Top 3 potential National Hockey League trade deadline deals

The NHL trade deadline brings an exhilarating atmosphere every year. As teams shuffle players around, they strive to strengthen their squads for the present or the long term.

At this time, tension mounts as fans eagerly await news about whether their favorite team will make significant moves to chase the Stanley Cup or opt to trade away beloved players in a bid to rebuild and secure future success.

Recent trades, such as Elias Lindholm moving from Calgary to Vancouver and Sean Monahan switching from Montreal to Winnipeg, offer a taste of the potential turbulence that the trade deadline may unleash.

Nonetheless, this season feels somewhat distinct from previous years. It seems that only a select few teams are actively seeking to acquire players, while the majority of teams situated in the middle or towards the lower ranks of the league, like Calgary and Anaheim, are looking to offload multiple players to gather assets for the future.

Numerous potential trades are on the table ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline

This situation leads to an imbalanced market, presenting opportunities for acquiring teams to secure valuable deals on the trading block. Despite this, there are numerous compelling players being considered as potential trade assets leading up to the NHL trade deadline on March 8th.

With a little over two weeks left until the deadline arrives, it would be enjoyable to explore possible trades that may unfold in the coming weeks.

It is important to note that these scenarios are theoretical, and while not all of them are ideal, they are formulated based on the anticipated realistic value and returns for the teams and assets involved by the time March 8th rolls around.

The Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins may engage in some trade activities

Edmonton Oilers Receive: Jake Guentzel (F)

Pittsburgh Penguins Receive: Cody Ceci (D), Philip Broberg (D), Dylan Holloway (F) & 2024 1st

Rumors have been swirling about a potential trade involving the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins, who were not expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, made significant acquisitions, including defenseman Erik Karlsson, in the off-season. This season, however, their performance has been lackluster, with only 56 points and a 7th place ranking in the metropolitan division, 7 points away from a playoff position.

Speculations around forward Jake Guentzel have been persistent since the season began, following his contract extension not being finalized. Guentzel, a pending unrestricted free agent, would demand a substantial salary of $9-10 million annually if the Penguins intend to retain him. Considering Guentzel’s age of almost 30 at the start of the next season, trading him before the March 8th deadline could bring valuable assets to Pittsburgh.

On the other hand, the Oilers are focused on strengthening their team to contend for the Stanley Cup, and acquiring a prolific scorer like Guentzel would amplify their offensive firepower alongside stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Despite Edmonton’s defensive shortcomings, the trade involves sending out defensemen Broberg and Ceci to balance the deal financially, with the latter being surplus to requirements and the former seeking a fresh start due to inconsistent playing time.

In this proposed trade, Pittsburgh stands to gain from the 2024 1st round pick, which could be used to select a promising prospect or traded for a young asset, as well as young forward Dylan Holloway, a former 2020 1st round selection struggling to make an impact in a deep Oilers lineup. A change of scenery could unlock Holloway’s potential at just 22 years old, providing him with the opportunity to flourish in a new environment.

 

The New York Rangers are exploring the option of bolstering their forward depth by potentially engaging with the Anaheim Ducks in a trade deal

In this proposed trade scenario: New York Rangers Acquire:

Adam Henrique (with 50% salary retention) and Frank Vatrano. Anaheim Ducks Acquire: Kaapo Kakko, Barclay Goodrow, a 2025 1st-round draft pick, and a 2026 3rd-round draft pick.

The New York Rangers have been actively seeking forward assistance, especially at the center position, due to their lack of depth in scoring beyond their top 4-5 forwards. The team has heavily relied on power-play goals, which have also been struggling lately.

With Blake Wheeler likely sidelined for the season with a leg injury, the Rangers’ need for support in the middle six has become even more pronounced. While parting ways with Kaapo Kakko won’t be an easy decision, as fans have seen a similar situation with Alexis Lafreniere before he developed into a strong player, the circumstances seem different with Kakko. His playing time is limited, and his role within the team has diminished.

If the Rangers aim to make moves before the trade deadline, Kakko represents their most significant bargaining chip. Sending him to Anaheim could benefit both sides, with the Ducks receiving a promising young player who aligns better with their development timeline.

In Anaheim, Kakko would have the opportunity to play increased minutes and advance his skills alongside other young talents. The Ducks, whose season has not gone as planned, would part ways with two veterans post-season.

Adam Henrique, a veteran Duck, would be traded in the final year of his contract, providing the Rangers with a much-needed third-line center following Filip Chytil’s injury. On the other hand, Frank Vatrano, a productive player with 24 goals and 42 points in 54 games this season, would offer New York a familiar face. Despite Vatrano’s impressive performance, his age of 30 may not align with the Ducks’ timeline.

While Anaheim could request a prospect in the trade, the proposed deal involves the Rangers offering two picks in addition to the first-rounder.

There could be another trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames

The Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially engage in another trade with the Calgary Flames, this time involving the acquisition of defenseman Noah Hanifin. In the past, the Maple Leafs have shown interest in bolstering their defensive lineup, as seen when they acquired Jake McCabe last season, who proved to be a valuable addition to their blue line.

It has become apparent this season that the Maple Leafs only have two defensemen, Morgan Reilly and Jake McCabe, who are considered worthy of a Top 4 spot on the team. TJ Brodie’s performance has been lacking, and Timothy Liljegren has not progressed as anticipated, highlighting the need for a significant overhaul in the defensive unit.

Fortunately for Toronto, there are several high-caliber defensemen available leading up to the trade deadline, with Noah Hanifin being one of the most sought-after names. His addition would complement Morgan Reilly well and solidify the top pairing for the Maple Leafs.

While there was speculation about potentially acquiring both Hanifin and Christopher Tanev, in this particular scenario, the Maple Leafs opt to secure Hanifin for a package including a first-round pick, Nick Robertson, and Liljegren.

Parting ways with Robertson may be challenging for the Leafs, as he has been a promising young player they have held in high regard for some time. However, his production has not met expectations, making him a valuable asset for Calgary to potentially develop further.

With Auston Matthews performing exceptionally this season, Toronto aims to capitalize on the current state of the Eastern Conference, which lacks clear dominance from elite teams. This trade signifies the Maple Leafs’ determination to strengthen their roster and make a significant push for success in the competitive conference.

The New Jersey Devils are in need of assistance in the goaltending department this season

New Jersey Devils Acquire: Jusse Saros (G)

Nashville Predators Acquire: 2024 1st-round pick, Alexander Holtz (F), and Seamus Casey (D)

If we were informed at the start of the season that the New Jersey Devils would be outside of a playoff position after the all-star break, it would have been perplexing for most. Yet, here we are in mid-February, and the Devils find themselves just four points shy of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

A significant factor contributing to their position is the absence of star centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier for several weeks due to injuries early in the season. Additionally, the goaltending for the Devils has been inconsistent. Both Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid have a GAA over 3.10 and a save percentage below .900 this season. Despite Nico Daws showing promise in recent weeks, if the Devils aspire to contend, they need to aim high and secure an elite goaltender.

Jusse Saros of the Nashville Predators emerges as a potential option for the Devils as the trade deadline looms. Nashville, in search of a quick retool, boasts young goaltender Yaroslav Askarov who could assume full-time duties for the Predators.

Although Saros has faced challenges this season, he remains regarded as a top-tier goaltender in the league. With Saros under contract for another year beyond this season at a reasonable $5 million, acquiring him would necessitate substantial assets. Nashville would likely seek a first-round pick, a top prospect, and an established NHL player in return – precisely what this deal offers.

Alexander Holtz, a promising young player who could develop into a top-six forward, brings scoring potential to the mix. Seamus Casey is a highly regarded prospect in the league, further enriching Nashville’s pipeline.

While the Devils may be reluctant to part ways with Casey, a player of Saros’ caliber demands a significant return. This trade allows Nashville to bolster their prospect pool with Casey while New Jersey gains an elite goaltender in Saros, aiming to make a playoff run in an open Eastern Conference.

As part of the transaction, Vanecek from New Jersey likely will be moved to accommodate Saros. The Devils make a considerable investment in this deal, but the opportunity to acquire a player like Saros is rare.