NHL · 1 year ago

Predicting Landing Spots for the Top 30 NHL Trade Targets

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Mitch Marner
Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Penguins

The belle of the offseason ball, Mitch Marner could be on his way out of Toronto before the start of the next season. Coincidentally, his former GM is looking to restock the Pittsburgh Penguins cupboards, making a reunion with Kyle Dubas a distinct possibility. Granted, the Pens don't have much to offer in terms of future pieces, but they can lure the Maple Leafs into a deal by making one of their marquee players available.
30. Carey Price
Landing Spot: Vegas Golden Knights

Like clockwork, the Vegas Golden Knights' most prominent (and expensive) players have gone down with injuries ahead of the trade deadline. This has afforded the 2023 Stanley Cup Champions enough cap space to acquire the top players in the trade market and allow the Knights to skate nearly $20 million above the salary cap in the postseason. Rather than attracting more heat with a similar plan this season, they can acquire Carey Price's contract from the Montreal Canadiens and use it to increase their cap flexibility.
29. Yaroslav Askarov
Landing Spot: Columbus Blue Jackets

Over the past few years, we've seen the Columbus Blue Jackets develop some of the finest netminders in the NHL. They can add to that legacy by acquiring Yasoslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators, re-calibrating their goaltending depth chart with an eye on the future.
28. Joel Armia
Landing Spot: Calgary Flames

Defensively responsible players go with the Calgary Flames, like peanut butter goes with jelly. As such, a marriage between Joel Armia and the Flames seems inevitable this offseason if the Montreal Canadiens elect to move on from their forward. Armia's profile suits the Flames' systems to a tee, and Calgary will be looking to reshape its identity over the summer months.
27. Filip Gustavsson
Landing Spot: Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have been a revolving door for netminders. Since Corey Crawford's departure following the 2019-20 season, the Blackhawks have mowed through 13 different netminders. With only Marc-Andre Fleury playing more than 39 games in a season, Filip Gustavsson can be the stabilizing force the team so desperately needs.
26. Erik Cernak
Landing Spot: New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are trying to unburden themselves from Jacob Trouba's $8 million contract. In doing so, they will create a gaping hole on their blueline, requiring filling from a more cost effective option. Erik Cernak fulfills a similar profile, coming in at nearly $3 million cheaper. Don't be surprised if the Rangers pursue Cernak, once they cut ties with Trouba.
25. Torey Krug
Landing Spot: Montreal Canadiens

There's no easy solution to the Montreal Canadiens' woes, but adding a quality offensive-minded defenseman is a step in the right direction. Mike Matheson filled some big shoes last season, accumulating 62 points in 82 games. Still, he was the only Habs defenseman to tally more than 24 points. Torey Krug can alleviate some of that offensive burden, while giving the Canadiens a multi-dimensional top four.
24. Frank Vatrano
Landing Spot: Winnipeg Jets

Over the past few seasons, things haven't gone well with the Winnipeg Jets. Lackluster on-ice results, coupled with dwindling attendance numbers have cast a shadow on the once-feverish hockey community. The Jets' brass are putting on their lab coats as they look to address the team chemistry this offseason. Frank Vatrano's goal-scoring prowess could yield the positive change Winnipeg has been craving.
23. Tanner Jeannot
Landing Spot: Toronto Maple Leafs

Although it didn't pay off this year, we saw the Toronto Maple Leafs prioritize truculence in last year's offseason. But with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi potentially onto greener pastures, General Manager Brad Treliving will be looking to refill those roles. Consequently, the Tampa Bay Lightning could turn to the Leafs to pawn off Tanner Jeannot, who never panned out in central Florida.
22. Jeff Skinner
Landing Spot: San Jose Sharks

There aren't many teams that can accommodate Jeff Skinner's contract, but the San Jose Sharks need to add salary before the start of the season to get up to the salary cap floor. Also in need of a veteran leadership presence, that makes them a natural trade partner with the Buffalo Sabres this offseason. Absorbing Skinner's contract would likely come with some incentive from the Sabres, making this a win-win for the Sharks.
21. Reilly Smith
Landing Spot: Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars have a pair of veteran forwards that might not be back next season, but thankfully they have a prime candidate they can target in trade talks. Joe Pavelski has all but guaranteed that he'll retire this offseason while Matt Duchene may get a pay increase on the open market. If they wanted him to, Reilly Smith could fill a similar hybrid middle-six role for the Stars.
20. Ross Colton
Landing Spot: Anaheim Ducks

Many underachieving teams make the same mistake. They acquire depth scoring, with the expectation that they can transform the player into a more prominent role. The Anaheim Ducks will be tempted into doing so with Ross Colton. The third-line center has filled that role magnificently with the Colorado Avalanche, but with no more room on the books, he appears to be a cap casualty this offseason. Provided the Ducks go in with reasonable expectations and don't force him out of his role, this could be a big get for the floundering franchise.
19. Joel Farabee
Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Penguins

This will seem sacrilegious to the Philadelphia Flyers community, but they could have a trade partner in their cross-state rivals. The Pittsburgh Penguins have no players waiting in the wings to improve their current standing. They are nearing the end of the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang era, and no one to take up their mantle. Joel Farabee could be a viable solution for the Pens, who desperately need scoring wingers.
18. Teuvo Teravainen
Landing Spot: New York Islanders

We all saw the best Patrick Roy had to offer when he took over the New York Islanders partway through last year. Now, the Hall of Fame netminder has the opportunity to inject himself into the team's DNA, using this offseason to acquire players to fit his systems. A player who could thrive on Long Island is Teuvo Teravainen, who finds himself on the outs with the Carolina Hurricanes.
17. Shea Theodore
Landing Spot: Utah Hockey Club

The Vegas Golden Knights desperately need to create cap space ahead of next season, and Shea Theodore could fetch them the best return in the trade market. But with a bevy of draft picks at their disposal and some intriguing prospects to boot, the Utah Hockey Club could be a potential landing spot for the stalwart rearguard. Owner Ryan Smith has made his intentions clear -- he wants to build a competitive hockey club. Theodore moves him that much closer to achieving his goal.
16. Adin Hill
Landing Spot: Los Angeles Kings

Both of the Los Angeles Kings' goaltenders are in their 30s, and neither has been particularly effective. As such, don't be surprised if the Kings march into the goaltending market this offseason, looking to improve their standing. They could find a trade partner closer than expected, as the Vegas Golden Knights are looking to shake up their goaltending room, trading Adin Hill and creating cap space this summer.
15. Thomas Chabot
Landing Spot: Calgary Flames

Teams should be lining up outside the door to try and get a piece of Thomas Chabot. Although he has yet to recapture the glory from early in his career, Chabot remains an imposing force and would be an upgrade to any blue line. Granted, not every team can afford his $8 million salary. Flush with cap space after moving on from Jacob Markstrom, the Calgary Flames can make Chabot a central figure in their rebuild.
14. Brandon Saad
Landing Spot: Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens are more than a few moves away from competing, but landing a player of Brandon Saad's ilk moves them in the right direction. For years, the Habs have been looking for a prominent goal scorer, but have failed to find someone who fits in with the team's chemistry. Given his winning pedigree, solid analytics, and sustained production, Saad could be the player Montreal has been looking for.
13. Patrik Laine
Landing Spot: Los Angeles Kings

Since being drafted second and third overall, respectively, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois's NHL journeys have been constantly intertwined. Included in that is when the two forwards were trading for each other after underperforming with their former squads. As such, it seems inevitable that the two are destined to skate together on the same team, with the Los Angeles Kings upgrading their forward corps by trading for the Finnish forward.
12. Pavel Buchnevich
Landing Spot: New York Rangers

A return home may be in order for Pavel Buchnevich. After being drafted by the New York Rangers and spending the first five years of his career in the Big Apple, the Russian forward jettisoned to spend the last three with the St. Louis Blues. Now, the Rangers are looking to replenish their scoring depth, and the Blues are looking to re-tool for the future. That makes a reunion likely between these former partners.
11. Jacob Trouba
Landing Spot: Vancouver Canucks

Of course, the Rangers can't pull off any upgrades without at least creating a little cap space. One of the expected casualties is moving on from captain and rugged rearguard Jacob Trouba. The hulking d-man is scheduled to make $8 million this season, which is way too much for a player who finished last year with 22 points and a -4 rating. Still, several teams would benefit from adding Trouba's presence to their blueline. Chief among them is the Vancouver Canucks, who are looking for more stay-at-home defensemen.
10. Nikolaj Ehlers
Landing Spot: New Jersey Devils

Over the past few seasons, the New Jersey Devils have added some of the most sought-after forwards via draft, free agency, and trade. They can add to their riches this offseason by making a move for Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers. With just one year remaining on his contract at $6 million, Ehlers has been rumored to be on his way out of Winnipeg. The Devils can swoop in and entice the Jets with a haul of draft picks, complementing their top-six group.
9. Logan Couture
Landing Spot: Vegas Golden Knights

The toothless San Jose Sharks are looking to renew their identity, and that could mean moving on from the old guard. A groin injury prevented Logan Couture from playing most of last season, and it's not clear if he'll suit up again. Nevertheless, his contract could be a valuable commodity for any team looking for an aging skill player or for LTIR forgiveness. With holes to fill, the Vegas Golden Knights could turn to Couture as a solution for either.
8. Jakob Chychrun
Landing Spot: Detroit Red Wings

Steve Yzerman has a proven track record of getting the most out of his roster and Jakob Chychrun is coming toward the end of his runway to reach his ceiling. The Detroit Red Wings have cap space to burn, and could be looking for an upgrade to their defense corps. Buying low on Chychrun would immediately upgrade the Red Wings back end and help them upend the Atlantic Division next season.
7. John Gibson
Landing Spot: Detroit Red Wings

Shrewd as he is, Steve Yzerman could look toward the Anaheim Ducks to address a position of need ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season. The Detroit Red Wings are heading into the next season with Ville Husso and Alex Lyon penciled in as their goaltending tandem. However, John Gibson would be a significant upgrade for a team that is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16.
6. Tristan Jarry
Landing Spot: Utah Hockey Club

Another goalie who could be on the move this offseason, could find himself in a much more desperate spot next year. Tristan Jarry has failed to help the Pittsburgh Penguins over the hump. Kyle Dubas is captaining this sinking ship as far as it will go, and that could include moving the Pens' starting goalie to the pseudo-expansion franchise in Utah.
5. Trevor Zegras
Landing Spot: Boston Bruins

Whenever a marquee player becomes available, the Boston Bruins always have their fingers in the pot. So don't be surprised when they find a way to add one of the top forwards available on the trade market this offseason. Trevor Zegras is flush with unrealized potential and the Anaheim Ducks are looking to part ways with the former NHL 23 cover athlete. Watch the B's snatch Zegras from the rest of the league, offering up a smattering of prospects and an unsuspecting player to the Ducks.
4. Johnny Gaudreau
Landing Spot: Philadelphia Flyers

I think two years into his Columbus Blue Jackets experience, Johnny Gaudreau would be willing to admit that he messed up. The Blue Jackets have looked cowardly over the past few seasons, and their team will be sold off for new parts this offseason. Columbus' best offer will likely come from the Philadelphia Flyers, who are much closer to competing than the Blue Jackets are.
3. Lawson Crouse
Landing Spot: Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals offensive well is running dry, and there's nothing to replenish the reserves. As such, they will be tasked with trading for the next generation of forwards to help them compete in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division. Lawson Crouse has found his footing over the past couple of seasons, recording at least 20 goals each year since the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Washington would benefit from that production to balance out its aging roster.
2. Martin Necas
Landing Spot: Winnipeg Jets

One of the pre-eminent names on the market, Martin Necas, could find a new home north of the border. Failing to make it out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2020-21 and with only two postseason victories to their names over that stretch, the Winnipeg Jets need a shake-up. The Jets need a responsible two-way forward capable of scoring, and Necas has everything they are looking for.
1. Mitch Marner
Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Penguins

The belle of the offseason ball, Mitch Marner could be on his way out of Toronto before the start of the next season. Coincidentally, his former GM is looking to restock the Pittsburgh Penguins cupboards, making a reunion with Kyle Dubas a distinct possibility. Granted, the Pens don't have much to offer in terms of future pieces, but they can lure the Maple Leafs into a deal by making one of their marquee players available.
30. Carey Price
Landing Spot: Vegas Golden Knights

Like clockwork, the Vegas Golden Knights' most prominent (and expensive) players have gone down with injuries ahead of the trade deadline. This has afforded the 2023 Stanley Cup Champions enough cap space to acquire the top players in the trade market and allow the Knights to skate nearly $20 million above the salary cap in the postseason. Rather than attracting more heat with a similar plan this season, they can acquire Carey Price's contract from the Montreal Canadiens and use it to increase their cap flexibility.

Predicting Landing Spots for the Top 30 NHL Trade Targets

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