Fansided

5 NHL sellers that need to be stripped down for parts

By C.L. Kohuss

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 31: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save during the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 31, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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As we near the NHL trade deadline, we take a look at five teams whose players are destined to be saved from the scrap heap.

It’s February already in the NHL. The regular season is beginning its wind-down, beards will be (in a few cases unfortunately) starting to form for postseason action, and some lucky duck from a cellar-dweller is about to win a golden ticket to contentionville.

We’re talking trade deadline, the nasty biz where teammates are forced to watch as their more talented and probably better looking friends are adopted by rich Uncle Hugo while they remain playing to a bunch of fans dressed up as empty seats.

Anything can happen between now and February 25. And the standings being as they are—globbed as thick as grandma’s pudding—there’s no guarantee a few of these clubs won’t surge the ranks and turn from seller to buyer.

But damn it if we aren’t going to try to strip the pretty wheels while the engine is cracked.

COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 13: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops a shot from Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers during the game on January 13, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated New York 7-5. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – JANUARY 13: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops a shot from Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers during the game on January 13, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus defeated New York 7-5. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

5. New York Rangers

It seems the New York Rangers are sellers just about every season at this point. After swapping guys like Rick Nash and J.T. Miller last year for high picks, the fun likely isn’t over considering the club is still, well, bad.

New York sits eight points back of the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and while it’s tempting to say that a good week could slide them into the picture, just stop it.

One question that seems to pop up constantly is what the Rangers will do with long-tenured Mats Zuccarello. He’s survived his share of overhauls, but with talent still in the tank and the fact that he’s an unrestricted free agent come this year’s closing time, does New York finally shop him out?

Zuccarello is only 31. He can also notch anywhere from 50 to 60 points when healthy. And what about Kevin Hayes? The 26-year-old is also scheduled to hit free agency. He’s tallied 36 points in 42 games after scoring 25 goals last season.

It seems silly to trade off one of your top young players, but does New York feel good about being able to retain him in the summer?

Will this finally be the year that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist waives his no-trade clause? He refused in 2018, despite the Rangers reportedly offering to send him to a contender. We know of plenty out there *ahemColoradoAvalancheahem* who would be willing to see him in a different sweater.

He also isn’t getting any younger at 36 and he’s never won a Cup. We’ll be frank, it doesn’t appear that will happen any time soon in the Big A.

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