Written By: Daniel Rebain
With the 2022-23 NHL Trade Deadline set to arrive on Friday, March 3, at 3:00 P.M. EST, we have already seen some big names traded to new teams.
Deals that include names like Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), Vladamir Tarasenko, Patrick Kane (New York Rangers), Ryan O’Reilly, Jake McCabe (Toronto Maple Leafs), Timo Meier (New Jersey Devils), Dmitry Orlov (Boston Bruins), Nino Niederreiter (Winnipeg Jets), Tanner Jeannot (Tampa Bay Lightning) and many more have already transpired days before the deadline. But there are still deals to be made across the league.
As we draw closer to Friday’s trade deadline with a handful of the “headline” players already being acquired by contending teams, here are some of the best players that will still be available in three days’ time before the deadline.
Best Players Available:
1. Jakob Chychrun, LD, Arizona Coyotes (Age: 24, Cap Hit: $4.6M thru 2024-2025) * UPDATE – Traded to Ottawa Senators (3/1/2023)*
Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Chychrun is the #1 player still on the trade market. Since asking for a trade back in 2021, Chychrun has been in limbo and recently has been held out of games for “trade-related reasons.”
It was rumored that Chychrun would be moving to the LA Kings, but that fell apart and now other teams like the Capitals and Hurricanes have joined the race alongside the Kings to acquire the 24-year-old services.
This season in just 36 games this season, he’s been held out since February 11th, Chychrun was having one of his most productive seasons, posting 7 goals and 21 assists for 28 points.
When Chychrun is moved by the 3:00 P.M. deadline on Friday, March 3rd, he will be a massive get for his new team. Able to play top 2 defensive minutes, Chychrun will solidify any contending team’s top four for this year’s playoff run.
2. Erik Karlsson, RD, San Jose Sharks (Age: 32, Cap Hit: $11.5M thru 2026-2027)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Karlsson is the type of superstar player that you don’t see too often available on the trade market. Karlsson would be #1 on this list if he was actually expected to be moved by the Sharks before the deadline.
Alas, it doesn’t seem like GM Mike Grier will have enough time to find a trade partner to take on Karlsson’s FULL $11.5M cap hit for the next four seasons.
Now if you look past the money involved, Karlsson has arguably been the best defenseman in the NHL and the favorite for the Norris Trophy this season while being on a bottom-five team in San Jose.
Yeah, remember all those years of Karlsson winning Norris trophies’ and putting in 60+ points every year in his time with the Ottawa Senators? Well, Karlsson does, as the Swedish defensemen seems to have turned back the clock to 2016.
In 60 games this season, Karlsson has put up a ridiculous 77 points, with 19 goals and 58 assists. And if you put weight in +/- as a defenseman, Karlsson is just a -2.
If San Jose and a team interested in acquiring the former Norris defensemen were able to work out the finances and Karlsson waived his full no-movement clause, we will see a blockbuster deal come across our TVs before the deadline.
3. James van Riemsdyk, LW, Philadelphia Flyers (Age: 33, Cap Hit: $7.0M x -> UFA)
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Since his return to the Flyers back in 2018-2019, van Riemsdyk has been underwhelming on what fans and the front office expected from the 6’3 scoring power forward.
With van Riemsdyk being in the final year of his 5 years, $35M contract, the Flyers will look to add some needed draft capital for the best-proven goal scorer at this year’s deadline.
With 297 career NHL goals, van Riemsdyk will bolster any team’s power play with his big frame who will eat in front of the net in the playoffs.
4. Vladislav Gavrikov, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $2.8M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to LA Kings (3/1/2023)*
AP Photo/Paul Vernon
After a failed trade to the Bruins, who instead acquired Daniil Orlov from the Capitals, Vladislav Gavrikov is the best rental defenseman still left on the trade board.
Gavrikov doesn’t put up the gaudiest numbers offensively, 33 points last season though, but his game is progressing with every season since coming over from Russia in 2019.
Where Gavrikov makes his money is being solid in his own zone. Able to eat up 20-plus minutes a game, Columbus is looking for a 1st round pick plus for the Russian.
5. Max Domi, C/LW, Chicago Blackhawks (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $3.0M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Dallas Stars (3/2/2023)
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
When the Blackhawks signed Max Domi this past offseason to just a one-year deal, GM Kyle Davidson has been expected to flip most, if not all, of his unrestricted free agents at this year’s trade deadline to help the Blackhawks rebuild.
Domi, after the Patrick Kane and Jake McCabe trades, will be Chicago’s best remaining asset. With 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points, Domi is having an excellent year, leading the struggling Blackhawks squad in scoring.
Max has always been a pesty secondary scorer for most of his career in the NHL, 72 points in 2018-19 was an outlier, but with his added scoring this season, he could become a real contributor for a team that needs some feistiness added into their top nine come playoff time.
6. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, Detroit Red Wings (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $4.75M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Boston Bruins (3/2/23)*
Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP
After being drafted in 2013 by the Red Wings, Tyler Bertuzzi’s time in Detroit might be coming to an end. As he is set to hit the free agent market on July first and with no contract extension over the horizon, GM Steve Yzerman could be looking to cash in on power forward.
Heading into the prime of his NHL career, Bertuzzi is coming off a monster season in Detroit last season, posting 30 goals and 62 points, both career highs.
In 2023 Bertuzzi’s numbers have decreased, but mostly due to him not being able to get on the ice, with 14 points, and 4 goals, in just 28 games played.
A trade would be best for both parties, as Yzerman is looking to recoup at least a first-round pick, while Bertuzzi could rejuvenate his career and get back to the form he was in during the 2021-2022 season.
7. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks (Age: 25, Cap Hit: $6.65M thru 2024-2025)
Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers
In his first four seasons in the NHL, Brock Boeser was on a path to becoming one of the best young goal scorers in the league for the Canucks.
Over the past season and a half, though, something has changed in a downward trajectory. From the 2021 to 2022 season, Boeser was able to able to increase the games he was able to play from 56 to 71.
But instead of his points following the same path, they declined with only 46 points (71 games) after a 49-point (56 games) season.
In 2023 the production has slightly increased for the 26-year-old winger, with just 11 goals and 38 points, but not to the level where Boeser was at in his rookie and sophomore years where he was putting up .85 points per game.
Now entering just the first season of his new 3-year, $19.950M deal, Vancouver is looking to shed the player altogether. Maybe a fresh start with a team that as Stanley Cup aspirations, unlike the Canucks at the moment, will help Boeser restart his career as he enters his prime.
8. Colton Parayko, RD, St. Louis Blues (Age: 29, Cap Hit: $6.5M thru 2029-2030)
In the first season of his new 8 years, $52M deal, big defenseman Colton Parayko seems to be on the trade block. The Blues are looking to start a retool and with the trades of captain Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Taresenko being shipped out before Friday’s deadline more players are expected to be moved.
With the Blues having four defensemen with full no-trade clauses, Parayko, who’s 6’6 230 lbs, and the youngest of the four, looks to be the odd man out.
Last season Parayko put up a solid 35 points, matching his career high on two other occasions (16-17 & 17-18), adding another 5 points in two playoff series in 2022.
Making $6.5M a season over the next seven seasons, Parayko is going to be a tough contract to move, but if there is a team interested, expect St. Louis to try to work out a deal.
9. John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks (Age: 29, Cap Hit: $6.4M thru 2026-2027)
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The top goalie available during this year’s “silly season” is John Gibson. Since the 2018-2019 season, Gibson’s stats have fallen off a cliff with the Ducks overall not being as competitive as years prior.
Averaging a .903 SV% over the past four seasons, you can see that Gibson still has a lot in the tank to give if he was able to get a move to a Cup-contending team that is a goalie away.
Just last Friday, Gibson made 51 saves in a 3-2 win over the 2nd best team in the Eastern Conference Carolina Hurricanes. Gibson is a throwback type of work-horse goaltender, who can play 60+ games in a season.
If you put an actual good defensive core in front of Gibson during the playoffs, watch out because he could be that last missing piece for a Stanley Cup-winning team.
10. Josh Anderson, RW/LW, Montreal Canadiens (Age: 28, Cap Hit: $5.5M thru 2026-2027)
David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
With Timo Meier off the board, the closest comparison to a fast, strong, goal scorer that you can say could be available is Josh Anderson up in Montreal.
GM Kent Hughes has said that Anderson isn’t on the market, but if an offer that came in that “wowed” him before the deadline, Anderson will have a new team writing his game checks.
With his speed, skill, and power, all while playing on edge with his physicality, Anderson is a player that GMs salivate over. The only problem is his contract.
Making 5.5M against the cap for the next four seasons, it will be a hard contract to fit under the cap for most contenders. But if Montreal retained around 25% of Anderson’s salary, you could see a big return coming the Canadiens’ way.
11. Shayne Gostisbehere, LD, Arizona Coyotes (Age: 29, Cap Hit: $4.5M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Carolina Hurricanes (3/1/23)*
Yahoo Sports
Being involved in a trade that ultimately was a cap dump for the Philadelphia Flyers two offseasons ago, it seemed like Shayne Gostisbehere aka “Ghost”, career was going to come to a sputtering end in Arizona.
Instead, at the ripe old age of 29, Ghost has revived his career. Purely an offensive guy and a power play specialist, Ghost has produced some above-average numbers in the desert, posting 81 points in 133 games for the Coyotes.
With his contract set this expire this offseason, Ghost could be a really intriguing fourth or fifth defenseman for a team looking to boost their offensive output from the blue line, while also improving your team’s power play.
12. J.T. Miller, C/LW, Vancouver Canucks (Age: 29, Cap Hit: $5.25M -> Starting Next Season $8.0M thru 2029-2030)
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Is J.T. Miller a star player in NHL? For whatever reason, nobody can answer that question. After being moved from Tampa Bay to Vancouver in the 2019-2020 season, Miller’s offensive game has exploded.
Over the past four seasons, Miller has been over a point player in Vancouver with 271 points in 261 games. That type of offensive production doesn’t grow on trees in this NHL, earning Miller a new 7-year, $56M contract starting next season.
Now just six months later it seems Vancouver has some buyer remorse and could be looking for a team to take on Miller’s full deal. It’s highly unlikely that the Canucks will be able to find a dance partner due to the sheer size of the contract, but never say never with a few days remaining before the deadline.
13. Ivan Provorov, LD, Philadelphia Flyers (Age: 26, Cap Hit: $6.750M thru 2024-2025)
Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
From one former Flyer to his replacement in Philadelphia, Ivan Provorov. Now Provorov is under some heavy scrutiny after not wearing the Flyer’s “Gay Pride” warm-up jersey, stating religious reasons.
Isolating Provorov’s game to just on the ice, he is still a solid two-way defenseman that can chew up minutes; around 20-25 minutes per game. Provorov to go along with his smooth skating has a wicked shot from the blue line where he scored 17 goals in 2017-2018.
If an acquiring team is able to put Provorov next to a so-called “stay at home” defenseman that will do the heavy lifting in the defensive zone, Provorov could excel in a top four or potentially be a top pairing guy if his defensive game improved.
14. Kevin Labanc, LW/RW, San Jose Sharks (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $4.725M thru 2023-2024)
Hockey Shots/Dean Tait
As in the case of other Sharks players like Timo Meier or Erik Karlsson, Kevin Labanc’s time in San Jose appear to be numbered with the organization looking for a total restart.
The Brooklyn, New York native Labanc has been a quality secondary scorer for the Sharks since he stepped into the league back in 2016-2017. But after putting up 40 points and 56 points in back-to-back seasons from 2017 to 2019, the production for Labanc has dried up slightly.
This Labanc has found a hint of a spark in his offensive game, with 10 goals and 25 points in 51 games. With most teams in search of bottom six players to contribute for a serious push in the playoffs, Labanc would be a perfect match for that role.
If matched on a line with someone who has “goal-scoring” ability, Labanc could wind up being one of the unsung heroes for a team on its way to winning a Stanley Cup.
15. John Klingberg, RD, Anaheim Ducks (Age: 30, Cap Hit: $7.0M -> UFA) *UPDATED – Traded to Minnesota Wild (3/3/2023)*
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Another player who is all offense and vibes, no defense is John Klingberg. One season after he reportedly rejected an eight-year contract extension in Dallas, Klingberg is set to be flipped by the Anaheim Ducks to the highest bidder.
Klingberg is your typical offensive defenseman that has all the confidence in the world with the puck on his stick and is one of the smoothest skaters in the league. At this point in the season, Klingberg is a luxury player to have on your roster.
He will run your power play to a higher degree than it was already clicking at, has a cannon of a shot, and can also pick out a pass to his teammate in open space. Klingberg will be able to create a bunch of goals with the puck on his stick.
Other Still Players Available:
16. Nick Schmaltz, C/RW, Arizona Coyotes (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $5.850M thru 2025-2026)
17. Adam Henrique, C/LW, Anaheim Ducks (Age: 32, Cap Hit: $5.825 thru 2023-2024)
18. Conor Garland, RW/LW, Vancouver Canucks (Age: 26, Cap Hit: $4.950M thru 2025-2026)
19. Kevin Hayes, C, Philadelphia Flyers (Age: 30, Cap Hit: $7.142M thru 2025-2026)
20. Dante Fabbro, RD, Nashville Predators (Age: 24, Cap Hit: $2.4M -> RFA) *UPDATE – Re-signed with Nashville Predators (3/3/2023)*
21. Cam Talbot, G, Ottawa Senators (Age: 35, Cap Hit: $3.667M -> UFA)
22. Nick Ritchie, LW, Arizona Coyotes (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $2.5M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Calgary Flames (3/3/2023)*
23. Nick Bjugstad, C/RW, Arizona Coyotes (Age: 30, Cap Hit: $900k -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Edmonton Oilers (3/2/23)*
24. Joel Edmundson, LD, Montreal Canadiens (Age: 29, Cap Hit: $3.5M thru 2023-2024)
25. Jakub Vrana, RW, Detroit Red Wings (Age: 27, Cap Hit: $5.250M thru 2024-2025) *UPDATE – Traded to St. Louis Blues (3/3/23)*
26. Mikael Granlund, C/LW, Nashville Predators (Age: 31, Cap Hit: $5.0M thru 2024-2025) *UPDATE – Traded to Pittsburgh Penguins (3/1/2023)*
27. Dmitry Kulikov, LD/RD, Anaheim Ducks (Age: 32, Cap Hit: $2.25M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Pittsburgh Penguins (3/3/2023)*
28. Lars Eller, C, Washington Capitals (Age: 33, Cap Hit: $3.5M -> UFA) *UPDATE – Traded to Colorado Avalanche (3/1/2023)*
29. Sean Monahan, C, Montreal Canadians (Age: 28, $6.375M -> UFA)
30. Jordan Greenway, LW/RW, Minnesota Wild (Age: 26, Cap Hit: $3M thru 2025-2026) *UPDATE – Traded to Buffalo Sabres (3/3/2023)*