When will the dam burst?
The March 21 trade deadline is quickly approaching and a few trades have already been made, but many names remain possibly available.
Here is a look at the top trade candidates to watch, with some quick updates at the top on a few names that have popped up in trade discussions since we last published earlier this month….
LATEST ADDITIONS
Karel Vejmelka, Arizona: The Arizona Coyotes had hoped to sign the netminder, but it sounds as if his camp is intent on going to arbitration as it stands now. Not sure the Coyotes are interested in that.
Zdeno Chara, NY Islanders: Would be the future Hall Of Famer’s decision and would also have to be a great situation for him to walk into. There is interest out there for him.
Filip Zadina, Detroit: A ‘change of scenery’ deal could make sense here. Might be an off-season move though.
Nick Leddy, Detroit: Healthy scratched Thursday night. You know what that means at this time of the year.
GOALIES
Marc-Andre Fleury, Chicago: The ball is in his court as the most highly sought-after goalie at the deadline. The talk about the Washington Capitals won’t go away.
Joonas Korpisalo, Columbus: Edmonton kicked tires, but the price was too high (I believe it was a second- and third-round pick). On an expiring contract.
Ilya Samsonov, Washington: Seems like the Capitals have made up their mind that Vitek Vanecek is their No. 1, unless they can make a deal for Fleury.
Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders: Not a rental, he has one more season at a $5-million cap hit.
Craig Anderson, Buffalo: I think Buffalo lets Anderson make the decision here if there’s a team interested.
Jaroslav Halak, Vancouver: Hasn’t had a great season at all and carries a no-move clause.
Mackenzie Blackwood, New Jersey: Probably a summer move, but he’s out there. Just switched agents as well, which could indicate a desire to get something moving.
DEFENCEMEN
Jakob Chychrun, Arizona: The price is high and it may be an off-season move. Other teams are interested but Panthers seem to be in the lead here.
John Klingberg, Dallas: I can’t believe he’s still on the Stars, considering how the season has played out, but maybe they keep him for a playoff run and then let him walk.
Marcus Pettersson, Pittsburgh: He was available last summer, but has played well this season. If the Penguins are going to make a move at the deadline to take a run at it (and I think they will) they’ll have to move money out to make it happen.
Luke Schenn, Vancouver: He’s got one more year on a very friendly deal.
Keith Yandle, Philadelphia: For a team looking for power-play help.
Shea Weber, Montreal: His LTIR contract could be valuable for teams looking to get to the floor next season.
Calvin de Haan, Chicago: Teams looking for depth defence come playoff time.
FORWARDS
J.T. Miller/Brock Boeser/Conor Garland, Vancouver: Depending on who you talk to, Vancouver is either dealing all or none of these three. My suspicion is they move all three, but not all at the deadline. My sense is they move Boeser before the deadline to a contending team in need of a power-play boost and the cap space to take a new contract beyond this season.
Rickard Rakell, Anaheim: Has played well and upped his value on the market.
Jake DeBrusk, Boston: Played great on the Bruins’ top line, but it sounds like the trade request remains in place.
Max Comtois, Anaheim: It’s been a tough season for Comtois with the hand surgery, COVID and getting scratched. Might be time for a change of scenery.
Phil Kessel, Arizona: A good fit for a team looking for third-line scoring.
Max Domi, Columbus: On an expiring contract that takes him to unrestricted free agency. Hard to see him going back to CBJ, so a change of scenery makes sense here.
Pavel Zacha, New Jersey: There’s not a fit for Zacha at his natural position in the middle anymore and the price to keep him doesn’t make sense for the Devils. I’d expect a move.
Vitali Kravtsov, New York Rangers: Been available all season, but Rangers won’t just give him away.
Filip Chytil, New York Rangers: Been in and out of the doghouse. First-round pick (21st overall) from 2017.
Marcus Johansson, Seattle: Seattle has some pieces to move — and already traded Calle Jarnkrok — as they might just need to reset everything here.
Andrew Copp, Winnipeg: He’ll be a desired player at the deadline. Elliotte Friedman has reported that Boston and Colorado are believed to be interested.
Paul Stastny, Winnipeg: For a team looking for a versatile, experienced forward.
