We are actually precisely 10 weeks away from the NHL’s March 7 commerce deadline.
That leaves sufficient runway for the wants of consumers and sellers to shift earlier than the most important selections are made — or for consumers and sellers to change locations. However in a season the place there’s already been loads of commerce motion, it’s not too quickly to attempt to discover some suits between groups and gamers out there on our newest NHL trade big board.
With that in thoughts, right here’s half two of trade-board matchmaker.
GO DEEPER
NHL trade matchmaker: LeBrun and Johnston predict where top targets go by the deadline, part 1
Group: San Jose Sharks
Place: F
Shoots: L
Age: 32
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $5 million
LeBrun: Vegas Golden Knights
The 32-year-old Granlund leads the Sharks in scoring and is on tempo for a profession excessive in factors. He’s meant lots to San Jose off the ice, too, so far as his management and affect across the kids. He additionally likes it there. All of which is to say, it’s not a slam dunk he will get dealt earlier than the deadline simply because he’s a pending unrestricted free agent. The expectation is that Granlund’s brokers, Todd Diamond and Mark Gandler, may have a dialogue within the new yr with Sharks basic supervisor Mike Grier. However the workforce might want to steadiness any potential extension with the sort of affords it’ll get on the commerce market, and there will definitely be some. Granlund’s versatility of with the ability to play all three ahead positions with consolation will enchantment to contenders. He may increase his commerce worth relying on his efficiency beneath the highlight taking part in for Finland within the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Wanting into my matchmaker crystal ball, let’s make him a Vegas Golden Knight. The Sharks and Knights acquired collectively on a commerce deadline deal a yr in the past involving Tomas Hertl. Preserving in thoughts Granlund’s versatility and the unlucky actuality of at all times worrying about Mark Stone’s well being, I like the concept for Vegas of including this type of depth.
Johnston: Minnesota Wild
A number of water has handed beneath the bridge since Granlund was a first-round decide by the Wild who spent seven seasons taking part in for the group. Nonetheless, wouldn’t or not it’s a pleasant homecoming story? Minnesota may actually use a ahead who can toggle between middle and wing whereas chipping in with some offense. Granlund ticks all of these bins and will include an added degree of consolation given his familiarity with the group. The cap facet will have to be labored out since San Jose doesn’t have any retention spots nonetheless open and Minnesota has some added challenges whereas working in long-term injured reserve, however these aren’t large enough hurdles to maintain this from occurring.
Group: Philadelphia Flyers
Place: D
Shoots: R
Age: 30
Contract time period: 2027 UFA
AAV: $5.1 million
LeBrun: Winnipeg Jets
It wasn’t too way back that Ristolainen’s contract scared groups, nevertheless it’s humorous what occurs with a 20-minute-a-night, top-four defenseman finds his sport extra persistently, as he has this season. Immediately, with the wage cap going up, a $5.1 million cap hit for the following two and a half years isn’t so unhealthy in any respect. That’s why league sources say the Flyers have certainly obtained calls this season asking if they’d be prepared to maneuver Ristolainen. The reply from the Flyers is sure — if there’s a sure worth met. They’d desire a good prospect or younger participant in return or a mix of a prospect and a decide. And whereas buying and selling for a participant with time period on his contract isn’t your typical deadline deal since most contenders favor leases, I can see it interesting to some groups. For instance, the Jets. I’d prefer to see the Jets add the sort of measurement on the correct aspect of their protection that Ristolainen would convey. And after giving up a first-round decide final season for rental Sean Monahan solely to see him depart July 1, and holding in thoughts how tough it’s for the Jets to draw free brokers to Winnipeg, I like the concept of buying a participant beneath contract. So there you have got it, I’ve acquired the Cup-contending Jets taking over Ristolainen.
Might Rasmus Ristolainen find yourself within the Central Division? (Emilee Chinn / Getty Pictures)
Johnston: Dallas Stars
The Stars made an enormous splash by buying Chris Tanev forward of final yr’s deadline however had been unable to retain him in free company over the summer time. They haven’t but crammed that gap on the correct aspect of their blue line. The time period remaining on Ristolainen’s contract suits in with the Stars’ win-now window, and the enhancements in his sport ought to maintain enchantment given how few defensive stoppers are anticipated to be out there within the market. Depth is crucial for any workforce gearing up for a protracted spring, and Dallas is all in on attempting to win the Stanley Cup.
Group: Chicago Blackhawks
Place: F
Shoots: L
Age: 33
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $6 million
LeBrun: Utah HC
The Blackhawks really haven’t dedicated but to buying and selling Corridor, though given the place they’re within the standings, one would think about that’s essentially the most logical plan of action for the veteran pending unrestricted free agent. It hasn’t been the most effective of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, however one thing tells me {that a} transfer to a Cup contender would possibly ignite a little bit flash from the previous Hart Trophy winner. He’s at all times been one of many smartest gamers within the league. The hockey IQ hasn’t dulled even when the skating has slowed down a little bit. If the Hawks are prepared to eat a few of Corridor’s $6 million cap hit, there’s no query in my thoughts there will likely be a marketplace for him. Corridor has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, may have a job in serving to the Hawks discover a suitor. So hear me out right here: Utah HC as a purchaser! That is solely sensible in a world through which Utah stays within the race within the second half. They might use a little bit extra offense. Corridor has some brand-name cache that will be enjoyable to convey into the NHL’s latest market, and Utah has loads of cap room, plus a robust need to remain within the playoff chase.
Johnston: Colorado Avalanche
The Avs are one of many few high groups who may make room for Corridor of their high six, which is probably going the place a participant together with his ability set must play with a purpose to be simplest. The continued uncertainty round Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has gone greater than two and a half years with out taking part in whereas recovering from a cartilage transplant in his proper knee, makes the necessity for one more left winger extra pronounced. Corridor might not skate on the identical degree as earlier in his profession, however he’s nonetheless quicker than common and will maintain his personal alongside Nathan MacKinnon in top-line obligation if wanted. At minimal, he would give the Avalanche extra lineup flexibility than they get pleasure from now. The acquisition value additionally shouldn’t be too vital for a veteran participant unlikely to be a part of the long-term resolution for the rebuilding Blackhawks.
Will Borgen
Group: New York Rangers
Place: D
Shoots: R
Age: 28
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $2.7 million
LeBrun: Florida Panthers
The Rangers simply acquired Borgen, however he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and until New York can by some means cease the bleeding and switch round its season, the Blueshirts will likely be sellers and open to flipping him. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Borgen would match properly in South Florida. I believe in some ways, pending unrestricted free agent David Savard is a extra apparent match for the Panthers given his previous relationship in Columbus with Panthers basic supervisor Invoice Zito, and it wouldn’t shock me if Florida tried for Savard if it’s searching for a rental, right-shot D with some physicality who gained’t break the financial institution. However Borgen could be the extra under-the-radar transfer if certainly the Rangers resolve to make him out there.
Will Borgen, proper, has solely performed three video games for the Rangers, however he could possibly be on the transfer once more. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Pictures)
Johnston: Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have struggled since shedding Filip Hronek to a big lower-body harm earlier this month, they usually’re not anticipating him to play once more earlier than February. That’s uncovered a gaping want on the correct aspect of the blue line that administration has aggressively been attempting to deal with. Enter Borgen, who excels within the less-celebrated components of the sport like penalty killing, which Vancouver can definitely use. The stay-at-home defender is an effective skater who ought to be capable to step right into a second pairing on a workforce and brings the sort of measurement groups view as an added plus come playoff time. Borgen may have loads of suitors forward of the deadline, however there might not be anybody extra motivated to pursue him than Vancouver.
Group: Seattle Kraken
Place: F
Shoots: L
Age: 32
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $3.5 million
LeBrun: New Jersey Devils
All indicators level to the pending unrestricted free agent winger getting dealt forward of the deadline if the Kraken aren’t within the playoff chase, which appears fairly probably as of now. My understanding is there are a number of contenders ready to see if/when Tanev is available on the market as a result of they need a crack at him. He brings the sort of grindy sport most playoff groups are searching for. He’s a superb penalty killer who leads Seattle in shorthanded ice time. He gained’t again down from anybody. I just like the Devils as a match. They’re searching for a bottom-six enhance, and I can image Tanev discovering a pleasant spot in that Cup-contending lineup that has no scarcity of offensive expertise however may use a little bit extra sandpaper.
Johnston: Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas went into the NHL’s vacation break with the league’s finest factors proportion, and there’s a robust expectation it’ll be seeking to beef up earlier than the deadline but once more. In actual fact, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Golden Knights pursue two forwards – one with extra offensive skill, and a bottom-sixer to spherical out different parts of the workforce. Tanev falls into the latter class and should find yourself being the strongest participant with that ability set out there. A high-end skater who performs the sport arduous, it’s not tough to think about him becoming in with a workforce accustomed to utilizing all 4 strains to win.
(Photograph of Mikael Granlund and Brandon Tanev: Eric Hartline / USA At this time and Alika Jenner / Getty Pictures)
