The March 3 trade deadline is three months away, but the NHL rumor mill is already buzzing. One notable report: the Chicago Blackhawks aren't convinced Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will waive their no-trade clauses.
That doesn't mean Kane or Toews, both pending unrestricted free agents, won't be traded prior to the deadline. But at the very least, the report suggests neither will be leaving Chicago soon. So let's put the discussion about those players aside and focus on three others who could be moved sooner than later: Brock Boeser, Timo Meier, and Jakob Chychrun.
What are the facts of each player's current situation? What unique context surrounds them? And what are some possible landing spots?
Brock Boeser
Facts of the situation: Just five months after signing a three-year, $19.95-million contract extension, Boeser's Canucks tenure may be nearing an end.
Vancouver, a seemingly directionless franchise with a losing record, several burdensome contracts, and a middling prospect pool, is stuck in no man's land. Despite his own recent struggles, Boeser is one of the Canucks' top trade chips.
On the surface, this season's results look fine. Boeser, 25, has recorded four goals and 12 assists in 19 games, which is in line with his career average. Below the surface, though, there are a few red flags; the winger's five-on-five goal-scoring and shot-based metrics are down from last season.
Clearly, Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau isn't pleased. Boudreau planned to make Boeser a healthy scratch for last Saturday's game against the Arizona Coyotes before a teammate's injury forced Boeser back in the lineup.
Boeser ended up potting a goal, but the planned scratch stung. It was Hockey Fights Cancer night and Boeser, whose dad died of cancer in May, said "it hurt bad" to learn he was scheduled to miss such an important moment.
It's fair to say a change of scenery is in the best interest of player and team.
Context and landing spots: Boeser hasn't specifically asked for a trade, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. However, there's reportedly an understanding between his camp and the Canucks that he'd prefer a move.