The NHL trade deadline is only a month and a half away, which means teams are going to start positioning themselves as either buyers or sellers. Playoff contenders are looking for that final piece of their championship puzzle, rebuilding teams are looking for future assets such as draft picks and prospects, and the teams on the cusp of contending are looking for a combination of both. Let’s break down some trade targets for the 2024 Trade Deadline.
At the top of this week’s list of trade targets is Noah Hanifin of the Calgary Flames. The 26-year-old is a top-pairing defenseman with a track record of excellence who can score goals from the point and play a steady defensive game. He will therefore be in high demand during the coming weeks.
Ryan Regan “i hope that the rangers trade for Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Pengiuns as their season has gone to flames”
The Flames have been in a tough spot this season, with a handful of key pieces on expiring contracts. They are looking to make changes and they are aiming to help the future of their franchise. Teams that have been linked to Hanifin include the Coyotes, Devils, and Bruins, but as the deadline approaches, more are likely to come after him.
Another top target of this year’s deadline included another Calgary Flames asset in centermen Elias Lindholm who was traded on the night of Jan. 31 to the Vancouver Canucks. The Flames and Canucks have a history of trading this season as Calgary dealt defensemen Nikita Zadorov to Vancouver in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Two months following, the Canada-based teams made a blockbuster deal including Elias Lindholm. Lindholm is a high-quality, two-way centerman who can play at a high level on both the offensive and defensive sides of the puck. The massive deal included the Canucks receiving Elias Lindholm from the Flames in exchange for winger Andrei Kuzmenko. The Calgary Flames also received the Vancouver Canucks’ first-round pick and a conditional fourth-round in the 2024 NHL Draft, along with prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo.
“As a big Islanders fan, i cant wait to see who the islanders get during the trade deadline to prepare for a big playoff push” said Junior Paul Trombley
The Senators are another team that has a great chance of improving their future coming up to this year’s trade deadline. This year for the team has not gone as planned; it started with legitimate playoff hopes, but instead, they find themselves with the worst record in the Eastern Conference and in position as active sellers before the trade deadline.
A notable name who joined Ottawa just last season is defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who has been one of the better defensemen for their team this season. Chychrun can play at a high level on both sides of the puck. He is still fairly young, which makes more teams want to keep an eye on him and keeps his value up as a player who still has time and potential to grow into a talented player. He is still looking to improve his game and can pair with any team that is looking for a tough defender.
Another big piece that Ottawa is looking to trade is Vladimir Tarasenko, a top-six scoring winger who will be on his way out by the deadline. Tarasenko is still a league star when he plays at his best, and buyers seem to be very excited about these two competitors.
The eighth overall pick in 2019 seems to be on his way out. Philip Broberg is a talented two-way defenseman with a big 6-foot-3 frame, but he hasn’t been able to stay relevant in the NHL, bouncing between two leagues over the past three seasons. Broberg’s game has seen improvement, but the Edmonton Oilers are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, so there’s no situation where he could be a real asset on this team. The Oilers are hoping to turn their players on expiring contracts into real defensive assets.
After the Canucks made their move on Jan. 31, acquiring Elias Lindholm from the Flames, the Jets have now joined the affair, adding Sean Monahan of the Montreal Canadiens. This trade was great for both teams, giving the Canadiens more trade assets for their ongoing rebuild, and the Jets increasing their center depth and now have a good replacement for Mark Scheiefle until he returns from injury.
Recently there has been some talk about a potential John Tavares trade. John Tavares’ performance has decreased in the current season. If the Maple Leafs anticipate a continued decline in production of their 33-year-old captain throughout the remaining duration of his contract, it might be prudent for both parties to explore the possibility of parting ways. Tavares wants to continue playing with his team but there is a rare chance of that happening. He is supposed to earn an average salary of $7.95 million in the last two years of his contract and the chance of the Leafs accepting this contract again is slim.
The NHL trade deadline is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the league, with high-profile moves already taking place and speculation swirling around potential trades involving key players. The departure of Elias Lindholm from the Flames, and the Senators actively exploring trade options for players like Jakob Chychrun and Vladimir Tarasenko highlight the dynamic nature of the trade market.
“ With the trade deadline coming up, it is exciting to see how teams respond to the offers and rumors” said Sophomore Cal Lundberg
Teams like the Oilers and Jets are making strategic moves to solidify their positions, while the unexpected talks surrounding a potential John Tavares trade add an element of suspense to the deadline narrative. As the countdown to the trade deadline continues, hockey fans can expect a rollercoaster of negotiations, surprising swaps, and roster reshuffling, making this a must-watch period for fans across the NHL.