NHL Trade Bait Tracker: Top 25 candidates for 2023
Anthony Scultore
|
The NHL Trade Bait Tracker has been updated as we look at the top 25 players likely to be moved by the trade deadline on March 3, 2023.
Jakob Chychrun remains at the top of the lost and his sizzling play has to have a few teams willing to give up what the Arizona Coyotes are looking for in a deal. A few new names have been added, including San Jose Sharks pending RFA, Timo Meier.
Let’s look at the names to watch in 2023.
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 | Bo Horvat (VAN) | C | 27 | 1 YEAR – $5.5M |
| 4 | Ryan O’Reilly (STL) | F | 31 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 5 | John Klingberg (ANA) | D | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
| 6 | Vladimir Tarasenko (STL) | F | 30 | 1 YEAR – $7.5M |
| 7 | Jonathan Toews (CHI) | C | 34 | 1 YEAR – $10.5M |
| 8 | Timo Meier (SJS) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
| 9 | Dylan Larkin (DET) | F | 26 | 1 YEAR – $6.1M |
| 10 | James van Riemsdyk (PHI) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
| 11 | Matt Dumba (MIN) | D | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6M |
| 12 | Max Pacioretty (CAR) | F | 34 | 1 YEAR – $7M |
| 13 | Brock Boeser (VAN) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $6.65M |
| 14 | Anthony Duclair (FLA) | F | 27 | 2 YEARS – $3M |
| 15 | Jack Roslovic (CBJ) | F | 25 | 2 YEARS – $4M |
| 17 | Sean Monahan (MTL) | C | 28 | 1 YEAR – $6.375M |
| 18 | Max Domi (CHI) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $3M |
| 19 | Jonathan Quick (LAK) | G | 37 | 1 YEAR – $5.8M |
| 20 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET) | F | 28 | 1 YEAR – $4.75M |
| 21 | Blake Wheeler (WPG) | F | 36 | 2 YEARS – $8.25M |
| 22 | Kevin Shattenkirk (ANA) | D | 34 | 1 YEAR – $3.9M |
| 23 | Patric Hornqvist (FLA) | F | 36 | 1 YEAR – $5.3M |
| 24 | Tyler Motte (OTT) | F | 27 | 1 YEAR – $1.35M |
| 25 | Ryan Merkley (SJS) | D | 22 | 1 YEAR – $863K |
A look at the top trade candidates
Jakob Chychrun: Arizona’s most valuable commodity is back from injury and playing extremely well. This season, he’s posted 17 points in 19 games and looks completely healthy. The 24 year-old defenseman has 3 years remaining on his contract (this season plus two more) with an excellent AAV of at $4.6 million. The Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres are two of the more recent teams associated with Chychrun in a trade. Of course, will anyone pay Arizona’s asking price believed to be at least one first round pick and top prospects.
Patrick Kane: The future hall of famer has 27 points in 36 games for a really bad Blackhawks team this season. Recent reporting noted that he and Jonathan Toews will meet with the organization in January to discuss their futures. Kane will be a UFA this summer and has a full no-move clause to control where he lands. The Blackhawks will also need to retain 50% of his $10.5M cap hit. Potential landing spots are the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, and Edmonton Oilers.
Bo Horvat: The Canucks captain is likely on his way out of Vancouver based on the latest reports. According to Rick Dhaliwal, the pending UFA rejected the Canucks most recent offer which makes him a top candidate for a trade at the deadline come March 3. The 27 year-old is having an excellent season with 40 points in 36 games. Expect Horvat to bring in a first round pick and a top prospect.
Ryan O’Reilly: St. Louis’ captain is currently on LTIR. The 31 year-old has 16 points in 37 games and is expected to miss at least six weeks with a broken foot. There was some concern about how the injury would impact his trade value, but many contenders will jump at that the chance to land this proven winner at the deadline. O’Reilly will be a UFA in July and the Blues would do well to bring in future assets.
John Klingberg: The 30 year-old is having a respectable season with a young and maturing Ducks squad. He has 11 points in 31 games and is likely to be the top rental defenseman at the deadline. Anaheim will surely eat 50% of his $7M AAV to facilitate a trade and get back a first-round pick
