Fansided

Welcome Back! Listen, You’ve Been Moved: NHL Trade Bait

By Aryssah Stankevitsch

Oct 10, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes 3rd period save against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes 3rd period save against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Which NHL players could be on the move early in the season?

Most NHL general managers tend to focus on trades come February or March near the deadline. However, as some teams have gotten off to rough starts, it seems Christmas for hockey fans (also known as moves on trade deadline day) may come early this season. Here are some players who may have new homes within the next few months.

Tyler Myers – Buffalo

Myers has five years at 5.5 million on his contract; most rumours have involved a deal with him going to the Red Wings for Dylan Larkin and others. Though 6’8, a beast, his 48-point rookie campaign was the highlight of his career. If not Myers to Detroit, we know they want a right-handed shot, and badly. Perhaps Cody Franson of Toronto or Zach Bogosian of Winnipeg? Or our next d-man…

Mike Green – Washington

Oct 14, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

The Caps brought new blueliners in to perhaps help Mike Green’s declining play, or spur him on to improve. Washington wants to see how he plays this year before considering a trade – management says. Green is in the last year of his contract, with a 6.25 million pay, so if anything this is the year to get back to former numbers. From 2008-2009, Green scored 149 points (and as a defenseman). The past two seasons? Only 64.

Nail Yakupov – Edmonton

Yakupov’s rookie contract ends this year, and it’s been evident that management and head coach Dallas Eakins have not been impressed; they’re considering shipping him to Columbus. The lockout-shortened season, he produced 31 points – not bad for a rookie. However, he didn’t even have that total last season, in an 82 game schedule.

Evander Kane – Winnipeg

The Jets would want an up and coming young player, around 23 or 24, in exchange for Kane, and have been in talks with Philadelphia. But really, what team wants to give up that type of talent? Kane is locked in to 5.25 million each year until 2018. He scored 30 goals in his first season after the team relocated to Canada, but since then has been a bit of a disappointment.

Eric Staal – Carolina

Captain Hurricane has a hefty price tag of 8.25 million until 2016. Teams that are interested? Toronto, Philadelphia, Montreal, Detroit, the New York Rangers…pretty much, all other 29 teams. The guy produces: he had 100 points in 2006, 40 goals in 2009, etc. However, after age 30, players point production goes down by 20%. Staal turns thirty in a few days.

Joffrey Lupul – Toronto

Oct 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) takes a shot in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Joffrey Lupul (19) takes a shot in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

There have been talks of Lupul joining former teammates in Florida, while the Kings denied any talks to the 2012 All-Star. Lupul is earning 5.25 million a year until 2018 (just like Evander Kane), but this guy is made of glass. His All-Star year, Lupul scored 67 points, but hasn’t reached that total since.

Eric Brewer – Tampa Bay

Old man Brewer was scratched for the first two games of the season, and wants out – or so rumours lead us to believe. This year, his contract ends, likely does his 3.875 million salary too. He’s 35 – and not worth that cash. Maybe back in the day he could catch a speedy player like Nate MacKinnon, but nowadays he’d be lucky to still be breathing after reaching the other end of the ice.

Antti Niemi – San Jose

Niemi is a UFA come 2015, and may be replacable in SJ with the upcoming play of Alex Stalock. Sucks to be Niemi, after winning the Cup in 2010, and earning 3.8 million, he’ll likely be shafted. His save percentage last season (.913) was almost identical to his Cup year (.912).

Cam Ward – Carolina

He played 30 games last year, had a 3.06 goals against average, and earned 6.3 million. “To be honest, at the start of the summer I didn’t think I was coming back,” the former Conn Smythe Winner said to the media.

GM Ron Francis said: “Quite frankly you look at what you will get back in return. If you make a trade and you don’t get something back that makes you better, it isn’t good to make that deal.”

I guess a bag of pucks isn’t what Francis was wanting.

More from FanSided

Home/NHL