NHL commerce board 2022-23: Who are the highest targets heading into deadline day?

The Athletic has reside protection of the NHL commerce deadline with the newest information, offers and evaluation. 

A flurry of NHL trades early in deadline week has wreaked havoc on The Athletic’s commerce board, which on Wednesday morning, misplaced:

And then, after a re-ranking, on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, misplaced:

Other key names, corresponding to Timo Meier, Bo Horvat, Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko, disappeared from the board in earlier commerce motion.

Which prime targets stay with 24 hours left till the deadline? Who are the brand new names rising?

Note: Players are ranked so as of who’s producing essentially the most buzz, making an allowance for the potential influence of the participant and the chance he’d be traded. Analysis is from The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek, Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo.

This checklist is a dwelling doc, with common updates to rankings and evaluation, primarily based on the newest rumblings and the market’s ebbs and flows, so bookmark it and examine again.

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Previously: 2

The Flyers are going nowhere, which means JVR’s going someplace. He can produce, however he’s in a big droop simply on the time a lot of groups in want of scoring are paying consideration. He has two objectives and three assists in his previous 17 video games. With the market thinning, the Wild are among the many potential suitors. They had tepid curiosity a number of weeks in the past however now appear to be paying consideration. The Wild aren’t keen to surrender a big asset for JvR although their scoring wants are effectively publicized and he lives within the Twin Cities within the offseason. Teams seem sheepish because of an early-season harm and the very fact he solely has two power-play objectives this season. — Russo, Feb. 27

Previously: 3

As the large names at middle have trickled off the commerce board, the fallback positions have gotten extra intriguing. Probably nowhere is that extra evident than with Schmaltz. He is a 27-year-old middle who missed the early a part of the season recovering from surgical procedure, however he has 39 factors in 43 video games this yr. Instructively, that’s the identical points-per-game common (0.91) produced by Timo Meier this season — and locations him forward of such luminaries as Martin Necas, Andrei Svechnikov, Mat Barzal, Elias Lindholm, Anze Kopitar and Mark Scheifele. The drawback with Schmaltz is making the {dollars} work. Not solely does he have a comparatively excessive cap hit ($5.85 million), however his contract has three years to run after this one. Complicating issues additional is the deal can also be backloaded, so Schmaltz’s highest incomes years are nonetheless to return. This yr, in actual {dollars}, the Coyotes are paying Schmaltz $4.5 million. Next yr, it jumps to $7.5 million, then $8.45 million, then $8.5 million. It explains why Arizona is perhaps ready to commerce away its second-best ahead. Trying to discover a match is perhaps troublesome, although. Of the groups on the lookout for center-ice depth, Colorado and Dallas might not have the cap area to make it work, however Carolina would possibly. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27

Previously: 4

The Ducks are a multitude defensively, and Klingberg has contributed greater than his share to the mess. Klingberg missed two video games final week with a lower-body harm, however he returned on Saturday and scored a aim, his eighth of the season, in opposition to the Hurricanes — a reminder that even with some defensive deficiencies in his sport, he could be a productive participant, with managed minutes. Klingberg signed a one-year, $7 million show-me contract in the summertime, which turns him into an unrestricted free agent once more following the season, and Anaheim is keen to take some {dollars} again to make him extra financially viable to a contender seeking to increase offense from the protection. Assuming Edmonton’s pursuit of Erik Karlsson can’t be managed forward of the deadline, Klingberg can be a logical fallback place. They inquired about him in the summertime. The greatest query now isn’t whether or not Klingberg will transfer on however what sort of return can the Ducks fairly count on for him. A primary-round choose, which didn’t appear out of the query in October, appears unlikely. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27

Previously: 5

Domi has been a uncommon vibrant spot on a misplaced yr in Chicago. With three weeks to go till the commerce deadline, he was tied with Patrick Kane for the workforce’s scoring lead. Domi’s been a hockey vagabond, enjoying for 3 groups the previous three years. As a rental from Columbus to Carolina final yr, he produced modest outcomes: six factors in 14 playoff video games. He signed a one-year, $3 million prove-it contract with the Blackhawks, the place he’s had an opportunity to play top-line minutes with Kane. The more than likely state of affairs for Domi: The Blackhawks get what they will for him as a rental after which circle again and signal him to a longer-term extension subsequent summer season. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10

5. Brock Boeser, Canucks

Previously: 6

Teams hold poking round on Boeser and are exploring it extra realistically — making an attempt to see how they may make it work. He nonetheless has one other two years on his contract after this season at a $6.65 million common annual worth, so it’s attainable the one manner he will get dealt is that if Vancouver retains cash they usually discover a third-party dealer. The Wild have talked to Vancouver and agent Ben Hankinson about Boeser, and Boeser would welcome a return to his residence state if he’s going to be dealt. But as of now, as a lot because the Wild may desperately use one other scorer, they really feel they will’t make it work cap-wise, even when the Canucks ate half the contract and took Jordan Greenway’s $3 million a yr contract. That’s as a result of Minnesota already has to shed cash this summer season to conduct its offseason enterprise. — Russo, Feb. 27

Previously: 7

Bjugstad is one in every of solely 4 Coyotes gamers in double digits in aim scoring, which can be partly attributed to his utilization on a talent-thin workforce. He is 30 now and signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with Arizona as an unrestricted free agent final summer season, making an attempt to get a profession undermined by harm again on monitor. He’s a 6-foot-6 behemoth enjoying affordable minutes (16:46 per night time), and apart from Chychrun, is one in every of solely two gamers with optimistic rankings on the workforce — and it’s by a statistically vital margin. More excellent news: After lacking lengthy stretches of the previous handful of years due to a wide range of points — together with a sports activities hernia surgical procedure after which a spinal surgical procedure to restore a herniated disc — Bjugstad has performed each sport to this point this season, so his well being points appear to be factor of the previous. He’d be a motivated depth addition for any workforce wanting so as to add dimension on the deadline. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10

Previously: 8

Henrique has been a Duck mainstay since coming over from the New Jersey Devils within the Sami Vatanen commerce. Though he got here up as a middle, he’s performed principally the wing with the Ducks, often alongside Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry earlier than Terry bought damage. He was flying beneath the radar as a helpful trade-deadline piece till just lately as a result of his contract doesn’t run out till the top of subsequent season and carries a big cap cost, at $5.85 million. Henrique was accessible on waivers again in February of 2021 and, unsurprisingly, there have been no takers. He was amid one of many solely actual down occasions in his profession and that prohibitive contract scared groups off. But if Anaheim have been to retain half of that deal, then any contender may have Henrique for this yr and subsequent at what would quantity to a modest wage dedication for a participant who’s strong, skilled, versatile and well-regarded by his friends. However, a lower-body harm, which leaves him week-to-week, may dampen curiosity on the deadline. If he’s in play, groups will need particulars about his restoration timeline. — Duhatschek, Feb. 22

Previously: 9

Soucy is 28, a 6-foot-5 210-pound behemoth, who’s on an expiring contract for a modest $2.75 million and will likely be an unrestricted free agent this summer season. He shoots left however can play either side. Given that he’s from Viking, Alberta, he has been linked to each the Oilers and the Flames. My colleague Dom Luszczyszyn did a pleasant job of summarizing what Soucy’s worth can be to a contender, noting: “Soucy is everything general managers claim to be looking for at this time of year: a tough but mobile defensive defender with size. … He just doesn’t play tough minutes, (but) what makes Soucy an attractive commodity is that year after year, opposing players have a very tough time scoring while he’s on the ice. Soucy consistently allows fewer chances than his teammates, but his impact on actual goals against is even larger. Over four years that has meaning and in 3,254 minutes his teams have allowed 0.49 fewer goals against per 60 with him on the ice compared to off. It’s one of the highest marks in the league.” If he’s in play, he might be the fallback repair in Edmonton, provided that touchdown Erik Karlsson appears to be much less probably with each passing day. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27

Previously: 10

After Bo Horvat and Ryan O’Reilly have been traded and Jonathan Toews took himself out of the working for a commerce by issuing a press release that he’s targeted totally on coping with the consequences of lengthy COVID, immediately the marketplace for center-ice depth thinned shortly. That is why Hayes is immediately beginning to appeal to consideration. Philadelphia’s No. 2 scorer this season after Travis Konecny is having a productive offensive season, even when coach John Tortorella has made him a wholesome scratch. Hayes’ complication is a well-recognized one: an excessive amount of cash for groups tight to the cap until Philadelphia eats a a number of the contract. The drawback is, it’s a $7.142 million common annual worth for not simply this yr however three years past this one. That’s a roadblock until the Flyers are ready to take a contract again. But Hayes would have worth to Colorado and Dallas, for starters — two groups on the lookout for assist down the center. — Duhatschek, Feb. 22

Previously: 12

Way again at the beginning of his profession, Sheary had two productive playoffs as a helpful assist participant on behalf of the Penguins. He’s 30, earns a modest $1.5 million and is on an expiring contract, so he wouldn’t be an excessively expensive addition as a depth ahead. He’s presently averaging just below half some extent per sport, partly as a result of he’s within the midst of a 10-game drought wherein he hasn’t registered some extent. But for what he’d price, and the type of veteran gravitas he may present, with Washington in full promote mode, he’ll virtually actually be on the transfer someplace. Minnesota, perhaps? — Duhatschek, Feb. 27

Previously: 13

Last month, the veteran defenseman talked with The Athletic about how exhausting it was to play understanding he might be traded and that this was going to be his last season with the Wild regardless. Hours later, Dumba performed a horrible sport in opposition to the Capitals and paid the piper by sitting the following two video games. Rumors ran rampant that Dumba was on the verge of being traded, however the actuality was that coach Dean Evason was punishing Dumba for efficiency. Evason had common supervisor Bill Guerin’s blessing, which was an fascinating determination when he was actively making an attempt to commerce Dumba, and it could have made issues extra difficult. Guerin didn’t care, telling The Athletic on the “Straight From the Source” podcast Thursday, “People are at our games watching, so we’re not fooling anybody. There’s a track record there … for Matt Dumba playing some really good hockey. You don’t just become a bad player overnight. He’s still a good hockey player.” Dumba is now enjoying his greatest hockey of the season, the Wild’s protection has been impeccable and Guerin has indicated Dumba will stay after the deadline and play out the remainder of the yr. — Russo, Feb. 27

 

Previously: 14

Not each workforce that’s trying to find trade-deadline reinforcements is essentially simply on the lookout for a rental, which is the place Edmundson would possibly are available in. He has this yr and subsequent yr left on a contract at a manageable AAV of $3.5 million. Edmundson performed 22 video games within the Blues’ 2019 run to the Cup and Montreal’s 2021 run to the ultimate. The Canadiens have had somewhat cottage trade these previous few years of sending defensemen out the door to groups on the lookout for blue-line assist – Ben Chiarot to Florida and Brett Kulak to Edmonton final yr – they usually may do the identical with Edmundson. At age 29, on an inexpensive contract, he’d have some worth. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10

Previously: 15

The Predators are making strikes on and off the ice, with common supervisor David Poile asserting that he’s stepping down on the finish of June to make manner for former coach Barry Trotz, who would be the workforce’s new GM going ahead. In the meantime, Poile is making an attempt to clear the deck as a lot as attainable. And whereas Mattias Ekholm is the extra fascinating piece, essentially the most cost-effective add is perhaps Fabbro, a 24-year-old right-shot defenseman who earns $2.4 million and is on an expiring contract, heading right into a restricted-free-agent yr with arbitration rights. Fabbro is perhaps a superb slot in San Jose, the place he may play for David Quinn, his former coach at Boston University. — Duhatschek, Feb. 27

Previously: 16

Three wins in a row left the Senators inside hanging distance of the ultimate wild-card spot within the Eastern Conference and will give them pause about what to do subsequent with Talbot. Is it price their whereas to maneuver out a participant on an expiring contract who’s had a so-so season however is coming off a robust begin Monday within the first of the Senators’ back-to-back wins over Detroit? Maybe not. With Anton Forsberg out for the season, the Senators are getting an opportunity to guage Mads Sogaard who, to date, has proven outstanding poise. On Wednesday, Sogaard was named the NHL’s rookie of the month for February after posting a 4-0-1 file, with a 2.33 goals-against common and a .922 save share. Talbot in all probability doesn’t determine in Ottawa’s future subsequent yr, as soon as Forsberg returns. On the opposite hand, if he doesn’t return a lot in a attainable commerce — and he in all probability wouldn’t — Talbot’s best short-term worth might lie in merely enjoying out the yr with the Senators, as a part of a tandem with — and a mentor to — Sogaard. — Duhatschek, March 1

Previously: 17

Kulikov is perhaps the fallback place for any workforce that strikes out on Vladislav Gavrikov. Anaheim is Kulikov’s fifth workforce in 4 years, however he’s a sturdy (6 ft 1, 201 kilos), skilled stay-at-home defender who’s third by way of time on ice for the Ducks. In brief, simply the type of depth participant whom nearly any contender may use. His cap cost is an inexpensive $2.2 million, and he has a restricted no-trade clause. Ducks common supervisor Pat Verbeek was delivery out every thing that moved eventually yr’s deadline. There’s no cause to suppose he gained’t do the identical this yr, given how poorly Anaheim has performed. — Duhatschek, Feb. 10

16. Jordan Greenway, Wild

Previously: 18

The irony of Matt Boldy’s seven-year extension final month is it probably wrote Greenway’s exit papers out of Minnesota — and Boldy and Greenway are good pals and have the identical agent. The Wild are actively purchasing Greenway, whether or not the transfer is for now or this summer season. He has had a disappointing season, with two objectives and 4 assists in 43 video games (no factors prior to now 21 video games), has two years left on his contract at $3 million and in January overslept, missed a sport in opposition to St. Louis and put the Wild in a horrible spot with no further wholesome forwards on the roster. Due to in-game accidents, the Wild at one level had 9 forwards enjoying in a second sport in 24 hours. But there’s little doubt the Wild can be promoting low and will likely be hoping different groups see a 6-foot-6, 25-year-old energy ahead who averaged 27 factors the previous 4 seasons and was a part of the productive GREEF line — not an underachieving participant within the midst of a poor season. — Russo, Feb. 27

Previously: 20

The goalie market could also be heating up, with quite a few groups within the Western Conference making an attempt to shore up a place. Reimer turns into a good fallback place for anybody needing insurance coverage and never essentially a starter. He’s 34, incomes $2.25 million and has 462 video games of NHL expertise beneath his belt. That would possibly make him a steadying affect on a workforce that wants regular play between the pipes. — Duhatschek, March 1

Previously: 21

Grant went from Anaheim to Philly as a rental on the 2020 deadline after which signed again with the Ducks, the place he’s carved out a distinct segment as a feisty fourth-line penalty-killing middle. He missed time with a lower-body harm earlier this season however is again enjoying now. He is 32, on an expiring contract at a modest $1.5 million, and at 52.2 %, is Anaheim’s only middle within the faceoff circle. After Lars Eller got here off the commerce board Wednesday, Grant may present affordable ahead depth at a modest value. — Duhatschek, March 1

Previously: 22

If the Oilers make a secondary transfer so as to add an offensive right-shot defenseman — somebody like a John Klingberg, with wage retained by Anaheim and perhaps additional offloaded to a 3rd celebration — they’d need to filter out extra wage. At $3.1 million for this season and subsequent earlier than he turns into a restricted free agent, Yamamoto might be that roster casualty. Thus far, he has not lived as much as his draft pedigree — a first-round choose in 2017, chosen twenty second total. He is small and feisty however doesn’t actually match into the Oilers’ prime six as soon as Evander Kane returns from harm. A recent begin is perhaps simply what the 24-year-old proper winger wants. — Duhatschek, March 1

Previously: 23

Bonino performed 55 playoff video games over a two-year span with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017 and altogether has 105 profession playoff video games on his NHL resume. That postseason pedigree may depend for one thing on any workforce that decided it was brief on playoff expertise. At 34, he’s not the participant he as soon as was, however on the plus facet, he can play all three ahead positions, is on a comparatively modest contract ($2.05 million, expiring this yr) and has 19 factors in 58 video games for the Sharks as a bottom-six ahead. — Duhatschek, March 1

Previously: 24

Barrie’s standing is fascinating. He was flipped to the rebuilding Predators to make the cap {dollars} work on the Oilers’ acquisition of Mattias Ekholm, however he appears virtually redundant in Nashville, provided that Roman Josi additionally performs the suitable facet and anchors the workforce’s No. 1 energy play. Barrie had a quietly efficient yr with the Oilers, enjoying third-pair minutes at five-on-five and quarterbacking the workforce’s glorious energy play. He earns $4.5 million and has a yr left on his contract after this. The feeling is Nashville may flip him, both in the summertime or at subsequent yr’s commerce deadline, however there’s nothing to stop the Predators from shifting on from him between now and Friday in the event that they get an inexpensive provide. In an ideal world, he would land in Calgary, including additional gasoline to any future Battles of Alberta that will happen. — Duhatschek, March 1

The Athletic’s NHL commerce board at a look

(Editor’s observe: This isn’t an exhaustive checklist of gamers who might be traded earlier than the deadline. These are the gamers we’re listening to essentially the most buzz about proper now.)

Previously ranked: Andreas Athanasiou, Ivan Barbashev, Tyler Bertuzzi, Jakob Chychrun, Anthony Duclair, Mattias Ekholm, Lars Eller, Vladislav Gavrikov, Alex Goligoski, Shayne Gostisbehere, Bo Horvat, Nick Jensen, Patrick Kane, Joonas Korpisalo, Sam Lafferty, Jake McCabe, Timo Meier, Sean Monahan, Gustav Nyquist, Ryan O’Reilly, Dmitry Orlov, Jesse Puljujarvi, Jonathan Quick, Nick Ritchie, Jack Roslovic, Luke Schenn, Kevin Shattenkirk, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jonathan Toews, Karel Vejmelka.

(Top photograph of Kevin Hayes and James van Riemsdyk: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images))