The Captain for the New York Rangers is demanding a very large contract, reportedly at around $7 million. Callahan's health concerns and the current cap restrictions that the Rangers are under will force them to move him at the deadline. Callahan will be traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Chris Stewart and a second-round pick.
Gagner will not be traded at the deadline. The Edmonton Oilers want an NHL-ready defenseman for him, and no other teams in the hunt for the playoffs can afford to trade a top-four defenseman.
The best goalie on the market will be traded before the deadline to the Washington Capitals. The goaltending tandem of Braden Holtby and Michael Neuvirth has been dreadful for the Capitals this season, and their GM has never been shy about trading draft picks for proven players. The Capitals will move a first-round draft pick, a second-round draft pick and Neuvirth to the Buffalo Sabres for Miller. Martin Erat will have to be dealt by the Capitals as well to clear some cap space, which shouldn't be an issue.
Boyes should attract many suitors come March 5, and the Florida Panthers will be listening to offers for him. I could see the Boston Bruins offering a second-round pick and a prospect to the Panthers for Boyes, and the deal would make sense for both clubs. Boyes' low salary cap hit works perfectly for the Bruins, and the Panthers get a pick and a prospect to help their rebuild.
The New York Islanders offered MacDonald a four-year contract for $16 million, and he turned it down. MacDonald is looking to test the market and see what he can get, and the Islanders will not lose him for nothing. The Anaheim Ducks will be looking to add a defensive player with offensive upside, and MacDonald fits their needs perfectly. The Islanders will send MacDonald to the Ducks in exchange for a second-round pick and a mid-level prospect.
Ott has emerged as a veteran leader for the Buffalo Sabres, and the market won't be overly crazy for him. I believe Ott stays in Buffalo because the Sabres can not afford to trade every veteran player they have if they want their young talent to develop properly.
Moulson finds a way to score and is a great guy in the locker room. Unfortunately, his talent is being wasted by the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres. Moulson will draw attention in the market, and he will go to the highest bidder. The Minnesota Wild will be looking to add another scoring forward at the deadline, and Moulson is the perfect fit. The Wild will send a first-round pick and a third-round pick in exchange for Moulson.
Cammalleri is a veteran forward for the Calgary Flames who will draw interest at the deadline from teams looking for depth up front. The Pittsburgh Penguins don't need Cammalleri, but they will not pass up an opportunity to get him. The Penguins will send a first-round pick to the Flames in exchange for Cammalleri.
The Edmonton Oilers are always looking to trade Hemsky each year, and they never do. My bold prediction is history repeats itself and Hemsky remains an Oiler.
The New York Islanders offered Vanek a seven-year contract, and he turned it down without even blinking an eye. Vanek is set on testing free agency after the season, and the Islanders will need to trade him to get back some of the assets they lost to get him. The L.A. Kings need scoring and have the young players the Islanders are looking for in a trade. The Kings will send Tyler Toffoli and a first-round pick to the Islanders in exchange for Vanek.
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