NHL · 1 year ago

10 Players That Will be Traded Before the NHL Trade Deadline

Grant White

Host · Writer

Reilly Smith - Pittsburgh Penguins
Cap Hit: $5 Million

Years Remaining: Signed Through 2024-25

The Reilly Smith experiment hasn't panned out like everyone was hoping. Smith has looked out of sorts in the Pittsburgh Penguins system and needs a fresh start to rebuild his confidence. Kyle Dubas should be willing to oblige to try and salvage his team's playoff chances.

Unless something changes, Smith is on pace for one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. His 0.48 points per game is the second-lowest of his career since his rookie season, and Smith's 10.4% shooting percentage is the worst since 2016-17.

We've seen Smith thrive under the right circumstances, but it's becoming painfully apparent that the Pens' system isn't for him. Smith could shine in a more uptempo situation, such as with the Tampa Bay Lightning or Toronto Maple Leafs.

Potential Destinations: Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs
Chris Tanev - Calgary Flames
Cap Hit: $4.5 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

Calgary Flames General Manager Craig Conroy signaled his intent with a pair of trades earlier this season -- the Flames are looking toward the future. As such, Chris Tanev finds himself as one of the most likely players to be dealt ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6th.

Tanev has been an imposing defensive force for the Flames this season. More importantly, he wields impressive analytics. The 34-year-old has a 50.8% expected goals-for rating despite starting just 41.4% of his shifts in the attacking one.

Many teams crave this kind of defensive presence, not the least of which is Calgary's inter-provincial rivals. The Edmonton Oilers desperately need a player of Tanev's ilk for their playoff push.

Potential Destinations: Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders
Vladimir Tarasenko - Ottawa Senators
Cap Hit: $5 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

The Ottawa Senators' blueprint fails them every year. The Sens wait until they are out of the playoff picture without enough time to catch the teams ahead of them before they start playing quality hockey. Although it won't help them compete for this year's Stanley Cup, it will improve the returning assets for Vladimir Tarasenko.

Tarasenko came to Ottawa on a one-year show-me deal, and the Russian forward has lived up to his billing as a solid complementary piece. In 53 games this season, Tarasenko has 15 goals and 22 assists, with 13 of those tallies coming at even strength.

Scoring depth is crucial in the playoffs, and Tarasenko has a proven track record. He would be an upgrade to most teams' middle-six forwards, but he is also capable of skating on the top line.

Potential Destinations: Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes
Jacob Markstrom - Calgary Flames
Cap Hit: $6 Million

Years Remaining: Signed Through 2025-26

The second of three Flames players to land on our trade deadline list, Jacob Markstrom, is expected to be in a new uniform by March 9. There are only a few teams in the market for a starting netminder, cratering Markstrom's value on the market.

After a slow start to the season in which Markstrom went 1-6-1, the Swedish tender has responded by going 18-9-1. Further, his 91.9% save percentage and 2.44 goals against average across his more recent sample put him on pace for one of the best seasons of his career.

Buyer beware. Markstrom is 34 with two years left on his contract. There's a strong correlation between aging goalies and deteriorating metrics, meaning only serious contenders should consider adding the veteran goaltender.

Potential Destinations: Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils
Adam Henrique - Anaheim Ducks
Cap Hit: $5.825 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

For the past seven seasons, Adam Henrique has quietly gone about being a reliable complementary winger with the Anaheim Ducks. But with his contract coming to an end and the Ducks perpetually rebuilding, it's time for Henrique to make more meaningful contributions elsewhere.

A former third-round pick, Henrique would adopt a new role on any team acquiring him. He's been slotted among Anaheim's top six since landing in SoCal, but he would like to be used as a checking forward with any playoff contender.

Thankfully, that suits his analytics profile. Henrique starts just 42.4% of his shifts in the offensive zone, but he still ranks in the top ten on the team in scoring and high-danger chances. He's the prototypical forward to excel in Rod Brind'Amour's system, but several other teams will be looking to add him.

Potential Destinations: Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers
Matt Dumba - Arizona Coyotes
Cap Hit: $3.9 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

A limited number of suitors were looking to sign Matt Dumba this past offseason. That's in stark contrast to the teams lining up to acquire his talents for a playoff push.

Dumba fell out of favor with the Minnesota Wild last year, but he's re-asserted himself as a quality shutdown defender in 2023-24. The former first-round pick consistently draws tough assignments, being tasked with shutting down the opposition's top lines. Wiggling free from his offensive expectations has let Dumba settle into this shutdown role.
Dumba is a minutes eater. He's on pace to finish the season, averaging more than 20 minutes for the eighth-straight season of his career.

Volume without defensive liability is a selling point for many contenders.

Potential Destinations: St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders
Jordan Eberle - Seattle Kraken
Cap Hit: $5.5 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

Few wingers can hang their hats on the same accomplishment rack as Jordan Eberle. The veteran right winger is on pace for the ninth 20-goal campaign of his career, establishing himself as a legitimate scoring threat.

Predictably, Eberle has elite metrics supporting his output. The 33-year-old has finished with an expected goals-for rating above 50.0% in seven of his previous nine seasons, thanks to his solid production. That's the case again this season, with Eberle ranking fourth among Seattle Kraken forwards in scoring chances and second in high-danger opportunities.

Cup contenders need the type of scoring depth Eberle offers. A reunion with a former team isn't out of the question, but the Kraken will likely be looking to ship Eberle as far away from the division as possible.

Potential Destinations: Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers
Noah Hanifin - Calgary Flames
Cap Hit: $4.95 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

The last and arguably most appealing Calgary Flames player to land on the trade list is puck-moving defenseman Noah Hanifin. The Flames blueliner ranks among the league leaders in goals by defensemen, tallying 11 and sitting four back of the lead. But the magic doesn't end there for Hanifin.

Calgary has a stable of productive defensemen, but Hanifin is the best. His 198 high-danger and 486 scoring chances at 5-on-5 are tops on the team and even more impressive when we consider that just 43.0% of his zone starts come in the attacking end. Further, without even considering his special teams metrics, boosting his production metrics up to 272 and 649, respectively.

Hanifin will fetch Conroy and the Flames their mightiest return. He's in his prime hockey years and delivering exceptional results. Teams will have to be ready to pay for Hanifin's services.

Potential Destinations: Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild
Anthony Duclair - San Jose Sharks
Cap Hit: $3 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

The San Jose Sharks have just five forwards under contract for next year, meaning many of their current players could be on the move before March 8. Anthony Duclair's time with the Sharks has been disheartening for both parties, implying a move is all but guaranteed.

Duclair is having one of the worst seasons of his career. His 11 goals and 19 points is his worst point-per-game pace since 2016-17. That disappointing total is matched by his underwhelming analytics, with Duclair posting a lackluster 41.3% expected goals-for rating.

Duclair might be one of the few players on the move to a non-contender, with a team like the Montreal Canadiens looking to buy low on him and start the reclamation process.

Potential Destinations: Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals
Marc-Andre Fleury - Minnesota Wild
Cap Hit: $3.5 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

There's not much tread left on Marc-Andre Fleury's tires. The 39-year-old netminder is in the final year of his contract and has been eclipsed by Filip Gustavsson on the Minnesota Wild's depth chart. Given his playoff pedigree, Fleury would be a welcome addition to several playoff contenders looking to solidify the blue paint.

Fleury might be getting a little long in the tooth, but he still has some noteworthy metrics. The former Vezina Trophy winner has his best high-danger save percentage of the past eight years, with a tidy 92.0% save percentage at five-on-five.

Fleury has lots left to contribute, but his most valuable contributions might come in a mentorship role. No team needs that more than the Edmonton Oilers as they look to build Stuart Skinner's confidence between the pipes.

Potential Destinations: Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche
Reilly Smith - Pittsburgh Penguins
Cap Hit: $5 Million

Years Remaining: Signed Through 2024-25

The Reilly Smith experiment hasn't panned out like everyone was hoping. Smith has looked out of sorts in the Pittsburgh Penguins system and needs a fresh start to rebuild his confidence. Kyle Dubas should be willing to oblige to try and salvage his team's playoff chances.

Unless something changes, Smith is on pace for one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. His 0.48 points per game is the second-lowest of his career since his rookie season, and Smith's 10.4% shooting percentage is the worst since 2016-17.

We've seen Smith thrive under the right circumstances, but it's becoming painfully apparent that the Pens' system isn't for him. Smith could shine in a more uptempo situation, such as with the Tampa Bay Lightning or Toronto Maple Leafs.

Potential Destinations: Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs
Chris Tanev - Calgary Flames
Cap Hit: $4.5 Million

Years Remaining: Pending UFA

Calgary Flames General Manager Craig Conroy signaled his intent with a pair of trades earlier this season -- the Flames are looking toward the future. As such, Chris Tanev finds himself as one of the most likely players to be dealt ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6th.

Tanev has been an imposing defensive force for the Flames this season. More importantly, he wields impressive analytics. The 34-year-old has a 50.8% expected goals-for rating despite starting just 41.4% of his shifts in the attacking one.

Many teams crave this kind of defensive presence, not the least of which is Calgary's inter-provincial rivals. The Edmonton Oilers desperately need a player of Tanev's ilk for their playoff push.

Potential Destinations: Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders

10 Players That Will be Traded Before the NHL Trade Deadline

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