Craig Custance of ESPN: Looking at the all NHL trade candidates team heading into the holiday break.
“It’s pretty tough right now. So many teams against the cap, so many teams in it,” said one Eastern Conference general manager this week. “There’s a little bit of fear in some guys that they want to make a move, but they’re afraid to. I suspect that it would open up in January.”
The San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning are active teams looking for a make a move.
Center – Matt Duchene – Colorado Avalanche
The Avs need more impact players and not fewer. Their current core is obviously not working though. They need an impact defenseman and it might take Duchene to get one. The Hurricanes are loaded with young defensemen and could use someone like Duchene.
Left Wing – James van Riemsdyk – Toronto Maple Leafs
Friedman reported that the Leafs are telling teams to “ante up” if they want van Riemsdyk. The Maple Leafs need help on the blueline, and could use JVR to get it.
Right Wing – Gustav Nyquist – Detroit Red Wings
Sense is that Red Wings GM Ken Holland is looking to make a move, with one GM saying “He’s not going to wait around.” The Red Wings could use a top-four defenseman. They have depth up front that they could move.
Defense – Jacob Trouba – Winnipeg Jets
The Jets have two right handed defensemen in Dustin Bufuglien and Tyler Myers. Trouba trade talk has quieted down since he signed the two-year bridge deal, but he may not be there for the duration of it. He won’t be moved unless GM Kevin Cheveldayoff gets exactly what he wants.
Defense – Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues
The Blues could look to use pending free agent Kevin Shattenkirk to help out up front, especially if it’s a for a center. They may not want to lose him for nothing.
Goaltender – Marc-Andre Fleury – Pittsburgh Penguins
Matt Murray is their starter and they can’t keep both with the expansion draft in June. There haven’t been serious trade talks involving Fleury yet, but that could change next month. GM Jim Rutherford likes to make trades before deadline day. The Penguins would need to bring in a backup if they traded Fleury.
