East Division Trade Targets: Top player to trade for from each team
Anthony Scultore
|
The NHL trade deadline is less than two months away. Let’s take a look at one potential trade target from each team in the East Division. They will range from names churning in the rumor mill to some intriguing possibilities as well.
Related: North Division Trade Targets
East Division NHL Trade Targets
Boston Bruins – David Krejci (C, UFA at $7.25M): The 34 year-old has no goals and 10 assists in 15 games. He is a smart veteran center that due to his UFA status teams will look in on as a rental. That being said, the Bruins are a contender and probably see more value in keeping him and letting him walk for nothing at free agency.
Buffalo Sabres – Eric Staal (C, UFA at $3.25M): There are plenty of players teams will be asking Buffalo about at the deadline. Taylor Hall would be the obvious choice but rumors say he may want to re-sign with the Sabres. That’s why 36 year-old Eric Staal makes more sense for contenders this year, and he’ll come cheap – maybe a mid round pick
New Jersey Devils – Kyle Palmieri (FWD, UFA at $4.65M): The Devils are likely to be sellers at the deadline and will have a few players to offer up. Out of them all, teams are likely to ask for 30 year-old Palmieri. He currently has 9 points in 12 games.
New York Islanders – Casey Cizikas (C, UFA at $3.35M): The Islanders will continue to offer up the unwanted Leo Komarov in hopes of shedding is $3M cap hit but teams will probably come asking for Cizikas. The 29 year-old is just what playoffs teams want. Unless the Isles are out of it, I doubt they move him.
New York Rangers – Pavel Buchnevich (RW, RFA $3.25M): The Rangers are a very interesting team come this trade deadline. Will they be ready to pounce if Jack Eichel demands a trade? Is there another center that becomes available? Will they be sellers? Just note that Pavel Buchnevich is ready for a nice pay raise and is an RFA at season’s end. Teams will come asking for the 25 year-old with 12 points in 16 games.
Philadelphia Flyers – Travis Sanheim (D, RFA $3.25M): While the Flyers would love to move Jame van Riemsdyk and his $7M cap hit, or Shayne Gostisbehere’s $4.5M – I doubt there will be takers. Philly is also a buyer at the deadline, but it won’t stop some teams from checking in on 24 year-old defender Travis Sanheim.
Pittsburgh Penguins – Kris Letang (D, 1 year left at $7.25M): Yes, I heard Brian Burke say the Penguins are in win-now mode. But there will be teams that feel they are a Kris Letang away from the Cup. They will also want to get ahead of other teams should the Penguins fail to make the playoffs and start moving aging stars like the 33 year-old Letang.
Washington Capitals – Conor Sheary (FWD, UFA $735k): The Capitals are likely going to be buyers but if there was one obvious candidate to other teams to target it’s 28 year-old Sheary. He’s a depth forward that the Caps could get a draft pick for.
Note: Up next Central trade targets!