10 Big-Name Players Who Could Be Moved By NHL Trade Deadline

By Christopher Gamble

The NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching and there are some fairly big names rumored to be on the market. There could be a few blockbuster trades this year, as the standings are fairly tight and making a trade could mean the difference between the playoffs or an early tee time. There have already been a couple of impactful trades, like Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones. Here are 10 big-name players who could be on the move before the trade deadline.

10 Big-Name Players Who Could Be Moved By NHL Trade Deadline
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10. Jonathan Drouin

Jonathan Drouin Credit: Getty Images
Drouin and his issues with the Tampa Bay Lightning are well documented at this point. He has a lot of promise but has yet to translate that into results at the NHL level. The Lightning won’t just give Drouin away, but they are finding it hard to get what they consider equal value for a talented player who has made more headlines for his antics than his play. He is still a sure bet to be moved.

10. Jonathan Drouin

Drouin and his issues with the Tampa Bay Lightning are well documented at this point. He has a lot of promise but has yet to translate that into results at the NHL level. The Lightning won’t just give Drouin away, but they are finding it hard to get what they consider equal value for a talented player who has made more headlines for his antics than his play. He is still a sure bet to be moved.

9. Leo Komarov

Leo Komarov Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Maple Leafs will be active at the deadline. Lou Lamoriello is going to try to rebuild the Leafs, and Komarov could be one of his best trade chips as he is both productive and somewhat affordable. His cap hit of $2.95 million is pretty affordable for most teams looking for a second-line center, so he is almost sure to be moved.

9. Leo Komarov

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be active at the deadline. Lou Lamoriello is going to try to rebuild the Leafs, and Komarov could be one of his best trade chips as he is both productive and somewhat affordable. His cap hit of $2.95 million is pretty affordable for most teams looking for a second-line center, so he is almost sure to be moved.

8. Jonathan Bernier

Jonathan Bernier Credit: Getty Images
The Maple Leafs might undergo a complete makeover in the net with James Reimer set to become a free agent and Bernier being shopped. The Leafs want Reimer back which makes Bernier expendable. He hasn’t been good this season, but a team looking for a veteran goalie to help down the stretch could show some interest in the 27-year-old. He has been better as of late after failing to grab a single win in his first 11 starts.

8. Jonathan Bernier

The Maple Leafs might undergo a complete makeover in the net with James Reimer set to become a free agent and Bernier being shopped. The Leafs want Reimer back which makes Bernier expendable. He hasn’t been good this season, but a team looking for a veteran goalie to help down the stretch could show some interest in the 27-year-old. He has been better as of late after failing to grab a single win in his first 11 starts.

7. James van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk Credit: Getty Images
Total shocker here with another Maple Leaf, but they are a team that is going to be very active selling at the deadline. Van Riemsdyk will be highly sought after, and there have been a couple of rumors surrounding the 26-year-old forward. He currently has 14 goals and 15 assists and would be a great addition for any contender at this point. He carries a cap hit of $4.25 million which might limit his suitors, but he could be that missing piece for some contender out there in need of a top-six forward.

7. James van Riemsdyk

Total shocker here with another Maple Leaf, but they are a team that is going to be very active selling at the deadline. Van Riemsdyk will be highly sought after, and there have been a couple of rumors surrounding the 26-year-old forward. He currently has 14 goals and 15 assists and would be a great addition for any contender at this point. He carries a cap hit of $4.25 million which might limit his suitors, but he could be that missing piece for some contender out there in need of a top-six forward.

6. Eric Staal

Eric Staal Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA Today Sports
Staal is far removed from his days as an elite player capable of scoring 40 goals, but he is still a top-line center. There are a lot of teams that could use his veteran leadership and steady play. His cap hit of $8.25 million could be prohibitive, however. Chances are he doesn’t get dealt, but the Carolina Hurricanes would love to move him and begin rebuilding in earnest.

6. Eric Staal

Staal is far removed from his days as an elite player capable of scoring 40 goals, but he is still a top-line center. There are a lot of teams that could use his veteran leadership and steady play. His cap hit of $8.25 million could be prohibitive, however. Chances are he doesn’t get dealt, but the Carolina Hurricanes would love to move him and begin rebuilding in earnest.

5. Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Yandle is almost surely in his last season as a New York Ranger, as he becomes a free agent after this season and is unlikely to be re-signed. The Rangers could look to move Yandle to recoup some value on him and maybe get a draft pick back after dealing away their first-round picks in recent years. The Blueshirts could really use a top-six forward, and Yandle is their best trade chip.

5. Keith Yandle

Yandle is almost surely in his last season as a New York Ranger, as he becomes a free agent after this season and is unlikely to be re-signed. The Rangers could look to move Yandle to recoup some value on him and maybe get a draft pick back after dealing away their first-round picks in recent years. The Blueshirts could really use a top-six forward, and Yandle is their best trade chip.

4. Patrick Marleau

Patrick Marleau Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
It will be very hard for the San Jose Sharks to move Marleau and his $6.6 million cap hit. He is 36 years old and, while still a good player, is far removed from being elite but still being paid as such. The Rangers were rumored to be interested at one point, but they don’t have anywhere close to the cap space to bring him on board. The Sharks would love to move him and Marleau has requested a trade, but finding a taker will be hard.

4. Patrick Marleau

It will be very hard for the San Jose Sharks to move Marleau and his $6.6 million cap hit. He is 36 years old and, while still a good player, is far removed from being elite but still being paid as such. The Rangers were rumored to be interested at one point, but they don’t have anywhere close to the cap space to bring him on board. The Sharks would love to move him and Marleau has requested a trade, but finding a taker will be hard.

3. Andrew Ladd

Andrew Ladd Credit: Getty Images
The Winnipeg Jets are going to trade one of their bigger names, and Andrew Ladd figures to be the most likely to go at this point. He does come with a somewhat prohibitive $4.4 million cap hit, but he is a consistent 20-goal scorer who could add some scoring and leadership to a team on the cusp of contention. He is also slated for free agency after this season, so any team acquiring him won’t be on the hook for very long.

3. Andrew Ladd

The Winnipeg Jets are going to trade one of their bigger names, and Andrew Ladd figures to be the most likely to go at this point. He does come with a somewhat prohibitive $4.4 million cap hit, but he is a consistent 20-goal scorer who could add some scoring and leadership to a team on the cusp of contention. He is also slated for free agency after this season, so any team acquiring him won’t be on the hook for very long.

2. Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The defenseman carries a cap hit of $5.2 million and would be a great addition to several teams. It was rumored the Washington Capitals were interested at some point, but much of their cap space will be taken once Brooks Orpik comes back from injured reserve. Byfuglien would be the best defenseman on the market and would come with a hefty price tag for any team wanting to add some size and toughness on defense.

2. Dustin Byfuglien

The defenseman carries a cap hit of $5.2 million and would be a great addition to several teams. It was rumored the Washington Capitals were interested at some point, but much of their cap space will be taken once Brooks Orpik comes back from injured reserve. Byfuglien would be the best defenseman on the market and would come with a hefty price tag for any team wanting to add some size and toughness on defense.

1. Steven Stamkos

Steven Stamkos Credit: Getty Images
The Lightning want him back as evidenced by their offer of eight years for $68 million, but that was rejected by Stamkos, who seems destined to leave Tampa Bay at this point. The Lightning could look to move him to at least get something in return rather than see him leave as a free agent. Stamkos is also a little upset with Tampa Bay for moving him to winger when he is one of the best centers in the NHL. This will be an interesting situation to monitor as Stamkos would easily be the best player moved at the deadline.

1. Steven Stamkos

The Lightning want him back as evidenced by their offer of eight years for $68 million, but that was rejected by Stamkos, who seems destined to leave Tampa Bay at this point. The Lightning could look to move him to at least get something in return rather than see him leave as a free agent. Stamkos is also a little upset with Tampa Bay for moving him to winger when he is one of the best centers in the NHL. This will be an interesting situation to monitor as Stamkos would easily be the best player moved at the deadline.

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