Post by brentdog on Apr 29, 2016 9:27:46 GMT -5
With the iNHL's March 1st trade deadline only days away, there's growing speculation over which players could be on the move. This year's crop of possible rentals includes several players who could potentially boost a club's chances of a lengthy playoff run.
The following list ranks the best rental players available ahead of the 2017 NHL trade deadline. All are slated for free agency in July.
1) Pat Marleau, SJS (W) - This name would have been nowhere near our list 24 hours ago, but could the shock acquisition of Valeri Nichushkin change things in that regard? Noises have been coming out of the Sharks camp all season that they are looking to retain Marleau, but pen still hasn't been put to paper and until such times as it has been speculation will be par for the course. With more than a PPG this season the Sharks would be mad to trade Marleau, but they would be able to command a huge ask for him if the decision was made to trade at or near the deadline.
Possible Ask - Good roster player, a 2017 1st and a legit prospect as a minimum.
Likely Suitors - Any contending team and more besides
Likelihood - VERY LOW. GM Isaac isn't going to ship out a franchise guy - even an ageing one - running at more than a point per game whilst his team are still dominating the pacific.
2) Martin Hanzal, CGY (C) - Surplus to requirements at Calgary, this giant Czech power-forward should be near the top of the shopping list for any contending franchise that is looking to bolster things at center. At just 29 years old and with a reasonable cap hit, Hanzal is on course for a 30+ point season and his gritty two-way game should be well sought after come deadline day.
Possible Ask - Calgary are reportedly looking for a classic hockey trade for Hanzal, so presumably a defenceman or winger of equal value to the towering Czech center.
Likely Suitors - NJD are screaming out for another center after the Bergeron injury, whilst Oilers GM Paul Pearson is a known fan of two-way guys with grit. Minnesota could also be a candidate in a quest for more depth at Center.
Likelihood - HIGH. Hanzal is on the block and GM Joe McDonald is good at getting mutually beneficial deals done.
3) Mike Fisher, NSH (C) - The Preds have struggled for consistency so far this season and any possible availability for Fisher is likely to hinge on what direction Nashville GM Seb Guertin decides to take his team in. If the playoffs look unlikely, it’s possible the Preds could seek to cash in on a guy who remains a proven two-way performer at iNHL level, with 32 points and a +12 rating in 50 games this season.
Possible Ask - Nashville could quite reasonably ask for a second-round draft pick plus a good prospect, but might have to settle for a third-rounder plus a project player.
Likely Suitors - See above. NJD, MIN, EDM could all benefit from a guy like Fisher.
Likelihood - MEDIUM. Much depends on what Guertin sees as the way forward for his team, so this is a very difficult trade to call.
4) Antonie Vermette, EDM (C) - Having been a successful rental option before, Vermette could find himself in demand again at deadline. 20 points in 49 games for the Oilers show he can still cut it at iNHL level. Despite Edmonton seemingly being a little light at center and their involvement in the playoff picture, GM Paul Pearson could be tempted to move Vermette if he receives an attractive enough offer from a heavyweight cup contender.
Possible Ask - Vermette once commanded Klas Dahlbeck plus the first round pick that turned into Nick Merkley at deadline, but he's two years older now and not as effective as he once was. A 4th rounder plus a decent prospect would represent a reasonable return here.
Likely Suitors - NJD (spot the consistent theme in all these potential rentals) should have interest in Vermette, who was part of their roster last year during their dramatic ascent to the playoffs, then their subsequent and equally dramatic first round exit.
Likelihood - HIGH. GM Pearson has shown himself to be a canny operator and cashing in on Vermette would make perfect sense to the Oilers.
5) Jarome Iginla, ARZ (RW) - The 39-year old Iginla remains a potent offensive forward. 21 points in 49 games might not match seasons past, but that raw stat doesn't quite tell the whole story: whilst at Colorado Iggy was running at 0.62 PPG, which indicates that if he is put on a good line with a contending franchise - rather than on the Coyotoes 4th line - he's likely to get back to that sort of level. Even if he doesn't, his physicality and leadership should compensate for a lack of productivity out on the ice.
Possible Ask - 3rd Rounder, maybe even as high as a 2nd, plus a good prospect.
Likely Suitors - Both Jakub Vrana and Brett Connolly have failed to light the lamp on a consistent basis for the Capitals, so they could look for added second-line scoring help. The Red Wings probably need someone with more offensive edge to their game than Darren Helm provides to slot onto the second line as well.
Likelihood - HIGH. GM Empty has no love for veterans on expiring contracts and as long as the ask remains reasonable this is one of the more likely trades to happen at deadline.
6) Thomas Vanek, MIN (LW) - GM Danny Smith remains both inscrutable and unflappable up in the wilds of Minnesota. Much will depend on whether he thinks the Cup is a realistic ask for his team this year; if not, the Wild would be well advised to cash in on Vanek, who garnered a lot of interest at the trade deadline last year. Unfortunately for the Wild, just 4 goals and 12 points in 50 games mean that whatever Vanek might command this time round, it will be nowhere near what they could have gotten last deadline.
Possible Ask - Vanek’s stock has really plummeted. The Wild would be lucky to get a 3rd or 4th rounder plus a project player.
Likely Suitors - NJD GM Jon Bolduc has shown himself unafraid to pay to get veteran snipers. Goalscoring has been a consistent issue for NYR, but cap concerns could stymie any potential move on their part.
Likelihood - LOW. The Wild have not been ones for getting involved in trades of late and they’re unlikely to start now, particularly given the comparative fall in Vanek’s value.
7) Andrei Markov, MTL (LD) – The Canadiens are pressed up hard against the cap like a fat kid with his face to the glass of a sweet shop. Moving Markov would make sense for Montreal; he remains a proven performer and should be a popular rental option that realises a good return, whilst also freeing up much-needed cap space. But as an avowed Habs fan GM Matt Gough has been known to be overly-sentimental towards his players in the past, so that might get in the way of a trade come deadline.
Possible Ask - Middling pick plus a good D prospect.
Likely Suitors - The Caps always seem to need more help on the backend, whilst the Canucks could arguably do with added depth on the blueline if they are to progress in the playoffs.
Likelihood - MEDIUM to LOW. Once a Hab, always a Hab, right?
8) Mark Streit, PHI (LD) - Streit continues to defy the ageing process with 24 points in 46 games this season. The Flyers are unlikely to be able to command what they paid to get him back from the Bruins earlier this season, but GM Bjorn Thelin has shown a knack for getting unlikely deals done (Matt Read, anyone?) so we could yet be surprised.
Possible Ask - 3rd rounder, but will probably have to settle for a 4th.
Likely Suitors - See comments above re: Markov, but also add on the Bruins given their prior interest in Streit and the good trading relationship between GM's Thelin and Beans.
Likelihood - MEDIUM. Streit might not command the value he did earlier this season, making the Flyers reluctant to trade.
9) Mathieu Perreault, WPG (W) - Perreault is on course for yet another 40 point season and would add scoring punch to a contending franchise in need of help in that area. A $3 million cap hit shouldn't prove an undue obstacle and whilst trading him would undoubtedly help the Jets in terms of their rebuild, the mystery surrounding the internal power-struggle at Winnipeg means that such a move is far from likely.
Possible Ask - The Jets are still rebuilding their roster, so a 3rd round draft pick or a good prospect seems a likely bet.
Likely Suitors - See above comments re: Iggy. Perreault would represent a cheaper option to should be a tempting alternative for the Caps and Red Wings, but also count in the Whalers given Matteau's paltry 10 points in 43 games on the 2nd line.
Likelihood - LOW. Dax? Dax!!? Helloooo...?
10) James Wisniewski, WSH (RD) - Production has dropped off noticeably after a career year last season. Washington could well seek to swap Wisniewski for a more defensively minded defenseman, whilst a contender in need of a puck-moving blueliner could be prepared to take a gamble on Wiz getting back to the form he showed last season.
Possible Ask - A defensive D who can help plug those annoying goals the caps keep conceding.
Likely Suitors - NYI, LAK and COL could all do with better passers on the blueline.
Likelihood - MEDIUM to LOW. Wiz is very much on the block, but the franchises named above might not be willing to make a move for him and it's hard to make a case for any others showing interest.
The following list ranks the best rental players available ahead of the 2017 NHL trade deadline. All are slated for free agency in July.
1) Pat Marleau, SJS (W) - This name would have been nowhere near our list 24 hours ago, but could the shock acquisition of Valeri Nichushkin change things in that regard? Noises have been coming out of the Sharks camp all season that they are looking to retain Marleau, but pen still hasn't been put to paper and until such times as it has been speculation will be par for the course. With more than a PPG this season the Sharks would be mad to trade Marleau, but they would be able to command a huge ask for him if the decision was made to trade at or near the deadline.
Possible Ask - Good roster player, a 2017 1st and a legit prospect as a minimum.
Likely Suitors - Any contending team and more besides
Likelihood - VERY LOW. GM Isaac isn't going to ship out a franchise guy - even an ageing one - running at more than a point per game whilst his team are still dominating the pacific.
2) Martin Hanzal, CGY (C) - Surplus to requirements at Calgary, this giant Czech power-forward should be near the top of the shopping list for any contending franchise that is looking to bolster things at center. At just 29 years old and with a reasonable cap hit, Hanzal is on course for a 30+ point season and his gritty two-way game should be well sought after come deadline day.
Possible Ask - Calgary are reportedly looking for a classic hockey trade for Hanzal, so presumably a defenceman or winger of equal value to the towering Czech center.
Likely Suitors - NJD are screaming out for another center after the Bergeron injury, whilst Oilers GM Paul Pearson is a known fan of two-way guys with grit. Minnesota could also be a candidate in a quest for more depth at Center.
Likelihood - HIGH. Hanzal is on the block and GM Joe McDonald is good at getting mutually beneficial deals done.
3) Mike Fisher, NSH (C) - The Preds have struggled for consistency so far this season and any possible availability for Fisher is likely to hinge on what direction Nashville GM Seb Guertin decides to take his team in. If the playoffs look unlikely, it’s possible the Preds could seek to cash in on a guy who remains a proven two-way performer at iNHL level, with 32 points and a +12 rating in 50 games this season.
Possible Ask - Nashville could quite reasonably ask for a second-round draft pick plus a good prospect, but might have to settle for a third-rounder plus a project player.
Likely Suitors - See above. NJD, MIN, EDM could all benefit from a guy like Fisher.
Likelihood - MEDIUM. Much depends on what Guertin sees as the way forward for his team, so this is a very difficult trade to call.
4) Antonie Vermette, EDM (C) - Having been a successful rental option before, Vermette could find himself in demand again at deadline. 20 points in 49 games for the Oilers show he can still cut it at iNHL level. Despite Edmonton seemingly being a little light at center and their involvement in the playoff picture, GM Paul Pearson could be tempted to move Vermette if he receives an attractive enough offer from a heavyweight cup contender.
Possible Ask - Vermette once commanded Klas Dahlbeck plus the first round pick that turned into Nick Merkley at deadline, but he's two years older now and not as effective as he once was. A 4th rounder plus a decent prospect would represent a reasonable return here.
Likely Suitors - NJD (spot the consistent theme in all these potential rentals) should have interest in Vermette, who was part of their roster last year during their dramatic ascent to the playoffs, then their subsequent and equally dramatic first round exit.
Likelihood - HIGH. GM Pearson has shown himself to be a canny operator and cashing in on Vermette would make perfect sense to the Oilers.
5) Jarome Iginla, ARZ (RW) - The 39-year old Iginla remains a potent offensive forward. 21 points in 49 games might not match seasons past, but that raw stat doesn't quite tell the whole story: whilst at Colorado Iggy was running at 0.62 PPG, which indicates that if he is put on a good line with a contending franchise - rather than on the Coyotoes 4th line - he's likely to get back to that sort of level. Even if he doesn't, his physicality and leadership should compensate for a lack of productivity out on the ice.
Possible Ask - 3rd Rounder, maybe even as high as a 2nd, plus a good prospect.
Likely Suitors - Both Jakub Vrana and Brett Connolly have failed to light the lamp on a consistent basis for the Capitals, so they could look for added second-line scoring help. The Red Wings probably need someone with more offensive edge to their game than Darren Helm provides to slot onto the second line as well.
Likelihood - HIGH. GM Empty has no love for veterans on expiring contracts and as long as the ask remains reasonable this is one of the more likely trades to happen at deadline.
6) Thomas Vanek, MIN (LW) - GM Danny Smith remains both inscrutable and unflappable up in the wilds of Minnesota. Much will depend on whether he thinks the Cup is a realistic ask for his team this year; if not, the Wild would be well advised to cash in on Vanek, who garnered a lot of interest at the trade deadline last year. Unfortunately for the Wild, just 4 goals and 12 points in 50 games mean that whatever Vanek might command this time round, it will be nowhere near what they could have gotten last deadline.
Possible Ask - Vanek’s stock has really plummeted. The Wild would be lucky to get a 3rd or 4th rounder plus a project player.
Likely Suitors - NJD GM Jon Bolduc has shown himself unafraid to pay to get veteran snipers. Goalscoring has been a consistent issue for NYR, but cap concerns could stymie any potential move on their part.
Likelihood - LOW. The Wild have not been ones for getting involved in trades of late and they’re unlikely to start now, particularly given the comparative fall in Vanek’s value.
7) Andrei Markov, MTL (LD) – The Canadiens are pressed up hard against the cap like a fat kid with his face to the glass of a sweet shop. Moving Markov would make sense for Montreal; he remains a proven performer and should be a popular rental option that realises a good return, whilst also freeing up much-needed cap space. But as an avowed Habs fan GM Matt Gough has been known to be overly-sentimental towards his players in the past, so that might get in the way of a trade come deadline.
Possible Ask - Middling pick plus a good D prospect.
Likely Suitors - The Caps always seem to need more help on the backend, whilst the Canucks could arguably do with added depth on the blueline if they are to progress in the playoffs.
Likelihood - MEDIUM to LOW. Once a Hab, always a Hab, right?
8) Mark Streit, PHI (LD) - Streit continues to defy the ageing process with 24 points in 46 games this season. The Flyers are unlikely to be able to command what they paid to get him back from the Bruins earlier this season, but GM Bjorn Thelin has shown a knack for getting unlikely deals done (Matt Read, anyone?) so we could yet be surprised.
Possible Ask - 3rd rounder, but will probably have to settle for a 4th.
Likely Suitors - See comments above re: Markov, but also add on the Bruins given their prior interest in Streit and the good trading relationship between GM's Thelin and Beans.
Likelihood - MEDIUM. Streit might not command the value he did earlier this season, making the Flyers reluctant to trade.
9) Mathieu Perreault, WPG (W) - Perreault is on course for yet another 40 point season and would add scoring punch to a contending franchise in need of help in that area. A $3 million cap hit shouldn't prove an undue obstacle and whilst trading him would undoubtedly help the Jets in terms of their rebuild, the mystery surrounding the internal power-struggle at Winnipeg means that such a move is far from likely.
Possible Ask - The Jets are still rebuilding their roster, so a 3rd round draft pick or a good prospect seems a likely bet.
Likely Suitors - See above comments re: Iggy. Perreault would represent a cheaper option to should be a tempting alternative for the Caps and Red Wings, but also count in the Whalers given Matteau's paltry 10 points in 43 games on the 2nd line.
Likelihood - LOW. Dax? Dax!!? Helloooo...?
10) James Wisniewski, WSH (RD) - Production has dropped off noticeably after a career year last season. Washington could well seek to swap Wisniewski for a more defensively minded defenseman, whilst a contender in need of a puck-moving blueliner could be prepared to take a gamble on Wiz getting back to the form he showed last season.
Possible Ask - A defensive D who can help plug those annoying goals the caps keep conceding.
Likely Suitors - NYI, LAK and COL could all do with better passers on the blueline.
Likelihood - MEDIUM to LOW. Wiz is very much on the block, but the franchises named above might not be willing to make a move for him and it's hard to make a case for any others showing interest.