NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Players scratched with deadline approaching
The NHL Trade Bait Tracker has been updated after Ryan O’Reilly was traded by the St. Louis Blues to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The March 3 Trade Deadline is just a little over two weeks away and more moves are expected in advance of that date.
Jakob Chychrun remains at the top of the list as he continues to be scratched for trade-related purposes. The same is happening in Columbus with Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. Both players will remain out until a deal is made or the deadline passes. Expectations are that this trend will continue as more sellers look to protect trade assets from injury.
Timo Meier drops out of our top five because both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will be making their decisions this week. If they opt to waive their no-trade clauses, they will move up even higher in the next update.
UPDATE: Jonathan Toews dealing with illness, will not be traded.
NHL Trade Bait Tracker
Rank | Player (Team) | POS | AGE | TERM – AAV |
1 | Jakob Chychrun (ARI) | D | 24 | 3 YEARS – $4.6M |
2 | James van Riemsdyk (PHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
3 | Vladislav Gavrikov (CBJ) | D | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.8M |
4 | Patrick Kane (CHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
5 | Jonathan Toews (CHI) | C | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
6 | Timo Meier (SJS) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6M (RFA) |
7 | Ivan Barbashev (STL) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
8 | John Klingberg (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
9 | Dmitry Kulikov (ANA) | D | 32 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
10 | Vitali Kravtsov (NYR) | F | 23 | 1 YEAR – $875K (RFA) |
11 | Sean Monahan (MTL) | C | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6.375M |
12 | Matt Dumba (MIN) | D | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
13 | Nick Bjugstad (ARI) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $900K |
14 | Erik Karlsson (SJS) | D | 32 | 5 YEARS – $11.5M |
15 | Joonas Korpisalo (CBJ) | G | 28 | 1 YEAR – $1.3M |
16 | Max Domi (CHI) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $3M |
17 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) | F | 28 | 1 YEAR – $4.75M |
18 | Brock Boeser (VAN) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $6.65M |
19 | Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA) | D | 34 | 1 YEAR – $3.9M |
20 | Patric Hornqvist (FLA) | F | 36 | 1 YEAR – $5.3M |
21 | Tyler Motte (OTT) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $1.35M |
22 | Shayne Gostisbehere (ARI) | D | 29 | 1 YEAR – $4.5M |
23 | Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM) | F | 24 | 1 YEAR – $3M (RFA) |
24 | Nathan Beaulieu (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $850K |
25 | Zac Jones (NYR) | D | 22 | 1 YEAR – $925K (RFA) |
26 | Joel Edmundson (MTL) | D | 29 | 2 YEARS – $3.5M |
27 | Jack Roslovic (CBJ) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
28 | Luke Schenn (VAN) | D | 33 | 1 YEAR – $850K |
29 | James Reimer (SJS) | G | 34 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
30 | Dylan Larkin (DET) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6.1M |
Notable Trades:
Bo Horvat to New York Islanders
Vladimir Tarasenko to New York Rangers
Ryan O’Reilly to Toronto Maple Leafs
A look at the top trade candidates

Jakob Chychrun: The trade saga continues between the Arizona Coyotes Chychrun. With 2 more years remaining on his contract and an excellent AAV of at $4.6 million, he’s a great cost-controlled top 4 d-man. At this point, people are wondering if this trade will ever happen and the Los Angeles Kings still remain the top landing spot. However, rumblings are emerging that the Boston Bruins are interested as well. Through 36 games, Chychrun has 28 points on the season.
James van Riemsdyk: The Flyers should be moving pending UFA James van Riemsdyk in the near future. At 33 years-old he still has something left in the tank with 22 points in 37 games this season. Interest has been building with multiple suitors that includes the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild. I believe the Knights are the likely landing spot after they lost Mark Stone to injury and they need a winger for Jack Eichel.
Vladislav Gavrikov: This 27 year-old defenseman is garnering a lot of attention with the Edmonton Oilers rumored to be the most likely landing spot. This year, he has 10 points in 52 games and could solidify a contender’s top 4. Other teams that may be in on him include the Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. Keep your eyes on the Colorado Avalanche as well since they’ve been dealing with injuries all season to their blue-line.
Patrick Kane: When the Rangers traded for Vladimir Tarasenko, Kane was not shy to tell reporters he was disappointed because they were a team he was considering. However, he’s still yet to agree to waive his full no-move clause. One piece of good news is that Kane claims reports of his injury are overblown. Speculation had it that Kane would only waive for the Rangers or Maple Leafs, but after their moves they appear to be unlikely destinations. Would he waive to play with the Dallas Stars or Carolina Hurricanes? This season, he has 37 points in 51 games.
Jonathan Toews: The 34 year-old captain of the Blackhawks remains on IR which only clouds his future. He shares the same agent as Kane, so it’s no shock that they will be making a decision on waiving their no-move clauses together this week. Toews has 28 points in 46 games and it’s believed that the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Carolina Hurricanes are potential suitors.
NHL Trade Deadline Tidbits
- Elliotte Friedman reports that Tyler Bertuzzi may not be traded so long as the Detroit Red Wings are in the playoff hunt
- Vitali Kravtsov is available and the New York Rangers are seeking a draft pick for him
- Erik Karlsson seems unlikely to be dealt based on his contract but he was bumped up due all the trade talk surrounding him
- Dylan Larkin was dropped to the bottom of the list, I believe the Wings will extend him
- Dmitry Kulikov sounds like everyone’s plan B once Gavrikov is traded, that’s why he’s in the top 10