NHL Rumors: 25 NHL Players Who Could Be Traded Before the Deadline
As we are roughly halfway through the 2010-11 NHL season, the stretch drive for the playoffs is underway. This time of year always presents change in the form of trades and roster moves, leading up to the February 28th deadline. Seeing as many teams are engaged in an extremely tight race in the Western Conference, and still at least 10 teams in the mix for a playoff birth in the Eastern Conference, trades are imminent. With teams in the Eastern Conference falling out of contention for the postseason, pending unrestricted free agents will be dealt in order to secure assets for the future.
With the trade of former New Jersey Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner to Dallas, the countdown to the trade deadline is officially underway, and here are 25 players who should be prepared to leave town at a moment's notice.
25. Keith Ballard, Vancouver Canucks
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Keith Ballard is an extremely useful defenseman on most teams. Unfortunately, seeing as Vancouver's blue line is deep, it's in both Ballard's and the team's best interests to deal him. A player who makes over $4 million annually cannot be a somewhat regular healthy scratch on a successful team, and a team searching for a capable two-way defenseman would likely pay a reasonable price for the 28-year-old. Ballard needs another change of scenery and a clean slate with a new coach, and Vancouver's money would be spent wisely somewhere else.
24. Michael Ryder, Boston Bruins
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Michael Ryder is enjoying a comeback season after a dreadful 2009-10 campaign, but the Bruins' salary cap constraints make it difficult for the 30-year-old Newfoundlander to remain with the squad much longer. Ryder's $4 million salary is a difficult deal for Boston because they have such little cap space going into the stretch drive for the playoffs. Ryder is replaceable, and a team looking to make a push for the playoffs will part for a second or third rounder for him, even if his contract is less than attractive for suitors.
23. Alexei Kovalev, Ottawa Senators
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The player affectionately nicknamed "L'artiste" by Montreal Canadiens fans for his creative and skillful work with the puck has been an enigma since inking a big two-year deal with Ottawa in the summer of 2009. With Ottawa firmly out of playoff contention, it would make sense for the team to part ways with Kovalev, and see if they can't get a draft pick in exchange for the streaky Russian. Kovalev is an inconsistent game breaker at best, but at least a handful of teams could use him on the power play.
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22. Sheldon Souray, Edmonton Oilers
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After an ugly departure from Edmonton that has seen Souray wind up playing in the AHL for the Hershey Bears, he needs to be dealt to another NHL organization. Souray is a former All Star defenseman, and owns an absolute bomb of a shot. While his salary is high, at over $4 million a season through next year, he could definitely bolster the power play on a few different teams, and make the difference come playoff time.
21. Francois Beauchemin, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Beauchemin is a proven playoff performer, as indicated by the top four minutes he played during Anaheim's 2007 Stanley Cup run. Seeing as the Maple Leafs have a solid top four intact even without Beauchemin, he becomes expendable, as Toronto needs a great deal of help up front. GM Brian Burke has never been afraid of making waves at the deadline, and it's likely that he'll make some kind of deal with an eye to the future.
20. Wojtek Wolski, Phoenix Coyotes
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After being dealt from Colorado last season, Wolski has struggled to find his scoring touch in Phoenix. He enjoyed a career year in 2009-10, but appears to be in need of a change in scenery once again. Wolski could command a high end draft pick or solid everyday player in return, and Phoenix could use the help as they try to make it to the postseason for the second consecutive season.
UPDATE: Wolski was dealt to the New York Rangers.
19. Chris Clark, Columbus Blue Jackets
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As the Blue Jackets drift out of the playoff race, which seems inevitable as they sit 13th in the Western Conference, they will look to shed expiring contracts, such as that of Chris Clark. Clark, the former captain of the Washington Capitals is a free agent July 1st, so he is a low risk venture for Cup contending teams looking to add a gritty veteran presence. Look for Columbus to deal Clark or possibly Ethan Moreau as both are older players whose contracts are up at season's end.
18. Brendan Morrison, Calgary Flames
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While the Calgary Flames as a team have been a disappointment once again, free agent signee Brendan Morrison has been a pleasant surprise, contributing about 20 points through the season's midway point. As Calgary slips farther and farther out of playoff contention, look for the team to deal an unrestricted free agent such as Morrison. The 35-year-old is a proven playoff performer and could bolster the second power play unit on a handful of contenders.
17. Chris Higgins, Florida Panthers
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Once again, Chris Higgins appears to be poised to be dealt, though not due to a lack of effort. Higgins is playing more effectively than he has in a couple of years, as he 16 points in 34 games, more than he had all last season. Higgins, like most others on this list, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and could be a nice secondary scoring addition on a team pushing for the playoffs, such as Nashville or Colorado.
16. Alexei Ponikarovsky, Los Angeles Kings
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Ponikarovsky's stay in the city of angels has lasted less than one season, but he hasn't fit in well with the Kings' attack. At $3.2 million for the season, GM Dean Lombardi could use that money elsewhere, potentially to bring in a more useful player for the Kings' playoff run. With seven points, injury problems and a lack of chemistry, Ponikarovsky could be on his way out of town soon.
15. Tim Connolly, Buffalo Sabres
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The Buffalo Sabres have a tendency of losing talented players due to salary demands, and that trend may continue with Tim Connolly, who is a free agent at the end of the season. Connolly, though often injured, is a potential first or second line center, who makes those around him better with his hands and vision. Seeing as he could walk out of town at the end of the season, with Buffalo fading in the playoff race, it makes sense that he could be on his way out of town before the end of February.
14. Jason Arnott, New Jersey Devils
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After the departure of captain Jamie Langenbrunner, it's clear that a house cleaning is underway in New Jersey. Jason Arnott is a playoff performer to say the least, considering he potted the overtime Cup-winning goal against Dallas in 2000, as well as a former captain, so he will generate some interest from contenders. With New Jersey miles away from a playoff spot, it makes sense for the club to jettison unrestricted free agents such as Arnott. While Arnott's no movement clause is a stumbling block, it's hard to believe that a veteran of his calibre would want to remain in New Jersey with such a dysfunctional managerial situation, so a trade becomes a very real possibility.
13. Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs
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While GM Brian Burke has repeatedly stated that he will not be trading prized star defenseman Tomas Kaberle, surely he must be considering it. Kaberle is an unrestricted free agent as of July 1st, and the Leafs are rapidly falling behind the pack in the Eastern Conference playoff race, so the move would make sense for both parties. Kaberle (and his father) have both clashed at times with coach Ron Wilson, so it seems unlikely he'd be best suited for a contract extension in Toronto.
12. Antti Miettinen, Minnesota Wild
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The Minnesota Wild are a solid team, one that has a reasonable shot of making the playoffs in the Western Conference. However, they are in a dog fight for a playoff birth, and if they begin to drift away from the pack, they will be a seller at the trade deadline. Miettinen is a proven goal scorer, one that can catch fire at times, which is attractive for buyers at the trade deadline. Seeing as Miettinen's deal is up at the end of the year, and Minnesota is generally pretty frugal with free agents, dealing the Finnish winger would make sense for both parties.
11. Patrick O'Sullivan, Minnesota Wild
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The once promising career of Patrick O'Sullivan has hit a rough patch, but he still has the potential to be a solid offensive contributor for teams in need of goals. After being placed on wavers and being made a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, O'Sullivan is a prime candidate to be dealt before the deadline. A clutch performer, who lead the United States to a Gold Medal in the 2004 World Junior Championships with two goals in the championship game, he would be a nice addition to any contending team.
10. Alexander Frolov, New York Rangers
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Frolov, though he has been good in spurts this season, has been a disappointment in New York. He has been in and out of coach John Torterella's dog house for much of the year, and has not scored at the same pace that he did as a King. Seeing as the Rangers are likely to be in a dog fight for a playoff spot, they may need to make a move at the deadline, and a prime candidate to move would be the enigmatic Frolov.
9. Cory Stillman, Florida Panthers
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A key component to any championship team is the presence of veterans who have been deep in the playoffs previously, and that's exactly the type of experience Cory Stillman brings to the table. A former first round pick and Stanley Cup champion, Stillman is a solid offensive contributor who has been key in clutch situations. His three year deal is up at the end of the season, and with Florida far from a playoff birth, he could be on his way to a contender before long.
8. Brad Boyes, St. Louis Blues
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While the Blues are still in the playoff hunt (they're just three points out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference), they may be sellers at the deadline if they don't begin to surge soon. Brad Boyes is in the midst of his second consecutive season on the decline, and with just nine goals on the year so far, he could be on his way out of town before the March 1st roster freeze. If the Blues are looking to shed salary in order to make a splash on the trade market, Boyes may become expendable.
7. Craig Rivet, Buffalo Sabres
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With his Sabres quickly falling out of playoff contention, captain Craig Rivet's days in Buffalo may be numbered. He is a solid defensive defenseman, who could be a fantastic addition to a playoff team looking to add a shut down blueliner. With his contract up at the end of the season, there is a strong possibility that GM Darcy Regier will be dealing Rivet before February 28th.
6. Steve Staios, Calgary Flames
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As the Flames have been doused repeatedly by Northwest division foes, they have fallen out of the playoff race. The team appears to be on the verge of a rebuild, as signaled by the replacement of GM Darryl Sutter, so unrestricted free agents are prime targets for trades. Defenseman Steve Staios is a solid defensive defenseman, and his contract is up at the end of the season. It would be a big surprise, and a mistake on Calgary's part, if they didn't move the blueliner by the deadline.
5. Danius Zubrus, New Jersey Devils
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The Ilya Kovalchuk deal has put the New Jersey Devils in quite a bind, as they are up against the salary cap, and the team still needs to re-sign star winger Zach Parise. Zubrus is overpriced, and is not a useful piece for the Devils, who will need to go through a rebuild of sorts if they are to be competitive. The Devils squad is aging for the most part, and Zubrus should be moved to a team with an abundance of cap room in exchange for a draft pick or prospect package.
4. Jussi Jokinen, Carolina Hurricanes
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Jussi Jokinen has made a name for himself as a clutch finisher in the National Hockey League, as he is a penalty shot specialist. With Carolina beginning to fall out of the playoff picture in the East, and Jokinen's contract expiring at the end of the season, it would make sense that a playoff team would deal for the Finnish finisher. Carolina is clearly in a rebuilding process, and will be in the market for higher round draft picks or prospects, which could be obtained in return for Jokinen.
3. Brad Richards, Dallas Stars
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Brad Richards has been taking the NHL by storm for the last two seasons, and has Dallas sitting pretty going into the stretch drive for the playoffs. The 2004 Conn Smythe winner is a prime time playoff scorer who would be a game breaker of an addition to any Cup contending team. The Stars' ownership situation is uncertain, so its unlikely that the team will be able to extend Richards' contract. If they can't strike a deal before the deadline, it's in the team's best interest to deal the star centerman for a package of prospects, draft picks and players.
2. Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals
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While Semin is one of the most talented forwards on the planet, he has caused as much headache as he has celebration during his time in Washington. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, and the team has to prioritize its offseason moves. With money tied up in long contracts for Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, it seems unlikely that Semin will return to Washington unless he is willing to take a sizeable hometown discount (which his agent says is unlikely). If there's no new deal in sight, the Capitals may choose to peddle this asset, either to land some toughness for the playoffs, or pick high in what appears to be a deeper draft than last year.
1. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
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While its far from certainty that Iginla will be traded before the deadline, it would definitely make sense for both parties. Calgary is in the midst of another disasterous year, and Iginla is once again one of the only bright spots on what is a group of underachievers. With the Flames right up against the cap, they could use the financial freedom as they look towards the future. It has been more than five years since Iginla and Darryl Sutter went to the 2004 Stanley Cup finals, and with little to show for in terms of results since then, Sutter was pushed out of town. While Iginla is a great player and a fine leader, who has shown a penchant for the dramatic in both the playoffs and two olympic gold medal performances, it may make sense for the Flames to deal him in order to jumpstart the rebuilding process.
Jarome Iginla is the type of player who could make the difference in winning a championship, much like the player Calgary traded in order to obtain him late in the 1998-99 season, Joe Nieuwendyk. Nieuwendyk helped the Dallas Stars win the Cup in 1999, and Iginla could be in a similar situation if the right team acquires him at the deadline. While Iginla does have a no movement clause, surely he sees the writing on the wall in Calgary, and also realizes his best chance at a Cup is elsewhere.
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