The roster freeze is currently in effect this holiday season in the NHL. While no trades can be made before Dec. 27, that won't stop teams from having discussions to improve their rosters.
Already, there have been real transactions over the last two weeks: Alexandre Carrier, Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, Cam Fowler and Mackenzie Blackwood all have a new address. There's very little chance that Mitch Marner or Mikko Rantanen will be traded, but what about Chris Kreider? Could he be traded if the New York Rangers continue their free fall?
Instead of speculating about which players might be traded, let's have a little fun. Looking at teams across the league, from contenders to draft lottery winners, let's find new homes for players with seemingly logical trades, or others who have already been traded. rumors.
Chris Kreider
The Bruins have little depth on offense, particularly on the left flank. Their power play is anemic, ranking 31st at 12.9% efficiency. The Bruins are struggling to produce significantly offensively.
Kreider is a pillar of the Rangers' power play, leading the franchise in goals scored on the power play. Dominating like this, within one of the original six NHL clubs, does not happen by chance. Kreider is a particularly effective presence in front of the net. He also brings an element of speed, and he would immediately become the Bruins' best left winger, likely playing alongside Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak.
Things have gone horribly wrong in New York this season and Kreider is under contract for two more seasons at an average annual salary of $6.5 million. While Kreider has a valid no-trade clause for 15 teams, it's hard to imagine the Bruins being on the Massachusetts native's list.
An NHL executive has raised the idea of trading Brad Marchand for Chris Kreider. While this possibility seems unlikely given Marchand's position in the Bruins organization as team captain, Kreider is younger and faster, and the Rangers could relish the status of an unrestricted free agent in the making. de Marchand as they look to rebuild their team.
The one-for-one trade would certainly be surprising, but it would solve two problems: It would give the Rangers flexibility beyond this season and it would give Boston a legitimate threat on the left side.
Boeser for Byram or Miller
It's no secret that the Canucks are looking for a young, mobile defenseman. Besides Quinn Hughes, the Canucks have difficulty in transition. They struggle to defend fast breaks and get the puck up from behind their net.
Talks between Brock Boeser's camp and the Canucks haven't progressed much, and the forward is likely looking for an $8 million per year contract coming off a 40-goal season . The reality of the NHL is that wingers, especially those whose contracts are expiring, are not traded for what fans think they are worth.
So what are the options?
The Canucks have been interested in Bowen Byram for a few seasons, and it's no secret that something needs to happen in Buffalo. Byram took a step forward with the Sabres, getting minutes from a top-4 guard and playing on the power play in the absence of Rasmus Dahlin. He would be a good option for the Canucks' second power play unit.
K'Andre Miller's name has been floating around recently, and he's another player the Canucks would be interested in, as head coach Rick Tocchet likes big defensemen. Miller turns 25 in January, and the 6'5″ is a pending restricted free agent eligible for arbitration. Miller is the Rangers player averaging the most time on the ice at 5-on-5 per game this season, over 17 minutes. He carries the puck efficiently, kills penalties and fits the archetype of a defenseman Tocchet appreciates.
Currently on the injured list, Miller is a player that many teams are interested in. Dealing Boeser to the Rangers could make sense because he is a big threat on the right flank and the BlueShirts have the space under the salary cap to extend his contract.
Whether it's Byram or Miller, the Canucks need a top-4 defenseman, and they could use Boeser to acquire such a player if they don't think they can sign him to an extension.
Let's be clear: this is far from the best idea. But let's still think about what the Canucks could get in exchange for a player of Pettersson's caliber, if Vancouver wanted to resolve the conflict between Pettersson and his teammate JT Miller.
Pettersson is an elite NHL player who is under contract until 2031-32, with an average annual salary of $11.6 million. His no-trade clause doesn't come into effect until next July, meaning the Canucks can trade him without his agreement.
As noted above, Byram is a young, mobile defenseman who would likely become the Canucks' second-best defenseman upon arrival in Vancouver. Alex Tuch is another player the Canucks would be interested in because he brings speed, physical play and talent at a very reasonable price. Tuch, however, is from Western New York and the Sabers don't appear to want to trade him.
The player to target would rather be Dylan Cozens, a 23-year-old right-handed center who has five years remaining on his contract at an average annual salary of $7.1 million. Byram needs a new contract this summer, and it's likely he and Cozens command a combined salary similar to Pettersson's $11.6 million per year.
If the Canucks were to trade Pettersson – and again, let's emphasize that this is a bad idea – acquiring a second-line center and a top defenseman (both 23 years old ) would be a fair return.
Ivan Provorov to balance the Oilers defense
Provorov is in the final year of his contract and can be acquired by the Oilers at a cost of $2,362,500 on their payroll. The addition of the veteran makes sense because of how the Oilers currently deploy their defense pairings.
The unions of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard on the first pair and Darnell Nurse and Brett Kulak on the second were successful. By placing Provorov on the third pair for less than $2.5 million with Troy Stecher or Ty Emberson on the right side, the Oilers have more balanced depth heading into the playoffs.
Provorov plays in all situations, can handle considerable minutes and can relieve other defensemen in the Oilers lineup when needed. He recovers and moves the puck very well, a vital skill in the playoffs.
Columbus would have every right to ask for a first-round pick, a top prospect, or an established young player in return. While acquiring Provorov won't come cheap, the Oilers came as close as possible to the ultimate goal last season and should be ready for anything this season, as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are in full possession of their means.
Yanni Gourde, center of the Maple Leafs' 3rd trio
Yanni Gourde
Under the direction of Craig Berube, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. The Maple Leafs, however, have been plagued by injuries this season and cannot afford another early exit from the playoffs.
Yanni Gourde would be a great fit as a third-line center; he excels on the forecheck, can kill penalties and contributes offensively. When Berube won the Stanley Cup in St. Louis, Tyler Bozak was the center of his third line. The latter was a solid two-way center who possessed qualities similar to those of Gourde (who won the Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning).
In Toronto's current situation, Max Domi occupies this third center position. Moving him to the wing alongside John Tavares and Matthew Knies is an option, meaning a third line of Bobby McMann, Gourde and Max Pacioretty, who distributes the shoulder shots, could provide the combination forechecking and physical play that Berube likes.
Nick Robertson has long been considered a player who could be dealt in return in this type of transaction. Seattle's recent acquisition of Kaapo Kakko shows that the team is willing to take risks with players who are no longer popular with their club. Getting rid of Robertson, however, would not be enough to allow the Leafs to respect the salary cap with the arrival of Gourde, and even Seattle agreed to pay part of the Quebecer's contract.
Granlund to fill void in Dallas
After losing the services of Tyler Seguin for the remainder of the season, the Dallas Stars have $9.85 million in cap space and need to fill a major offensive void.
Granlund is in the final year of his contract with the San Jose Sharks. He's producing at a point-per-game pace and would fit in perfectly in Dallas. His ability to play center and wing makes him interesting for the Stars. Granlund can produce at even strength and in numerical superiority. He plays on the top line in San Jose, but he should be able to produce and remain a threat on the power play in a more limited role for the Stars.
Dallas has both enough cap space and prospects to make a trade interesting for San Jose.
See you at the World Juniors
There will certainly be other depth players traded before the March 7 trade deadline, and one thing is for sure: there will be spectacular returns for some of these players.
Some trades have already taken place, and it's possible we'll see some earlier trades this season. Teams don't want to be left without the “missing piece” this season, and it appears some of them are willing to make deals they haven't been willing to make in the past.
The next World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa will be a fertile ground for numerous transactions. It is easier for general managers to fly, observe players and meet their teams and colleagues than if the tournament were held overseas. It's an opportunity for many to get together and talk, observe the players they're interested in and formulate a plan. However, for now, we must wait for the end of the enrollment freeze.
