NHL Draft: 10 Players That Could Be Traded

NHL Draft: 10 Team Scenarios/Players That Could Be Traded at the Upcoming Event in Buffalo

As we count down the days until the annual NHL Draft, activity begins to heat up. On Monday, we saw draft host Buffalo acquire the rights to college standout Jimmy Vesey, while the Toronto Maple Leafs addressed their goaltending issue by acquiring Frederik Andersen.

This is just the beginning of what is expected to be a busy offseason. Potential looming expansion around the corner coupled with a salary cap not expected to rise is putting organizations in tough positions as they attempt to set themselves up for the future.

Today, we’re exploring 10 players who could potentially find themselves with a new team before the end of NHL Draft Weekend.

For some, their RFA status makes them a vulnerable target for offer sheets, and perhaps there’s no room to re-sign them. Or, if a team is looking to make cap space for that RFA, others become available.

10 Team Scenarios/Players That Could Be Traded During NHL Draft Weekend

Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks

Now that Sami Vatanen is signed, Fowler seems like the logical odd-man out set to be replaced by Shea Theodore.

Anaheim has a few options for a return package: they could add an impact top six forward (preferably LW), trade for prospects, or perhaps the best option, package Fowler with one of their late first round draft picks to move up in the opening round.

Ron Hainsey/or Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes

The Canes had a solid group of defenders to close out the year in 2015-16. That’s excluding James Wisniewski (who was lost in game one of the regular season) and prospects Haydn Fleury, Trevor Carrick, Roland McKeown, etc.

If Ron Francis can work around Hainsey’s trade clause, that is their best option to make room. Although trading the talented Justin Faulk is a possibility as well, but it would need to be a solid haul in return for the PP specialist.

Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche

Tyson Barrie might not be moving, but the Avs still have a log jam up the middle that has long forced Nathan MacKinnon to the wing. If Colorado decided to move up in the first round, Matt Duchene would be an excellent bargaining chip that could also fetch a quality defender on top of things.

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Ales Hemsky, Dallas Stars

He only has a year remaining on his deal, and there’s no way Dallas could protect him in expansion even if he were signed longer.

That $4 million dollar cap hit could be better spent elsewhere, especially if Jim Nill is set on sticking with his expensive goalie duo.

One of Radek Faksa, Brett Ritchie, or Denis Gurianov come to mind as potential top six replacements in the near future.

Jimmy Howard/Pavel Datsyuk Contract, Detroit Red Wings

Detroit needs to make a bit of room for spending in free agency. Until they figure out if they can relieve themselves of one or both contracts, it will be difficult for GM Ken Holland to gauge how much he has to spend.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins/or Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oilers

Either player could be part of a deal that includes the 4th overall selection. The goal is to obtain a top four defender, and perhaps an upgrade on the wing.

RNH seems like the most likely to move based on the Oilers depth up the middle with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Mikael Granlund/or Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild

Besides the 15th overall selection, Minnesota is in rough shape for draft picks. They also own a mid round, and two 7th rounders. Don’t be surprised if the Wild look to address needs and accumulate draft picks at the same time.

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Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils

Between Travis Zajac, Pavel Zacha, and John Quenneville up the middle, it’s beginning to look as though Adam Henrique could be expendable.

He has a cap friendly contract based on his production, and could fetch that missing RW or a top four defenseman – maybe both if the Devils add as part of a bigger deal.

Dan Girardi/Rick Nash, New York Rangers

Another team that could use more draft picks is New York. Then again, the Rangers could use a lot of things as GM Jeff Gorton attempts to put the pieces together. Any package for Rick Nash would likely include a 1st/or 2nd round draft pick (or should at least).

Next: Maple Leafs Acquire Netminder Frederik Andersen

Kyle Turris/Bobby Ryan/Patrick Wiercioch, Ottawa Senators

It’s almost a certainty that Wiercioch is moved sooner rather than later. The RFAs apparent asking price is higher than Ottawa is willing to pay. Both Turris and Ryan make for excellent trade chips to move up in the draft, although new GM Pierre Dorion expressed heavy interest in upwards of 18 prospects in the first round. This suggests the Sens might be open to moving down in the opening round on Friday night.

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