NHL Trade Rumors: Peter Forsberg and 20 Underrated Forwards on the Market
As the NHL trade deadline approaches, the big names that usually circulate around this time of year come to the surface and dominate the news.
Certain players fall through the fingers of these rumor hounds but could make a big deal on a new team.
This slideshow is composed of 20 underrated forwards who could be on the market.
Enjoy!
20. Jack Skille
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Jack Skille was one of the most highly-touted draft picks in the last 10 years, and he hasn’t met the expectations.
He bounced his way to the Blackhawks, but now he may be trade bait for a team with a system Skille would be a good fit in.
An intriguing destination would be Nashville because of the stability of the organization and the strength of the coaching staff.
19. John Madden
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John Madden is a solid third or fourth line forward who could be a nice addition to a team that doesn’t need much.
He is a good forechecker and doesn’t mind playing on the penalty kill or playing on a shutdown line.
Madden would be a good fit on a team like the Flyers where he wouldn’t cost them much and he could be a two-way forward to shut down teams in the playoffs.
18. Steve Ott
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Steve Ott is the agitator for the Dallas Stars and does his job well.
The problem is that teams lose the need for agitators, who in turn see decreased playing time when the playoffs come around.
If the Stars are looking to add a little more depth on defense or add another scorer, Ott may be bait for a bad team looking for a solid agitator.
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17. Jason Arnott
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Jason Arnott is one of the better defensive forwards in the NHL today, and with his age and the Devils being well out of the playoff picture, he may be trade bait.
Arnott is getting older, and the lost season in New Jersey points to him being traded to a team that needs depth at forward.
Nashville might be a destination, not just because of the many injuries the Predators have suffered, but because of the familiarity since Arnott played there before.
16. Maxime Talbot
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Maxime Talbot is a solid player, but his time with the Penguins may be drawing to a close according to sources in Pittsburgh.
Talbot can add grit and even some offensive talent to a team.
While he probably won’t draw a ton of interest, the Penguins could try to shop him for a player with more offensive prowess to help Malkin and Crosby.
15. Steve Sullivan
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Steve Sullivan of the Nashville Predators has been plagued by injuries over the last few years, and it may be time for Nashville to move him while it has the chance.
He will be coming back from his latest injury soon, so the Predators would be wise to send him out if they can get a solid winger in return.
Sullivan could be a big help for the Predators in the playoffs, but he could also hurt them if the team tries to depend on him.
14. Devin Setoguchi
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The Sharks have been disappointed in Devin Setoguchi’s play this season and they may be contemplating moving him for more talent now.
There is no doubt Setoguchi will be a solid forward down the road, but the Sharks are built to win now.
A team like Toronto could be interested in his service, especially because the price tag associated with him will be cheaper than some other forwards.
13. Michal Handzus
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Michal Handzus is one of the better defensive forwards in the NHL.
He would make a good addition to a team with a lot of scoring depth at forward that is looking to add a better all-around player.
A team like the Flyers might look to bring in Handzus to shore up its fourth line.
12. Andrew Cogliano
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Andrew Cogliano might be an interesting move for a team willing to take a chance.
Cogliano has had a terrible year this year with just 18 points through 50 games and a minus-10 overall.
He has a ton of upside, so if a team is sitting on an expiring contract for a veteran player, a move for Cogliano might be a gamble worth taking.
11. Antoine Vermette
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Antoine Vermette is a good player who might play better than he has with Columbus if he was in a new system.
Vermette is talented offensively and would probably fit better with forwards that are more two-way savvy.
He would be a good fit for a team like Boston that is looking for more depth with the loss of Marc Savard.
10. Nikolay Zherdev
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Nikolay Zherdev is called an enigma by hockey novices.
To people who have hockey in their blood, they call him inconsistent.
The Flyers will be looking for two-way players who can help in a long playoff run, so expect Zherdev to be part of a deal for the Flyers if one comes to fruition.
With rumors of Jarome Iginla in the mix, Zherdev would be a key piece in a supposed move.
9. Jason Blake
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Jason Blake has had a disappointing season for the Anaheim Ducks, but he may be able to help them anyway.
Blake has the potential to score at any time, but he doesn’t show flashes of the old Jason Blake as much.
Blake would be good for a young team like Atlanta that could use him as a veteran leader, on and off the ice.
8. Nik Antropov
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The Atlanta Thrashers are a young team that could look to move the older forward for younger talent.
Nik Antropov isn’t having his best season, and he may have some trade value to a team looking for a solid offensive forward who thrives when surrounded by talent.
Antropov would look good on a team like Colorado, which is looking for another good scorer and passer.
7. Michael Ryder
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Michael Ryder is on a good team trying to add pieces, and he may be a casualty of some of the moves Boston could make.
Ryder is a solid two-way forward who would be a good addition to a team in the Western Conference.
Boston is an organization that will not move a player in the same conference, especially to a contending team.
6. Scottie Upshall
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Scottie Upshall is a fireplug on the ice.
He plays hard end-to-end and is relentless with his attack on the puck in the defensive zone and on the net in the offensive zone.
Rumors have swirled about him coming to the East Coast, but with the Coyotes still in contention, the move is on wait for now.
5. Alex Tanguay
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Alex Tanguay is another streaky forward a team on the cusp of the playoffs might take a chance with.
Tanguay has 38 points in 52 games and can add veteran experience to a team with a lot of young stars.
The Los Angeles Kings would be a good trade partner with Calgary.
4. Erik Cole
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Erik Cole is a veteran forward who has playoff experience and who is a good leader on and off the ice.
If the Carolina Hurricanes fall out of contention, expect them to sell off a lot of the contracts that are coming to an end.
The Flyers, Rangers and Predators have been involved in rumors surrounding Cole this season.
3. Kris Versteeg
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Kris Versteeg has been solid in Toronto, but it is still to be seen whether his style of play fits into what the Maple Leafs want to do moving forward.
Versteeg is talented, but he would do better with a team that is designed for speed at the forward position.
Buffalo seems like a perfect fit, but I don’t know what the Sabres would have to give up.
2. Peter Forsberg
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When the news first broke about a possible Forsberg return, I was skeptical.
Peter Forsberg has been in and out of retirement for a few years and he is starting to become the Brett Favre of the NHL.
It will be fun to watch and, if he does come back, it will be interesting to see how much he can bring to the Avalanche.
1. Ville Leino
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Ville Leino may be the key to a huge move brewing in Philadelphia. I think it will never happen, but his name has popped up in rumors. If they are true, that would be huge.
Leino is part of one of the most potent lines in the NHL. Leino, Scott Hartnell and Danny Briere have been amazing all year and splitting them up would be foolish.
For the Flyers to move Leino, the deal would have to be huge.
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