Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Deadline Primer 2024

Trade Deadline Primer: New York Islanders

at CDT | by 1 Comment

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the New York Islanders.

The New York Islanders have already made their big splash of the new year, hiring legendary goaltender Patrick Roy to take over for Lane Lambert, who was in his second year with the team. Roy has provided energy and spunk to an Islanders team that needed a jolt. He’s also boosted the ice time of key players like Mathew Barzal and Noah Dobson, helping give the team clear leaders to follow. Unfortunately, Roy hasn’t seen the on-ice results just yet. New York is 3-3-3 under their new brass, which also features new coach Benoit Desrosiers, and has seen a dip in their scoring, averaging an even 3.00 goals-per-game under Roy, a step down from the 3.13 goals-per-game they averaged since the start of December under Lambert. This lack of improvement has kept the Islanders on the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff race, six points behind the second Wild Card, currently held onto by Detroit. The Islanders will look to bring in whatever help they can at the looming Trade Deadline but it seems the real difference-maker may have to come from within.

Record

22-18-14, 5th in the Metropolitan Division.

Deadline Status

Conservative Sellers

Deadline Cap Space

$0.0MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: NYI 1st, NYI 2nd, NYI 4th, NYI 5th, NYI 6th
2025: NYI 1st, NYI 2nd, NYI 3rd, NYI 4th, NYI 5th, NYI 6th, NYI 7th

Trade Chips

The Islanders are bound by the cap this Deadline, and unlikely to make any move if they can’t clear out space first. There are plenty of options for high-cap hits that they could move out, though each would likely need a hefty sweetener attached that New York might not be able to pay. Jean-Gabriel Pageau may be the most likely cap clearance. The 31-year-old centerman makes a hefty $5MM through the end of the 2025-26 season but has just 22 points and a -11 through 54 games this season to show for it. Pageau has served a proud role as a middle-six centerman for the Islanders, and scored a commendable 13 goals and 40 points last season, but decreased production this year could make the cap space more valuable than Pageau’s role. The same could be said about newcomer Pierre Engvall, whose $3MM cap hit is slightly less daunting and whose role as a middle-six winger is slightly easier to fill. Engvall has just 17 points in 48 games this season, bringing his point totals with the Islanders up to 26 across a combined 66 games. He’s looked strong at times but may better fit on a contender looking to add depth. Teams could also be flattered by Engvall’s long-term contract, with the 27-year-old winger signed through the next seven seasons.

Unfortunately, New York doesn’t boast much future capital to make any cap clearance work. The team does have both their first and second-round picks in the next two drafts, and general manager Lou Lamoriello has shown little hesitancy in moving top picks for immediate solutions, but the asking price to move out such hefty contracts could be a little too sweet. Ruslan Iskhakov could be a strong incentive for other teams. The 23-year-old centerman currently leads the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders in scoring with 13 goals and 35 points. It’s his second season in the AHL, with Iskhakov netting 51 points in 69 games last year. He’s an established pro, with experience in Finland’s Liiga and Germany’s DEL, where he again proved to be one of his team’s most productive players. The 2018 second-round pick has yet to receive the first call-up of his career, though he certainly seems poised to make an impact when given the chance. The prospects of what could be from such a productive, young professional could excite teams enough to take some of New York’s baggage.

Team Needs

1) Build For The Future – The season isn’t doomed for the Islanders, but it’s certainly not looking as optimistic as past years. With the team locked into so many long-term deals with veterans, it’s time they turn their attention towards the future and bank whatever draft capital or young prospects that they can. The Islanders currently have the fourth-oldest roster in the NHL, behind Pittsburgh, Washington, and Edmonton. While clearing cap space will give them the chance to bring change-makers into the NHL lineup quickly, building out their prospect pool will help New York slowly add youth back into the fold. Their best bet may be to find lucrative options, like trading for lucrative and emerging prospects like Florida seventh-round pick Jack Devine, who has 44 points in 30 NCAA games this year. The Islanders could also look to reel in some of the young targets on the open market, like Arthur Kaliyev, Philip Broberg, or Kaapo Kakko. Each 22-year-old has their own degree of uncertainty but may be able to carve out a long-term NHL role with a change of scenery. Finding options to fit the team in two or three years would be a good start to an Islanders team currently without much reinforcement.

2) A Solution On Defense – The Islanders have surprisingly struggled to keep pucks out of the net, even despite star goaltender Ilya Sorokin’s .910 save percentage in 39 games this season. That problem has remedied itself a little bit under Patrick Roy – with New York’s average goals allowed sat at 3.22 over their last nine games, as opposed to 3.61 in Lambert’s final 23 games. But they’re still being outscored at a steady pace and rank as one of the NHL’s worst teams at mounting a comeback, with the eighth-worst win percentage when trailing by two goals. New York tried to remedy this issue earlier in the season, trading for Robert Bortuzzo, but Bortuzzo played in just 11 games with the Islanders before ending up on injured reserve. While they aren’t plagued with the long list of injured defensemen that troubled them earlier in the season, New York is still in need of a more cohesive blue line. They could find cheap ways to address this on the open market by acquiring stalwart defender Ilya Lyubushkin or Andrew Peeke. Both players carry a $2.75MM cap hit, though Lyubushkin is set to be a free agent this summer while Peeke is signed through next season. And while neither would demand a top-pairing role, they could each offer a new face to a struggling Islanders defense. The team could also seek out Flyers defender Nick Seeler, who carries a league-minimum $775K cap hit and enters free agency in the summer. Seeler could similarly help provide consistency to the bottom of New York’s defense, while likely not costing much at all. With very little wiggle room and even fewer assets, the Islanders will have to hope for a cheap deal at the Deadline if they want to make a push for the playoffs.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: New Jersey Devils

at CDT | by 13 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rear-view, the trade deadline looms large and is now less than a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the New Jersey Devils.

The New Jersey Devils came into the season with expectations that their young team would contend for a Stanley Cup, however, four and half months into the regular season, the Devils have taken a step backwards and are in a battle for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Devils made one of the biggest moves of last year’s deadline, acquiring forward Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks about a week before the trade deadline. The Devils were aggressive in their pursuit of Meier and will likely need to be as aggressive this year if they want to acquire the pieces necessary to get into the playoffs and make some noise in the East. The Devils have some obvious holes in their lineup that have been exposed throughout the regular season, and while it is tough to make moves in-season in a flat cap world, the Devils have shown that they aren’t afraid to pull the trigger on a big deal to bolster their lineup.

Record

28-22-4, 4th in the Metropolitan

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

 $10,412,500 on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 46/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: NJ 1st, NJ 3rd, NJ 5th, COL 5th, NJ 6th, NASH 7th
2025: NJ 1st, NJ 2nd, NJ 3rd, NJ 4th, NJ 6th, NJ 7th

Trade Chips

New Jersey will have some cap space to work with at the deadline thanks to injuries to key players. They could make a big move if they are so inclined and may choose to do so to address their major area of need. The Devils will likely look to move netminder Vitek Vanecek as part of any move to improve their goaltending and could also look to move backup Akira Schmid who has struggled this season after a strong showing last year. New Jersey Devils president of hockey operations and general manager, Tom Fitzgerald has already said he is not comfortable with the Devils goaltending and will likely improve it, which means someone will need to go the other way to open up room for a new acquisition. Vanacek holds almost no value as his -11.1 goals saved above expected is fourth worst in the NHL, and Schmid isn’t faring much better. The Devils may opt to hold onto Schmid and hope he can turn things around.

Forward Alexander Holtz is another roster player that the Devils could dangle at the deadline. The 22-year-old was the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft and has fared pretty well in his first full NHL season sitting third on the Devils in 5v5 points with 21 and goals with 11. As well as he’s played, he hasn’t been able to get much of a look in the Devils’ top six and may not be a fit for head coach Lindy Ruff’s style of play. Holtz could be a solid chip for the team to use to acquire help elsewhere.

Another former first-round pick that the Devils could include in a trade is forward Dawson Mercer. The 22-year-old put up solid offensive numbers in his first two NHL seasons, posting 44 goals and 54 assists in 164 games. However, this season his play has dropped a bit as a slow start has limited him to just 15 goals and 11 assists in 54 games. The native of Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador could be the main piece of a trade for a goaltender, as his offensive upside could entice teams who are looking for a young roster player who can contribute right away.

One of the Devils’ top prospects Seamus Casey could certainly be another trade chip if New Jersey wants to move futures for a piece that can help them now. The former second-round pick is an undersized defenseman who is a terrific puck handler and has put up fantastic offensive numbers at the University of Michigan in the NCAA. If the Devils opted to move Casey, they would be selling high as he was a central piece of a very talented American team that just won the IIHF World Junior Championship.

The Devils could also move on from their first-round pick in this year’s NHL entry draft, particularly if they are chasing one of the bigger names available on the trade market. The Devils don’t have the farm system they once did, however, that is largely due to a lot of their better prospects graduating to the NHL level. The Devils still possess a strong lineup, but they do have some holes to fill, and a first-round pick could go a long way to doing that.

Other Potential Trade Chips: F Josh Filmon F Arseni Gritsyuk F Lenni Hämeenaho

Team Needs

1) A Starting Goaltender: The Devils opted not to make a move for a goaltender last summer but have regretted that decision as indicated by the comments of Devils management. The Devils were reportedly in on Calgary Flames netminder Jacob Markström and could circle back to re-engage in those talks as the deadline nears. Most of the reports on the trade indicated that the Devils plan to look elsewhere for goaltending, but to this point they haven’t found a trade to their liking. The Devils have a desperate need to address this position, and have ample assets to do so. If they come up short it could mean the difference between making the playoffs and missing them entirely.

2) Bottom Six Help: The Devils do have some talented options in their bottom six but would likely prefer not to deploy Curtis Lazar as a third-line center, which has happened on more than one occasion. A top-9 forward would allow some of the Devils’ forwards to shift down the lineup into positions that are more suitable for the skillset and allow Ruff to have more trust in rolling three or four forward lines in a regular rotation. The Devils have dealt with their fair share of injuries this season but probably didn’t envision having the likes of Chris Tierney playing as frequently as he has. Some depth up front would be an additional boost for the Devils in their pursuit of the playoffs.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Nashville Predators

at CDT | by 6 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Nashville Predators.

Transitioning out of the David Poile era at last year’s trade deadline, the Predators stole plenty of headlines, shipping out the likes of Mattias Ekholm, Tanner Jeannot, and Nino Niederreiter for a plethora of draft picks. Sporting an expectedly middle-of-the-pack roster, Nashville still holds some assets that could net some solid returns at this year’s deadline as well.

Record

28-25-2, 5th in the Central Division

Deadline Status

Conservative Sellers

Deadline Cap Space

$37.287 MM on deadline day, 2/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: NSH 1st, NSH 2nd, TB 2nd, WPG 2nd, NSH 3rd, DAL 3rd, NSH 4th, CHI 4th, EDM 4th, NSH 5th, DAL 6th
2025: NSH 1st, TB 1st*, NSH 2nd, NSH 3rd, NSH 4th, NSH 5th, NSH 6th

* A part of the trade that sent Jeannot to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay sent a conditional 2025 first-round selection to Nashville. If the pick falls within the top 10 of that NHL Draft, the Lightning will retain the draft selection.

Trade Chips

For this year’s playoff run, it is going to be incredibly challenging for the Predators to make any headway into the top three of the Central Division, but remain only two points back of the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference. With nine games to go until the trade deadline, the head coach turned General Manager Barry Trotz may still be indecisive when it comes to the organization’s deadline plans.

If the team ultimately ends up in a playoff position by March 8th, it is unlikely Trotz will deal from the cupboard, as the team has placed a high priority on prospects and draft selections over the last calendar year. More than likely, even if they are competing for a playoff spot, Trotz will choose to sell on the team’s upcoming unrestricted free agents in the hopes of recouping some assets.

In an evergrowing market for goaltenders, Juuse Saros could become the prize of the deadline, but the Predators have been adamant on not only keeping their goaltender but are much more interested in discussing a contract extension. As far as rental pieces that Nashville could dangle, Thomas Novak and Alexandre Carrier have both received interest from contending teams, while defenseman Tyson Barrie was permitted to seek a trade back in early December.

Team Needs

1) Continue To Pile Up Draft Picks – At the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, the Predators were able to make 11 draft selections, with six of those coming in the first three rounds. Once again, the team is poised to select six more players in the first three rounds of the 2024 NHL Draft which should certainly help them build up substantial prospect depth through the system. With adequate depth at all three positions at the AHL level, Nashville is once again in a position to deal out expiring contracts without having to take on a player in return.

2) Beef Up Special Teams – If the Predators are convinced they can make some noise in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, their main priority should be to make additions to both sides of the special team units. Currently, the team holds a 19.37% powerplay rate (21st in the NHL) and a 75.43% penalty-kill rate (27th in the NHL). Likely nibbling around the edges of the market if they do choose to buy, the team could look to poach Victor Olofsson from the Buffalo Sabres for powerplay help and Kevin Rooney from the Calgary Flames for a boost to the penalty kill.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Montreal Canadiens

at CDT | by 2 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Montreal Canadiens.

An early season-ending injury to top-six forward Kirby Dach derailed the Montreal Canadiens season nearly as soon as it got started. The mantra has followed Montreal, who have also faced significant injury to Christian Dvorak and Rafael Harvey-Pinard. That’s left the team without much bite this season, destined to spend the year focused on developing young talents rather than pushing for the playoffs. But Montreal is prepared for this, boasting one of the youngest lineups in the league and providing ample opportunity to AHL standouts. This includes calling up top prospect Joshua Roy for the first 10 games of his career, signing Brandon Gignac to an extension after AHL success, and rotating a trio of goalies to find their future fit. In a season of failures on the scoresheet, Montreal is still finding ways to improve, and the Trade Deadline could be their chance to really lean into prioritizing the future.

Record

22-25-8, 7th in the Atlantic Division.

Deadline Status

Sellers

Deadline Cap Space

$5.654 MM on deadline day, 2/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: MTL 1st, WPG 1st, COL 2nd, MTL 3rd, MIN 3rd, MTL 4th, MTL 5th, SJS 5th, MTL 6th, MTL 7th, EDM 7th, WSH 7th
2025: MTL 1st, CGY 1st, MTL 2nd, PIT 2nd, MTL 3rd, VAN 3rd, MTL 4th, DET 4th, MTL 5th, MTL 6th, MTL 7th

Trade Chips

Montreal’s trade chips begins with their goaltenders. General manager Kent Hughes recently shared that the team will need to move out one goaltender, leaving fans to speculate which is likeliest to go. Sam Montembeault seems to have the safest spot, largely thanks to the three-year, $9.45MM contract extension he signed on December 1st. He’s since become Montreal’s de facto starter, setting 12 wins and a .903 save percentage through 26 games. Montembeault is primarily backed up by veteran Jake Allen, who’s set a .894 save percentage in 19 games of his own. Allen likely offers the best trade market value, largely thanks to the experience he’s gathered over 11 years and 414 games in the NHL. Allen also brings championship prowess, winning the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. But if teams are dissuaded by the 33-year-old Allen’s $3.85MM cap hit next season, they could also find depth in 24-year-old Cayden Primeau. Primeau – the youngest of any Canadiens goalie – has yet to come into his own in the NHL, totaling 33 games since making his NHL debut in 2019 but managing just eight wins and a .884 save percentage. He does seem to be on good pace this year though, with a .903 save percentage in 12 games of his own. Primeau is signed to a sub-$1MM deal through the end of the 2024-25 season, offering a lot of potential to teams looking for a potential difference-maker.

The Canadiens could also bank on veteran talents, finally finding a trade partner for Josh Anderson or moving away from hometown pro David Savard. Both players have been apart of trade rumors for a while, though Anderson would fetch much, much more of a return than Savard. The 29-year-old winger has just 15 points in 51 games this season, also setting 51 penalty minutes and a -21. It’s a far cry from the 27 goals and 47 points he managed in 82 games in 2018-19. Anderson hasn’t scored more than 32 points in a season since joining Montreal in 2020 but could still offer top-six value thanks to his sturdy frame and drive towards the net. Any trade of Anderson would almost certainly require Montreal to retain salary, using their last salary retention slot. But, with Anderson signed through his age-32 season in 2026-27, any return would be beneficial for the youthful Canadiens lineup.

Team Needs

1) Go Window Shopping – Montreal has the luxury of being able to explore all options at the Trade Deadline. The team is not in a position to win now, but they have all of the draft picks, prospect capital, and role players that a seller could ask for. This could give the Canadiens a lucrative opportunity to go after big names like Pavel Buchnevich or Jakob Chychrun. Both players are under 30 and on generally cheap contracts. While the remainder of their 2023-24 season might end up a bit fruitless, adding a big-market name could be enough to propel the Canadiens into success sooner than they planned for. The NHL is currently witnessing the ascension of the Philadelphia Flyers, who sit comfortably in a playoff spot after the All-Star Break, and Montreal could look to mimic that success next season with a healthy lineup and high-profile additions. The Canadiens likely wouldn’t have to sacrifice much for the additions either – boasting seven picks in the first or second round of the next two drafts. Their wallet is plenty big enough and they shouldn’t be frugal if that means they can bring in a point-per-game veteran forward or an ever-rising young defenseman.

2) Buy Up the Youth – Montreal is, first and foremost, a seller this year thanks to their insistence on a goalie trade and long list of veteran talents. But that position could open them up to sneaky deadline deals. There is plenty of high-profile young talent on the open market, including Trevor Zegras, Arthur Kaliyev, Kaapo Kakko, and Philip Broberg. While each of these players carries with them varying degrees of certainty, they would all make stellar additions to a Montreal lineup that’s already full of young talent. It’s also easy to see the fit that many of them would have with skillful head coach Martin St. Louis. Edmonton’s desperate need for goaltending depth, or New York’s desire for forward depth, could be enough for them to take lesser value in favor of solidifying their lineups now. Montreal could be in the perfect spot to exploit those positions and add major, major value to their future outlook.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Minnesota Wild

at CDT | by 8 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Minnesota Wild.

After making the playoffs a total of 10 times in the last 11 seasons, the Wild were once again looking to compete for the Stanley Cup this upcoming spring. Unfortunately, things have not gone according to plan, with Minnesota now on the outside looking in when it comes to the Western Conference playoff race. After a head coaching change earlier in the season, the Wild are certainly still within reach, and will likely look to add around the fringes in the hopes of making Lord Stanley’s tournament.

Record

25-23-5, 6th in the Central Division.

Deadline Status

Conservative Sellers

Deadline Cap Space

$4.53 MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 48/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: MIN 1st, MIN 2nd, MIN 4th, MIN 5th, BUF 5th, MIN 6th
2025: MIN 1st, MIN 2nd, MIN  3rd, TOR 4th, MIN 6th

Trade Chips

With Minnesota signing most of their would-be trade chips to extensions last offseason, there only remains one veteran on the roster that could attract any sort of interest on March 8th. Now in his 20th year and an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, the Wild could look to peddle goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury with many contending teams looking to improve their situation between the pipes.

Fleury has been relatively productive this season, sporting a 10-9-3 record in 25 contests, carrying a .902 save percentage and 2.83 goals against average. Although he does carry a no-move clause, Fleury may waive that to join a contender in hopes of winning a Stanley Cup to cap off his career.

Teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs could be interested in Fleury’s services, where he would primarily be utilized in a backup role to give their regular netminders more rest in between starts. Furthermore, teams such as the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils may be in desperation mode when it comes to fixing their goaltending woes and may prefer Fleury to start the majority of games down the stretch.

Outside of Fleury, considering the organization will likely be nibbling around the edges when it comes to the trade market this March, it is unlikely Minnesota will consider moving either of their first-round selections in the next two upcoming NHL Drafts. They may consider moving out a thin pool of mid-round selections, but it will not be enough for the Wild to make any significant improvements to the roster.

Team Needs

1) Get Younger – Currently, the Wild ranks as the fourth-oldest team in the NHL, with the average age sitting at 29.4. Outside of the numerous overseas prospects looking to make the jump to North America next year, Minnesota has defensive prospects Carson Lambos and Daemon Hunt who are certainly on the cusp. Keeping in mind the stardom of goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, the Wild certainly have plenty of young talent ready to bring to the top level. Factoring in these upcoming players, they make the early extensions given to the likes of Ryan Hartman, Marcus Foligno, and Mats Zuccarello more difficult to comprehend, as their contracts are not only difficult to move out, but are blocking a few prospects from regular playing time.

2) A Right-Shot Defenseman – In the short term, if Minnesota is looking to make the playoffs in the 2023-24 season, they need to replace the lost minutes of captain Jared Spurgeon sooner rather than later. Rookie defenseman Brock Faber has certainly held his own on the right side of the top unit, but it quickly falls apart behind him. Last season, the team chose to acquire John Klingberg from the Anaheim Ducks to strengthen the right side of their defense, and they certainly could use another top-four defenseman within that caliber of player.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Los Angeles Kings

at CDT | by 4 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Los Angeles Kings.

The Los Angeles Kings are maintaining their form this season, once again looking like a team that could find their way into the postseason but not one that poses much of a threat. They currently sit atop a tightly-packed Western Conference Wild Card race, with five teams sitting within five points of the Kings. They’ve played the second-fewest games in the conference – 50 – but also boast the eighth-fewest goals in the Conference. The Kings will be hoping that the Trade Deadline can work hand-in-hand with new head coach Jim Hiller – who took over for Todd McLellan in early February – to bring a needed spark to the lineup in the second half of the season.

Record

24-16-10, 4th in the Pacific Division.

Deadline Status

Conservative Buyers

Deadline Cap Space

$2.0 MM on deadline day, 1/3 retention slots used, 43/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: LAK 1st, LAK 4th, LAK 6th, LAK 7th
2025: LAK 1st, LAK 2nd, LAK 3rd, LAK 4th, LAK 5th, LAK 6th, LAK 7th

Trade Chips

Los Angeles is approaching the deadline with very little cap to work with and very few picks in the 2024 NHL Draft. Those factors make any trade a challenge for the Kings. But they might be able to leverage the value of former draft capital, with Alex Turcotte and Arthur Kaliyev looking like two of their best bargaining chips. Neither player has found their groove in the NHL since being drafted by the Kings. Kaliyev has spent the last two seasons in and out of the Kings lineup, playing just 38 games and scoring just 14 points this season. Still, he’s been with the NHL lineup for three seasons, scoring 70 points in 175 games over the last four seasons. That’s more of a role than Turcotte has received – with the former fifth-overall pick spending most of the last four seasons in the AHL. He’s played in four NHL games this season and finally recorded his first goal and assist in the league. He also has 23 points in 30 AHL games this season.

While neither 22-year-old has a strong pro resume as it stands, there’s a chance teams could remain hopeful that a change of scenery could bring back their draft day hope. But even if they do, Los Angeles will likely still need to move cap to make any deal work. They may manage that by trading depth forwards like Carl Grundstrom or Blake Lizotte. Grundstrom has continued to operate on the team’s bottom line, playing 50 games and scoring 12 points this season, while Lizotte has played 34 games as a bottom-six centerman. They each carry cap hits below $2.0MM and could bring value to a team looking towards a long playoff run – Lizotte adding center depth and Grundstrom bringing good grit. But it may be hopeful to think that either player will be enough to swing a deal without L.A. also including draft capital.

Team Needs

1) Complementary Depth – The headline of the Kings season has been the struggles of new acquisition Pierre-Luc Dubois. The team traded for the 25-year-old this off-season, sending Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari, and a 2024 second-round draft pick back to the Winnipeg Jets. Dubois has since recorded just 21 points in 50 games with the Kings, falling to the team’s third-line center role. He’ll likely receive a productive winger with Viktor Arvidsson returning to the lineup, but the team shouldn’t pass up a chance to get him additional help at the Trade Deadline. Dubois has scored 60 or more points in three of his seven NHL seasons, including each of the last two, and could benefit from skilled wingers that can support his drive into the offensive zone. Los Angeles could seek out options like Anthony Duclair or Morgan Frost, who both carry cheaper cap hits, or they could shoot for a more veteran presence through the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko or Jason Zucker, who would each require additional cap space. But without many trade pieces to work with, it’s unlikely that L.A. could compete for top-of-the-market options like Jake Guentzel.

2) Future Capital – Los Angeles could certainly be a team in the market for a goaltender, or extended defensive depth, but they’ll likely fall flat of offers other teams can make. Instead, their Deadline plan should be to hear out as many offers on young defensemen or top minor-league forwards, looking to bank whatever future capital they could get. The Kings are likely still years away from the top of the standings, something made okay by the fact that they have the fifth-youngest lineup in the league. Dealing away veteran lineup pieces like Andreas Englund could have the benefit of opening space for young prospects like Brandt Clarke, netting the Kings modest compensation while also giving some of their recent top draft picks a chance to shine. That may be all Los Angeles can ask for, as they approach a deadline where they’ll be cap-strapped and looking for a spark.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Florida Panthers

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With the All-Star break in the rear-view, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Florida Panthers.

The Florida Panthers have been an impressive team for a couple of seasons now and are once again having a terrific season. Many thought that they might take a step back this season after losing in the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, however, the club was able to overcome several injuries to key contributors early on and now have their full complement of impact players in the lineup. Panthers’ general manager Bill Zito hasn’t been afraid of pulling off blockbuster trades in recent seasons having made the move for Matthew Tkachuk and another move two years ago at the trade deadline for Claude Giroux. While the Giroux move didn’t work out, the Tkachuk trade has turned out great for the Panthers. All that being said, the Panthers don’t have the cap space or the assets to swing for the fences at this trade deadline, but that being said Zito will likely evaluate every option when it comes to improving his group. The Panthers will be a tough team to play in the playoffs as they are well-built and have finally figured out how to win in the playoffs. It will make for an interesting deadline in Florida.

Record

33-15-4, 2 in the Atlantic

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

 $5.72MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 45/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: FLA 3rd, FLA 4th,  FLA 5th, PHI 5th, FLA 6th, FLA 7th
2025: FLA 2nd, FLA 3rd, FLA 4th, CAL 4th*, FLA 5th, SJ 5, FLA 6th, FLA 7th

* If the 2025 1st RD pick that Florida sent to Calgary is a lottery pick resulting in Calgary receiving Florida’s 2026 1st RD pick instead, then the 2025 4th RD pick that Calgary sent to Florida also slides to 2026.

Trade Chips

Florida has ten players on their current roster who will be unrestricted free agents this offseason. Despite the amount of turnover that will happen this summer, Zito probably isn’t looking to move much off of the NHL roster in any trade deadline moves. However, they will likely need to shed some salary to acquire any high-priced talent. The Panthers’ big moves for Tkachuk and others have certainly paid off, but it also came with a high cost. They don’t have a first-round pick in either of the next two drafts and don’t have a second-round pick this year. While a lack of picks might keep them out of the running for some of the top available names at the deadline, they still possess all of their mid-round picks and should still be able to make some smaller moves.

The Panthers’ farm system also leaves a lot to be desired as they are ranked near the bottom third of the league in terms of prospect pipelines. The Panthers do have some decent draft picks from previous seasons that could entice teams to part with a bigger name.

Gracyn Sawchyn is an intriguing player for a number of reasons. He was drafted in the second round last summer and plays a very simple game that relies on speed and physicality. He could have been a higher pick but is undersized and doesn’t possess the offensive abilities of some of his peers chosen before him. That being said, he is 19 and has a lot of upside to his game that teams will covet.

Mackie Samoskevich is another name that the Panthers could float in a potential trade. He has dressed in seven NHL games this season and was the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2021. Samoskevich is in his first full season of professional hockey and has produced decent offensive numbers in the AHL with 12 goals and 17 assists in 37 games. Samoskevich has a high hockey IQ and should be able to translate that and his other skillset into a career in the NHL, it just remains to be seen if that will happen in Florida or if he will be dealt at the deadline.

Other Potential Trade Chips: D Ludvig Jansson, D Kasper Puutio, D Michael Benning

Team Needs

1) Top-9 Forward: The Panthers haven’t gotten what they need out of the third line and would probably like to add some scoring punch to it. They recently moved Evan Rodrigues there and elevated Nick Cousins to the top 6, but in a perfect world, they would acquire another forward and push Cousins onto the fourth line. The Panthers had this balance previously with Anthony Duclair but shipped him off to San Jose last summer. The Panthers likely won’t be able to make a Jake Guentzel-type addition, but a solid scorer with some speed might go a long way to helping them get back to the Stanley Cup Finals. A reunion with Duclair might be an option given how good of a fit he has been previously.

2) Depth Defenseman: Florida is the second-best defensive team this season and has done so without two of their top defensemen for a good portion of the season. That being said, their current alignment relies on two veteran defensemen in their bottom pairing group who could wear down during a long playoff drive. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is averaging almost 19 minutes a night and Dmitry Kulikov is playing 16:33 per game. Both veterans could stand to either play a little bit less or get some nights off leading into the playoffs. A depth defenseman could allow Florida to put their veterans in a spot where they are the likeliest to succeed and give them a chance to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Edmonton Oilers

at CDT | by 6 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rear-view, the trade deadline looms large and is now less than a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Edmonton Oilers.

For the second consecutive season, the Oilers started slowly. The team started so poorly this season that it resulted in the firing of head coach Jay Woodcroft after just 13 games. Since their 3-9-1 start to the season, Edmonton has rebounded under Kris Knoblauch with a 27-7 record that includes a near-record 16-game winning streak. The Oilers now once again look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and will no doubt be looking to add to their lineup at the trade deadline. The club has already been linked to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel and will surely be in on some of the other big names in the upcoming weeks. The Oilers don’t have much in the way of cap space and will need to get creative to fill in some of the remaining holes on their roster. But with the uncertainty around the futures of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they are likely to do everything they can to add to an already formidable lineup.

Record

30-16-1, 3rd in the Pacific

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

 $2.374MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 46/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: EDM 1st, EDM 2nd, EDM 5th, EDM 6th, NASH 6th
2025: EDM 1st, EDM 3rd, EDM 4th, EDM 5th, EDM 6th, EDM 7th

Trade Chips

Edmonton probably isn’t looking to move much off of their NHL roster to facilitate a trade, however, they will likely need to shed some salary to acquire any high-priced talent. There have been rumors in recent weeks that they would like to shed Cody Ceci and his $3.25MM cap hit, and they also have Jack Campbell toiling in the AHL with his $5MM cap hit, but if Edmonton wanted to move on from either player it would require a sizeable asset to move the money out.

The Oilers do have some assets if they want to make a big move, as they still possess their first-round pick in the next few drafts and have most of their other draft capital as well. There will also be interest in defenseman Philip Broberg despite his lack of NHL success. The 22-year-old hasn’t exactly had a seamless transition to professional hockey, but he is having a strong season in the AHL.

Edmonton has one of the worst farm systems in the NHL, but it isn’t without a couple of intriguing players. Xavier Bourgault is not having the type of season he or the Oilers were hoping for with just six goals and 10 assists in 39 AHL games. The 2021 first-round pick is ranked by many as the Oilers’ top prospect and has shown that he is a great special teams player, but his scoring just isn’t there at even strength. He along with Broberg could be pieces of a bigger package to acquire a big-name player. But if they are the central pieces, it might require the Oilers to give up multiple first-round picks.

Another Oilers prospect is Raphael Lavoie whose size will certainly be alluring to teams who are looking for a big center with untapped potential. Lavoie is having a decent season in the AHL with 15 goals and 11 assists in 33 games, but at 23 years of age, it is hard to consider him a prospect at this point, especially one that can fetch to top-6 forward such as Guentzel.

If Edmonton does want to make a splash, it may require moving out young forward Dylan Holloway, who hasn’t found his offensive game in the NHL but does have good underlying numbers and will almost certainly be an NHL player. Holloway has posted good offensive numbers in the AHL but hasn’t spent of ton of time playing in Edmonton’s top-9 and could find that side of his game if given a chance.

One other intriguing prospect who could draw some interest is Matvei Petrov. The 20-year-old has had a slow start to his professional career with Bakersfield this season, and had a terrific, albeit brief OHL career with the North Bay Battalion. The former sixth-round pick has just five goals and three assists in 30 AHL games with the Condors but had 67 goals and 116 assists in 128 career OHL games. Petrov has good vision and hockey sense but is on the lighter side at the moment and could become much stronger on the puck if he could fill out his 6’2” frame.

Other Potential Trade Chips: D Beau Akey, F Maxim Berezkin

Team Needs

1) Top-6 Forward: The Oilers shuffled their lines yesterday and moved Corey Perry onto their second line. While Perry still has a role in the NHL, his days of being a top-6 forward are well behind him. The Oilers have a considerable gap between their top five forwards and all the remaining ones. Therein lies the need for another top-six winger. The Oilers would probably love to get a right shot forward, however, the market may force them to look at the left side which is why Guentzel’s name is being thrown around. If Edmonton can’t land a top-six forward, they could opt for a top-9 forward as a fallback option. Something they thought they were getting last summer when they signed Connor Brown.

2) A Reliable Second Goaltender: An argument could be made for an additional defender, but goaltending has been problematic for the Oilers for quite some time, which is why they signed Campbell two summers ago. Stuart Skinner has performed admirably for the Oilers and has earned the starter net. However, Edmonton would do well to find a solid backup who could take the net if Skinner were to falter or be dealt an injury. Alex Nedeljkovic out of Pittsburgh could be a good option should the Penguins falter and opt to sell at the deadline.  The Vegas Golden Knights showed last year that a team can never have too much reliable goaltending, and while the Oilers have three goaltenders who can play in the NHL, two of the three have a history of seeing their play fall off considerably. Something the Oilers can’t have as their contention window gets smaller and smaller.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Detroit Red Wings

at CDT | by 7 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings season has gone as well as they could have hoped for. The team hasn’t had overwhelming success, but they are in the heat of the Eastern Conference Wild Card race and are averaging their highest goals-per-game total since the 2008-09 season. Detroit has 12 different skaters with over 20 points through their first 50 games and has finally found a goaltender to lead them forward thanks to Alex Lyon’s breakout year. Things are coming together for the Motor City and, with a fruitful trade deadline, the team could be poised for their first playoff trip in eight years.

Record

26-18-6, 5th in the Atlantic

Deadline Status

Conservative Buyers

Deadline Cap Space

$12.6 MM on deadline day, 1/3 retention slots used, 47/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: DET 1st*, DET 2nd, DET 3rd, DAL 4th, DET 5th, DET 6th, DET 7th
2025: DET 1st, DET 2nd, DET 3rd, BOS 4th, DET 5th, DET 6th, DET 7th, STL 7th

* Detroit has the option to send either Boston’s 2024 1st Round pick or their own to the Ottawa Senators as a part of the trade package to acquire Alex DeBrincat.

Trade Chips

The Red Wings are approaching the deadline with plenty of flexibility. They could serve in their usual role as a moderate seller, sending off depth pieces and extra contracts to teams looking to gear up for the Spring. But Detroit has spent nearly the last decade building out a robust prospect pool that now features top names like Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper, and Simon Edvinsson. They’re at a position where they can begin betting on the present, which could mean draft picks are the hottest commodity Detroit possesses. The team has held on to their top three picks in each of the next three drafts – and all three are

projected to be strong classes. A first round pick has been the focal piece of both the Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan trades, and is rumored to be the asking price for many other players currently on the open market. With Detroit boasting such a deep prospect pool, being willing to part with draft capital – and maybe even a prospect or two – could give them a major leg-up in any trade negotiations.

Of course, that’s if Detroit decides to buy. It seems just as likely they could prepare to sell off some more pieces – a luxury they’re afforded thanks to a forward group with an average age of just 26.5. The Wings are getting everything they could want from their young talents, and they could decide to lean into that this deadline. They certainly have the pieces to move – including veteran defenders like Olli Määttä and Justin Holl. Or they could try and bank on a hot goaltending market by moving one of their many NHL-quality backups, including Ville Husso, James Reimer, and Michael Hutchinson.

But if Detroit really does lean into the seller’s approach, it’s likely that Patrick Kane could find himself back on the move. Kane has scored 16 points in his 19 games with the Red Wings, proving the potency he can bring when healthy. The future Hall-of-Famer knew that trade rumors might surround him as the deadline approaches, with TSN’s Chris Johnston speaking to the likelihood back in December. Now, Kane has since faced an injury that’s held him out of the team’s last seven games – and the Red Wings’ 9-2-2 record since the start of January certainly has them focused on the present. Both of those facts could dissuade the Wings from selling any part of their lineup – though, if they do, Kane’s name will surely be at the top of the list.

Team Needs

1) Younger Defensemen: In a season of positives, one negative has dragged on in Detroit. It’s become very clear that Moritz Seider, as capable as he may be, is simply being relied on too much. The 22-year-old is averaging over 22 minutes a game, over two minutes more than anyone else on the roster. He’s in one of the top-10 hardest roles among NHL defensemen, according to Evolving Hockey’s Quality of Competition statistic (requires subscription) which argues that Seider’s role is comparable to top defenders like Noah Hanifin and Adam Pelech. Seider has taken it on with no hesitation, but the only teammate able to keep up with him has been Jake Walman. He’s otherwise receiving inconsistent help from the likes of Ben Chiarot or Jeff Petry. There’s a near three-year gap between the average age of Detroit’s forwards (26.5) and their defenders (29.7), and it’s beginning to create a rift between Detroit’s speedy youngsters and their slower old guard. If the Wings are eyeing a deep playoff push, they should also be eyeing younger defensemen that can better match the pace of their lineup. There’s no shortage of names on the market, with Hanifin recently topping Daily Faceoff’s Trade Board. Detroit could also go after Jakob Chychrun, who the team has previously expressed interest in but never landed. Both players would bring a significant boost to a Red Wings defense that’s been largely commanded by one 22-year-old German. Both players play on the left side and could provide a significant boost to Seider’s already-strong play.

2) Depth Scoring: Detroit is in a lucky position of not needing too much more depth. They have plenty of goaltending, healthy scratches like Klim Kostin and Justin Holl provide strong immediate relief, and minor leaguers like Zach Aston-Reese and Simon Edvinsson could realistically provide a spark if needed. But the Red Wings shouldn’t turn their nose up to the chance to add even more scoring to their lineup. There’s been speculation that Pavel Buchnevich could be made available by one of Detroit’s favorite trade partners in the St. Louis Blues. That could be a tremendous addition, with Buchnevich’s 182 points in 183 games with the Blues proving his capability to thrive in a confused lineup. Detroit could also target a player like Vladimir Tarasenko, who has 13 goals and 33 points in 45 games this season despite operating on Ottawa’s third line. Tarasenko would be significantly cheaper to acquire than Buchnevich, and is a pending free agent where Buchnevich has one more season left on his contract. Other options could include Anthony Mantha or Anthony Duclair, two more pending free agents with seemingly more to offer. It’ll be an exciting deadline for the Red Wings, who have the cap space, the assets, and the successful lineup to seemingly choose whatever path forward they would like.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Trade Deadline Primer: Dallas Stars

at CDT | by 3 Comments

With the All-Star break in the rearview, the trade deadline looms large and is now just a month away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Dallas Stars.

Things have gone mostly according to plan for the Stars this season.  They’re among the top-scoring teams in the NHL and have been in a battle for the top spot in the Central Division for the majority of the season.  However, they’ve been a bit shakier on the defensive side of things so if GM Jim Nill is able to add to his roster, the back end could very well be the area he tries to shore up in the coming weeks.  However, with very limited cap space, they may be limited in what they’re able to accomplish on the trade front.

Record

31-14-6, 1st in the Central

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

$1.924MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention slots used, 44/50 contracts used, per CapFriendly.

Upcoming Draft Picks

2024: DAL 1st, DAL 2nd, DAL 5th, DAL 7th
2025: DAL 1st, DAL 3rd*, DAL 5th, NJ 5th DAL 6th, DAL 7th

*-If Nils Lundkvist gets 55 total points between 2022-23 and 2023-24, the Rangers would get this pick instead of Dallas’ 2025 fourth-rounder.  Lundkvist has 30 points in a Dallas uniform heading into tonight’s action so this condition is unlikely to be met but the pick will be encumbered for trade purposes.

Trade Chips

As a team that won’t be intent on moving impactful pieces off its roster, Dallas will undoubtedly be fielding inquiries about Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque.  They are the top two scorers in the AHL but have yet to see NHL action so far given the depth that the Stars have up front.  If it’s only a depth move that they’re able to make, these two won’t be in play but if Nill wants to make a significant upgrade, one of these two could help yield Dallas a strong roster player.

If Dallas does look to make a move to add a piece on the back end, Lundkvist could also be someone who generates some interest.  The 23-year-old has basically been limited to full-time third-pairing duty at even strength while seeing some secondary power play time.  Accordingly, the points weren’t exactly piling up as the Stars hoped when they traded for him in 2022.  That said, Lundkvist is still on his entry-level deal and he’d likely be of interest to quite a few rebuilding teams although his $925K cap hit doesn’t help much when it comes to matching money.  It’s unlikely Nill would move him for a rental player but if they could get an impact blueliner with some salary retention signed beyond this season, Lundkvist could conceivably be part of the package heading the other way.

In terms of other depth players who could go to help match money in a trade, Craig Smith and Sam Steel come to mind.  Both forwards (who are pending free agents) have fared relatively well on the fourth line but could slip out of the lineup should an upgrade be acquired.  Smith makes a bit more at $1MM while Steel is a little cheaper ($850K) but has one more year of team control though it comes with arbitration eligibility.  Neither player has much trade value directly but as pieces to help make the finances work, they’re candidates to be moved.

If they look to bring in someone with a bigger contract, the money-matcher going the other way could very well be Radek Faksa.  The 30-year-old is a strong defensive player but his offense simply hasn’t come around.  At $3.25MM through next season, he might be a luxury they can no longer afford if they add a bigger-ticket player.

One prospect who isn’t quite at Bourque and Stankoven’s level offensively in the minors but should draw some interest is Matej Blumel.  The 23-year-old is coming to the end of his entry-level deal and has 77 points in 99 career AHL games with Texas.  He also has six games of NHL experience under his belt.  Blumel will still have another year of waiver exemption after this one, giving him some extra value in a move.

Other Potential Trade Chips: F Oskar Back, F Nicholas Caamano, F Riley Damiani

Team Needs

1) Defensive Upgrade: There’s a definite gap between Dallas’ top three defensemen and the rest.  Getting a proven second-pairing option would certainly give that unit a boost while also hedging against injuries.  If the player happens to be a right-handed shot, that would be even more beneficial although, as always, impact right-defenders are in short supply and high demand.  If they can’t land a top-four player, adding some extra depth to hedge against injuries would be beneficial and affordable in their cap structure.

2) Experienced Third Goaltender: When Jake Oettinger missed time earlier this season, they leaned heavily on Scott Wedgewood with third-string option Matt Murray having very limited NHL experience.  If Dallas isn’t comfortable using Murray at this point, it would be worth trying to find a veteran third option, one who could be stashed in the minors and come up if one of Oettinger or Wedgewood go down.  This is the type of move where one of their AHL skaters could be on the move as the return for that insurance policy between the pipes.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top