NHL Trade Matchmaker: Predicting Where Top Targets Will Go at the Deadline, Part 2

We are now exactly 10 weeks away from the NHL’s trade deadline on March 7.

That leaves plenty of room for the needs of buyers and sellers to shift before the biggest decisions are made – or for buyers and sellers to switch places. But in a season where there has already been a lot of trade action, it’s not too early to try to find some of the matches between teams and players available on our latest NHL trade board.

With that in mind, here is part two of trade-board matchmaker.

Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: F
To shoot: L
Age: 32
Contract duration: UFA 2025
AAV: $5 million

LeBrun: Vegas Golden Knights

The 32-year-old Granlund leads the Sharks in scoring and is on his way to a career high in points. He has also meant a lot to San Jose off the ice, in terms of his leadership and influence around the youth. He likes it there too. All of this is to say that it’s not a slam dunk that he’ll be dealt before the deadline just because he’s a pending unrestricted free agent. Granlund’s agents, Todd Diamond and Mark Gandler, are expected to have a conversation with Sharks general manager Mike Grier in the new year. But the team will have to weigh any potential expansion against the type of offers it will receive on the trade market, which there will certainly be. The versatility of Granlund, who can play all three forwards comfortably, will appeal to the contenders. He could also increase his trade value depending on his performance in the spotlight when he played for Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Looking into my matchmaker crystal ball, let’s make him a Vegas Golden Knight. The Sharks and Knights came together a year ago for a trade deadline deal involving Tomas Hertl. Considering Granlund’s versatility and the unfortunate reality that we’re always concerned about Mark Stone’s health, I think it’s a good idea for Vegas to add this kind of depth.

Johnston: Minnesota Wild

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Granlund was picked in the first round by the Wild, who played seven seasons for the organization. But wouldn’t it make a nice homecoming story? Minnesota could really use a forward who can switch between center and wing while running an offense. Granlund checks all of these boxes and should come with an extra level of comfort given his familiarity with the organization. The cap aspect will need to be worked out as there are no retention spots open in San Jose and Minnesota has some additional challenges while operating in a long-term injured reserve, but they aren’t significant enough to prevent this.

Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: D
To shoot: R
Age: 30
Contract duration: UFA 2027
AAV: $5.1 million

LeBrun: Winnipeg Jets

It wasn’t that long ago that Ristolainen’s contract scared teams, but it’s funny what happens when a top-four defenseman on 20 minutes per night finds his play more consistent, as he has this season. Suddenly, with the salary cap going up, a $5.1 million cap hit for the next two and a half years isn’t all that bad. That’s why league sources say the Flyers have indeed received calls this offseason asking if they would be willing to move Ristolainen. The Flyers’ answer is yes – if a certain price is met. They would want a good prospect or a young player in return, or a combination of a prospect and a pick. And while trading for a player with the expiration date on his contract isn’t your typical deadline deal, with most contenders preferring to rent, I can see it being attractive to a few teams. The Jets, for example. I would like to see the Jets add the kind of size to the right side of their defense that Ristolainen would bring. And after giving up a first-round pick for loanee Sean Monahan last season, only to see him leave on July 1, and keeping in mind how difficult it is for the Jets to lure free agents to Winnipeg, I think it a good idea to contract a player under the name. So there you have it, I have the Cup contending Jets taking on Ristolainen.

Could Rasmus Ristolainen end up in the Central Division? (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Johnston: Dallas Stars

The Stars made a big splash by acquiring Chris Tanev before last year’s deadline, but were unable to retain him in free agency this summer. They haven’t filled that hole on the right side of their blue line yet. The remaining term of Ristolainen’s contract fits the Stars’ win-now window, and the improvements in his play should be attractive considering there are expected to be few defensive stoppers available on the market. Depth is essential for any team gearing up for a long spring, and Dallas is fully focused on winning the Stanley Cup.

Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: F
To shoot: L
Age: 33
Contract duration: UFA 2025
AAV: $6 million

LeBrun: Utah HC

The Blackhawks haven’t actually committed to trading Hall yet, although given where they stand in the standings, you’d think that would be the most logical course of action for the veteran unrestricted free agent prospect. It hasn’t been the best of seasons for the 33-year-old winger, but something tells me a move to a cup contender could spark a bit of a flash for the former Hart Trophy winner. He has always been one of the smartest players in the league. Hockey IQ hasn’t dulled, even if skating has slowed down a bit. If the Hawks are willing to eat some of Hall’s $6 million cap hit, I have no doubt there will be a market for him. Hall has a modified no-trade clause, so his agent, Darren Ferris, could play a role in helping the Hawks find a suitor. So hear me out here: Utah HC as a buyer! This is only realistic in a world where Utah stays in the race in the second half. They could use a little more attack. Hall has a cache of brand names that would be nice to bring to the NHL’s newest market, and Utah has plenty of cap space, plus a strong desire to stay in the playoff chase.

Johnston: Colorado Avalanche

The Avs are one of the few top teams that can make room for Hall in their top six, which is likely where a player with his skill set needs to play to be most effective. The continued uncertainty surrounding Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has not played for more than two and a half years while recovering from a cartilage transplant in his right knee, increases the need for a new left winger. Hall may not be skating at the same level as earlier in his career, but he’s still faster than average and can hold his own alongside Nathan MacKinnon on the top line when needed. At the very least, he would give the Avalanche more lineup flexibility than they currently enjoy. The acquisition cost also shouldn’t be too high for a veteran player who likely won’t be part of the long-term solution to the Blackhawks’ rebuild.

Team: New York Rangers
Position: D
To shoot: R
Age: 28
Contract duration: UFA 2025
AAV: $2.7 million

LeBrun: Florida Panthers

The Rangers just acquired Borgen, but he is a pending unrestricted free agent and unless New York can somehow stop the bleeding and turn the season around, the Blueshirts will be sellers and open to converting him turn. The 6-foot-4, 204-pound Borgen would fit in nicely in South Florida. I think in many ways pending unrestricted free agent David Savard is a more obvious fit for the Panthers given his previous relationship in Columbus with Panthers general manager Bill Zito, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Florida for Savard would try if looking for a rental, right shot D with some physicality that won’t break the bank. But Borgen would be the more under-the-radar move if the Rangers do indeed decide to make him available.

Will Borgen has only played three games for the Rangers, but he could be hitting the road again. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)

Johnston: Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks have struggled since losing Filip Hronek to a significant lower-body injury earlier this month, and they don’t expect him to play again until February. That has exposed a gaping need on the right side of the blue line that management has been aggressively trying to address. Enter Borgen, who excels in the less celebrated parts of the game, like penalty killing, which Vancouver could certainly use. The stay-at-home defenseman is a good skater who should be able to step into a second duo on a team and whose size teams see as an added plus during the playoffs. Borgen will have plenty of suitors before the deadline, but there may be no one more motivated to pursue him than Vancouver.

Team: Seattle Kraken
Position: F
To shoot: L
Age: 32
Contract duration: UFA 2025
AAV: $3.5 million

LeBrun: New Jersey Devils

All signs point to the impending unrestricted free agent winger being dealt before the deadline if the Kraken aren’t in the playoff chase, which seems quite likely as of now. My understanding is that there are several contenders waiting to see if/when Tanev hits the market because they want to get him. He brings the kind of grindy game most playoff teams are looking for. He is an excellent penalty killer who leads Seattle in short ice time. He will not back down from anyone. I think the Devils are a good fit. They’re looking for a bottom-six spot, and I’d imagine Tanev will find a sweet spot in the cup competition, which has no shortage of attacking talent but could use a little more sandpaper.

Johnston: Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas entered the NHL’s holiday season with the league’s best points percentage, and there is strong expectation that it will improve again before the deadline. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Golden Knights pursue two forwards – one with more offensive ability, and a bottom-sixer to round out other elements of the team. Tanev falls into the latter category and could ultimately become the strongest player with those skills available. As a high-end skater who plays the game hard, it’s not hard to imagine him fitting into a team that’s used to using all four lines to win.

(Photo of Mikael Granlund and Brandon Tanev: Eric Hartline/USA Today and Alika Jenner/Getty Images)