NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Alex DeBrincat is the new top candidate
Anthony Scultore
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The Daily Goal Horn’s presents its NHL Trade Bait Tracker for the 2022 Offseason. With our previous #1 candidate Kevin Fiala being traded to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, we now have a new top target.
Alex DeBrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks leads the latest edition of the NHL Trade Bait Tracker. GM Kyle Davidson noted yesterday upon introducing new head coach Luke Richardson that the only “untouchable” players are those with full no-move clauses. That takes Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane off the board. Seth Jones is the other Hawks’ player with a full NMC.
Behind DeBrincat is new name, Winnipeg Jets pending RFA Pierre-Luc Dubois is now number 2 after reports surfaced that he wants to test the UFA market in 2024. The New York Rangers are already reported to be in talks to acquire him.
The 2022 NHL offseason should be very interesting with so many teams looking for ways to create cap space. While the NHL salary cap going up only by $1 Million to $82.5M, it still is a much needed increase but not enough for many contenders.
Now that the offseason is in full swing, these 30 players will be at the forefront of rumors.
NHL Trade Bait Tracker for the 2022 Offseason
| Rank | Player (Team) | POS | AGE | TERM – AAV |
| 1 | Alex DeBrincat (CHI) | F | 24 | 1 YEAR – $6.4M |
| 2 | Pierre-Luc Dubois (WPG) | C | 24 | RFA – $5M |
| 3 | Jakob Chychrun (ARI) | D | 24 | 3 YEARS – $4.6M |
| 4 | Tyson Barrie (EDM) | D | 30 | 2 YEARS – $4.5M |
| 5 | J.T. Miller (VAN) | F | 29 | 1 YEAR – $5.25M |
| 6 | Sean Monahan (CGY) | C | 27 | 1 YEAR – $6.75M |
| 7 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $4.75M |
| 8 | Brock Boeser (VAN) | F | 25 | RFA – $5.875M |
| 9 | Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM) | F | 24 | RFA – $1.175M |
| 10 | Ethan Bear (CAR) | D | 24 | RFA – $2M |
| 11 | Patric Hornqvist (FLA) | F | 35 | 1 YEAR – $5.3M |
| 12 | Jeff Petry (MTL) | D | 34 | 3 YEARS – $6.25M |
| 13 | Alexandar Georgiev (NYR) | G | 26 | RFA – $2.425M |
| 14 | Mark Scheifele (WPG) | C | 29 | 2 YEARS – $6.125M |
| 15 | Pavel Zacha (NJD) | C | 25 | RFA – $2.25M |
| 16 | Semyon Varlamov (NYI) | G | 34 | 1 YEAR – $5M |
| 17 | Justin Holl (TOR) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $2M |
| 18 | Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) | G | 33 | 4 YEARS – $10M |
| 19 | Josh Anderson (MTL) | F | 28 | 5 YEARS – $5.5M |
| 20 | John Gibson (ANA) | G | 28 | 5 YEARS – $6.4M |
| 21 | Vitali Kravtsov (NYR) | F | 22 | RFA – $925K |
| 22 | Blake Wheeler (WPG) | F | 35 | 2 YEARS – $8.25M |
| 23 | Jake DeBrusk (BOS) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
| 24 | Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 25 | Dominik Kubalik (CHI) | F | 26 | RFA – $3.7M |
| 26 | Jonathan Drouin (MTL) | F | 25 | 1 YEAR – $5.5M |
| 27 | Kaapo Kakko (NYR) | F | 21 | RFA – $925K |
| 28 | Conor Garland (VAN) | F | 26 | 4 YEARS – $4.95M |
| 29 | Alex Killorn (TBL) | F | 32 | 1 YEAR- $4.45M |
| 30 | Nils Lundkvist (NYR) | D | 21 | 1 YEAR – $925K |
A look at the top five trade candidates
Alex DeBrincat: This is a name that just won’t go away from the trade rumor mill. The 24 year-old has just one more year at $6.4 million and will be getting max term in his next deal. However, if the Blackhawks are dead serious about rebuilding, there is no asset that will bring back a bigger return. In 82 games, DeBrincat potted 41 goals and 78 points.
Pierre-Luc Dubois: Rocketing to the near top of the list is pending RFA Dubois after informing the Winnipeg Jets that he will test the UFA market when eligible in 2024. The 24 year-old posted 28 goals and 60 points in 81 games this past season. He’s wrapping up a two-year deal with an AAV of $5M and will be highly sought after as he was when the Blue Jackets traded him two seasons ago.
Jakob Chychrun: When it was announced that Chychrun suffered a lower-body injury that would keep him out 2-4 weeks, it basically put the kibosh on a trade at the deadline last season. Chychrun openly expressed his disappointment in not being moved. The Coyotes were asking for a package that started with a first round pick, a young player, and a prospect. They will likely get that at the draft. Keep an eye on the Ducks, Kings, and Islanders.
Tyson Barrie: The Edmonton Oilers would like to re-sign Evander Kane after a successful run but they will need to clear some cap space and Barrie is a perfect candidate. However, how many teams can take on his cap hit of $4.5M for another two years is the key question. Maybe the offense starved Seattle Kraken are a fit.
J.T. Miller: He was the Canucks leading scorer with 99 points in 80 games this past season. He has one year left on his current deal which comes at a very affordable $5.25M cap hit. The problem for the Canucks is what will his next contract look like? Speculation has it that a new deal in the 5-7 year range with an $8.5M AAV is very likely. Do the Canucks want to go that high? He’s been shopped since February of last season and appears to be on his way out.
