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The NHL trade deadline is now three weeks away, landing on a Friday this season, March 3. In some cases, certain teams are still deciding whether to buy or sell, while other have decided to act early.
Just before the all-star break, the Vancouver Canucks took Bo Horvat off the trade board by sending him to the N.Y. Islanders, and then Lou Lamoriello quelled any ideas of flipping the player when he signed him to a max term extension. And last week, the New York Rangers added a couple of players we had on our trade-candidates list, acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola from the St. Louis Blues.
What does this week have in store? Who is the next big name to go?
Here is a look at our updated list of 30 trade candidates who you’re going to hear about in the coming weeks.
John Klingberg, D, Anaheim Ducks
After leaving Dallas as a free agent, Klingberg signed a one-year pact with rebuilding Anaheim to re-establish his value, but it’s been a bit of a struggle to get to 20 points in 45 games. Despite getting heavy shift starts in the offensive zone, Klingberg has one of the worst expected-goals-percentage rates on the Ducks. A pure offensive player, Klingberg may nonetheless attract a buyer who especially needs help on the power play.
Maxime Comtois, LW, Anaheim Ducks
Two years ago, Comtois was a 16-goal scorer on the rise at 22 years of age, but now has become one of Anaheim’s more confounding players. He’s played 94 regular-season games since that breakout season, totalling 11 goals and 25 points. A second-round pick in 2017, Comtois is set to become an RFA, due a $2.445 million qualifying offer this summer, and the Ducks — after a disaster of a season — may be wise to see what they can get for him and shake up some of what is clearly not working. He was made a healthy scratch for Sunday’s game.
Jakob Chychrun, D, Arizona Coyotes
Eyebrows were raised Saturday night when Chychrun was scratched by the Coyotes for “trade-related” reasons. Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek reported that it wasn’t the Oilers or Maple Leafs who were close to pulling the trigger, but it does appear this could be nearing a conclusion. The 24-year-old offensive defenceman has a very valuable contract with term and a manageable cap hit, and has an impressive 28 points in 36 games this season.
Karel Vejmelka, G, Arizona Coyotes
His age, 26, and manageable AAV with term make him an attractive asset, and Vejmelka has performed fairly well behind Arizona’s leaky defence. In Year 2 as Arizona’s starter, Vejmelka has a 14-17-5 record with a .906 save percentage and 3.24 GAA. By MoneyPuck’s Goals Saved Above Expected measure — which considers shots against quality and team defence — Vejmelka ranks ninth overall. The Coyotes won’t be under pressure to deal him though, and may hold on to him past March 3.