The 2023 NHL trade deadline is Friday, March 3, at 3 p.m. ET. As in previous years, activity in the market will increase as the big day approaches, culminating in the usual blizzard of deals in the final hours leading up to the deadline.
Notable talent has already moved. On Jan. 30, the Vancouver Canucks traded center Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders. Ten days later, the New York Rangers acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues.
We can expect non-contending clubs to peddle players they can’t or won’t re-sign before their July 1 eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status. This year’s crop includes such notable stars as Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly.
San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier could also be on the move. He’ll be a restricted free agent this offseason, but they could prefer trading him rather than pay $10 million before July 1 to qualify his rights.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Coyotes could trade defenseman Jakob Chychrun following months of trade speculation stretching back to last season. Unlike the other stars in this season’s rumor mill, he’s under contract through 2024-25 and has an average annual value of $4.6 million.
They are among this season’s top trade candidates who could end up with playoff contenders by deadline day. Here’s our look at the ideal landing spots for each one.
Jakob Chychrun: Los Angeles Kings
A fixture in the rumor mill since last season, Jakob Chychrun has played well since he returned in November from offseason wrist surgery. The 24-year-old Arizona Coyotes defenseman has 28 points in 36 games with a plus/minus of plus-eight. He also carries an affordable $4.6 million salary-cap hit through 2024-25.
On Saturday, the Coyotes said Chychrun would be out of the lineup for at least a week for trade-related reasons. He would be a perfect fit with the Los Angeles Kings, who’ve made do with right-shot defenseman Sean Durzi on the left side of their blue line. If they can acquire Chychrun, they could slide Durzi back over to the right side.
Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong hasn’t wavered from his high asking price for Chychrun. On Feb. 7, PHNX’s Craig Morgan reported Armstrong still seeks two first-round picks and a second-rounder or a prospect equivalent.
The Kings could be unwilling to part with two first-round picks but have considerable depth in promising young talent. Perhaps a first-rounder along with right-shot defenseman Matt Roy ($3.2 million cap hit), a second-rounder and a prospect such as Jordan Spence or 2019 first-rounder Alex Turcotte might tempt Armstrong to part with Chychrun.
Vladislav Gavrikov: Edmonton Oilers
Though he’s not as big a name as the others on this list, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Columbus Blue Jackets could be among the most sought-after players in this year’s trade market. The 27-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. On Tuesday, the Blue Jackets announced they scratched him from their lineup for trade-related reasons.
A left-shot blueliner who can chip in offensively, Gavrikov carries an affordable $2.8 million salary-cap hit. That could make him enticing to cap-strapped playoff contenders such as the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reported the Leafs could be unwilling to part with their 2023 first-round pick or top prospect Matthew Knies.
The Oilers, however, could be in a better position to make an enticing offer to the Jackets. On Feb. 8, Oilers general manager Ken Holland told TSN podcast Got Yer Back he’s looking at a “dollar-in, dollar-out” scenario. Perhaps he could convince the Jackets to part with Gavrikov by offering winger Jesse Puljujärvi ($3 million cap hit) along with a first-round pick.
Oilers fans might howl against bundling a first with Puljujärvi for Gavrikov, but it might be necessary to their club’s hopes for a Stanley Cup run. Edmonton needs skilled, experienced and affordable depth beyond Darnell Nurse on the left side of their blue line. Gavrikov could prove to be a worthwhile addition.