NHL commerce matchmaker: Predicting the place high targets go by the deadline, half 2

We are actually precisely 10 weeks away from the NHL’s March 7 commerce deadline.

That leaves sufficient runway for the wants of patrons and sellers to shift earlier than the most important choices are made — or for patrons and sellers to change locations. However in a season the place there’s already been loads of commerce motion, it’s not too quickly to attempt to discover some matches between groups and gamers obtainable on our newest NHL commerce huge board.

With that in thoughts, right here’s half two of trade-board matchmaker.

Crew: San Jose Sharks
Place: F
Shoots: L
Age: 32
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $5 million

LeBrun: Vegas Golden Knights

The 32-year-old Granlund leads the Sharks in scoring and is on tempo for a profession excessive in factors. He’s meant rather a lot to San Jose off the ice, too, so far as his management and affect across the kids. He additionally likes it there. All of which is to say, it’s not a slam dunk he will get dealt earlier than the deadline simply because he’s a pending unrestricted free agent. The expectation is that Granlund’s brokers, Todd Diamond and Mark Gandler, could have a dialogue within the new yr with Sharks common supervisor Mike Grier. However the staff might want to stability any potential extension with the form of gives it’ll get on the commerce market, and there will definitely be some. Granlund’s versatility of having the ability to play all three ahead positions with consolation will enchantment to contenders. He may additionally increase his commerce worth relying on his efficiency below the highlight taking part in for Finland within the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Wanting into my matchmaker crystal ball, let’s make him a Vegas Golden Knight. The Sharks and Knights acquired collectively on a commerce deadline deal a yr in the past involving Tomas Hertl. Retaining in thoughts Granlund’s versatility and the unlucky actuality of at all times caring about Mark Stone’s well being, I like the thought for Vegas of including this sort of depth.

Johnston: Minnesota Wild

Loads of water has handed below the bridge since Granlund was a first-round choose by the Wild who spent seven seasons taking part in for the group. Nonetheless, wouldn’t it’s a pleasant homecoming story? Minnesota may actually use a ahead who can toggle between heart and wing whereas chipping in with some offense. Granlund ticks all of these containers and may include an added stage of consolation given his familiarity with the group. The cap side will should be labored out since San Jose doesn’t have any retention spots nonetheless open and Minnesota has some added challenges whereas working in long-term injured reserve, however these aren’t sufficiently big hurdles to maintain this from taking place.

Crew: Philadelphia Flyers
Place: D
Shoots: R
Age: 30
Contract time period: 2027 UFA
AAV: $5.1 million

LeBrun: Winnipeg Jets

It wasn’t too way back that Ristolainen’s contract scared groups, but it surely’s humorous what occurs with a 20-minute-a-night, top-four defenseman finds his sport extra persistently, as he has this season. Abruptly, with the wage cap going up, a $5.1 million cap hit for the subsequent two and a half years isn’t so unhealthy in any respect. That’s why league sources say the Flyers have certainly acquired calls this season asking if they’d be prepared to maneuver Ristolainen. The reply from the Flyers is sure — if there’s a sure worth met. They might need a good prospect or younger participant in return or a mix of a prospect and a choose. And whereas buying and selling for a participant with time period on his contract isn’t your typical deadline deal since most contenders desire leases, I can see it interesting to some groups. For instance, the Jets. I’d prefer to see the Jets add the form of measurement on the fitting facet of their protection that Ristolainen would convey. And after giving up a first-round choose final season for rental Sean Monahan solely to see him depart July 1, and retaining in thoughts how tough it’s for the Jets to draw free brokers to Winnipeg, I like the thought of buying a participant below contract. So there you’ve got it, I’ve acquired the Cup-contending Jets taking over Ristolainen.

Might Rasmus Ristolainen find yourself within the Central Division? (Emilee Chinn / Getty Pictures)

Johnston: Dallas Stars

The Stars made an enormous splash by buying Chris Tanev forward of final yr’s deadline however have been unable to retain him in free company over the summer season. They haven’t but stuffed that gap on the fitting facet of their blue line. The time period remaining on Ristolainen’s contract matches in with the Stars’ win-now window, and the enhancements in his sport ought to maintain enchantment given how few defensive stoppers are anticipated to be obtainable within the market. Depth is crucial for any staff gearing up for an extended spring, and Dallas is all in on attempting to win the Stanley Cup.

Crew: Chicago Blackhawks
Place: F
Shoots: L
Age: 33
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $6 million

LeBrun: Utah HC

The Blackhawks truly haven’t dedicated but to buying and selling Corridor, though given the place they’re within the standings, one would think about that’s probably the most logical plan of action for the veteran pending unrestricted free agent. It hasn’t been the most effective of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, however one thing tells me {that a} transfer to a Cup contender would possibly ignite just a little flash from the previous Hart Trophy winner. He’s at all times been one of many smartest gamers within the league. The hockey IQ hasn’t dulled even when the skating has slowed down just a little. If the Hawks are prepared to eat a few of Corridor’s $6 million cap hit, there’s no query in my thoughts there will probably be a marketplace for him. Corridor has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, may have a task in serving to the Hawks discover a suitor. So hear me out right here: Utah HC as a purchaser! That is solely lifelike in a world through which Utah stays within the race within the second half. They might use just a little extra offense. Corridor has some brand-name cache that may be enjoyable to convey into the NHL’s latest market, and Utah has loads of cap room, plus a robust want to remain within the playoff chase.

Johnston: Colorado Avalanche

The Avs are one of many few high groups who may make room for Corridor of their high six, which is probably going the place a participant together with his talent set must play with a purpose to be handiest. The continued uncertainty round Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has gone greater than two and a half years with out taking part in whereas recovering from a cartilage transplant in his proper knee, makes the necessity for one more left winger extra pronounced. Corridor could not skate on the identical stage as earlier in his profession, however he’s nonetheless quicker than common and will maintain his personal alongside Nathan MacKinnon in top-line obligation if wanted. At minimal, he would give the Avalanche extra lineup flexibility than they take pleasure in now. The acquisition price additionally shouldn’t be too important for a veteran participant unlikely to be a part of the long-term answer for the rebuilding Blackhawks.

Crew: New York Rangers
Place: D
Shoots: R
Age: 28
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $2.7 million

LeBrun: Florida Panthers

The Rangers simply acquired Borgen, however he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and except New York can someway cease the bleeding and switch round its season, the Blueshirts will probably be sellers and open to flipping him. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Borgen would match properly in South Florida. I believe in some ways, pending unrestricted free agent David Savard is a extra apparent match for the Panthers given his previous relationship in Columbus with Panthers common supervisor Invoice Zito, and it wouldn’t shock me if Florida tried for Savard if it’s searching for a rental, right-shot D with some physicality who received’t break the financial institution. However Borgen can be the extra under-the-radar transfer if certainly the Rangers determine to make him obtainable.

Will Borgen, proper, has solely performed three video games for the Rangers, however he might be on the transfer once more. (Wendell Cruz / Imagn Pictures)

Johnston: Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have struggled since shedding Filip Hronek to a big lower-body damage earlier this month, they usually’re not anticipating him to play once more earlier than February. That’s uncovered a gaping want on the fitting facet of the blue line that administration has aggressively been attempting to deal with. Enter Borgen, who excels within the less-celebrated elements of the sport like penalty killing, which Vancouver can actually use. The stay-at-home defender is an effective skater who ought to be capable of step right into a second pairing on a staff and brings the form of measurement groups view as an added plus come playoff time. Borgen could have loads of suitors forward of the deadline, however there is probably not anybody extra motivated to pursue him than Vancouver.

Crew: Seattle Kraken
Place: F
Shoots: L
Age: 32
Contract time period: 2025 UFA
AAV: $3.5 million

LeBrun: New Jersey Devils

All indicators level to the pending unrestricted free agent winger getting dealt forward of the deadline if the Kraken aren’t within the playoff chase, which appears fairly seemingly as of now. My understanding is there are a number of contenders ready to see if/when Tanev is in the marketplace as a result of they need a crack at him. He brings the form of grindy sport most playoff groups are searching for. He’s a superb penalty killer who leads Seattle in shorthanded ice time. He received’t again down from anybody. I just like the Devils as a match. They’re searching for a bottom-six increase, and I can image Tanev discovering a pleasant spot in that Cup-contending lineup that has no scarcity of offensive expertise however may use just a little extra sandpaper.

Johnston: Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas went into the NHL’s vacation break with the league’s finest factors proportion, and there’s a robust expectation it’ll be seeking to beef up earlier than the deadline but once more. In truth, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Golden Knights pursue two forwards – one with extra offensive means, and a bottom-sixer to spherical out different components of the staff. Tanev falls into the latter class and should find yourself being the strongest participant with that talent set obtainable. A high-end skater who performs the sport arduous, it’s not tough to think about him becoming in with a staff accustomed to utilizing all 4 strains to win.

(Photograph of Mikael Granlund and Brandon Tanev: Eric Hartline / USA At this time and Alika Jenner / Getty Pictures)