NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Early deadline rentals starting to emerge
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Trade Bait Tracker has been updated with 20 players listed well in advance of the trade deadline on March 3, 2023.
Jakob Chychrun remains at the top of the list as he’s expected to be moved after he returns from injury. There’s been no timetable as he’s dealing with a setback to his wrist injury from last season.
Now that we are starting to near U.S. Thanksgiving, which is an unofficial milestone date for NHL GM’s to start addressing holes with their rosters. Some clear rentals are populating the list. They are easily denoted as having only 1 year left on their current deals and thus making them an unrestricted free agent come July.
Let’s take a closer look at who could be moved between now and the trade deadline.
NHL Trade Bait Tracker
| Rank | Player (Team) | POS | AGE | TERM – AAV |
| 1 | Jakob Chychrun (ARI) | D | 24 | 3 YEARS – $4.6M |
| 2 | Patrick Kane (CHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 3 | Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 4 | Jonathan Toews (CHI) | C | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 5 | Bo Horvat (VAN) | C | 27 | 1 YEAR – $5.5M |
| 6 | Dylan Larkin (DET) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6.1M |
| 7 | Ryan O’Reilly (STL) | F | 31 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 8 | John Klingberg (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
| 9 | Matt Dumba (MIN) | D | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
| 10 | Torey Krug (STL) | D | 31 | 5 YEARS – $6.5M |
| 11 | Sean Monahan (MTL) | C | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6.375M |
| 12 | James van Riemsdyk (PHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
| 13 | Max Pacioretty (CAR) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
| 14 | Jonathan Quick (LAK) | G | 37 | 1 YEAR – $5.8M |
| 15 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) | F | 28 | 1 YEAR – $4.75M |
| 16 | Blake Wheeler (WPG) | F | 36 | 2 YEARS – $8.25M |
| 17 | Mike Hoffman (MTL) | F | 32 | 2 YEARS – $4.5M |
| 18 | Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA) | D | 34 | 1 YEAR – $3.9M |
| 19 | Jonathan Drouin (MTL) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $5.5M |
| 20 | Evgenii Dadonov (MTL) | F | 33 | 1 YEAR – $5M |
A look at the top trade candidates
Jakob Chychrun: The Coyotes were asking for a package that started with a first round pick, a young player, and a prospect. Chychrun registered 21 points in 47 games last season and indicated he’s like to be moved.
Patrick Kane: 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. Kane is off to a good start with 10 points in 12 games for the Hawks.
Vladimir Tarasenko: Latest reports indicate that Tarasenko has not rescinded his trade request and is very open to a move. He’s coming off a great season where he recorded 34 goals and 82 points in 75 games. The scoring forward has 9 points in 11 games for a Blues team that has now lost 8 in a row.
Jonathan Toews: He is no fan of the rebuild Chicago is planning and will likely be looking to waive his no-move clause come the next trade deadline. The Hawks will have to eat half of his $10.5M contract in order to entice a team to take the pending UFA. After struggling last season, Toews has 9 points in 12 games and looking more like his old self.
Bo Horvat: The Canucks are struggling and may very well be looking to do more than just fire another head coach. With Horvat likely to become a UFA in July and tearing it up with 12 goals, and 16 points in 14 games, he pole-vaults into the top 5. The captain of the Canucks scored a career high 31 goals last season and finished with 52 points in 70 games. He will return a nice haul for Vancouver.
