NHL Trade Block Big Board Entering March 2022

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As the calendar flips to March, the NHL’s March 21 trade deadline grows larger on the horizon. As in previous years, trade activity will almost certainly increase as the big day approaches, culminating in the usual frenzy of deals in the hours leading up to the deadline.

Business in the trade market picked up throughout February, with a season-high seven deals taking place. All but one were minor moves, with the exception being the Calgary Flames acquiring winger Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens. That was the most significant deal since the Vegas Golden Knights landed Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres in November.

The Toffoli move was typical of most deals leading up to the trade deadline. A non-playoff club shipped out a player who no longer fit into their plans to a postseason contender in exchange for a return comprising primarily draft picks and prospects. The move bolstered the Flames lineup while becoming the first significant domino to drop in the trade market.

A growing number of noteworthy talent could be on the move between now and March 21. They include several players who have been on our previous trade boards, such as Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Some notable additions include Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser and New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov.

Here’s a look at our top NHL trade candidates for March 2022. Do you agree or disagree with our selections? Did we leave someone out? Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comment section.

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This list is based on media trade speculation. Our previous trade block big boards were 15-player lists with analysis of the top 10 players. Given the increasing number of players appearing in trade rumors throughout February, we have expanded the list to 25 players and provided analysis of the top 15 based on their level of talent, trade value and the possibility of being moved by the March 21 deadline.

All of the players who appeared on our February list remain on this list except for Vegas Golden Knights winger Reilly Smith. Placing Mark Stone and his $9.5 million annual salary-cap hit on long-term injured reserve in mid-February enabled them to activate Jack Eichel into their lineup, reducing the likelihood of trading Smith in a cost-cutting move.

Notable additions include Boeser, New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov and Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell. Winger Filip Forsberg returns to our list following a report suggesting the Nashville Predators were shopping him. Arizona Coyotes winger Phil Kessel slides out of the top 15 because other notable players became subjects of media trade chatter.

The updated list is as follows in no particular order:

• Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
• Semyon Varlamov, New York Islanders
• Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
• Marc-Andre Fleury, Chicago Blackhawks
• Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks
• Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes
• Anton Khudobin, Dallas Stars
• J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks
• John Klingberg, Dallas Stars
• Nick Leddy, Detroit Red Wings
• Ben Chiarot, Montreal Canadiens
• Mark Giordano, Seattle Kraken
• Jake DeBrusk, Boston Bruins
• Phil Kessel, Arizona Coyotes
• Joonas Korpisalo, Columbus Blue Jackets
• Conor Garland, Vancouver Canucks
• Justin Braun, Philadelphia Flyers
• Alexander Georgiev, New York Rangers
• Pavel Zacha, New Jersey Devils
• Brandon Hagel, Chicago Blackhawks
• Rickard Rakell, Anaheim Ducks
• Jeff Petry, Montreal Canadiens
• Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
• Max Domi, Columbus Blue Jackets
• Artturi Lehkonen, Montreal Canadiens

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Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is garnering lots of attention in the rumor mill, but a lesser-known teammate has become the subject of growing trade conjecture in recent weeks. Winger Brandon Hagel, 23, has drawn considerable interest for his energetic two-way play and affordable contract.

A versatile forward who can skate at either wing, Hagel enjoyed a solid NHL debut last season with a respectable 24 points in 52 games. He’s surpassed those stats in his sophomore campaign, tallying 17 goals and 30 points in 48 games to sit second among Blackhawks goal scorers and fourth in points. Meanwhile, he’s signed through 2023-24 with a cost-effective $1.5 million annual salary-cap hit.

On Feb. 23, The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers reported that the Blackhawks didn’t appear interested in moving Hagel. They believe it will take “a very enticing package” to convince management to move him. Teams with limited cap space seeking a top-six winger, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals, could come calling.

It’s not surprising that there are teams interested in Hagel. The Blackhawks are poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. They have yet to name a full-time general manager and are in need of a roster rebuild. While the Blackhawks appear reluctant to trade Hagel, we cannot rule out the possibility of a postseason contender pitching a tempting offer.

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On Feb. 10, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Pavel Zacha was garnering interest in the trade market. Two days later, Friedman’s colleague Jeff Marek said the Vancouver Canucks were interested in acquiring the New Jersey Devils forward.

Zacha, 24, was chosen sixth overall by the Devils in the 2015 NHL draft. A big-bodied versatile forward who can play center or wing, the 6’3″, 210-pounder hasn’t blossomed into a scoring star but has settled into a depth role in New Jersey. With 12 goals and 24 points in 49 games, he’s on pace to exceed last season’s career-high 17-goal, 35-point performance.

Marek indicated Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin saw a lot of Zacha during their time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Perhaps they consider him as a potential replacement for J.T. Miller or Brock Boeser if one of those two is moved before the trade deadline.

There’s no indication the Devils are shopping Zacha, but they could be listening to offers. A restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Zacha is also a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. He carries an affordable $2.25 million cap hit with an actual salary of $3 million this season. He could be an affordable re-signing for the Canucks or the other clubs interested in acquiring his services.

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It’s been more than three months since Jake DeBrusk requested a trade. The 25-year-old winger only recently broke his silence with the media about the request, telling reporters that he let it be known he wanted to leave while also indicating he assured his teammates he wouldn’t be a distraction.

Since his request, DeBrusk has been among the notable players on our trade boards. He could still be moved before the March 21 deadline, but the apparent lack of interest in him has sent him tumbling down our list.

Lately, however, DeBrusk’s performance has improved thanks to being moved up to the Bruins first line alongside superstars Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. Over the past five games, he’s scored seven goals and collected two assists, boosting his totals for the season to 14 goals and 24 points in 48 games.

NBC Sports Boston’s Nick Goss sees the move as a bid to showcase DeBrusk to suitors. He doesn’t expect the winger on his own will fetch a significant return but felt it could make it easier for Bruins general manager Don Sweeney to package him with other assets to land a roster upgrade.

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Changes in the Vancouver Canucks front office since late November have generated mixed messages among NHL insiders over the trade status of J.T. Miller. The 28-year-old forward sat at No. 3 on our December trade board, dropped out of the top 10 in January and moved up to No. 9 on February’s trade board as rumors over his future in Vancouver waxed and waned.

Miller’s two-way skills and ability to play center or wing should make him enticing to playoff contenders. Unlike most on this list, he’s signed through 2022-23 and carries a reasonable $5.25 million salary-cap hit. He’s been linked to the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild and his former club, the New York Rangers. On Feb. 25, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Toronto Maple Leafs had spoken to the Canucks about Miller.

However, Canucks management might not be that keen to move Miller. On Feb. 17, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported they could hang on to him in hope of signing him to a contract extension or moving him in the offseason, when his trade value could be higher.

With the Canucks sitting three points out of a Western Conference wild-card spot, moving Miller could scuttle their playoff hopes. Should they fall out of contention, perhaps their front office would be willing to entertain offers. While a Miller trade isn’t as likely as it appeared earlier this season, we cannot rule out the possibility if the Canucks receive an offer that’s too good to pass up.

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An unrestricted free agent in July along with teammates Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson, Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell appeared on our November 2021 trade board. He makes his return with his club sitting just two points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference. A two-time 30-goal scorer, he has 14 goals and 25 points in 44 games this season.

Rakell, 28, was the subject of trade rumors leading up to last season’s deadline. While he wasn’t moved then, new Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek could consider shopping him before March 21 if they slide further out of contention. There’s no indication Verbeek has held contract talks with Rakell’s agent.

Defensemen Lindholm and Manson are also slated to become unrestricted free agents. Writing for The Athletic on Monday, Pierre LeBrun reported that Verbeek has opened contract extension talks with Lindholm’s camp. Manson, meanwhile, has been sidelined since Jan. 29 with an injured finger, and it’s uncertain when he will return. That could make Rakell the most likely trade candidate.

Several playoff clubs seeking scoring depth could come calling. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘s Mike DeFabo included Rakell among his list of suggested trade options for the Penguins. On Feb. 22, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple had him on his list of proposed Rangers trade targets.

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The Vancouver Canucks have been dogged by trade speculation for most of this season. Much of the focus was on J.T. Miller, but of late the attention has shifted to teammate Brock Boeser. The 25-year-old winger’s status as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, combined with the Canucks’ need for salary-cap flexibility beyond this season, has turned him into a hot topic for trade conjecture.

Boeser is in the final season of a three-year contract with an annual average value of $5.875 million but is earning $7.5 million in actual salary this season. Because he signed that contract before the changes regarding restricted free agents were made to the collective bargaining agreement in 2020, they must qualify his rights at his actual salary.

A skilled scoring right winger, Boeser would be justified seeking a significant raise after watching teammates Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes each land a lucrative new contract worth more than $7 million annually last summer. However, with $70.6 million invested in 14 active roster players for 2022-23, the Canucks won’t be able to afford to pay Boeser a significant raise unless they shed salary elsewhere.

Boeser’s scoring ability and restricted free agent status should make him enticing to clubs seeking more than just a playoff rental scorer like the New York Rangers. Rebuilding teams seeking scoring depth on the wing, such as the Anaheim Ducks or New Jersey Devils, could also have an interest.

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After reaching the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2021 Stanley Cup semifinals, the New York Islanders find themselves well out of playoff contention this season. General manager Lou Lamoriello could become a seller by the deadline, which could make goaltender Semyon Varlamov a trade candidate.

Varlamov, 33, missed the opening month of the season while recovering from an offseason injury. Despite recording just three wins in 14 starts this season, he has a 2.67 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. However, he’s firmly in a backup role, as Ilya Sorokin (35 starts this year) has taken over as the Isles’ starting goaltender.

Signed through next season with a $5 million cap hit, Varlamov has become an expensive backup. Lamoriello could consider moving him in a cost-cutting deal to free up space to address other roster needs in the offseason. Varlamov carries a 16-team no-trade list, giving him some control over where he can be moved.

On Feb. 21, The Fourth Period’s James Nichols reported that the Vegas Golden Knights had inquired about Varlamov. Three days later, the Edmonton Sun‘s Jim Matheson suggested the Oilers could use an experienced starter such as Samsonov or the Chicago Blackhawks’ Marc-Andre Fleury. Those teams also have limited salary-cap space, meaning they could attempt to convince Lamoriello to retain some of Varlamov’s salary.

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Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg was on our November Trade Block Big Board based on speculation over his contract talks given his status as an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, he dropped off our boards as that contract chatter died down while the Predators jockeyed for position among the Western Conference playoff contenders.

However, a Feb. 23 tweet by Bally Sports Midwest’s Andy Strickland, saying that the Predators were “actively shopping” Forsberg, placed the 27-year-old back among the notable players on our March trade board. Two days later, The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode reported that Strickland walked back his report a little by suggesting the Predators were doing “due diligence” to gauge Forsberg’s value in the trade market.

Rexrode also relayed Predators general manager David Poile’s quick denial that he was shopping Forsberg. Poile said contract negotiations are ongoing and that the goal was to keep the talented winger. Nevertheless, Nashville’s GM appears to be keeping his options open in case a deal cannot be hammered out by March 21.

Forsberg leads the Predators with 27 goals in 40 games and sits third with 45 points. Trading him would be a big blow to their postseason hopes. Nevertheless, Poile could take that gamble rather than risk losing him for nothing. He will be a hot commodity among playoff contenders seeking scoring punch if he hits the trade block before the deadline.

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Will the San Jose Sharks sign Tomas Hertl to a contract extension, or will they shop the pending unrestricted free agent center before March 21? That’s the question some NHL playoff contenders in the market for a talented two-way center could be asking as the trade deadline approaches.

Speculation about Hertl’s status with the Sharks last summer and early this season earned him a spot at No. 9 on our November trade board. The 28-year-old center dropped off our December and January boards as the trade rumors died down while the Sharks were jockeying for playoff contention. He resurfaced on our February board as the speculation over his future picked up again.

Despite being sidelined by knee injuries earlier in his career, Hertl has tallied at least 43 points in four of his past eight seasons. With 22 goals and 42 points in 52 games this season, he’s on pace to reach at least 30 goals and 60 points. He carries a reasonable $5.625 million cap hit this season but also has a three-team trade list.

With the Sharks sitting nine points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference, there are suggestions they could shop Hertl if an agreement on a new contract isn’t reached before the trade deadline. On Feb. 19, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Sheng Peng speculated the asking price could be a first-round pick or a top prospect and perhaps another mid-range or premium asset.

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John Klingberg sat atop our February Trade Block Big Board after the 29-year-old expressed his unhappiness over his stalled contract talks with the Dallas Stars. Media speculation at the time indicated the Stars were stepping up efforts to trade Klingberg. However, he remains in Dallas as his club battles for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

Klingberg is in the final season of a seven-year contract with an annual average value of $4.25 million. A talented puck-moving defenseman who has reached or exceeded 40 points in five of his past seven NHL seasons, he’s in line for a significant raise. He’s struggled through this season, which could be attributed to the distraction over his contract talks and the Stars shuffling him around their defense corps.

A blueliner of Klingberg’s skills with an affordable cap hit and lacking a no-trade clause should draw considerable interest in the trade market leading up to the deadline. However, The Athletic’s Sean Shapiro doesn’t consider the Stars to be a seller while they are jockeying for playoff positioning. That’s why Klingberg has slid out of the top spot in March’s trade board.

Still, a lot can happen in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. The Stars could decide to peddle Klingberg if they drop out of contention before March 21. That’s why we’re keeping him among the top 10 on our big board. Suitors could include the Carolina Hurricanes, who lost their best puck-moving defenseman in Dougie Hamilton last summer, and the Florida Panthers, who are in “go-for-it mode,” according to Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards.

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Reports of the Arizona Coyotes shopping Jakob Chychrun in December vaulted the 23-year-old defenseman into the top spot on our January trade board, and he was in the No. 2 spot in February. He remains a notable trade candidate, but there’s no certainty he will be moved by the March 21 trade deadline.

A young and talented puck-moving defenseman who led all NHL blueliners with 18 goals last season, Chychrun is signed through 2024-25 at an affordable $4.6 million annual salary-cap hit. Those factors have made him a much-discussed trade candidate. On their 32 Thoughts podcast in late January, Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman have linked him to the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.

However, those points explain why Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong can afford to be patient. In February, we noted he reportedly seeks at least a first-round pick, a top prospect and a good young NHL player. Because Chychrun is signed beyond this season, Armstrong can wait until the offseason or longer if no one meets his asking price by March 21.

That doesn’t mean a rival club won’t step up with a pitch that pries Chychrun from the Coyotes before deadline day. He remains a valuable trade target but seems less likely to move compared to the pending unrestricted free agents on this list.

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A permanent fixture on our trade boards since December, Ben Chiarot remains a hot topic for trade chatter as the March 21 trade deadline approaches. The 31-year-old Montreal Canadien is a big, left-side blueliner whose style of play is well-suited for the long, physical grind of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Thus, he remains among our top trade candidates.

Chiarot is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and carries a cost-effective $3.5 million salary-cap hit. His 10-team no-trade clause gives him some say over where the Canadiens could ship him in the coming weeks.

We noted that the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs were rumored to be among Chiarot’s suitors on our February Trade Block Big Board. Other playoff contenders seeking blue-line depth are likely to come calling as the deadline approaches. 

Pierre LeBrun believed in January that Montreal could seek a first-round pick for Chiarot. On Feb. 18, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford and Scott Wheeler suggested the Habs might also accept a prospect equivalent of a first-round pick from the previous two drafts.

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With the Seattle Kraken near the bottom of the NHL standings, the expectation they will trade captain Mark Giordano saw him land among the top 10 in our January and February trade boards. On Thursday, Pierre LeBrun reported for TSN that the 38-year-old defenseman recently spoke with Kraken general manager Ron Francis about exploring the trade market.

Despite his age, Giordano should draw plenty of interest from postseason contenders seeking a puck-moving, left-side blueliner with leadership skills. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent and carries a $6.75 million cap hit plus a 19-team list of trade destinations.

Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league’s best defenseman in 2019, Giordano has a respectable 23 points in 49 games with the low-scoring Kraken. Those stats should improve with a trade to a deeper team that can make good use of his mobility and playmaking skills.

Giordano could be a fit with teams seeking depth on the left side of the blue line. They could include the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues.

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A three-time Stanley Cup champion and the 2021 Vezina Trophy winner, Marc-Andre Fleury remains the top goaltender potentially available ahead of this season’s NHL trade deadline. However, interested parties could have difficulty absorbing the remainder of his $7 million cap hit for this season, provided they are not on his 10-team no-trade clause.

On Thursday, NHL.com’s Dan Rosen suggested the Washington Capitals could be interested in Fleury if they had doubts over their goaltending tandem of Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek. Two weeks earlier, however, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported that the Capitals attempted to acquire the 37-year-old but that it didn’t seem like that was going to happen.

Rosen also suggested the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche could be in the mix for Fleury. However, the Avalanche are rumored to be interested in Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux and lack the cap space to acquire both. The Wild seem content with their tandem of Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen, while the Oilers have limited cap room and could be on Fleury’s no-trade list.

The Vegas Golden Knights could also use Fleury with starter Robin Lehner sidelined by a suspected shoulder injury. However, Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon dismissed the notion of a reunion with the former Golden Knights netminder.

On Sunday, the Toronto Sun‘s Steve Simmons suggested the Maple Leafs consider adding Fleury, though their own cap issues—they are projected to have $4.5 million in deadline cap space, though that would disappear if defenseman Jake Muzzin is activated off LTIR—would make that a difficult undertaking.

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Giroux entered the top 10 on our February trade board at No. 10. The Philadelphia Flyers captain’s two-way skills, leadership and experience make him an attractive commodity. Those factors, and the expectation he will waive his no-movement clause in order to join a Stanley Cup contender, make him our top trade candidate entering March.

Despite being 34, Giroux remains a highly effective and versatile two-way player, and his ability to play all three forward positions provides invaluable flexibility. He’s tied with Cam Atkinson as the Flyers’ leading scorer with 39 points in 49 games and possesses the league’s second-best faceoff win percentage (61.8).

On Feb. 14, Colorado Hockey Now’s Adrian Dater tweeted that he had been told Giroux would accept trades to the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. However, there’s been no confirmation from the Giroux camp or the Flyers that he’s submitted a list of preferred destinations. On Feb. 15, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggested the Florida Panthers could also be among his suitors.

Giroux’s contract could also complicate things for interested parties with limited cap space. He carries an annual average value of $8.3 million, but his actual salary for the season is $4 million. As of Tuesday, his remaining cap hit was $2.4 million. Teams hoping to acquire him could ask the Flyers to retain part of that cap hit or attempt to get a third team involved to broker the deal and spread around the cap dollars.

                      

Stats (as of Feb. 28, 2022) via NHL.com and salary info via CapFriendly.