NHL Rumors: Staal brothers open to a trade, and top prospects available at the deadline

Anthony Scultore |

Mar 9, 2021

The Buffalo Sabres are going to tear this down in some way shape or form. They can’t win and are as dysfunctional a team on ice I’ve seen in ages. Something has to change and it will.

NHL Rumors: Eric and Marc Staal open to a trade

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period is reporting that both Eric and Marc Staal are open to trades to a contender. Marc plays in Detroit and he’s also my top trade deadline target from the Red Wings.

Dennis Bernstein from TFP cited that the Panthers would be a good fit with the Florida Panthers so that will be something to look out for.

Per source, Buffalo Sabres centre Eric Staal is open to a move to a contender and the expectation is a deal will occur before the April 12 trade deadline.@irfgaffar, @DennisTFP and I discuss more on the subject in our report here: pic.twitter.com/uNzIs45KHP
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 9, 2021

NHL Rumors: Top Prospects that could be moved

While there’s a lot of talk about which NHL stars or players may be available at the deadline, what’s overlooked are what prospects could be moved to acquire them.

Corey Pronman of The Athletic didn’t miss the boat on this one as he presented 13 potential prospects that could be traded. In reviewing the list three stand out for me, plus I’ve added one of my own.

Morgan Geekie, C/CAR
Klim Kostin, F/STL
Timothy Liljegren, D/TOR

The Hurricanes are battling it out for a division title and would definitely be players in the market. Geekie is projected to be a solid NHL center, likely in a team’s bottom six. With the Canes needing to get past the Panthers and Lightning I can see them moving him for a veteran NHL player.

The Blues are likely not going to win the division but will need to get by the heavily favored Golden Knights. Kostin will most certainly help them acquire any needed piece at the deadline. A big forward that NHL teams would take a chance on.

Toronto is in the hunt for forward depth and may part with Timothy Liljegren in order to get it. I think many Leafs fans will flip out seeing his name and may lose their minds if he’s traded for a depth player – my question to them is simple. What would you do to win the Cup?

Jun 22, 2018; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers right wing Vitali Kravtsov (74) poses for a photo with team representatives after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, my add is Vitali Kravtsov of the New York Rangers. He’s unlikely to be dealt at the deadline – unless Jack Eichel is the one being moved. New York is overloaded with wingers and defensemen. An embarrassment of riches and they all won’t play on Broadway – I’ve been told as much. Kravtsov would likely be a big chip in the Rangers quest for a top center.