NHL Trade Deadline: Player likely on the move, but is Filip Forsberg one of them?

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The NHL Trade Deadline set for the March 21st and the countdown is on as we get set to turn the calendar. In our latest Trade Bait Tracker we ranked 30 players rumored to be on the move.

Yesterday, we focused in on the Top 5 out of 10 biggest names in the rumor mill. Today, we will look at the latest info regarding players 6-10 on the list and determine if they will be traded by the deadline or not.

Let’s dive in.

NHL Trade Deadline Top 10

RankPlayer (Team)POSAGESTATUS/AAVLINKED TO:
1Jakob Chychrun (ARI)D233 YEARS/$4.6MANA, LAK, NYI
2Claude Giroux (PHI)C34UFA/$8.275MCOL, STL, FLA
3J.T. Miller (VAN)F291 YEAR/$5.25MNYR, CAR, TOR
4Tomas Hertl (SJS)C28UFA/$5.625MMIN, BOS, NYR
5John Klingberg (DAL)D29UFA/$4.25MCAR, TOR, FLA
6Marc-Andre Fleury (CHI)G37UFA/$7MWSH, COL, PIT
7Filip Forsberg (NSH)F26UFA/$6MTBD
8Ben Chiarot (MTL)D30UFA/$3.5MSTL, NYR, FLA
9Phil Kessel (ARI)RW34UFA/$6.8MPIT, BOS, NYR
10Mark Giordano (SEA)D38UFA/$6.75MCGY, FLA, NYR
Top Trade Targets for 2022 (The Daily Goal Horn)

Marc-Andre Fleury

marc-andre fleury
Oct 16, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) takes the ice to warm up before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Fleury is a pending UFA this summer, and will be a valuable trade chip for Chicago to bring in younger assets for the future. “I would love a chance to win,” Fleury said in February. “That’s what I play for and that’s what I love. But like I said, it’s still a big if at this point.” The 37 year-old is 16-19-4 with a .911 SV% and a GAA of 2.83.

NHL Trade Deadline Verdict: YES! Fleury is going to opt to waive his no-move clause and take a Cup run with a contender. Keep an eye on the Oilers and Capitals. That being said, don’t sleep on the Maple Leafs or Avalanche.

Filip Forsberg

filip forsberg
Nov 2, 2021; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Forsberg is in the final year of a six-year contract agreed to in 2016-17. That deal was for $6M AAV against the cap and his next one is expected to be much higher. This season, he’s scored 45 points through 40 games. There were reports that he was being “actively shopped“, but so was Mattias Ekholm and he stayed with the Predators.

NHL Trade Deadline Verdict: NO! The reports of being actively shopped are just due diligence by the Preds. He’s staying in Nashville.

Ben Chiarot

Ben Chiarot
Feb 10, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot (8) during the first period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports

Chiarot, 30, was recently on IR with a lower-body issue. He has 12 points in 48 games and could play top four minutes on the left side for a playoff team. Montreal opted to put him back on the market despite the risk of an injury.

NHL Trade Deadline Verdict: YES! The Canadiens are rebuilding and will absolutely be trading the pending UFA.

Phil Kessel

phil kessel
Nov 16, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Phil Kessel (81) waits for a face off against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessel, 34, is a pending UFA and has been available since last season. He is still a productive player with 33 points in 53 games for the lowly Coyotes. He would be a nice fit on several teams’ top two lines at an affordable price, which is said to be just a second round pick.

NHL Trade Deadline Verdict: YES! The only question is why teams waited until the trade deadline to acquire the veteran.

Mark Giordano

mark giordano
Feb 19, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Seattle Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano (5) reacts to the video ceremony prior to the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Giordano, 38, has 23 points in 49 games for the expansion Seattle Kraken. He is exactly what contending teams will be looking for at the deadline “You definitely realize time is ticking when you get to my age,” Giordano told The Athletic recently. “You only have so many more cracks at winning the Cup. That’s my goal from here on out in my career. It’s not about anything else but that.”

NHL Trade Deadline Verdict: YES! And I’m fairly confident Ron Francis will probably send him home to Calgary (if the Flames are interested in a reunion). The Flames have recently soared up the NHL Power Rankings to #1.

Read More: Check out the latest NHL Power Rankings.

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