With the NHL trade deadline less than a week away there are some players that have been in the news as being on the trading block. Some big names have already been on the move this season, including Bo Horvat to the Islanders, Vladimir Tarasenko to the Rangers, and Ryan O’Reilly to the Maple Leafs.
Who could be next? Previously we had written about three teams to watch as the NHL trade deadline nears, but here are three players to keep an eye on in the next week before the deadline on March 3rd.
2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Three Names to Watch
Timo Meier, San Jose Sharks, Right Wing
Timo Meier is the biggest remaining name out there now on the trading block. The 26-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks has registered 31 goals and 21 assists so far this year.
Meier’s strength over the past couple of years has been on the power play. According to The Athletic over the past two seasons, his 4.1 goals-per-60 on the power play is second to only Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers. If paired with a better passer on a new team Meier’s game in 5v5 situations could elevate him to being one of the game’s best scorers.
Another perk to Meier is that he isn’t a pure rental player either. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. While he’ll likely demand a lot of money. The team that lands him at the trade deadline would be the first to negotiate with him this summer.
The Golden Knights, Hurricanes, and Devils are some of the teams being mentioned as possible destinations for Meier during the stretch run of the year. The Sharks will likely command a pair of first-round picks or a first-rounder and a top prospect in exchange for Meier.
Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes, Defenseman
It has been a long season for the Arizona Coyotes but one of the few bright spots has been the play of Jakob Chychrun. The 24-year-old defenseman has come back from off-season wrist surgery during the middle of the season but has shown a lot of promise in Arizona. In 36 games played for the Coyotes this season, Chychrun has seven goals and 21 assists for a total of 28 points.
Chychrun is signed through the 2024-2025 season so Arizona will likely command a big haul in a trade for him. He has been a healthy scratch for the Coyotes for the past few games for “trade-related reasons” so he could be on the move soon.
The Los Angeles Kings have emerged as favorites to land the defenseman. In a wide-open Western Conference this year, Chychrun could be the type of player that elevates the Kings to be one of the favorites.
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, Right Wing
The last player on this list is perhaps the biggest name but likely won’t have the most impact on their new team if moved at the deadline. Patrick Kane has won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks and would likely be on the “Mount Rushmore” of hockey players in the Windy City.
To think of Kane on another team can be hard to picture but there is also the reality of the state of the Blackhawks. The team hasn’t been a contender for the past few years, they are currently last in the central division with 45 points in 57 games played. It might be the time to trade one of their aging veterans for some help with a rebuild.
It could be tricky for the Blackhawks to move Kane though. The 34-year-old has a no-trade clause in his contract and he has been pretty selective about waiving it to play for another team.
His top choice has been the New York Rangers, who recently made a big splash in the trade market by acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues. It’s hard to say if the Rangers will be willing to make another trade to acquire Kane, who likes the idea of playing closer to his hometown of Buffalo, New York. If Kane does move, it will be strange to see him not in a Chicago Blackhawks sweater.
Main Image: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY
