NHL Teams Most in Need of a Blockbuster Trade
The Columbus Blue Jackets shipping center Ryan Johansen last week to the Nashville Predators for defenseman Seth Jones was the first blockbuster trade of this season. It also leaves NHL followers wondering if struggling teams, such as the Anaheim Ducks (pictured above), might shake up their rosters with a major deal.
Every club on this slideshow has significant roster needs to address. Some, like the Ducks, require scoring depth. Others, such as the rebuilding Edmonton Oilers, need a top defenseman. A few, like the Winnipeg Jets, need something to help them overcome their inconsistent play. It's also important that these teams have depth in tradeable assets to swing a big deal.
Here's a look at the NHL teams most in need of a blockbuster trade this season. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section below.
New Jersey Devils
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
While the New Jersey Devils are among the NHL's best defensive teams, they're also among this season's lowest-scoring clubs. Aging, injury-prone left wing Mike Cammalleri and depth forwards Lee Stempniak and Kyle Palmieri are among their leading scorers. If the Devils hope to secure a playoff berth this season, bolstering the offense is a must.
Trade bait
The Devils have depth in young defensemen, including Damon Severson, Eric Gelinas or Jon Merrill. Packaging one of them with a good prospect and a decent draft pick could help them land a reliable scoring forward.
Potential trade targets
The Vancouver Canucks need blue-line depth and could part with pending free-agent winger Radim Vrbata. A better target could be Arizona Coyotes right wing Mikkel Boedker if he and the Coyotes fail to work out a new contract before the Feb. 29 trade deadline. The Edmonton Oilers have depth in young forwards and need help on defense.
Carolina Hurricanes
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
The last time the Carolina Hurricanes reached the playoffs was 2009. This team is overdue for a much-needed roster rebuild. The 'Canes are in the bottom third of the league this season in scoring. They also give up far too many goals.
Trade bait
Veterans such as center Eric Staal, goaltender Cam Ward, left wing Kris Versteeg and defenseman John-Michael Liles are unrestricted free agents this summer. All could hit the trade block before the Feb. 29 trade deadline. They could also try unloading injury-prone left wing Jeff Skinner, though his concussion history and $5.75 million annual cap hit will be tough to move.
Potential trade targets
Staal and Ward could attract the best returns, perhaps with young players who can help the Hurricanes right away. They could dangle Staal to the Anaheim Ducks and Montreal Canadiens, as both clubs need scoring help right now. Ward, meanwhile, might be of interest to the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers or Arizona Coyotes.
Arizona Coyotes
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
The Arizona Coyotes are among this season's biggest surprises, as the rebuilding club is jockeying for playoff contention in the Pacific Division. To improve their chances, however, they must bolster their blue-line depth. If backup goalie Louis Domingue struggles, they could seek an experienced netminder to hold the fort until sidelined starter Mike Smith returns.
Trade bait
Right wing and leading scorer Mikkel Boedker is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. If the Coyotes fail to re-sign him, they could shop him before the Feb. 29 trade deadline. While general manager Don Maloney made deals last season for draft picks and prospects, he could peddle Boedker for an established player to help the Coyotes now and beyond this season.
Potential trade targets
The Anaheim Ducks need help scoring and possess goaltending and blue-line depth. The St. Louis Blues also need offense, and defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk could be available. The New Jersey Devils have a handful of young defensemen and need a scoring boost. The Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers need scoring depth at right wing and could be interested in Boedker.
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Winnipeg Jets
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
Despite possessing skilled veterans and promising youth, the Winnipeg Jets are once again spinning their wheels in the Western Conference standings. They need a significant shakeup to avoid sliding completely out of playoff contention. It may be time to part with veteran leaders in captain Andrew Ladd and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.
Trade bait
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff swung a blockbuster trade last season, shipping Evander Kane to the Buffalo Sabres. He could attempt another major move involving Byfuglien and Ladd if he feels a change of leadership is required. Both are free agents at season's end and could fetch decent returns for the Jets before the trade deadline.
Potential trade targets
Low-scoring clubs such as the Anaheim Ducks and New Jersey Devils could be interested in Ladd. The Florida Panthers might be interested in Byfuglien, who played under Panthers general manager Dale Tallon during his years as GM of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Edmonton Oilers
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
For too long, the Edmonton Oilers have lacked depth in skilled defensemen and quality goaltenders. They allow too many shots against and goals against per game. The Oilers need a skilled top-two blueliner and a proven starting goalie.
Trade bait
Second-line center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could get bumped down to third-line duty when rookie sensation Connor McDavid returns from injury. That could also make Nugent-Hopkins a trade candidate. Right wing Jordan Eberle is another possibility. Both carry expensive salary-cap hits. Disappointing winger Nail Yakupov, who is also set to return from injury soon, could also hit the trade block.
Potential trade targets
The Anaheim Ducks have considerable depth on defense. The St. Louis Blues could be willing to part with rearguard Kevin Shattenkirk for a scoring forward. The Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils are also deep in defense and need help up front. Pending free-agent goalies such as Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes and James Reimer of the Toronto Maple Leafs could be available at the trade deadline.
St. Louis Blues
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
Last season, the St. Louis Blues were fifth among the NHL's highest-scoring teams. This season, they've slid to 17th. Injuries to key forwards Jaden Schwartz and Paul Stastny haven't helped. Still, if the Blues hope to shake off the label of playoff choke artists this season, it will require an offensive boost.
Trade bait
On Jan. 9, Sportsnet's Mike Johnston cited colleague Elliotte Friedman claiming the Blues could get calls about defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. He's signed through 2016-17 at a cap hit of $4.25 million and will be in line for a big raise. The impressive performance of rookie blueliner Colton Parayko could make it easier to part with Shattenkirk.
Potential trade targets
Speculation from Friedman linked Shattenkirk with Tampa Bay Lightning sophomore winger Jonathan Drouin. However, the Blues could use someone who can improve their scoring right away, as well as in coming years. The Edmonton Oilers desperately need a defenseman like Shattenkirk, and they have depth in young scoring forwards. The Arizona Coyotes could also be a trade option.
Anaheim Ducks
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
The Anaheim Ducks are this season's lowest-scoring team. Their offensive depth drops noticeably beyond first-line stars Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, who are also struggling to score. As a result, the Ducks face a difficult challenge reaching a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Trade bait
The Ducks possess depth on defense to draw up for trade bait. One possibility could be Sami Vatanen, a restricted free agent at season's end who's due for a substantial raise. Rookie goaltender John Gibson has outplayed veteran Frederik Andersen, who could become expendable.
Potential trade targets
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin, currently toiling in the minors, requested a trade back in November. The Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets have plenty of promising young forwards and need to improve their respective blue lines.
Tampa Bay Lightning
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Why they need a blockbuster trade
After reaching the Stanley Cup Final last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning are struggling to get into the playoff picture. Their offense has been the chief culprit. While they finished first overall in scoring last season, they're 21st in 2015-16. The Lightning also need a defenseman with a right-handed shot to anchor their power play.
Trade bait
Center and captain Steven Stamkos is an unrestricted free agent this summer and could cost over $10 million annually to re-sign. That could hamper efforts to re-sign other key players this year and next. He has a no-movement clause, but perhaps he might waive it for the right destination. Unhappy left wing Jonathan Drouin, currently in the minors, requested a trade in November.
Potential trade targets
St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Sami Vatanen could be options. If the Bolts seek long-term depth, and if Stamkos is willing to waive his movement clause, they could dangle him to teams stocked with young talent. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres could be interested.
Player and team stats via NHL.com. Salary info via General Fanager.
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