As the NHL trade deadline slowly creeps upon us, rumors are swirling about who may be on the move this year. Some teams will have to make decisions on whether they buy or sell. A few franchises will know they are buying, as others will be dangling trade bait. Here is who may be available for a contender to nab prior to a postseason run.
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
Forsberg kicks things off after reports have come out that the Predators are shopping the young forward. Forsberg has had a bounce back season so far. After 32 points in 39 games last year, he already has 44 points in as many games this season. He could easily set a career-best in points this season. For the Predators, it is certainly interesting to see them shopping him. They are only a point behind the Minnesota Wild for third in the Central Division, despite a rough start to the second half of the season. This could be a retool, or Nashville could end up not trading him at all, depending on how things go in the lead-up to the deadline. Forsberg is in the last year of his deal (making $6 million), so he would most likely be a rental piece for a playoff team.
Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
A player who has been rumored to be on his way out for a long time, Giroux has been the heart and soul of the Flyers since he arrived. He is having a down year offensively with 38 points in 48 games, but is still a very capable player. His versatility of playing wing and center makes him a very hot commodity on the market. The price for him will likely be high, but it will certainly be worth it. Philadelphia is certainly in rebuild mode, just one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils for last place in the Metropolitan Division.
Giroux is in the last year of his deal with a cap hit of $8.275 million, so a team would need to move some cap space to acquire him. He would still be a great piece for a playoff team, potentially someone like the Colorado Avalanche. He would have to agree to any trade as he has a full no-movement clause.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Chicago Blackhawks
One of the best goalies of his generation, Fleury could be on the move once again. The 2003 No. 1 overall pick has had a good statistical season with the Blackhawks with a 2.80 GAA and a .912 save percentage. While it is down from last year in Vegas, it is still impressive behind a Blackhawks team that is much different defensively from the Golden Knights. For the Blackhawks, they are second to last in the Central Division and appear to be in the midst of a long rebuild. If the right trade came along from a team desperate for goaltending, they could get a king’s ransom for Fleury. He is in the last year of his contract with a cap hit of $7 million, so some space will likely have to be cleared. There are many teams that are desperate for goaltending help that could make an offer.
J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks
One name that there was some early buzz on, Miller is having one of the best statistical seasons of his career in Vancouver. He has tallied 57 points in 51 games, and is one of the leading point-scorers on a Canucks team that has had struggles on the offensive end. The Canucks are only six points back of the Knights for third place in the division, so it’s very possible that they could decide to hold onto the winger.
Miller could be a great addition for a playoff team which struggles with winning faceoffs, as he has been a consistent faceoff winner throughout his career. The caveat with Miller is that he does have an additional year left on his contract after this season, and will be due $5.25 million. Any team that would acquire him would have to account for that next year.
Who is Most Likely to Move?
Out of this first group of trade bait players, it seems likely that Giroux will be on his way out of Philly. The Flyers would be able to get a good package of picks and prospects back for the center, and potentially an NHL player or two, as well. If the Tyler Toffoli trade to the Calgary Flames set the market, it doesn’t make sense for the Flyers to stand pat. Giroux will certainly be an interesting name to watch on deadline day.
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