The NHL has handed the midway level of its schedule. All-star festivities are set for early subsequent month in Toronto. Groups are making strikes within the standings.
The massive date circled by the league’s 32 basic managers, nonetheless, is March 8 — the commerce deadline.
There was already a major splash when Philadelphia dealt ahead Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Geese for defenceman Jamie Drysdale and a draft choose after the prized Flyers prospect made it clear he wouldn’t signal.
Whether or not a company is trying to load up for a playoff run or make strikes with an eye fixed towards the long run, GMs can be busy with the commerce cutoff precisely seven weeks away.
The Canadian Press takes a have a look at a few of the expertise — together with loads of names at the moment taking part in north of the border — that might be on the transfer:
ELIAS LINDHOLM (Calgary Flames, US$4.85-million wage cap hit)
The 29-year-old centre is ready to turn out to be an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Lindholm may in fact nonetheless signal an extension and keep in southern Alberta, however the clock continues to tick.
Rookie GM Craig Conroy can’t danger having Lindholm go to market — particularly after the group was burned by Johnny Gaudreau in the summertime of 2022.
Calgary Flames centre Elias Lindholm (28) celebrates his purpose with teammate Noah Hanifin (55) within the third interval of Sport 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff collection towards the Dallas Stars, Monday, Might 9, 2022, in Dallas.
(AP Photograph/Tony Gutierrez)
CHRIS TANEV (Calgary Flames, $4.5-million cap hit)
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The veteran right-shot defenceman has been rumoured to be on the transfer a lot of the season.
The 33-year-old pending UFA can be a useful addition to a contender in want of grit on the again finish.
Fellow Flames blue-liner Noah Hanifin — a left-shot additionally set to turn out to be a UFA — is another choice.
The 26-year-old is taking part in out the ultimate season of a contract that carries a $4.95-million cap hit.
VLADIMIR TARASENKO (Ottawa Senators, $5-million cap hit)
The 32-year-old winger signed within the nation’s capital pondering Ottawa was prepared for its first playoff look since 2017.
The staff has as a substitute fallen properly wanting expectations.
Tarasenko, who has a no-trade clause on his expiring deal and must comply with any transfer, may add depth scoring and post-season pedigree to a contender after profitable the 2019 Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues.
JAKE ALLEN (Montreal Canadiens, $3.85-million cap hit)
The 33-year-old is a part of a three-headed goaltending monster together with Sam Montembeault, 27, and Cayden Primeau, 24.
Allen is the apparent selection among the many three to be dealt primarily based on age, however with a yr remaining on the netminder’s contract, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes doesn’t need to pressure a transfer.
SEAN WALKER (Philadelphia Flyers, $2.65-million cap hit)
Contenders unable to land Tanev or Hanifin may do worse than having to accept the 29-year-old pending UFA.
Walker is one other reliable right-shot possibility with a much more palatable wage invoice for groups tight to the cap.
ANTHONY DUCLAIR (San Jose Sharks, $3-million cap hit)
The 28-year-old winger with pace to burn has proven a capability to place the puck within the web.
Issues haven’t gone properly with the Sharks this season each personally and for the staff, however the pending UFA can be a tidy deadline addition for a membership trying to improve its ahead group.
PAT MAROON (Minnesota Wild, $800,000-cap hit)
The bruising winger received three straight Stanley Cups (2019, 2020, 2021) earlier than additionally making the 2022 last.
Maroon isn’t the identical participant he as soon as was, however the 35-year-old pending UFA has been via the battles and understands the sport inside the recreation — a talent that may generally tilt the steadiness of a playoff collection.
TYSON BARRIE (Nashville Predators, $4.5-million cap hit)
The 32-year-old hasn’t had his greatest season, however he can nonetheless run an influence play at a time of the yr when targets are sometimes at a premium.
The proper-shot defenceman made it to the 2022 Western Convention last with the Edmonton Oilers and will assist a staff trying to enhance offence from the blue line.
ANDREI KUZMENKO (Vancouver Canucks, $5.5-million)
The 27-year-old winger has discovered himself in head coach Rick Tocchet’s doghouse this season.
Regardless of one yr remaining on his present contract, it could be greatest for the participant and group to maneuver on.
SEAN MONAHAN (Montreal Canadiens, $1.985-million cap hit)
Final season’s harm bother behind him, the 29-year-old centre has put up first rate numbers on a Montreal staff trying to subsequent yr.
Monahan’s manageable cap hit and pending UFA standing make it doubtless he’ll be moved earlier than 3 p.m. ET on March 8.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
