January 25, 2023
Five NHL players that could be changing address real soon
The NHL Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching, and teams are starting to separate themselves into two categories; those with play-off pedigree and those that will be looking in from the outside. Come March 3rd, several big name NHL players could be in the market for a new house, as the rumor mill has been churning out a lot of gossip of late. Several teams will be selling to potential buyers, and if the deadline and days leading up to it are anything like last year, we could be in for a rather entertaining time.
Last year, several big name players moved – most notably Jack Eichel leaving the Buffalo Sabres for the Vegas Golden Knights. Mark Giordano, Claude Giroux, Tyler Toffoli, Hampus Lindholm and Marc-Andre Fleury, alongside others, found themselves packing up their belongings and shipping off to new addresses too. And with several big names seemingly available for the right price, things could soon get rather interesting.
See Also: Habs star goalie, Carey Price, not planning to retire – but!
Here are five players we think might be on the move in the coming weeks (in no order).
Jonathan Toews
Of course, there is no grantee that career-Blackhawk Jonathan Toews will be willing to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate a move out of Chicago, but at 34 years of age and on a team that has already sold off the majority of its prime talent, including young stars Kirby Dach and Alexander DeBrincat – there may be a chance that Toews decides to pursue another Stanley Cup before his incredible career comes to an end. And if he does decide to do that, several cup contenders will be knocking on Chicago’s door and blowing up their phone lines.
Bo Horvat
The situation in Vancouver isn’t pretty and seems to be getting worse and time marches on. There are rumors that several key Canucks are available, for the right price, including team captain Bo Horvat. A coaching change seems all but imminent, and Horvat, who has equaled last season career high 31 goals already this season would surely garner quite a lot of attention from teams looking to bolster their scoring. An impending unrestricted free agent this coming summer, and just 27 years old, Horvat is an interesting piece that most contenders would be licking their chops at.
Eric Karlsson
Karlsson’s Norris-caliber season continues. He already has 16 goals and 50 assists in 51 games this season, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Apparently the San Jose Sharks are considering offers for the star defenseman, who is arguably among the top five offensive defenders in the league. However, there is a catch – Karlsson comes with a hefty price tag, that pays him a massive twelve million bucks per season, with four years remaining on his contract. He also has a no-trade clause on his deal which means he would have to waive that for the Sharks to deal him come trade deadline.
Read More:
>> Canadiens ink Cayden Primeau to three year extension
>> Canadiens sign Kirby Dach to a four year, $13.5M deal
>> Sean Monahan traded to the Montreal Canadiens
Patrick Kane
The Blackhawks could also conceivably move Patrick Kane, who like Toews, has been a Blackhawk his entire NHL career. For all the same reasons Toews might consider move, so too might Kane. He also has a no-movement clause and given his contract, the Hawks would most likely have to retain salary to fit him elsewhere. He too will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, and reportedly isn’t too happy with the Blackhawks rebuilding plans.
Sean Monahan
Monahan is an interesting case – dealt to the Habs, alongside a first round pick, for future considerations, Monahan was doing well with the Montreal Canadiens and showing no signs that his hip surgery had slowed him down – that is until he broke his foot. Monahan is still currently out and or the injury reserve list, although word in the locker room is that he could well return to action following the NHL all-star break. Given his injury history, teams might be apprehensive about acquiring the talented center, who at just 28 years old, could well have several good years left in him.
The NHL trade deadline takes place on March 3rd.