NHL Trade Bait Tracker: J.T. Miller back on top, Vladimir Tarasenko in top 5
Anthony Scultore
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The Daily Goal Horn presents our latest NHL Trade Bait Tracker as we head for the 2022-23 season.
Now that the Draft and Free Agent Frenzy have passed, here’s our top 12 players that will likely 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 | Blake Wheeler (WPG) | F | 35 | 2 YEARS – $8.25M |
| 4 | Josh Anderson (MTL) | F | 28 | 5 YEARS – $5.5M |
| 5 | Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 6 | Pierre-Luc Dubois (WPG) | C | 24 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
| 7 | Patrick Kane (CHI) | F | 33 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 8 | John Gibson (ANA) | G | 29 | 5 YEARS – $6.4M |
| 9 | Jonathan Toews (CHI) | C | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 10 | Anthony Beauvillier (NYI) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4.15M |
| 11 | Alec Martinez (VGK) | D | 34 | 2 YEARS – $5.25M |
| 12 | Torey Krug (STL) | D | 31 | 5 YEARS – $6.5M |
A deep dive into the Top 5
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. Rumors indicate that his next contract will be in the 5-7 year range with an AAV around $8.5M. The Canucks have not gotten an offer they like, but still expect a good return as a rental at the deadline. Keep your eyes on top contenders this season to make a play for him including the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
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 draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets were trying to make a move to acquire him but signing Johnny Gaudreau in free agency and giving Patrik Laine a new big deal eliminates them. Look for the Ducks and Kings as possible trade partners. He scored 21 points in 47 games last season.
Blake Wheeler: He had a solid season with 16 goals and 65 points in 60 contests. However, the Jets are going to have to eat a chunk of his cap hit in order to facilitate a trade. He has two years remaining with a whopping $8.25M AAV and very few playoff contenders can afford him at that cost. This is more likely a trade deadline deal if he get moved at all.
Josh Anderson: The Canadiens are looking for cap flexibility and have their sights on an eventual trade for Pierre-Luc Dubois. As the Habs continue their rebuild efforts other teams will undoubtedly be ready to try and get Anderson on the cheap. Last season, he registered 19 goals and 32 points in 69 games. He’s a John Tortorella type player, who coached him in Columbus, so look for the Flyers to be in on him.
Vladimir Tarasenko: He’s entering the final year of his contract which comes with an AAV of $7.5 million. He’s also coming off a great season where he recorded 34 goals and 82 points in 75 games. Latest reports indicate that Tarasenko has not rescinded his trade request and is very open to a move. The New York Islanders have been reportedly interested dating back to last season.
