The trade deadline is almost within the next month, and as March 21st approaches, rumors continue to swirl about names that could be dealt. There’s a lot of big-name talent, and some high-end role players as well that teams are sure to value.
One player who truly encapsulates both of those terms is Claude Giroux. The longtime captain of the Philadelphia Flyers is in the last year of his deal, and as the Flyers skid further and further out of playoff contention, there’s continual chatter about them moving their captain out for assets, helping him get a chance to win a Stanley Cup. There are many teams who would line up to acquire his services, including the already powerhouse Colorado Avalanche, who have been linked to Giroux in recent days.
Another potential big-name center on the market is San Jose’s Tomas Hertl. Speculation about his future has ramped up rapidly. With the Sharks in a sort of “tweener” status as they look to exit their rebuild sooner than planned, Hertl is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season in the prime of his career. This will be the biggest payday of his life in all likelihood, and while Hertl does enjoy San Jose, if the Sharks feel it’s unlikely they’ll be able to reach a deal, he could be suiting up elsewhere next month.
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun is having a tough year in Arizona, but that doesn’t mean the young, cost-controlled blue-liner isn’t an attractive piece for teams looking at adding to their top-four. The rumoured asking price for him is large, but Chychrun has just 11 points in 37 games, a far cry from his torrid pace last season. He’s no rental, though, as if he rebounds, his $4.6MM cap hit until 2025 could be incredible value for an acquiring team.
One defenseman who is racking up points is Dallas’ John Klingberg. While injured right now, he has 26 points in 39 games. An unrestricted free agent this year, Klingberg reportedly requested a trade. With Dallas not guaranteed to make the playoffs at this point, they could make the choice to recoup assets on Klingberg while they can.
So, we ask you, PHR readers: who do you think will fetch the largest return at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline? Will it be someone other than the options mentioned? Make your voice heard here.
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JT Miller?
Chychrun might be a guy the Coyotes WANT the most for, but Giroux’s a rental who’ll actually improve a Cup-seeking team measurably. If I’m a GM, I’m not handing over the keys to the castle just to save myself $2 million on the cap the next three seasons on the going rate for a #2 defenseman.
I think it comes down between Miller and Giroux. That is unless Vancouver opts to hold onto Miller.
Giroux. Gotta love his 60.5% in the faceoff circle. Hockey is all about puck possession and when you win the draw you possess the puck, when you possess the puck the other team doesn’t have it and when the other team doesn’t have the puck they can’t score. A player with that ability becomes critical in overtime games- regular or post season.
Hertl without question. Miller right behind him.
Kings. Chychrun. Just hold Byfield and TRY to hold Turcotte and Clarke.
Clarke and Byfield are both non starters for any trade. I could see Turcotte, Villardi and a 1st and maybe even a 2 or 3.
I think phoenix will probably hold onto him. If you’re gonna rebuild he’s a d d-man to start with in the back end.