NHL Trade Rumors: Top Trade Chips, Trade Targets for Every Team
The NHL season has been underway for just about two full months and teams have begun to identify their biggest needs and strengths. The trade deadline isn't for another two months, but teams are going to start looking for other teams' commodities to make themselves contenders come playoff time.
Who is going to be on the move? Who is going to be talked about but probably not go anywhere?
Here are the top trade targets and rumors for every team in the National Hockey League.
New Jersey Devils
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The Devils have been a disaster this year. They have scored the fewest goals of any team in the NHL (53) and it’s not really close, the Islanders are next (58). The once impenetrable Martin Brodeur is giving up 2.83 goals per game, his worst total since his first season in 1991.
They got rid of left winger Brian Rolston, which saved them about $5 million. Reportedly, they are gearing up for a big trade move after making that move. They need all kinds of help, particularly on the offensive side of the puck.
New York Islanders
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Poor Islanders, they have a bad offense and a bad defense. All of that has led to them having the fewest points in hockey with 15 through 28 games. They need all kinds of help in every area.
They could look to move goalie Dwayne Roloson, who is 41 and his contract expires after the year. The Lightning have taken an interest in the veteran goaltender.
New York Rangers
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The Rangers are in a unique position because they are having success this year. They are third in the Atlantic division and fifth in the Eastern conference. They have a good offense and pretty poor defense and goaltending.
There are reports that winger Tim Kennedy is looking to get out of New York. He is a solid player and could net a decent return of the Rangers, if they choose to move him. Undoubtedly, if they were offered a solid defenseman they would not hesitate to move him.
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Philadelphia Flyers
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The Flyers are in a great position. They are in first place in the Atlantic division. Their offense is outstanding, they are tied for the NHL lead in goals scored with 108. The goal tending is great, they rank fifth in the NHL in goals against (2.3 per game). They just added another goalie, Michael Leighton, to their roster, giving them three quality goaltenders.
Odds are good that at some point in the near future they will probably trade one of their net minders for another piece that can put them over the top in the eastern conference.
Pittsburgh Penguins
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The Penguins just had a 12 game winning streak end. They are second in the Atlantic division and seem primed to make another deep run into the playoffs this year. They need to improve their power play and could be in the market for a little upgrade on the front-line. No major changes are expected.
Boston Bruins
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The Bruins have already made a deal trading Marco Sturm to the Los Angeles Kings, in a deal that really meant nothing. They could look to add some punch to their offense as the season moves on. They are 2nd in the Northeast and have some great goaltending.
If they could add to the offense they would be in prime position to take the division.
Buffalo Sabres
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It seems that the only move of significance that the Sabres will be getting is a new owner. They don’t appear to have any desire right now to make a move, though that could probably change in the coming weeks if they continue to struggle.
They have struggled in every area. Ryan Miller has not performed up to expectations, and the offense has been less than mediocre. They need all kinds of help and could be primed to stand pat and make moves during the summer.
Montreal Canadiens
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The Canadiens have decisions that they will need to make before the trade deadline. They are in first in the Northeast division but they need help on offense. They just lost defenseman Andrei Markov for the year due to injury.
Now, if they can win without him it’s possible that they will explore the idea of trading him in order to fill a need on the team. The Habs need scoring help and a deal involving Markov could help them.
Ottawa Senators
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A deal should be imminent involving the Senators, particularly involving their veteran winger Alexei Kovalev. He has called out his head coach after being constantly demoted down the line on the team.
Kovalev is talented but his outburst against his coach and his laziness could be a bit of a red flag to a team that wants to acquire him.
Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Maple Leafs have really struggled this season. They are poor offensively and they don’t make up for it with great goaltending. They say that they are going to stand pat…at least for the time being.
They have been linked to Dallas Stars forward Brad Richards, if and when Dallas makes him available. His contract expires at the end of this year, so Toronto will likely try to sign him to an extension before they make the deal.
Atlanta Thrashers
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It’s believed that the Thrashers are going to make a deal sometime soon. Their general manager Rick Dudley has been scouting a number of teams and their players in anticipation of making a move. They have some players that could be valuable, like Anthony Stewart, that a team like Toronto could be interested in.
Carolina Hurricanes
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The Hurricanes have a number of needs. They need a frontline scorer on the team. They need at least one good penalty killing defenseman on the blueline. They need goaltending help.
Eric Staal is by far their best player and should be the only untouchable that they have on the roster right now. Everyone else should be up for grabs, so the Hurricanes can get promising young talent on the roster ASAP.
Florida Panthers
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Florida is in an interesting position given that they are currently last in the Southeast division; they have terrific goaltending (7th in the NHL in GAA at 2.6) but their offense is awful (24th in goals per game and last in power play percentage).
They have one of the best prospects in hockey, Erik Gudbranson who is a defenseman. They weren’t able to get him signed to a contract putting him in the OHL. ESPN.com reported that he may be available in a trade at some point this year. The Panthers like him a lot but maybe they could get a number of good young players back in return.
Tampa Bay Lightning
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Tampa Bay is seeking to upgrade the goalie position, which has been a big letdown for them this year. ESPN.com is reporting that they are talking to former NHL goalie Evgeni Nabokov to come in and try to shore up their goalie position.
Washington Capitals
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Every year the Capitals win a lot of games and get in to the playoffs with expectations because they have (arguably) the best player in the sport, Alex Ovechkin. This year, they are winning games but things are starting to fall apart.
They have lost six games in a row and the goaltending has been very disappointing. They say that right now they will not go after any goalies via trade or free agency during the year. A few more losses with poor goalie performances could change their stance.
Chicago Blackhawks
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The defending Stanley Cup champions have been struggling this year. They have had a difficult time on the defensive side of the puck and in goal. One problem for them is that they are close to the salary cap and will be hard pressed to add additional salary to the team.
Reportedly, they are looking for a center as well. They will have a very difficult time filling those needs as those are two of the most in demand spots on the ice, and teams are not going to be giving up anyone of real significance on the defense or at center.
Columbus Blue Jackets
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The Jackets will be looking to upgrade their defensive line and they want one that can provide some offense. They want help on the power play as well. They will look to make some kind of a move, either via trade or free agency and get better on the offensive attack.
Detroit Red Wings
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The Wings don’t have any glaring needs. They are third in the league in wins with 19 and they are very good in every area. They may need depth at the center spot with Mike Modano having wrist surgery late last month and being out for the time being.
The Wings are giving the much maligned Jiri Hudler a chance to prove himself with the team. If he doesn’t live up to expectations, look for a move that will at least provide a temporary solution.
Nashville Predators
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Nashville has been making a lot of noise in the Central division. They are in 2nd place but they don’t have any offensive punch. They are bad at scoring goals and they are bad at converting power plays into goals.
Winger J.P. Dumont has a pretty big cap number, $4 million, and he is not playing very much. Nashville has said that if he doesn’t turn things around that they will look to move the beleaguered winger.
St Louis Blues
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St Louis is in a rebuilding position and they need to make deals that will help them for the future and not necessarily this year. They need to make deals for players that have promise, are young and inexpensive. They are looking to make some moves but there are no details who they are looking at right now.
Calgary Flames
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The Flames are as mediocre as mediocre can get before being called bad. They are middle of the road in basically every single category. They don’t appear to have any moves on the horizon. If they want to start a rebuild of the franchise, they could look to move Jarome Iginla.
The move would be unpopular in Calgary because Iginla is so popular, but in the best interest of the franchise, they could consider it.
Colorado Avalanche
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The Avalanche have a need on their front scoring line which has been very good, but they lost Chris Stewart for at least a little while longer. They do have a number of good defensemen on the roster and could make a move for another scorer by dealing one of them.
They could move defenseman Kyle Cumiskey, who has talent but has lost his spot to rookie Kevin Shattenkirk.
Edmonton Oilers
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Everyone knows that the Oilers are in a full-blown rebuild mode right now. They don’t have any immediate desire to give up the talent that they currently have, nor should they be. Their general manager, Steve Tambellini, has said that they are looking for “additional grit, a center, and some help on the blueline,” according to TSN.
They won’t give up assets that they have in order to get the help, so don’t expect any movement from the Oilers anytime soon.
Minnesota Wild
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The Wild are fading fast and appear to be exploring the trade market. They do have a number of quality defensemen and could make a move involving one of those players—Brent Burns is the most likely candidate to go.
Vancouver Canucks
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The Canucks have been one of the best teams in the NHL since the start of the season. They don’t have any overwhelming weakness that needs to be fixed.
There have been some rumblings that they would send winger Jeff Tambellini either back down to the AHL or if they were inclined they could try to trade him to plug up any minor issue that they need fixed.
Anaheim Mighty Ducks
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The Ducks really need a lot of help on the defensive line. They have moved defenseman Andy Sutton off the line and on the wing, but he should be moving back to the line to help the Ducks defense.
If they try and keep him on the wing he could seek a trade, like he did when he was in Atlanta and they tried this with him. He prefers defense and will do what he has to in order to stay there.
Dallas Stars
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The Stars have been rumored to be making a deal involving their star center Brad Richards for a while now. They are first in the Pacific division so making a deal like that wouldn’t make a lot of sense for them.
He is a free agent after the year, and Dallas may move him in order to get something for him if it appears likely that they can’t resign him.
Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings had been looking for a winger for a long time. They went out and acquired Marco Sturm from the Boston Bruins. He has been hurt and has yet to play in a game this season.
They believe that he will be able to help at some point this season, otherwise the trade wouldn’t have gone through. They may need another backup plan in case something goes wrong with Sturm.
Phoenix Coyotes
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Things are rough for Phoenix, they are 14-8-6 and have 34 points but they are in last place in the Pacific division, granted it’s only by four points. They filed for bankruptcy over a year ago and no one has stepped up to buy them so the NHL is in control.
Now there are rumors that their good, young defenseman Keith Yandle could be on the move. The Bruins want a young defenseman and could make a deal for Yandle sometime before the deadline.
San Jose Sharks
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The Sharks have been a great regular season team for years but have always faltered come playoff time. This year they are struggling a bit and don’t seem to have the same fire that they have had.
They need a defenseman who can take the place of Rob Blake. They don’t have a lot of cap space to make a move without giving up something big to their team. ESPN.com says possibly a guy like Devin Setoguchi could be involved.
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