NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Timo Meier heading to New Jersey Devils
The NHL Trade Bait Tracker has been updated as we are less than a week away from the March 3 Trade Deadline.
Patrick Kane was a healthy scratch on Saturday and returned home as the New York Rangers clear cap space to acquire the three-time Stanley Cup champion. Meanwhile the race for Timo Meier is believed down to two teams, the New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights.
Jakob Chychrun’s never-ending saga with the Coyotes continues as it’s unclear if he’ll be moved at this point. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov is expected to be moved this week, likely to the Edmonton Oilers.
Finally, James van Riemsdyk has enough contenders interested in him and was also held out of action on Saturday in anticipation of a trade.
UPDATE: New Jersey Devils acquire Timo Meier
NHL Trade Bait Tracker
Rank | Player (Team) | POS | AGE | TERM – AAV |
1 | Patrick Kane (CHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
2 | Timo Meier (SJS to NJD) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6M (RFA) |
3 | James van Riemsdyk (PHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
4 | Vladislav Gavrikov (CBJ) | D | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.8M |
5 | Jakob Chychrun (ARI) | D | 24 | 3 YEARS – $4.6M |
6 | John Klingberg (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
7 | Dmitry Kulikov (ANA) | D | 32 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
8 | Sean Monahan (MTL) | C | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6.375M |
9 | Matt Dumba (MIN) | D | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
10 | Nick Bjugstad (ARI) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $900K |
11 | Joonas Korpisalo (CBJ) | G | 28 | 1 YEAR – $1.3M |
12 | Max Domi (CHI) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $3M |
13 | Jake McCabe (CHI) | D | 29 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
14 | Nick Ritchie (ARI) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $2.5M |
15 | Sam Lafferty (CHI) | F | 27 | 2 YEARS – $1.15M |
16 | Cam Talbot (OTT) | G | 35 | 1 YEAR – $3.66M |
17 | Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA) | D | 34 | 1 YEAR – $3.9M |
18 | Patric Hornqvist (FLA) | F | 36 | 1 YEAR – $5.3M |
19 | Shayne Gostisbehere (ARI) | D | 29 | 1 YEAR – $4.5M |
20 | Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM) | F | 24 | 1 YEAR – $3M (RFA) |
21 | Nathan Beaulieu (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $850K |
22 | Luke Schenn (VAN) | D | 33 | 1 YEAR – $850K |
23 | James Reimer (SJS) | G | 34 | 1 YEAR – $2.25M |
24 | Joel Edmundson (MTL) | D | 29 | 2 YEARS – $3.5M |
25 | Mattias Ekholm (NSH) | D | 32 | 3 YEARS – $6.25M |
26 | Zac Jones (NYR) | D | 22 | 1 YEAR – $925K (RFA) |
27 | Erik Karlsson (SJS) | D | 32 | 5 YEARS – $11.5M |
28 | Brock Boeser (VAN) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $6.65M |
29 | Lars Eller (WSH) | C | 33 | 1 YEAR – $3.5M |
30 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) | F | 28 | 1 YEAR – $4.75M |
Notable Trades:
Bo Horvat to New York Islanders
Vladimir Tarasenko to New York Rangers
Ryan O’Reilly to Toronto Maple Leafs
Tyler Motte to New York Rangers
Nik Zaitsev to Chicago Blackhawks
Nino Niederreiter to Winnipeg Jets
Vitali Kravtsov to Vancouver Canucks
Ivan Barbashev to Vegas Golden Knights
A look at the top trade candidates

Patrick Kane: Even though no one is officially saying it, the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks are finalizing a trade that will send Patrick Kane to Broadway. GM Chris Drury traded Vitali Kravtsov on Saturday and is making room for Kane, who apparently will only waive his clause to join the Blueshirts. This season, Kane’s been dealing with a nagging injury but has managed 45 points in 54 games.
Timo Meier: The 26 year-old has 31 goals and 52 points in 57 games to date. The New Jersey Devils are linked as the strongest suitor to acquire him and now the latest reports have the Vegas Golden Knights aggressively pursuing Meier. According to Pierre LeBrun, the Carolina Hurricanes have informed San Jose they are out of the mix.
James van Riemsdyk: The 33 year-old has 23 points in 40 games this season. Interest has been building with multiple suitors that includes the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, and Minnesota Wild. He was held out of the lineup on Saturday in anticipation of a deal.
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. Another team emerging as a serious candidate are the Boston Bruins.
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. Through 36 games, Chychrun has 28 points on the season.