What to expect from this years trade deadline

[yave1964]

  The deadline is shaping up a bit different this year. In the East, all eight playoff spots have been more or less locked up since around New Years, no surprises, everyone is simply playing for seeding, with the deadline so late this year a team like say, Florida might very well know by the deadline where they are likely to finish and might not be inclined to make a move that they otherwise would if they are not playing for home ice.

 

Out West Dallas/Nashville are fighting for a spot, and the Pacific is wide open, with Calgary/Vegas likely locks and the Kings/Ducks/Oilers fighting for two spots. A few thoughts on the teams in contention

 

EDMONTON HUGE deadline for the Oilers, if they miss the postseason in spite of the two best players in the world having fantastic years and after adding Hyman and Evander Kane and signing RNH to and 8 year deal, Holland is almost certainly a goner. They desperately need a goalie sooner than later. The deadline may be too late.

KINGS are exactly where I pictured them, fun young talented, playing loose, rumors are they will be agressive

DUCKS playing with house money. Lots of UFA's of their own, rumors are they may stand pat or only do some minor tinkering.

STARS As Nashville slips the Stars have quietly gotten back in the race. I would not expect a big move until closer to the deadline.

PREDATORS Poille in a bad position as Forsberg is almost certainly leaving at years end, if they dont deal him they are essentially letting him walk. If they deal him they could be seen as throwing away a season of promise.

 

  As for the others in the West, Vegas already got Eichel, the Flames added Toffoli. Both are likely done or close. 'Lanche/Blues/Wild all in on Giroux with Hertl as the consolation prize.

 

TOP TRADE CANDIDATES

Filip Forsberg Poille has always been unconventional and may move him while still trying to contend.

MAF Flower will likely be dealt, a team in search of playoff insurance may bite. Latest rumor is Carolina wants to hedge their bet on Andersen who has never had a good postseason.

HERTL Could be the big prize for a team in need of a 2C. Rangers really want JT Miller but if that falls through Hertl for one of their top defensive prospects as part of a package works.

JT MILLER Everyone wants him, he has another year on his deal and is having a career year so the Canucks wont move him unless blown away.

GIROUX Colorado makes almost too much sense

PAVELSKI If Dallas fades he might be Florida bound giving the leagues best offense even more firepower

GIORDANO If dealt it will almost certainly be back to the Flames.

LINDHOLM/MANSON It might best serve the Ducks to slide because they are arguably the two best free agent defenseman out there. Manson would be a monster add for the Bolts. Lindholm a perfect second pair add for the Leafs. RACKELL another Duck UFA with value. 

KLINGBERG/RADULOV Like Pavelski, both part of a run but with a late deadline if the Stars fade will be dealt.

KESSEL Say what you want but he can still score and could help a team in the middle six.

CHIAROT Rumored going everywhere, great fit for the Blues

HOLTBY Latest rumors are that he may be dealt to the Oilers this week, honestly having a solid year but losing time to Oettinger who is the future in Dallas. Very affordable cap hit the Oilers are rumored to have him in their sights.

 

  Those are the big names, I am of a mind to take JT Miller off the list unless a team pays through the nose, which of course may happen as they would have him for not one but two cap runs at a very affordable cap hit.