With this year’s NHL trade deadline set for March 8, here’s everything you need to know about the moves that have already happened and the players that are still available.
Crucial moves that already have happened:
Chris Tanev to Dallas Stars
When fans looked at the upcoming trade deadline, this was the trade they expected to happen the most. Strangely enough, this trade involved three teams: the Calgary Flames, the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils. In turn for Chris Tanev, the Flames received prospect Artem Grushnikov, a 2024 second-round draft pick and conditional third-round pick from the 2026 draft if they make it to the 2024 Stanley Cup final. The Devils received the Stars’ fourth-round 2026 NHL draft pick and a portion of Tanev’s contract.
“I’m super excited to get to Dallas, whenever that may be, but just really excited to be able to join the group, get to know everyone and help the team. Sort of relieved that everything is finally done and my family and I can get settled in,” Tanev said to NHL.com.
Players who still need to sign:
Adam Henrique
The Canada native and forward for the Anaheim Ducks is a player eligible to be moved by the trade deadline. This season, the 2008 Devils draft pick has 18 goals and 24 assists in 60 games played.
A likely team for Henrique to be moved to is the Colorado Avalanche. His contract with the Ducks is set to expire and he’s due for a $5.825 million cap hit. If head coach Jared Bednar paired him up with Valeri Nichushkin on the second line, they would complement the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen and Mikko Rantanen.
Jacob Markström
The Sweden native and goaltender for the Calgary Flames is another player eligible to be moved by the trade deadline. This season with the Predators, he has 21 wins in 38 games played, with a 2.57 goals against average. Even though he has had an outstanding season, it has not been the most successful for Calgary as they vie for a wildcard spot in the playoffs.
The New Jersey Devils look like a perfect team for Markström to end up on. They are in desperate need of a consistent, elite goaltender because that is something that they have been missing for quite some time. With them switching back and forth between AHL goaltenders, it will be good for the team to be able to count on Markström. A good trade is if the Devils in turn give the Flames forward Alexander Holtz and a first round draft pick for either this year’s or next year’s draft. Holtz is an up-and-coming forward who needs more playing time and experience within the NHL. Currently, the 2020 NHL Draft pick is simply not getting that with the Devils and I feel he could get that with the Flames.
To sum it up, there are still quite a few players who still need to sign with teams and it should be interesting to see where they end up.
Umm, Markstrom does not play for Nashville. And there is no way that the Devils give up Holtz and a first.