on his contract at an annual cap hit of $4.25 million. It could cost a good young blueliner, a first-round pick and a top prospect to get him.
Possible suitors: Rutherford reported rumors linked Shattenkirk to the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers. CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty suggested the Boston Bruins should look into the rearguard's availability.
Players stats via NHL.com. Salary information via Generalfanager.com.
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