Which NHL teams could be sellers with trade deadline approaching?
Three weeks remain before the NHL trade deadline and it has been quiet since two of the bigger names moved around the All-Star break.
Center Elias Lindholm was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks with the Calgary Flames receiving forward Andrei Kuzmenko, two prospects and two draft picks, including a first-rounder. It already has paid off for both teams with Lindholm picking up five points in six games and Kuzmenko scoring three goals in five games.
The Winnipeg Jets two days later acquired center Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens for two draft picks, including a first-rounder.
Plenty of names remain in the potential trade market. Though things can change between now and then, here are some teams that could provide the talent that is moved before March 8:
Calgary Flames
They have two of the most desirable pending unrestricted free agent defensemen. Noah Hanifin puts up points and Chris Tanev blocks shots and kills penalties. Goalie Jacob Markstrom, who has two years left on his contract after this one, could be moved at some point because Dustin Wolf is waiting in the wings. But he has a no-movement clause, so he would have to approve any trade. The Flames are five points out of a playoff spot, so if they make another trade, they will want someone who can help immediately, as Kuzmenko has.
Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard (broken jaw) has returned, but the team is rebuilding. Pending UFAs include Tyler Johnson, a two-time Stanley Cup winner who has returned from an injury. The Blackhawks signed Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson and Petr Mrazek to two-year extensions.
Montreal Canadiens
With Sam Montembeault signed to an extension, goalie Jake Allen could be available in a trade. He has another year in his contract after this season.
San Jose Sharks
GM Mike Grier has moved Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier in the last year, so he’s aggressive. The Sharks’ pending UFAs include forward Anthony Duclair and goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. Grier has shown with the Karlsson deal that he’s willing to deal players with term remaining.
Anaheim Ducks
GM Pat Verbeek has dealt his pending UFAs before. This year’s group includes forwards Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg. Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, a penalty killer, was dealt in 2022 at the deadline and could move again. The earlier Jamie Drysdale deal showed Verbeek is willing to move a player with years left on his contract. Goalie John Gibson always seems to be in trade rumors, but he has a modified no-trade clause, and he has three years left after this season with a $6.4 million cap hit.
Nashville Predators
They’re in the playoff hunt, but defenseman Tyson Barrie has requested a trade. The pending UFA has returned from an injury.
Philadelphia Flyers
They’re an interesting case because they’re solidly in the playoff mix, but they’re also still in a rebuild. If they choose to move out pending UFAs, defensemen Nick Seeler and Sean Walker could draw interest. Walker is a right-shot defenseman like Drysdale. But GM Danny Briere said he liked what the two provide. His strategy before the deadline: “We’re not going to trade assets just to make a playoff run.”
Carolina Hurricanes
They’ll be a buyer because they always could use more scoring. But they’re loaded on defense, and Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Tony DeAngelo and Jalen Chatfield are pending UFAs. One could be moved in a deal. DeAngelo has been a healthy scratch and can help a power play, so it might be him, though he does have issues defensively.
Pittsburgh Penguins
There’s no guarantee they will be sellers. Pending UFA forward Jake Guentzel, who has been mentioned in trade rumors, will be out until after the deadline because of an injury.
Ottawa Senators
They made a coaching change in December and started picking up play in late January but were 14 points out of a playoff spot as of Feb. 15. Vladimir Tarasenko, who moved before last season’s deadline, and Dominik Kubalik are among the team’s pending UFAs.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The struggling team fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, and John Davidson also took on duties as interim GM. The Blue Jackets don’t have a lot of pending UFAs (Columbus native Jack Roslovic is the only one among regulars), but moving out players with years left on their deals could help them long-term. A player to watch: goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
Washington Capitals
Arizona Coyotes
A seven-game losing streak has the Coyotes 10 points out of a playoff spot. Their free agents include forward Jason Zucker and defenseman Matt Dumba.