NHL Trade Deadline: Available Players Chances of Being Moved
By Ryan Ritchie
NHL Trade Deadline: Top Available Options Chances of Being Moved
We’re only 21 days from the NHL Trade Deadline, being held on February 29th. In recent years, the most significant deals are made leading up to the actual NHL trade deadline. In the salary cap world, its become increasingly difficult to make trades.
In 2014-15, the NHL Trade Deadline saw 20 deals, that included 38 players. 2013-14, we saw 17 deals, including 30 players. The NHL Trade Deadline saw its peak around 2005-06 when the league regularly saw 20-plus deals, including 40-plus players joining new teams.
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You can find a list here of every NHL Trade Deadline since 1980, provided by TSN.
Today, we’re once again exploring the potential available options leading into this year’s Trade Deadline. Below we’ve separated players into five groups in relation to their likelihood of being traded:
90 Percent – Only an injury can stop a deal from happening
75 Percent – Few reasons to keep these guys
50 Percent – 50/50 chance these guys are traded
25 Percent – More likely to be moved in the offseason
10 Percent – A trade would be very surprising
Available Players Chances of Being Moved Before February 29th
90 Percent
F P.A. Parenteau, Toronto Maple Leafs
He’s played well enough in 2015-16 to prove he can provide scoring depth for any team interested. His cap-friendly contract makes this an easy move.
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D Roman Polak, Toronto Maple Leafs
His nasty physical style of defensive play makes him a valuable five or six on a decent blueline. Someone will have interest.
F Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets
The Jets don’t have enough money to keep their captain. It makes more sense to keep Byfuglien. Any younger teams looking for veteran leadership?
75 Percent
G Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks
It makes little sense for Anaheim to carry both John Gibson and Frederik Andersen. There’s no rush to move him, so an offseason deal is a possibility.
F Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes
There’s a few teams that could use Eric Staal in 2015-16. Don’t be surprised if Marc Bergevin calls up Ron Francis to re-initiate old conversations.
F Lee Stempniak, New Jersey Devils
After being given a PTO, Stempniak earned a one-year contract and is having one of the best seasons of his career. For a team looking to add scoring depth down the stretch, Stempniak makes for a cheap addition.
F Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks
There’s little reason for Vancouver to hold on to Vrbata and let him walk into free agency for nothing. It doesn’t make sense for him to sign a new contract in Vancouver either.
50 Percent
F David Perron, Anaheim Ducks
The recently acquired Ducks forward may find himself playing for his third team in one season if a playoff contender thinks the rental can help down the stretch. This only happens if Anaheim falls out of the playoff race.
F Mikkel Boedker, Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes would be wise to re-sign Boedker, and are likely interested. Teams will be calling about his availability though.
F Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins
Here’s a guy that finally decided show up in 2015-16, just in time for a new contract. How Bruins fans can even debate whether to re-sign this guy is laughable. It’s okay to move on from Eriksson and accept being on the wrong side of a very bad trade. Leafs fans felt the same pain over Tyler Seguin.
F Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames
Re-signing with Calgary is entirely possible, but the Flames are wiser to trade him. He’ll never repeat his 2014-15 total, and only works alongside Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau for stretches at a time.
F Kris Versteeg, Carolina Hurricanes
He’s put together a solid campaign in 2015-16 after being traded from Chicago at the beginning of the season. He may be an attractive rental for a playoff contender.
D Matt Dumba, Minnesota Wild
His namely rarely comes up in trade rumors. But, Minnesota has serious issues up front, and based on their rock solid defense, Matt Dumba is the odd man out with decent trade value.
F Shawn Matthias, Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto would love to flip him for a mid round draft pick. It’s a matter of finding a trade partner.
G James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs
If James Reimer is still with the Leafs following Feb.29, it’s almost a certainty he’ll re-sign.
G Jonathan Bernier, Toronto Maple Leafs
Call the Leafs goaltending a coin-flip. At this point, neither are the long-term answer. It’s figuring out who fits best temporarily.
F Chris Higgins, Vancouver Canucks
Anyone interested in paying north of $3 million dollars to a player currently in the AHL?
G Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets
Health may prevent a deadline deal, but he’s likely played his last game for Winnipeg.
25 Percent
D Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks
The more likely blueliner to be moved has 50-plus point potential from the back-end
D Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks
His 2015-16 offers security, but if the right offer comes along… you never know.
G Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche
Calvin Pickard and Reto Berra are helping open trade opportunities
F Teddy Purcell, Edmonton Oilers
Likely to re-sign with Edmonton
F Marcus Johansson, Washington Capitals
Burakovsky’s arrival makes Johansson expendable
Next: NHL Trade Deadline: The Crowded Basement
10 or Less Percent
F Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders
Likely to re-sign with NY Islanders