NHL Trade Matchmaker: Predicting Where Top Targets Will Go Before the Deadline, Part 2 – Blogging Sole

We are now exactly 10 weeks away from NHLThe trade deadline is March 7.

This leaves enough room for the needs of buyers and sellers to change before the most important decisions are made – or for buyers and sellers to change places. But in a season where there has already been a lot of trade action, it’s not too early to try to find fits between teams and players available on our latest Big NHL trade chart.

With that in mind, here is part two of the swap board matchmaker.

Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: F
Shots: L
Age: 32
Duration of the contract: AUF 2025
AAV: 5 million dollars

Le Brun: Vegas Golden Knights

Granlund, 32, leads the Sharks in scoring and is on pace to reach a career high in points. He also means a lot to San Jose off the ice, in terms of his leadership and influence with young people. He also likes it there. All that to say, this isn’t a slam dunk he gets before the deadline just because he’s a pending unrestricted free agent. Granlund’s agents, Todd Diamond and Mark Gandler, are expected to have a discussion in the new year with Sharks general manager Mike Grier. But the team will have to balance any potential extension with the type of offers they receive on the trade market, and there certainly will be some. Granlund’s versatility, able to comfortably play all three forward positions, will appeal to suitors. He could also increase his trade value depending on his performance in the spotlight playing for Finland in the 4 Nations showdown in February. Looking into my matchmaker crystal ball, let’s make him a Vegas Golden Knight. The Sharks and Knights came together a year ago on a trade deal involving Thomas Hertl. Keeping in mind Granlund’s versatility and the unfortunate reality of always being concerned about Marc PierreAs far as health goes, I like the idea for Vegas to add that kind of depth.

Johnston: Minnesota Wild

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since Granlund was selected in the first round by the wild who spent seven seasons playing for the organization. Still, wouldn’t it be a great coming home story? Minnesota could really use a forward who can switch between center and wing while contributing offensively. Granlund checks all of those boxes and should benefit from an added level of comfort given his familiarity with the organization. The cap aspect will need to be addressed since San Jose doesn’t have any retention spots open yet and Minnesota has additional challenges when operating on long-term injured reserve, but those hurdles aren’t big enough to prevent this from happening.

Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: D
Shots: A.
Age: 30
Duration of the contract: UFA 2027
AAV: $5.1 million

Le Brun: Winnipeg Jets

It wasn’t long ago that Ristolainen’s contract scared teams away, but it’s funny what happens with a 20-minute-a-night, top-four defenseman who finds his game more consistent, as he did it this season. So, with the increase in the salary cap, a cap hit of $5.1 million for the next two and a half years isn’t that bad at all. That’s why league sources say the Flyers actually received calls this season asking if they would be willing to move Ristolainen. The Flyers’ answer is yes, provided a certain price is reached. They would want a good prospect or a young player or a combination of a prospect and a pick in return. And while trading for a player on an expiry contract isn’t a typical futures deal since most suitors prefer rentals, I can see it appealing to a few teams. For example, the Jets. I’d like to see the Jets add the kind of size to the right side of their defense that Ristolainen would bring. And after giving up a first-round pick last season for rental Sean Monahan only to see him leave on July 1, and considering how difficult it is for the Jets to attract free agents to Winnipeg, I like the idea of ​​acquiring a player under contract. So there you have it, the Cup-contending Jets face Ristolainen.

Johnston: Dallas Stars

The Stars caused a sensation by acquiring Chris Tanev before last year’s deadline but failed to retain him in free agency over the summer. They have yet to fill that hole on the right side of their blue line. The remaining length of Ristolainen’s contract fits within the Stars’ immediate win window, and improvements to his game should remain attractive given how few defensive stoppers are expected to be available on the market. Depth is essential for any team preparing for a long spring, and Dallas is determined to try to win the Stanley Cup.

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: F
Shots: L
Age: 33
Duration of the contract: AUF 2025
AAV: 6 million dollars

Le Brun: Utah HC

The Blackhawks have not yet committed to trading Hall, although given their position in the standings, one would imagine that is the most logical course of action for the veteran pending unrestricted free agent. It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, but something tells me a move to a Cup contender might spark a little flash from the former Hart Trophy winner. He has always been one of the smartest players in the league. The hockey IQ hasn’t blunted even if the skating has slowed down a bit. If the Hawks are willing to eat some of Hall’s $6 million cap hit, there is no doubt in my mind that there will be a market for him. Hall has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, could play a role in helping the Hawks find a suitor. So hear me out here: Utah HC as a buyer! This is only realistic in a world in which Utah stays in the race in the second half. They could use a little more offense. Hall has some brand cache that would be fun to introduce to the new NHL market, and Utah has plenty of room to run, as well as a strong desire to stay in the playoff race.

Johnston: Colorado Avalanche

The Avs are one of the few top teams that could make room for Hall in their top six, which is likely where a player with his skill set needs to play to be most effective. Lingering uncertainty surrounding Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskogwho went more than two and a half years without playing while recovering from a cartilage graft in his right knee, makes the need for another left winger more pronounced. Hall may not be skating at the same level as he did early in his career, but he’s still faster than average and could hold his own Nathan Mackinnon in front line service if necessary. At a minimum, he would give the Avalanche more flexibility than they currently enjoy. The acquisition cost also shouldn’t be too great for a veteran player unlikely to be part of the long-term solution for the rebuilding Blackhawks.

Team: New York Rangers
Position: D
Shots: A.
Age: 28
Duration of the contract: AUF 2025
AAV: $2.7 million

Le Brun: Florida Panthers

The Rangers just acquired Borgen, but he is a pending unrestricted free agent and unless New York can somehow stop the bleeding and turn around its season, the Blueshirts will be sellers and ready to overthrow him. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Borgen would fit in well in South Florida. I think in many ways, pending unrestricted free agent status David Savard is a more obvious choice for the Panthers given his past relationship in Columbus with Panthers general manager Bill Zito, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Florida tried for Savard if they’re looking for a rental D, right-hander with some physics who will win. I won’t go broke. But Borgen would be the quietest move if the Rangers do indeed decide to make him available.

Johnston: Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have struggled since their loss Filip Hronek suffered a significant lower-body injury earlier this month, and they don’t expect him to play again until February. This highlighted a gaping need on the right side of the blue line that management attempted to address aggressively. Enter Borgen, who excels in the less famous parts of the game like the penalty kill, which Vancouver can certainly use. The stay-at-home defenseman is a good skater who should be able to slot into a second pairing on a team and brings the kind of size teams need as an added advantage in the playoffs. Borgen will have plenty of suitors before the deadline, but there may be no one more motivated to pursue him than Vancouver.

Team: Seattle Kraken
Position: F
Shots: L
Age: 32
Duration of the contract: AUF 2025
AAV: $3.5 million

Le Brun: New Jersey Devils

All signs point to the pending unrestricted free agent winger being dealt before the deadline if the Kraken aren’t in the playoff race, which seems pretty likely at the moment. My understanding is that there are several competitors waiting to see if/when Tanev hits the market because they want a chance against him. He brings the kind of gritty play that most playoff teams are looking for. He is an excellent penalty killer who leads Seattle on the penalty kill. He will not back down from anyone. I like Devils in Shape. They’re looking for a bottom-six boost, and I can imagine Tanev finding a nice spot on this Cup-contending roster that has no shortage of offensive talent but could use a little more sandpaper.

Johnston: Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas entered the NHL holiday with the best points percentage in the league, and is highly expected to look to strengthen once again before the deadline. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Golden Knights pursue two forwards – one with more offensive ability and one to complement the other pieces on the team. Tanev falls into the latter category and could end up being the strongest player with this skill set available. A high-end skater who plays hard, it’s not hard to imagine him fitting into a team accustomed to using all four lines to win.

(Photo by Mikael Granlund and Brandon Tanev: Eric Hartline / USA Today and Alika Jenner / Getty Images)