NHL trade deadline 2018: 5 players who will be dealt

Evander Kane, LW, Buffalo Sabres

Evander Kane had a great start to his season but recently has been in a goal slump. This slump has put Sabres general manager Jason Botterill in a tough position as the deadline approaches. It was reported that in the beginning of the season Botterill was looking for four assets in return for Kane.

Because of unexpected names entering the market like Nash, Grabner and even Pacioretty Kane’s value dropped slightly, this goal drought has not helped either. It is believed that Botterill will be looking for two assets now, similar to the Rick Nash package. A way Botterill can get more value from Kane would be to take on up to 50 percent of Kane’s salary as well as putting a conditional clause in the trade which would reward Buffalo if Kane resigns with the team he is traded to.

Kane would be a fit on Dallas and Nashville for the same reasons that Rick Nash was. Kane brings more of a physical presence than Nash which could prove valuable in the Western Conference playoffs.

Some “sleeper” teams that could be interested in Kane are the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils. Botterill was the former general manager in Pittsburgh and has a positive relationship with Jim Rutherford and a deal could be struck. Botterill is extremely familiar with the Penguins pipeline and knows who he wants to bring to Buffalo.

The Devils did not expect to be in the middle of a playoff battle this season so they may not go heavy on rentals and just stay with what players they have. However, if the Devils feel they can keep Kane after the season they may make the trade. Trading away Adam Henrique filled a hole on the blue line but it opened up one in their top two forward lines. Placing a player like Evander Kane on a line with Taylor Hall would be a lethal offensive threat heading down the stretch.