Past the quarter mark of the season, organizations are by now dealing with the reality of what lies ahead. Some are dealing with significant injuries that are depleting their rosters. Others are identifying holes in their lineups that require attention, sooner than later, to assist their push towards being a contending playoff team.
Much of the recent trade speculation has centred around what the Calgary Flames are planning to do with their pending unrestricted free agents. The Flames already moved defenceman Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks last week, but still have decisions to make on Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.
But Calgary isn’t the only team with interesting names to target.
Here’s a look at some under the radar trade targets who I believe would bring value:
Nick Seeler, D, Philadelphia Flyers, 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, left shot
To say the Flyers are getting incredible value out of Seeler is an understatement. The 30-year-old, pending unrestricted free agent is on the books for only $775,000 and is averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game. His primary ice time comes at even strength and the penalty kill.
The Flyers have one of the top ranked PK units in the entire league, and Seeler is a big reason why.
To play in John Tortorella’s system, defencemen have to be willing to block shots and compete in the trenches. Through the first 25 games, Seeler leads all Flyers defencemen with 67 shot blocks and he’s second amongst the group with 30 hits.
Seeler is best described as a low risk, two-way defenceman who moves pucks responsibly and on occasion will pinch down to extend a play in the offensive zone. His best work comes on the penalty kill and matching up against middle six forwards. He’s a solid skater who approaches the game with consistent compete. He’s reliable and trustworthy.
The Flyers might look to extend Seeler, but if they don’t, there could be a lineup of teams looking to add this sort of defenceman.
Alexandre Carrier, D, Nashville Predators, 5-foot-11, 174 pounds, right shot
Don’t let Carrier’s stature mislead you. He’s not the tallest, or heaviest, right-shot defenceman for a team to target, but he doesn’t shy away from contact or getting involved in the trenches defending his net.
Carrier leads the Predators with 51 shot blocks and he’s being deployed in all situations. He brings tenacity and small area quickness. His jump to take away time and space is an asset, especially in the defensive zone. Carrier also adds a secondary layer offensively. He’s best described as a two-way defenceman who leans distributor more than shooter on the power play. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent who’s making $2.5 million.
Carrier is currently on the shelf with an upper body injury, but he has not been placed on injured reserve and is considered week to week as he heals. Once he’s back on the ice, look for his name to surface.
Philip Broberg, D, Edmonton Oilers, 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, left shot
The Oilers drafted Broberg in the first round (eighth overall) in 2019. Sometimes things don’t work out with a prospect and an organization. It feels to me like the disconnect has grown to the point that both parties would benefit from a change.
Broberg’s role is undefined in Edmonton. Is he a transitional defenceman? Is he a potential second unit power play quarterback? Is he best described as a mobile, simple, two-way defenceman who plays with very little bump but can get to pucks ahead of opponents and move it out of danger?
The point is, it’s difficult to know what he is for sure. He needs an opportunity to reset and define his game. He needs to know the team trusts him and sees him in a specific role.
Broberg hasn’t dressed for an NHL game since November 22. Here’s a look at how he was deployed in his most recent five-game segment:
Teams tend to overvalue their own first round picks, even when things are going south in a relationship. Considering Broberg is only 22 years young, it will be interesting to see what the ask, and return, will be if he is traded.
The team acquiring Broberg is likely an organization in the midst of a rebuild instead of a retool.
Adam Henrique, C, Anaheim Ducks, 6-foot, 195 pounds, left shot
The Anaheim Ducks have a bright future with a young core of players that includes Mason McTavish, Troy Terry, Trevor Zegras, Pavel Mintyukov, and Leo Carlsson.
But, they aren’t in win now mode.
Henrique is a veteran centre on an expiring contract, with a cap hit of $5.825 million. He has the flexibility to submit a 10-team no-trade list, but he might be interested in competing in the playoffs and potentially going on a deep run with a contending team.
Henrique’s game, in its current form, lands closer to third line centre than regular second line centre. He’s a useful veteran who produces secondary offence, continues to play at an NHL pace, and can be deployed in a variety of roles. He’s capable of taking key draws in all three zones. He isn’t punishing physically, but his read/react/execute game is reliable. Overall, he’s a trustworthy veteran.
Henrique’s salary is too much for a contending team to absorb, so I’d imagine the Ducks will be asked to retain salary. Assuming Anaheim requests a late second round pick as the starting point to move Henrique, they will also request a pick in the back half of the draft to retain salary.
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NHL ROLE 3F  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | Provided By: Jason Bukala, The Pro Hockey Group / CapFriendly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not much has changed with Henrique’s game over the years. He’s always provided reliable compete and better than secondary offense. The veteran forward is trending 3F at even strength but still has a role on PP#2 and one of the PK units. He’s back to winning over 50% of his draws and can be trusted to properly defend, on and off the puck, when he loses a face-off in his zone. Averages around 16:00 TOI – 11:00 ES – 2:00 PP – 3:00 PK Reliable – Trustworthy – Low Maintenance Veteran Pro – Leader | ||||||||||||||||||
Provided By: Jason Bukala, The Pro Hockey Group / Sportsnet / CapFriendly | ||||||||||||||||||
Sean Monahan, C, Montreal Canadiens, 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, left shot
Monahan also fits the veteran forward mold and is on an expiring deal that carries an AAV of $2 million, including performance bonuses.
There are differences between what Monahan can provide compared to Henrique. Monahan has produced more offence on the power play, directs more pucks on net, and has a higher face-off winning percentage. He doesn’t track up and down the ice as quickly as Henrique and he has less bump to his game physically.
Monahan’s salary makes him an easier fit for a team, but they have to be realistic about his overall impact offensively. Monahan is streaky. In his last 10-game segment, for example, he has only scored two goals and they came in the same game versus Seattle.
Something else to be aware of is the fact he has been deployed less and less on the Habs’ penalty kill recently, despite being capable in the role.
