CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The NHL’s April 12 trade deadline is just over a month away. It’s usually when clubs with fading playoff hopes become sellers in the trade market, shipping pending free agents who no longer fit into their plans to contenders looking to bolster their rosters for the playoffs.
A high number of clubs with limited salary-cap payroll this year could limit how many deals get made. The mandatory 14-day quarantine for players acquired from American teams will hamper the trade plans of Canadian clubs.
While some observers anticipate a quiet deadline, there should still be some activity in the trade market during the next four weeks. Here’s a quick look at seven teams expected to become sellers and which players could be on the move.
Anaheim Ducks
The once-mighty Ducks are overdue for a rebuild. Longtime captain Ryan Getzlaf is in the final year of his contract, but they’ll only move him if he asks to be traded. They were rumoured to be shopping winger Danton Heinen.
Buffalo Sabres
Mired at the bottom of the overall standings, the Sabres are poised to miss the playoffs for the 10th straight season. The future of superstar centre Jack Eichel is a hot topic for trade conjecture. However, moving a player of his calibre usually happens in the off-season when teams have more salary-cap room. Likely trade candidates include centre Eric Staal, defenceman Brandon Montour and winger Taylor Hall, if he agrees to waive his no-movement clause.
Detroit Red Wings
The rebuilding Wings made modest improvement this season but not enough to reach the playoffs. Contenders could come calling for veterans such as winger Bobby Ryan, defenceman Marc Staal and goaltender Jonathan Bernier.
Nashville Predators
For the first time since 2013-14, the Predators are on the verge of missing the post-season. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported longtime goaltender Pekka Rinne, captain Roman Josi and defenceman Ryan Ellis are considered their only “untouchables”.
Blue-liner Mattias Ekholm and forward Mikael Granlund are frequently mentioned as trade candidates.
New Jersey Devils
Dropping eight of their last 10 games sent New Jersey tumbling in the standings. Pending free agents like forwards Kyle Palmieri and Nikita Gusev and defenceman Sami Vatanen could be on the move soon.
Ottawa Senators
Losing 13 of their first 15 games scuttled their slim playoff hopes. The Senators are playing better of late as youngsters such as Tim Stützle, Josh Norris and New Minas, N.S., native Drake Batherson garner more playing time. Veteran forwards Artem Anisimov and Ryan Dzingel and blue-liners Erik Gudbranson and Mike Reilly could be playing elsewhere by April 12.
San Jose Sharks
Management has nothing to show for gambling on its current roster, bouncing back from last season’s dreadful performance. With most of their aging stars on expensive long-term contracts carrying no-trade protection, there’s little they can offer up for trade chips. Devan Dubnyk could interest a contender seeking experienced goaltending depth.
Lyle Richardson is a freelance writer with Bleacher Report and Featurd.io and runs the website Spector's Hockey. His column will appear in The Guardian through the NHL season.
