The 10 NHL Teams with the Most Trade Bait in the 2015-16 Season

Though it's early in the NHL's 2015-16 season, there's always speculation over which clubs could get active in the trade market. Several teams, such as the Carolina Hurricanes, are carrying a number of players who could become trade bait at some point. Eric Staal (pictured above), their team captain and long-time scoring star, could be among them. 

Not every club on this list will make moves for the same reason. Some, like the Hurricanes, are rebuilding and could shop some veterans for draft picks and prospects. Others, like the Philadelphia Flyers, are potential playoff contenders looking to bolster their chances. 

Here's a look at the 10 NHL teams with the most trade bait this season, providing a list of the potential trade candidates and analysis of each club's needs. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.

10. Edmonton Oilers

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Potential trade bait: Edmonton Oilers forwards Nail Yakupov (pictured above) and Teddy Purcell, along with defensemen Justin Schultz and Eric Gryba, are possible trade candidates. Purcell and Gryba are unrestricted free agents, while Schultz is a restricted free agent. 

Most valuable: Playing alongside rookie sensation Connor McDavid, Yakupov is enjoying a terrific start to this season. If the 22-year-old's consistency issues flare up again, however, management might run out of patience. Yakupov could attract interest from general managers looking for a young winger with scoring potential.

Analysis: Yakupov's recent progress bolsters his trade value, but it could also make the Oilers unwilling to part with him right now. A trade might help Schultz, but his value could be declining. The Oilers defense is an ongoing issue, so they could be in the market for experienced blueliners. 

9. Philadelphia Flyers

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Potential trade bait: Philadelphia Flyers forwards Vincent Lecavalier, R.J. Umberger and Sam Gagner (pictured above), along with defenseman Luke Schenn, are possible trade candidates. Gagner and Schenn are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. 

Most valuable. There's not much to choose from here, but Gagner is the best of the bunch. Over eight NHL seasons, the 26-year-old has reached the 40-point mark six times. He's off to a decent start with the Flyers, with four points in his first six games. Though consistency is an issue, Gagner's a skilled playmaker who can skate at center or on the wing. 

Analysis: The Flyers currently need offensive punch, which could make them reluctant to move Gagner at the present time. Schenn is a likely trade candidate, but he must see more playing time to improve his value. Management would love to shed Lecavalier and Umberger, but both are aging and carrying expensive contracts.

8. Arizona Coyotes

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Potential trade bait: Arizona Coyotes forwards Shane Doan, Mikkel Boedker (pictured above) and Boyd Gordon, along with defenseman Nicklas Grossmann, are possible trade candidates this season. All are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. 

Most valuable: Boedker, 25, will be highly coveted if he hits the trade block. He's among the league's fastest skaters, possesses solid two-way skills and has come into his own as an offensive forward. The Coyotes undoubtedly hope to keep Boedker but could shop him later this season if he decides to test the free-agent market.

Analysis: Coyotes management will make re-signing Boedker a priority. This is likely the 39-year-old Doan's final season. He carries a no-movement clause, but might waive it to go to a Stanley Cup contender at the trade deadline. Given the Coyotes' defensive play, they could be in the market for promising blueliners.

7. Boston Bruins

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Potential trade bait: Boston Bruins forwards Brad Marchand (pictured above), Loui Eriksson, Chris Kelly and Brett Connolly are possible trade candidates this season. Eriksson and Kelly are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, while Connolly will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. 

Most valuable: Marchand, 27, has led the Bruins in goals twice over the past three seasons. The 5'9”, 181-pound left wing is an aggressive, agitating player with Stanley Cup experience. Though Marchand can be reckless at times, his energy and offense would be highly prized on the trade market. He carries a partial no-trade clause, however, giving him a measure of control over possible trade destinations.

Analysis: On Oct. 12, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported management was quietly gauging Marchand's trade value as well as the trade value of other veterans. Team president Cam Neely subsequently denied the report, per CSNNE.com. The Bruins need experienced blue-line depth. If they're out of playoff contention by the Feb. 29 trade deadline, they could peddle Marchand or Eriksson for a skilled defenseman.

6. Ottawa Senators

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

Potential trade bait: Ottawa Senators forwards Milan Michalek, Alex Chiasson and Chris Neil, along with defensemen Patrick Wiercioch and Jared Cowen (pictured above), are possible trade candidates. Neil is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, while Chiasson and Wiercioch are restricted free agents with arbitration rights. 

Most valuable: The Senators are still waiting for the 24-year-old Cowen to blossom into a top-two defenseman. While the 6'5”, 238-pounder possesses impressive size and all-around defensive potential, he's yet to take the next big step in his development. Management's patience with Cowen could run out if he fails to step up his game this season. 

Analysis: With the Senators off to a shaky start, they could try to bolster their secondary scoring or improve their defensive game. Cowen's size and promise will attract suitors believing a change of teams could do him good. Wiercioch has struggled with consistency, but his offensive skills could entice clubs in need of a puck-moving defenseman.

5. Calgary Flames

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Potential trade bait: Calgary Flames forwards Jiri Hudler (pictured above), David Jones and Mason Raymond, along with defensemen Kris Russell and Ladislav Smid, are possible trade candidates. Hudler, Jones and Russell are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. 

Most valuable: Hudler is coming off a career-best 76-point performance in 2014-15. The 31-year-old can play either wing, possesses superb offensive instincts and has a very accurate shot. He's also grown into a leadership role with the young Flames. However, the Flames must re-sign rising stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Hudler could prove too expensive to retain.

Analysis: The Flames desperately need secondary scoring, so they're unlikely to move Hudler right now. They could instead draw upon their blue-line depth. Russell and Smid become the likely candidates. Of the two, Russell has the most value. Sportsnet's Mark Spector believes the 28-year-old defenseman could fetch the Flames a second-line forward. 

4. Carolina Hurricanes

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

Potential trade bait: Carolina Hurricanes forwards Eric Staal (pictured above), Jeff Skinner, Kris Versteeg and Nathan Gerbe, along with defenseman John Michael-Liles and goaltender Cam Ward, are possible trade candidates. All but Skinner are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency.

Most valuable: Staal, who turns 31 on Oct. 29, has seen his stats decline in recent years. However, that could be attributed to the Hurricanes' lack of scoring depth. He remains a well-regarded offensive forward who can play left wing or center. If he and the Hurricanes fail to reach agreement on a new contract, he could hit the trade block. 

Analysis: The Hurricanes are rebuilding with young talent. If management decides to trade Staal and Ward, it will want a return of good young players and draft picks. On Oct. 2, the News & Observer's Luke DeCock suggested Skinner, 23, could be moved if he failed to improve this season. With a concussion history and an annual average salary of $5.75 million through 2018-19, that's easier said than done.

3. New Jersey Devils

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

Potential trade bait: New Jersey Devils forwards Tuomo Ruutu, Lee Stempniak (pictured above), Jordin Tootoo, Jiri Tlusty and Stephen Gionta, along with defenseman David Schlemko, are possible trade candidates. All are eligible next July for unrestricted free agency. 

Most valuable: The well-travelled Stempniak, 32, is off to his best start in years, ranking among the Devils' leading scorers. Though unlikely to maintain his current offensive pace throughout this season, his experience and versatility should make him an attractive commodity near the trade deadline. With a one-year, $850,000 contract, Stempniak is an affordable option for clubs in need of veteran depth at forward.

Analysis: None of these players will fetch a substantial return on their own, but they could still bring in draft picks for the rebuilding Devils. If they're out of playoff contention later in the season, those veterans could interest teams seeking experienced depth for the postseason.

2. Vancouver Canucks

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Potential trade bait: Vancouver Canucks forwards Radim Vrbata, Brandon Prust and Sven Baertschi, along with defensemen Dan Hamhuis (pictured above), Matt Bartkowski and Yannick Weber, are possible trade candidates. All but Baertschi (who's a restricted free agent) are eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. 

Most valuable: While Vrbata was the Canucks' leading goal scorer last season, Hamhuis has the best trade value. The 32-year-old blueliner plays a solid all-around game and can log big minutes. His experience and leadership will definitely attract suitors in need of a seasoned top-two defender. 

Analysis: The retooling Canucks are currently struggling to score. Hamhuis would almost certainly fetch a second-line forward. If they're unwilling to move their most experienced defenseman, Vrbata could land a younger, more affordable forward. While the 34-year-old is off to a slow start, last season's 63-point performance could make him attractive for clubs seeking an experienced scoring winger.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

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Potential trade bait: Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Michael Grabner, Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau, Shawn Matthias, Brad Boyes, Nick Spaling and Marc Arcobello, along with defenseman Roman Polak and goaltender James Reimer (pictured above), are possible trade candidates. All are eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. 

Most valuable: Reimer is the best of a very thin crop of potentially available talent here. With the Leafs wedded to Jonathan Bernier as their starting goalie, Reimer doesn't have much of a future in Toronto. The 27-year-old has a career save percentage of .912 and goals-against average of 2.92. Considering the lousy defense he's had in front of him during his career, those are solid numbers. 

Analysis: The Leafs are rebuilding, and most of their trade bait consists of short-term signings made over the offseason. Many of them will be dangled near the Feb. 29 trade deadline for draft picks. Reimer should attract interest from playoff contenders seeking goaltending depth. The versatile Matthias could also draw some attention.

All stats via NHL.com. Free agent and salary info via General Fanager.