TRADE WATCH LIST 2021
TOP 40
aS OF April 12, 2021 | 3:45pm ET
This season’s NHL Trade Deadline (April 12, 2021 at 3pm ET) may be a little different, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine measures in various markets, but there should undoubtedly be plenty of activity in the days leading up to D-Day.
As we do every year, TFP has outlined some of the top names rumoured to be available according to various media reports and our own league-wide sources. Last season, 24 players listed were traded — 16 were moved last season, 15 were dealt in 2018 and 22 moved in 2017.
As part of our Trade Deadline Coverage, this page will be updated regularly and TFP's panel of experts will outline each player's value. Some players may climb or fall off the list, while others may be added. Teams linked to players with reported interest will also be added and adjusted as more information becomes available.
NOTE: Teams linked to players are in no particular order.
AGE: 28
CAP HIT: $8M
1. Taylor Hall, LW - Buffalo Sabres
Traded to Boston
By Hall’s own admission, he’s willing to consider a move out of Buffalo if the Sabres present him with options — and that slots him up to the No.1 spot. There’s still a decent chance Hall and the Sabres agree to a contract extension, but teams are calling and GM Kevyn Adams is talking.
linked to:
Colorado, Florida, NY Islanders, Edmonton, Toronto, Boston, Washington, Minnesota
AGE: 30
CAP HIT: $4.25M
2. David Savard, RD - Columbus Blue Jackets
Traded to Tampa Bay
The Blue Jackets are suddenly back in the playoff race and that could affect what they do ahead of the trade deadline. Savard, however, is still expected to test the free agent market this summer and Columbus could still opt to move him by the deadline.
linked to:
Philadelphia, Montreal, Winnipeg, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Colorado, Florida
AGE: 31
CAP HIT: $4M
3. Mike Hoffman, LW - St. Louis Blues
Blues Doug Armstrong seems to be taking calls on sniper Mike Hoffman as he navigates the trade deadline. The Blues aren’t expected to completely unload, as they remain in a playoff hunt, but speculation has run wild in the week leading up to the deadline that Hoffman could be on the move.
linked to:
Boston, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Carolina, Toronto, Montreal
AGE: 29
CAP HIT: $3.75M
4. Mikael Granlund, C/RW - Nashville Predators
When the Predators re-signed Granlund in the off-season, they knew they could move him by the trade deadline if they fell out of playoff contention. There was plenty of interest in Granlund last off-season and teams have already poked around his availability this season. For now, Nashville could wait things out to drive up the price on this potential rental.
linked to:
Toronto, Boston, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Edmonton
AGE: 33
CAP HIT: $5.5M
5. Nick Foligno, LW - Columbus Blue Jackets
Traded to Toronto
Foligno’s in the final year of his six-year, $33 million contract and he’d like to stay in Columbus. A short-term contract extension has been discussed, but that could be revisited in the off-season if the Jackets move him. Teams have called, and the Jackets have held tight, but those discussions will pick up in the days ahead.
LINKED TO:
NY Islanders, Toronto, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota
AGE: 27
CAP HIT: $3.789M
6. Rickard Rakell, RW/LW - Anaheim Ducks
Rakell has one-year left on his contract after this season and comes with an affordable cap hit that’s a tad under $3.8 million. He’s having an off year, but so is everyone in Anaheim. The Ducks are retooling and teams are calling about Rakell’s availability, as TFP first reported.
linked to:
Toronto, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Philadelphia, NY Islanders, Edmonton, Boston, Pittsburgh
AGE: 26
CAP HIT: $3.85M
7. Brandon Montour, RD/LD - Buffalo Sabres
Traded to Florida
The Sabres are actively shopping Montour, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July. Buffalo needs to recoup assets — which they can later flip, if they so choose — and trading Montour will help in that department, especially with Jake McCabe unmovable due to his season-ending injury.
linked to:
Winnipeg, Carolina, Boston, Florida
AGE: 31
CAP HIT: $1.8M
8. Luke Glendening, C - Detroit Red Wings
Among NHL centres, Glendening leads the league in faceoff percentage, winning 67.6% of draws, at the time of this list’s publishing/updated date. Playoff-bound teams in need of a bottom-six centre with some expertise at the dot will be looking at Glendening as an option.
linked to:
Pittsburgh, Toronto, Minnesota, Edmonton, Vegas
AGE: 30
CAP HIT: $3.75M
9. Mattias Ekholm, LD - Nashville Predators
Ekholm will be a highly-coveted defenceman this trade season. He has one-year left on his contract, but with the Predators open for business, he could generate a solid return. The asking price could be in the neighbourhood of a first-round pick and a young asset, but will the Preds get that?
linked to:
Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, Winnipeg
AGE: 34
CAP HIT: $5.7M
10. Marc Staal, LD - Detroit Red Wings
The Wings have the ‘For Sale’ sign up in Detroit, and Staal’s one of the pieces up for grabs. He is expected to be dealt by the deadline and the Red Wings will almost certainly retain salary to facilitate a trade.
linked to:
Philadelphia, Colorado, Tampa Bay
11. Josh Manson, RD - Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are taking calls on Manson, who has one-year left on his contract after this season. They’ve also received some interest in Hampus Lindholm, but it seems like they may be more willing to part with Manson if the right offer presented itself.
Linked To:
Winnipeg, Carolina, Tampa Bay
12. Ryan Murray, LD - New Jersey Devils
A sturdy, reliable and (most importantly) healthy Murray has draws interest and could be on the move. He’s a UFA this summer and teams looking to strengthen their defensive corps for a Cup run will have interest. The Devils might need to retain some of his contract, though, to complete a move.
linked to:
Edmonton, Boston, Winnipeg, Montreal
13. Jon Merrill, LD - Detroit Red Wings
Traded to Montreal
Merrill is an attractive option for multiple teams looking for defensive depth. He’s very affordable at $925,000, ranks third on Detroit in TOI right now and is a plus-4 (an impressive stat for any player on the Red Wings this season). He’s generating interest and is a prime candidate to be moved.
Linked To
Dallas, Toronto, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Boston
14. Scott Laughton, LW/C - Philadelphia Flyers
SIGNED EXTENSION WITH PHI
There is interest in Laughton, who can become a UFA this summer, but the Flyers are reluctant to move him. This could come down to the wire if the right offer is presented, but the Flyers would like to keep him, even though contract talks haven’t picked up. If a team steps up with a nice offer, Philly could be persuaded.
Linked To:
Toronto, Boston, Edmonton, Colorado
15. Elvis Merzlikins, G - Columbus Blue Jackets
There’s a lot of talk lately that the Blue Jackets are taking calls again on Merzlikins. There was interest in the off-season and it seems as if that talk has resurfaced. He has one more year left on his contract, which comes with a $4 million cap hit.
linked to:
Chicago, Boston, Buffalo, Edmonton
16. Alex Iafallo, LW - Los Angeles Kings
SIGNED EXTENSION WITH LA
It took a while before we added Iafallo to our list, simply because the Kings have been trying to sign him to a contract extension. However, a deal is still not done and the longer this drags on, the more likely it may be that he’s moved ahead of the trade deadline. This could go down to the wire, as LA’s preference is to keep him.
linked to:
Toronto, Boston, Florida
17. Vince Dunn, LD - St. Louis Blues
The Blues are open to moving Dunn, who is set to become a restricted free agent this off-season. Blues GM Doug Armstrong is willing to explore multiple options, including a swap of talent to help another area of the team.
linked to:
TBD
18. Mattias Janmark, RW/LW - Chicago Blackhawks
Traded to Vegas
Teams are calling Chicago about Janmark’s availability. He’s a solid playoff performer for a Cup contender, as he showed last season with Dallas. He’s a free agent at the end of the season and doesn’t have a significant cap hit. He could be a quality add for a team by the deadline.
linked to:
Boston, Toronto Pittsburgh, Colorado
19. Alex Goligoski, LD/RD - Arizona Coyotes
A versatile defender, Goligoski’s in the final year of his contract and could be moved out of Arizona for future assets. The Coyotes only have two draft picks, both second-round selections, in the first three rounds of the 2021 NHL Draft and they’ll certainly look to replenish their draft cupboard by moving potential rental pieces, even if they’re in a playoff race by the deadline. Goligoski owns an eight-team no-trade list and his $5.475M cap hit might force the Coyotes to eat some of that to make a deal work.
linked to:
Boston, Carolina, Winnipeg
20. Erik Haula, C/LW - Nashville Predators
Like Granlund, the Predators hedged their bets when they signed Haula. If he’s moved out, Nashville will collect at least a draft pick for him. There was plenty of interest in the off-season and some of those teams will come calling again in the weeks ahead.
linked to:
Vegas, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Colorado
21. Erik Gudbranson, RD - Ottawa Senators
Traded to Nashville
The Senators might try to hold on to local-kid Gudbranson and keep a veteran presence on the blueline, but playoff teams interested in a big, physical depth-defenceman will be calling.
linked to:
Montreal, Edmonton
22. Alexander Edler, LD - Vancouver Canucks
Edler is open to waiving his no-movement clause, sources have told TFP, if the opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup presented itself. The 34-year-old’s $6 million cap hit may be an issue, however, as it’s unclear if the Canucks are overly interested in retaining any salary as part of a trade.
linked to:
TBD
23. Anthony Mantha, RW/LW - Detroit Red Wings
Traded to Washington
As we reported, the Red Wings are willing to take calls on Mantha, who has three-years left on his contract and comes with a $5.7 million salary cap hit. Detroit isn’t actively shopping him, but they are listening and it’s believed they’re willing to make a move if the right deal presents itself.
linked to:
Los Angeles, Calgary, Philadelphia, Anaheim
24. Brandon Sutter, C - Vancouver Canucks
Sutter’s in the final year of a five-year, $21.875 million contract and has a 15-team no-trade list. His future doesn’t seem to align with the Canucks’ plans and this could be his last season in Vancouver, whether or not he’s dealt by the deadline.
linked to:
TBD
25. Sam Bennett, LW/C - Calgary Flames
Traded to Florida
Flames GM Brad Treliving doesn’t want to be forced into making any trades, but moving Bennett seems likely at some point — be it before the trade deadline or during the off-season. Bennett has bounced around Calgary’s lineup and has struggled offensively because of it. We’ll see how he performs under new coach Darryl Sutter.
linked to:
Carolina, Florida, Toronto
26. Dmitry Kulikov, LD - New Jersey Devils
Traded to Edmonton
The Devils are selling and Kulikov could be a piece moved ahead of the deadline. He’s a UFA this summer and teams looking for depth on the backend, especially on the left side, will have interest in Kulikov.
linked to:
Boston, Winnipeg
27. Calle Jarnkrok, RW/LW - Nashville Predators
With one-year left on his contract, Jarnkrok could be moved by the deadline to a team in need of a mid-six addition. He’s a versatile forward that can play all three positions up front and comes with an affordable $2 million cap hit.
linked to:
TBD
28. Haydn Fleury, LD - Carolina Hurricanes
Traded to Anaheim
The Hurricanes are trying to upgrade their defensive corps and are willing to move Fleury in a deal for a proven top-four defenceman. Carolina GM Don Waddell has been vocal about his desire to land a blueliner with term and that could come at a price, one that seems to include Fleury.
linked to:
Anaheim, Nashville, Buffalo
29. Jake Virtanen, RW - Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks were trying to deal Vatanen to Anaheim for some time but the two teams didn’t make the dollars work. It’s now believed Vancouver will take a step back from shopping him and unless something falls into their laps, GM Jim Benning might wait until the off-season to reexamine a move.
linked to:
Anaheim, Buffalo
30. Jonathan Bernier, G - Detroit Red Wings
Taking into account how bad things have gone in Detroit this season, Bernier’s been solid for the Wings, thus far. He’s certainly motivated, playing for a new contract after this season, and could be a boost for a playoff team in need of reliable depth in net at the backup position.
linked to:
Washington, Colorado, Toronto
31. Viktor Arvidsson, RW/LW - Nashville Predators
Arvidsson has three years left on his deal after this season and comes with a $4.25M cap hit. The Predators will take calls on him, and a change of scenery could get him back on the goal-scoring track — he tallied 31 goals in 2016-17, 29 in 2017-18 and 34 in 2018-19.
linked to:
Calgary, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh
32. Jake DeBrusk, LW - Boston Bruins
If the Bruins aim to upgrade their roster ahead of the trade deadline, DeBrusk is a piece they continue to be willing to dangle and include in a package. It’s unclear what type of upgrade the Bruins are prioritizing — a top-pair defenceman or a top-six forward — but DeBrusk could be included in a deal.
Linked To:
TBD
33. Darcy Kuemper, G - Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes are willing to move Kuemper if the right opportunity presents itself. He has one more season under his contract at a $4.5 million AAV.
Linked To:
TBD
34. Alex Kerfoot, C - Toronto Maple Leafs
There has been continued talk the Maple Leafs want an upgrade at the third-line, and given their proximity to the salary cap ceiling, Kerfoot’s name continues to swirl around as a possible movable piece. He has two-years left on his deal, which comes with a $3.5 million cap hit, but the Leafs might wait until the off-season before exploring this further.
linked to:
TBD
35. David Rittich, G - Calgary Flames
Traded to Toronto
The Flames are taking calls on Rittich and are beginning to focus on next season. Rittich’s a free agent this off-season and his $2.75 million cap hit makes him an attractive option for teams looking at a new backup goalie going into the playoffs.
Linked To:
Washington, Toronto
36. Adam Henrique, C - Anaheim Ducks
Henrique has three-years left on his contract after this season and comes with a 10-team no-trade list, however as it has been reported, he’s willing to explore a move to one of those teams if the opportunity presented itself. The Ducks have made him and Jakob Silfverberg available, but moving either player might be better served in the off-season.
linked to:
TBD
37. Devan Dubnyk, G - San Jose Sharks
Traded to Colorado
Dubnyk is more likely to be moved ahead of the deadline to a team looking for goaltending depth. He’s a UFA this summer and things haven’t worked out in San Jose.
Linked to
Colorado, Washington
38. Max Domi, C/LW - Columbus Blue Jackets
Domi hasn’t worked out in his first season in Columbus. He has shifted from centre to the left wing, for now, and the Blue Jackets appear to be exploring their options, which could include packaging Domi in a deal for a top-six centre. Domi has one more year left on his contract and a $5.3M cap hit.
Linked To:
TBD
39. Filip Forsberg, LW - Nashville Predators
Predators GM David Poile said last month he is not overly interested in trading Forsberg at this time, but he is still willing to take calls — for now, that keeps Forsberg on our list. He’s one of the most consistent goal-scorers in the NHL, having averaged 27.5 goals per season since the 2014-15 campaign. Several teams would love to land this top-line LW, but the price is significant.
linked to:
TBD
40. Marcus Sorensen, LW - San Jose Sharks
Sorensen’s set to become a UFA this summer. He’s a serviceable depth forward for a Cup contender and comes with a $1.5 million cap hit, an affordable figure for teams looking to deepen their roster.
Linked To
TBD
PLAYERS TRADED
2. Kyle Palmieri, RW/LW - New Jersey Devils
Traded to NY Islanders
Palmieri has been the subject of trade speculation for the last two seasons. He’s now in the final year of his contract and the Devils tried to sign him, but he’s now set to be moved ahead of the deadline.
linked to:
Boston, Florida, NY Islanders, Edmonton, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Colorado
6. Eric Staal, C - Buffalo Sabres
Traded to Montreal
Staal was traded to Buffalo in September, but the team hasn’t been able to get in the playoff hunt. He has a 10-team no-trade list, so he has some say in where he ends up and as TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported, he’s open to move to a contender. The ball is now in Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ court.
linked to:
Florida, Carolina, Edmonton, St. Louis, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, Colorado
8. Tanner Pearson, LW - Vancouver Canucks
Signed extension with VAN
The Canucks have had minimal discussions with Pearson’s agent, and while it’s sounding more and more like a contract extension might not be in the cards, the two sides are still trying to work it out. If the Canucks decide to move him, amid dealing with COVID recovery, they’ll likely get a couple of draft picks.
linked to:
Edmonton, Vegas, NY Islanders, Toronto, Boston, Colorado
40. Travis Zajac, C - New Jersey Devils
Traded to NY Islanders
Zajac has a full no-trade clause, something he wasn’t willing to waive last season, but given he’s a UFA in the summer, he might consider a move to a Cup contender if the right opportunity presented itself.
Linked To:
TBD