5 Bold Predictions 1 Month Before the NHL Trade Deadline

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Teams in the market for more than just a rental defenseman should be keen on Jakob Chychrun. The 23-year-old Arizona Coyotes blueliner carries an affordable $4.6 million annual cap hit through 2024-25. While he’s struggled on the offensively anemic Coyotes this season, he led all NHL defensemen with 18 goals and was among the top 10 with 41 points during the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign.

The asking price for Chychrun is believed to be a first-round pick, a top prospect and a good young NHL player. Looking at the number of playoff clubs that could afford to take on Chychrun’s contract and possess the assets necessary to meet the Coyotes’ asking price, the Los Angeles Kings are the logical destination.

Chychrun would be a perfect fit for the Kings. They need a skilled puck-moving defenseman on the left side. He’s carrying a reasonable contract for three more seasons and would fit in well with the young talent they have amassed over the past three years. He could also help them secure a playoff berth this season.

The Kings have $7.9 million in projected deadline cap space with which to take on the remainder of Chychrun’s remaining cap hit for this season. They are not about to part with a top prospect such as Quinton Byfield, but young center Gabriel Vilardi might benefit from a change of scenery. They could also offer up a prospect such as Helge Grans or perhaps center Alex Turcotte as part of the deal.

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The Vancouver Canucks’ early-season struggles sparked trade conjecture about J.T. Miller, with one report linking him to the Minnesota Wild. A managerial and coaching change brought stability and an end to the trade rumors, but they have recently flared up again. On Jan. 24, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli told Sportsnet 650 that the New York Rangers could be among the 28-year-old’s suitors.

If the Canucks are willing to move Miller, the Rangers could be the best fit. He began his NHL career with the Blueshirts before getting traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. A talented two-way forward who can play center or wing, he has a year remaining on his contract with an annual average value of $5.25 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury is well-positioned to win a bidding war for Miller. His club carries $31.9 million in projected deadline cap space, giving them plenty of room to absorb his contract. Rangers GM Chris Drury also has a number of good young players and promising prospects with which to tempt Canucks management.

Vancouver, however, isn’t facing pressure to move Miller this season. A team will have to step up with a substantial offer. For the Rangers, it could mean offering up their 2022 first-round pick, a prospect and a young player such as Vitali Kravtsov or Nik Lundkvist. However, it could be worth it for Miller, who would provide the sort of depth at center or on the wing that would be invaluable for a deep playoff run.

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John Klingberg has been a hot topic of trade speculation since early January after voicing his frustration over his stalled contract extension talks with the Dallas Stars. On Jan. 18, we listed the Florida Panthers among five potential trade destinations for the 29-year-old pending free-agent defenseman. It wouldn’t be shocking if he dons a Panthers jersey before the March 21 trade deadline if the Stars go into sell mode by then.

On Jan. 9, Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards reported that Panthers general manager Bill Zito was in “go-for-it mode” this season. It’s understandable given his club is jostling with the Colorado Avalanche for first overall in the standings. Richards indicated Zito was in the market for a defenseman and included Klingberg among the potential trade targets.

Richards envisioned Klingberg providing some much-needed offensive punch to the Panthers’ second defense pairing. He could fill the right-side spot and play on the second power-play unit. That could mean shifting rugged Radko Gudas to the third pairing and perhaps moving Brandon Montour to the left side alongside Klingberg on the second pairing, with Gustav Forsling moving down to the third.

The Panthers have $3 million in projected trade deadline salary-cap space but could request Dallas retain a portion of the remainder of Klingberg’s $4.25 million cap hit. Richards speculated the Stars’ asking price was a high draft pick or a player. The Panthers lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft but could bundle promising forward Owen Tippett along with a prospect.

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The Vegas Golden Knights parted ways with Marc-Andre Fleury last summer, shipping him to the Chicago Blackhawks in a cost-cutting move that didn’t sit well with either Fleury or Golden Knights fans. On Tuesday, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported on the possibility of a reunion between the 37-year-old goaltender and his former team.

Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon swiftly shot down that rumor, but what if circumstances force him to change his mind? Seravalli reported Vegas starter Robin Lehner was suffering from what’s believed to be a shoulder injury. That could threaten the Golden Knights’ hopes for a deep playoff run, provided they don’t tumble out of contention in Lehner’s absence.

An unrestricted free agent in July, Fleury carries a $7 million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause. Returning to Vegas could give him a good opportunity for another run at the Stanley Cup, easily fitting back into the Golden Knights lineup as a postseason rental.

Vegas has $5.2 million in projected deadline cap space provided Mark Stone and Alec Martinez remain on long-term injury reserve for the rest of the regular season. The Golden Knights might have to get the Blackhawks to retain some salary, and it could cost them a second-round pick and a prospect to make it happen. Still, it would provide them some short-term stability between the pipes as they pursue that elusive Stanley Cup.

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The Minnesota Wild were among the proposed destinations for Claude Giroux during our Feb. 9 B/R NHL Staff Roundtable concerning the Philadelphia Flyers captain. Most of the recent speculation links the 34-year-old to the Colorado Avalanche. However, Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater reported Giroux would also accept a trade to the Wild or St. Louis Blues if a deal with the Avs isn’t possible.

Giroux is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He’s a skillful two-way star who can skate at all three forward positions. His leadership and experience would be invaluable for any one those teams. Picking up the remainder of his $8.275 million cap hit, however, could prove difficult for the Avalanche and Blues given their respective limited cap room.

With $11.8 million in projected deadline cap space, the Wild have more than enough to absorb what’s left of Giroux’s cap hit. It remains to be seen what asking price the Flyers set, but it could be worthwhile for Wild GM Bill Guerin to give this serious consideration.

The Wild sit second overall in the Western Conference. They haven’t advanced past the second round since 2003, and their fans are hungry for a winner. Giroux’s versatility means they could plug him in anywhere within their top nine, giving them invaluable depth and additional scoring punch for a run at the Stanley Cup.

                  

Stats via NHL.com and salary info via CapFriendly.