NHL Trade Bait Tracker: August’s hot list includes big stars
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL may be in the hot days of a long summer in August, but September is just weeks away. That means players starting to report to their teams for the start of training camp.
As the anticipation builds, it doesn’t stop the rumor mill from churning. Heading into the 2022-23 season, some very big names are going to remain high on this list until the trade deadline.
Let’s have a look at who could be moved between now and the next trade deadline.
NHL Trade Bait Tracker
| Rank | Player (Team) | POS | AGE | TERM – AAV |
| 1 | J.T. Miller (VAN) | F | 29 | 1 YEAR – $5.25M |
| 2 | Jakob Chychrun (ARI) | D | 24 | 3 YEARS – $4.6M |
| 3 | Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 4 | Patrick Kane (CHI) | F | 33 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 5 | Anthony Beauvillier (NYI) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4.15M |
| 6 | Josh Anderson (MTL) | F | 28 | 5 YEARS – $5.5M |
| 7 | Jonathan Toews (CHI) | C | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 8 | Jake DeBrusk (BOS) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
| 9 | John Gibson (ANA) | G | 29 | 5 YEARS – $6.4M |
| 10 | Blake Wheeler (WPG) | F | 35 | 2 YEARS – $8.25M |
A look at the top 5 trade candidates
J.T. Miller: There’s always a chance that the Canucks leading scorer with 99 points in 80 games last season re-signs with Vancouver. Miller has one year left on his current deal at a very affordable $5.25M cap hit. Rumors indicate that his next contract will be in the 5-7 year range with an AAV around $8.5M. The skilled and gritty forward recently said that the two sides are not close on an extension. Although he’d like to stay, he acknowledged that he could be traded.
Jakob Chychrun: The Coyotes were asking for a package that started with a first round pick, a young player, and a prospect. Just prior to the 2022 NHL Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets were trying to make a move to acquire him but have since spent their money on Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine. Chychrun registered 21 points in 47 games last season and indicated he’s like to be moved.
Vladimir Tarasenko: Latest reports indicate that Tarasenko has not rescinded his trade request and is very open to a move. He’s entering the final year of his contract which comes with an AAV of $7.5 million. Tarasenko is also coming off a great season where he recorded 34 goals and 82 points in 75 games. If he isn’t willing to extend, the Blues will most certainly deal him at the deadline.
Patrick Kane: Before the season ended, Kane sounded open to being part of the rebuild with the Blackhawks. With one year left on a deal that hits the cap at $10.5 million and a full no-move clause, it’s really up to him if he wants to go. He registered 92 points in 76 games last season and would return a haul of picks and prospects for Chicago. Look for this to be a trade near the deadline with the New York Rangers as the top destination.
Anthony Beauvillier: One name that has started to pop up around the NHL Rumor Mill is Beauvillier. With the New York Islanders reportedly working on bringing in top UFA Nazem Kadri, they will need to start freeing up cap space. Beauvillier scored 34 points in 74 games in 2021-22.
