With the trade deadline just around the corner, many general managers are laying the groundwork for potential trades to improve their team’s chances of a) qualifying for the playoffs and b;) making some noise once they get there.
As is always the case, most of the trades at and leading up to the NHL trade deadline will involve rentals (aka players on expiring contracts). With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few worth targeting.
Note: Kevin Shattenkirk isn’t listed because only a few teams are good enough to even consider parting with the assets it’d take to acquire him.
RW – Radim Vrbata – Arizona
Vrbata has rebounded nicely following a tough year in Vancouver where he struggled through his least productive season (in terms of points per game) since 2003-2004.
To date, he has 37 points in 54 games with the Coyotes and is averaging better than three shots per game. Over an 82-game schedule, that equates to 56 points and 250 shots. That’s 1st line production.
While Vrbata doesn’t have a lot of competition in Arizona for steady ice — there isn’t a ton of talent around him — his rate numbers are very solid and suggest he’s not just putting up points because he’s been spoonfed ice time.
Of the 270 forwards who have played at least 500 minutes at 5v5, Vrbata is tied for 86th averaging 1.79 points per 60. Some of the many notables he has been more efficient than include Leon Draisaitl, Alex Radulov, Mike Hoffman, Johnny Gaudreau and William Nylander.
Vrbata fares even better when it comes to generating shots. He averages 8.68 per hour, which is good for 50th among the 270 eligible forwards.
Any team looking for a boost offensively would be smart to look his way.
RW – P.A. Parenteau – New Jersey
Parenteau hasn’t logged a ton of ice in New Jersey (he’s 6th among forwards in average TOI per game) and is still on pace for 20 goals and just under 40 points. He can play both wings and has made a positive impact in both shot generation (3rd on the team among regulars) and shot suppression (7th on the team). He adds some value even if the point production isn’t there.
Parenteau is one of those low maintainence guys who can play anywhere in the lineup and make a positive impact. It wouldn’t cost a ton to acquire him and his low cap hit ($1.25 million) makes him easy to slot in, even for teams with little money to spare.
D – Brendan Smith – Detroit
It feels weird writing about which players the Red Wings could sell off at the deadline considering they’ve made the playoffs every year since I was born, but that’s the crazy world we’re living in.
Smith isn’t a big name player and his point totals don’t exactly jump off the page, but he is a solid defender who could help a lot of teams.
Over the last three seasons, the Red Wings have controlled 55.1% of the shot attempts at 5v5 compared to 50.2% without him.
In that same time frame, the Red Wings have allowed 5.77 fewer shot attempts per 60 minutes with Smith on the ice. Among 158 eligible defenders (2,000 minutes+), only five have been better at shot suppression relative to the team. Those five: Josh Manson, Mattias Ekholm, Hampus Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Matt Niskanen. All of those guys are established defenseman who can, or currently do, play top pairing minutes. That he’s kept company of that caliber is encouraging, to say the least.
Defensemen are always in demand but I can’t see the asking price for Smith being absurdly high given he doesn’t put up points. As such, he’s certainly a guy I’d be calling about if I’m looking to upgrade my blue line.
Written by Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell)
