The NHL trade deadline is just under a month away on February 24th. There are a lot of NHL trade candidates out there and ready to be moved. As we get closer to the deadline, we will get a better idea of what teams are looking for and what teams are buyers and sellers. It’s always interesting to see what happens to pending free agents. As we get closer, let’s take a look at the top trade candidates.
Top NHL Trade Candidates
Sami Vatanen (Devils)
The New Jersey Devils have turned over management and their coach. With them having a down year and being towards the bottom, rebuilding is a great idea. They already traded star forward Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes and could move more. Sami Vatanen is under 30 and is a reliable defenseman. Teams will be high on him as a change of scenery will do him good. He has five goals and 18 assists.
Alec Martinez (Kings)
Alec Martinez is signed through the end of the 2020-21 season. The Los Angeles Kings are looking to rebuild and he would be perfect to move. He has the skill and is very experienced. His stats aren’t the best at the moment but playing for the Kings won’t help. Moving to a new team will surely help him showcase more of his skill.
Tyler Toffoli (Kings)
The Kings will look to trade yet another skilled forward in Tyler Toffoli. He has the speed and can play any game you ask him to. Toffoli has 13 goals and 15 assists so far and he would bring the Kings a good package even though he’s an unrestricted free agent. The 27-year old would immediately help any team at the top.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Senators)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau would be on a lot of teams list. Another younger and talented player will possibly be moved. He’s having a very nice season for the Ottawa Senators, who are towards the bottom of the standings. Pageau has netted 20 goals and has 15 assists in 48 games. He’s a skilled two-way center who can raise his level of play when needed. The penalty kill is one of his specialties and would be a great fit for any team.
Chris Kreider (Rangers)
The biggest fish in the sea coming into the trade deadline is New York Rangers‘ forward Chris Kreider. He has been talked about as trade bait for a couple of seasons now. He’s an unrestricted free agent but will be a top priority. With 17 goals and 15 assists, he would be one of the best players on any team right now. Any team that gets him will certainly improve and increase their chances as the season moves forward. He’s certainly worth whatever a team gives up.
Other Trade Candidates
Alexandar Georgiev (Rangers, Goalie)
Brenden Dillon (San Jose Sharks, Defenseman)
Andreas Athanasiou (Detroit Red Wings, Forward)
Ilya Kovalchuck (Montreal Canadiens, Forward)
Mikael Granlund (Nashville Predators, Forward)
Around The Ice
Depending on team positions, there might be even more players on the block. This is a talented list that ranges from young, skilled players to experienced veterans who still has game. The Carolina Hurricanes have seven first-round picks in the first four rounds in the 2020 draft. They will certainly try and deal some of those picks at the deadline. It’ll be interesting to see how much activity there is and how much.
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