With 10 weeks until the National Hockey League’s (NHL) trade deadline on March 7, speculations abound regarding potential shifts among buyers and sellers. Last season saw plenty of trade action and this season is expected to be no different, with the possibility of trades already being discussed between teams. Among the most likely to be dealt are the San Jose Sharks’ Mikael Granlund, Philadelphia Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen, Chicago Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall, New York Rangers’ Will Borgen, and Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tanev.
Mikael Granlund is considered a likely candidate for a trade, despite being a commanding influence on and off the ice for the Sharks and presently leading the team in scoring. The 32-year-old forward is a prized asset owing to his versatility in playing all forward positions. If Granlund is traded, the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild are predicted to be the most likely contenders. The Golden Knights had a successful trade with the Sharks last season and Granlund’s skills could serve to bolster their depth. The Wild, for whom Granlund was a first-round pick, might see the player’s return as an opportunity to strengthen their center and wing and enrich their offense.
The Flyers’ Ristolainen, with a consistent game performance, a term extension until 2027, and a yearly average salary of $5.1 million, is also expected to see some trading action. While the Flyers are understood to be open to an offer, the deal would need to include a good prospect or young player in return, or a prospect combined with a pick. The Winnipeg Jets may be likely buyers with a need for a strong defense player like Ristolainen. Alternatively, the Dallas Stars with a gap on the right side of their blue line since losing Chris Tanev to Free Agency, may also have interest.
Despite a challenging season, 33-year-old Taylor Hall of the Chicago Blackhawks is still a desirable asset due to his reputation as one of the league’s smartest players. Teams such as Utah HC, which could use more offense, and Colorado Avalanche, which may need an additional left winger, are predicted as the most likely to be interested in Hall. If the Blackhawks retain some of the Hall’s $6 million cap hit, the trade market for him should be quite active.
Recently acquired by the New York Rangers, Will Borgen, due to his pending unrestricted free agent status, is another possible name on the trading block. Florida Panthers could benefit from Borgen’s 6-foot-3, 204-pound stature. The Florida team’s need for a rental, right-shot D may make Borgen an appealing consideration. A more motivated suitor for Borgen may be the Vancouver Canucks, who have been struggling since their recent loss of Filip Hronek. Borgen’s skills, including penalty killing, make him an attractive prospect to the Canucks.
With the Kraken unlikely to make the playoffs, Brandon Tanev, a winger known for his gritty gameplay and excellent penalty killing, is predicted to be on the trade market. The New Jersey Devils, who could use a boost in their bottom-six, and the Vegas Golden Knights, keen on bolstering their team, are the likely contenders for a deal with Tanev.
