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Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
The NHL trade deadline is March 8. Most teams have four or five games from now until then. What happens in those games could determine which teams add or subtract, who stays and who goes at the deadline.
That’s how close the standings are in the NHL. Not just around the wild-card bubble, but among those teams who believe the Stanley Cup is in their grasp.
Some teams got ahead of the deadline chaos, with the Vancouver Canucks acquiring Elias Lindholm and the Winnipeg Jets trading for Sean Monahan in January. For other teams, it’ll go down to the wire, riding the waves of market forces.
Remember: Sometimes deals that aren’t made at the deadline are the ones that are eventually made in the offseason. “At the deadline, it’s about moving money in and moving money out. I do think that restricts things, where that opens up a little more in the summer,” one NHL general manager said. “In the summer, you have more flexibility with expiring contracts off your team. You know your standing in the draft order, too.”
So just because someone doesn’t move now doesn’t mean they can’t move later.
Here is our Big Board for the 2024 NHL trade deadline, listing the top 50 players that could be available in terms of impact and quality. It was compiled through conversations with sources and media reports from around the NHL.
It’s a list that assumes everyone rumored may be available, although where teams end up in the standings before the deadline could ultimately determine that. And we’re a little more pessimistic about the availability of some players than others.
Here’s the Big Board for 2024, starting with a star winger from the East:
Age: 29 | AAV: $6 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Jake Guentzel is the biggest game-changing player available at the 2024 NHL trade deadline. If he’s available. Which he may or may not be, depending on the results of the most recent Penguins game.
GM Kyle Dubas said last week that Guentzel has been an integral part of the team but that “one of the issues we have is we need to get younger.” One doesn’t get a younger roster by extending a player that turns 30 in October. But it’s not that simple for Dubas. His job is to transition the Penguins to their next phase while also trying to give Sidney Crosby & Co. another chance at a championship. The Penguins have a 40% chance of making the playoffs. Trading Guentzel does not serve the objective of winning a Cup this season. Then there’s the longer-term issue: Guentzel is, demonstrably, the most effective linemate Crosby has ever had. How does that factor into Dubas’ thinking?
Put Guentzel on the Edmonton Oilers or Vancouver Canucks or Detroit Red Wings and he’ll have a transformative effect when he returns from injury (as early as March 10). He has 52 points in 50 games this season, including 22 goals. His time on Sid’s wing shows he can skate with high-end talent. Guentzel is also one of the best playoff performers in the NHL, with 58 points in 58 career playoff games, including 34 goals.
There are some around the NHL that believe it’s a done deal that Guentzel will be traded before the deadline. Dubas’ press conference did little to dispel that notion. But an extremely high asking price — ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported it was two first-rounders, or a first-rounder and a commensurate player — might discourage teams. And there are those who believe that an extension for Guentzel could still happen. This is a defining moment for Dubas.
Age: 27 | AAV: $4.95 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Hanifin is a total package defenseman. He’s 27th among defensemen in points over the last three seasons, plays well in transition and defensively is great on puck retrievals and zone exits with possession. He plays in all situations for the Flames, including on their top penalty-killing unit. He’s a top-pairing defenseman who plays on the left side and young enough to be a foundational piece beyond this season if the team acquiring him gets him to agree to contract extension.
The Flames had tried to keep him, but Hanifin indicated that he was going to market this summer — basically code word for “seeking to play in an American market.” So Calgary finds itself in a familiar position, having to deal away a player before he walks away.
Which leads to a natural question: If a team wants to sign Hanifin, how much will they give up now when the only cost of acquisition this summer is a boat-load of free agent money? That’s part of the math for the Flames as they approach this deadline looking to maximize the return for a defenseman in his prime. There’s always been an assumption that the Bruins would be in the sweepstakes for the Boston native, who played at B.C. But several teams in the East — including the Devils, Lightning and Panthers — are also reportedly interested.
Age: 34 I AAV: $6 million I Status: 2026 UFA
He doesn’t lead the league in save percentage or goals-against average. He’s double digits behind the NHL leader in wins. But ask anyone in the goaltending analytics community and they will sing the praises of Jacob Markstrom this season like Adele hitting a chorus.
Stathletes has him leading the NHL in goals saved above expected this season, ahead of presumptive Vezina Trophy finalists Connor Hellebuyck and Thatcher Demko. He’s lapping the field in high-danger goals saved above average per 60 minutes (0.51) and high-danger save percentage at 5-on-5 (.882). He’s been awesome for Calgary … but will he end up somewhere else?
The Devils went down the road with the Flames on Markstrom earlier this season. The deal eventually fell apart, partially because of how much of his salary New Jersey wanted Calgary to pick up. Could it be revived? Potentially, but two things have happened since then: The Devils have failed to gain much traction in the Eastern Conference playoff race while Calgary is back in the wild card hunt. Entering Tuesday night, the Flames had a better chance of making the playoffs (36.3%) than the Devils (21.0%), per Stathletes.
Markstrom has a full no-movement clause and is under contract for two more seasons following this one — both of which include $2.5 million in guaranteed bonus money. Again, his underlying numbers say he’s been the league’s top goalie this season. But he’s 34 and has produced a clunker after a stellar season before. All of it adds up to a fascinating decision for the Flames and others.
Age: 28 | AAV: $5.8 million | Status: 2025 UFA
One of the few point-per-game players who could shake free at the trade deadline, Buchnevich is everything a contending team needs: He scores goals, drives play and doesn’t shrink in the defensive zone, either. He’s an elite talent and a potential game-changer on the wing … which means he’s not going to be acquired cheaply at the deadline, if Blues GM Doug Armstrong decides to trade him at all.
That might be dictated by whether Buchnevich wants to stay beyond next season. Or it might be dictated by someone offering the moon for him, as the Blues reportedly are using the return Calgary got for Elias Lindholm as their baseline.
Age: 28 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Nashville is one of the NHL’s longest running goaltending factories. Mike Dunham begot Tomas Vokoun who begot Chris Mason who begot Pekka Rinne who begot Juuse Saros. And now Yaroslav Askarov appears poised to inherit the crease soon, which means Saros’ time in Nashville could be coming to end.
That’s the logic behind Nashville trading away one of the NHL’s top goaltenders — when he’s on his game — at the deadline. But the Predators are very much in the hunt for a playoff spot, and GM Barry Trotz said it’s his preference to keep Saros to help secure it. But Trotz said there’s “a little window open” for a “crazy” offer for Saros that could force his hand.
Another wrinkle: The 28-year-old goalie hasn’t been great this season, with a .904 save percentage and a minus-2.16 goals saved above expected, per Stathletes. ESPN insider Kevin Weekes puts it at 50/50 that Saros is traded at the deadline. Stay tuned.
Age: 34 | AAV: $4.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The “final piece of the puzzle” player of the 2024 NHL trade deadline. He’s a 14-year veteran who plays on the right side. He’s a rugged throwback who is considered one of the NHL’s most effective defensive defensemen, but one can also break out the puck offensively. Tanev has been an outstanding partner to teammates ranging from Alex Edler to Quinn Hughes to Noah Hanifin, and in the right situation could solidify a defensive pairing for a contender.
The Dallas Stars have been considered the front-runner for his services, but there are a dozen others that could be in the Chris Tanev business. Is that field robust enough for Calgary to fetch a first-rounder for him?
Age: 34 | AAV: $5.825 million | Status: 2024 UFA
When Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan were traded, Henrique moved to the top of the ranking of available centers — which probably speaks more to the lack of options at that position this year than anything else. That’s not to say that Henrique can’t help a contender: He has 38 points in 57 games this season, including 16 goals. He’s good in the faceoff circle and kills penalties. Anaheim will have to eat half his cap hit to make anything happen — or bring in a third team to help broker a move — but should get a very healthy return for the last center standing, basically.
Age: 29 | AAV: $3.65 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Vatrano is an interesting option for a few reasons. First is that he’s got another year on his deal, making him more than a rental. The ideal landing spot for him would be a team that accentuates his virtues: scoring off the rush and being the guy taking the shot rather than the guy carrying the puck into the zone. He has 48 goals in 139 games over the past two seasons. Cast correctly, he could be a boon for a contending team’s offense — and a player who’ll stick around past this season.
Age: 29 I AAV: $2.65 million I Status: 2024 UFA
Walker is the quintessential “defenseman no one talks about until his name hits the first trade board and then he’s the belle of the ball.” The Flyers blueliner has had a career-redefining sixth season, skating more than he has previously (19:29 of ice time per game) and scoring at a higher clip (21 points in 59 games). He’s a puck-moving defenseman who can kill penalties, too. Whoever gets Walker is getting a player on a glow-up at both ends of the ice, provided the Flyers decide to sell in a playoff race.
Age: 32 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Tarasenko changes agents like most players change their sticks. His latest rep is Craig Oster of Newport Sports, and please note that Tarasenko has a full no-trade clause. The goal-scoring winger has expressed a desire to play for a contender, which the Senators are clearly not at the moment. There’s interest in him, as he played well for the Rangers after they acquired him last deadline. There would be more interest in him if Ottawa picked up some of that contract.
Age: 22 | AAV: $5.75 million | Status: 2026 UFA
We hesitated to list Zegras here. This is not the kind of player who is moved at the deadline. The draft, sure, but not the deadline. This is also a situation where teams are reaching out to GM Pat Verbeek, rather than Anaheim seeking to move the 22-year-old star. If the Ducks did want to do a deal, they’d be doing so when his value is low: Zegras, currently out with a lower-body injury suffered in early January, has seven points in 20 games this season.
A trade here would be a surprise … but then so was Verbeek trading defenseman Jamie Drysdale to the Flyers, as the defenseman was considered a formative building block for this franchise. Verbeek didn’t draft Drysdale and the trade happened after a grind of a contract negotiation. Does that sound like anyone else?
Age: 39 | AAV: $3.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Fleury has to be listed here if only because of how many teams have inquired about him. The problem for those suitors is that Fleury has a full no-movement clause and GM Bill Guerin will defer to his longtime friend on whether he wants to move or not. What’s clear is that if the Wild are within a reasonable distance of a playoff spot, Fleury isn’t going anywhere. As of Tuesday, they were four points out of the wild card. So take that as you will.
Age: 25 | AAV: $4.6 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Chychrun’s on here as one of those “logic would dictate” inclusions. Teams are calling the Senators about his availability, given his age and his contract. Why would Ottawa trade him? The Senators have a glut of left-side defensemen making a lot of money. And Chychrun was a Pierre Dorion acquisition, not a Steve Staios one, so as the new general manager audits this roster, maybe Chychrun doesn’t fit the template. He’s a free agent after next season, too. So logic would dictate he’s available. But does he move at the deadline or in the summer, if at all?
Age: 29 | AAV: $3 million | Status: 2026 UFA
Every time we see Laughton play, we wish there were a way to clone five more of him to fill out a team’s bottom six. He a tenacious player who throws the body, chips in offensively and is one of the best “power killers” in the NHL, creating offense when his team is short-handed. Laughton wants to stay with the Flyers. GM Danny Briere says he’s not looking to trade him. But his play — including a recent seven-game points streak — and his contract status make him one of the more desirable trade options in a thin center market.
Age: 33 | AAV: $5.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Eberle is one of those players with an expiring contract who we expect might sign an extension with his team eventually rather than be jettisoned at the trade deadline. He has 35 points in 54 games with Seattle this season. He’s also been a frequent linemate of center Matty Beniers, and the Kraken would no doubt like that mentorship to continue. That said, he’s a cut above a lot of the other wingers available at the deadline, and the Kraken should be listening, even if they’re not quite out of the playoff race.
Age: 27 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Carrier is one of the better under-the-radar options on defense at the deadline, should the Predators deal him. He’s excellent at zone entries and creating scoring chances after that. He excels at puck retrieval and exiting the zone with control. He’s also solid on defending zone entries. At $2.5 million on an expiring contract, he’s going to win some general manager a solid report card grade at the deadline.
Age: 29 | AAV: $5.7 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The Capitals have been trying to move Mantha for a while. If it’s ever going to happen, it’ll be at this deadline. His contract was always a hindrance to him moving in the past because of term, but now he’s in his walk year and playing like it: He has 18 goals and 13 assists in 53 games and has played some of his best hockey as a Capital in his past dozen games. If Washington is willing to pick up some of the freight on his cap hit, someone should pick up this big but not particularly physical winger.
Age: 32 | AAV: $5.3 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The Penguins let Zucker walk as a free agent last summer, and he ended up strolling all the way to the desert on a one-year deal with the Coyotes. He has 23 points in 47 games for Arizona, including eight goals. It’s hard to imagine the Coyotes extending him after they’ve fallen off in the playoff race. Provided they pick up a chunk of his cap hit, there should be a market for the veteran winger.
Age: 32 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Acquiring Smith last summer was a worthy effort from the Penguins: a productive Stanley Cup winner with the Golden Knights who could bring a solid two-way game to Evgeni Malkin‘s line. Yet despite starting over 60% of his shifts in the attacking zone, Smith has generated only 13 points since Nov. 7, 2023, and has been dropped to their third line. A Jason Zucker replacement, he was not. That lack of production might make it hard to move him, but that recent playoff success might draw some interest.
Age: 33 | AAV: $3.5 million | Status: 2025 UFA
It’s been fascinating to follow the discourse in Montreal over whether or not the team should trade Savard. He wants to stay with the Canadiens. They value what he brings on the ice: big minutes, blocked shots and a steadying presence. They like what he brings to the locker room for a young team.
Yet he could easily become the “Plan B” for a team that misses out on Tanev, and a “Plan B” with a Stanley Cup ring, no less. Reports are that it’s more about teams calling GM Kent Hughes about Savard than the team actively shopping him. But if Hughes hears the right offer for a 33-year-old player with another year on his deal, would he say no?
Age: 33 | AAV: $1.3 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Hardworking bottom-six centers like Dowd are always coveted at the trade deadline by contending teams. Dowd’s a little better offensively than most of the models from that template. He’s also signed for an additional season beyond this on a minuscule cap number, which explains why his name has been spinning in the rumor mill for most of the season. Dowd was injured recently but has returned to Capitals practice in a noncontact jersey.
Age: 31 | AAV: $3,571,429 | Status: 2026 UFA
The Flyers retained 50% of Hayes’ salary to ship him out of Philly to St. Louis last offseason. The Blues liked him as a veteran in the middle who could keep them competitive, stabilizing the position a bit. He has 22 points in 57 games but hasn’t had the strongest defensive season analytically — a trend that’s gone on for the past handful of seasons. At his age and with his contract, it’s hard to imagine him as part of their plans going forward.
If the Blues were willing to retain another chunk of his contract in dealing him, they might earn a nice package back from a contender that needs a No. 2 or No. 3 center and believes Hayes can fit the suit.
Age: 27 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Kahkonen is going to make some general manager look rather smart at the deadline. The Sharks goalie has 7.4 goals saved above expected this season in 27 appearances, and has clearly been San Jose’s best goalie at even strength. He has had a better season than many of the “second tier” goalies on this list, and his cost of acquisition will be lower, too.
Age: 29 | AAV: $4.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Wennberg is a pending unrestricted free agent who could be a solid addition for a contender that’s thin in the middle. He’s a top-tier passer who has strong underlying offensive numbers. He has a high hockey IQ and is a penalty killer who can create short-handed chances.
The problem with Wennberg this season has been the problem with Wennberg throughout his career: an inexplicable divide between his analytics and his actual production. But on the right team — the Avalanche and Rangers come to mind — he could excel after the deadline. Wennberg has a modified no-trade clause.
Age: 28 | AAV: $3 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The Duke is one of the best character players in the league, making an impact off the ice in every stop of his career. On the ice, the speedy winger has 11 goals in 51 games, which should entice some contender to rescue him from the Sharks. Florida writer George Richards suggested a reunion with the Panthers as an option on the wing with a low-cost contract.
Age: 27 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Do the Oilers want to trade Warren Foegele? Probably not. He’s a guy who can skate with Connor McDavid or down the lineup; he can chip in on special teams; and he can be a pacesetter with his effort. What he isn’t is Jake Guentzel or Chris Tanev or any of the other players whom the Oilers might seek to add at the deadline — but he carries a cap hit that could help fit those kinds of players in the Oilers’ salary structure. It’s literally the cost of doing business under the cap, and it could cost Edmonton a solid role player.
Age: 33 | AAV: $1,500,000 | Status: 2024 UFA
“Tuna” was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last December for a fifth-round pick, and it was easy to see the fit: Seattle is a data-driven team and Tatar is a play-driving winger who usually has strong underlying numbers. He has six goals for the Kraken and was only two points better in Seattle (11) than he was in Colorado (9) having played 27 games for both of them. The problem with picking up Tatar for a playoff run: He has one goal and one assist in his past 21 postseason games, tracking back to 2020.
Age: 29 | AAV: $3.9 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The question about Dumba: Will any of the teams that balked in acquiring him with a $6 million cap hit last season decide to trade for him with a $3.9 million cap hit this deadline, with him one year older? The right-side defenseman has played 53 games in Arizona this season after signing there last summer, skating just over 20 minutes per game. He’s a change-of-scenery candidate who can play on a second pairing and kill penalties, but his offense has trended down for a few seasons.
Age: 29 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2024 UFA
A bludgeoning blueliner who plays the right side, Lyubushkin is one of the better options among “defensive defensemen” at the deadline who also kill penalties. With an expiring contract and a manageable cap hit, he’s as good as gone and should fetch a nice return for Verbeek, who sent a 2025 fourth-rounder to Buffalo to acquire him last summer.
Age: 33 | AAV: $3.85 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Did the Canadiens wait too long to move Jake Allen? In fairness, it took them a little while to figure out what they had in Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. But Allen is now 33 years old and has played to a below-replacement level this season. The goalie market might smile upon a proven veteran with an additional year on his deal, however, even if the Canadiens might not have an appetite to retain salary on him.
Age: 32 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Teams are reportedly kicking the tires on the veteran center, acquired in the Erik Karlsson trade, and understandably so: Granlund has 32 points in 43 games for the Sharks.
In the right situation — for example, one that requires him to drive play rather than play defense — he could be an effective center for a contender. That’s provided the Sharks help a little with that $5 million cap hit through next season, which is the tricky part considering they already have money retained on Karlsson and Brent Burns following their trades. So it would likely be a situation where the Sharks take on a contract to make the math work on Granlund.
Age: 30 | AAV: $775,000 | Status: 2024 UFA
You can see what Flyers coach John Tortorella likes in Seeler, who led the NHL with 172 blocked shots through 59 games. You can see what opposing general managers like about Seeler, as he’ll give teams 15-18 minutes of strong physical play for the discount rate of $775,000 against the salary cap. Hence, like Walker, Seeler has been in the rumor mill all season, provided the Flyers want to part ways with him.
Age: 35 | AAV: $3.25 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The veteran defenseman could help a contender as a penalty killer and a solid citizen in the room. He’s not looking to be traded but told Buffalo Hockey Beat that he understands GM Kevyn Adams will do what needs to be done. “If Kevyn comes to me and that’s what he wants to do and it’s for the best of the team, then I’ll go for it and get moved,” Johnson said.
Age: 28 | AAV: $1.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
There have been multiple reports that the Penguins have gotten calls on their goaltenders as the rest of the NHL tries to figure out what direction GM Kyle Dubas is going with this team at the deadline. Trading Tristan Jarry would seem to create another headache that the Penguins don’t need right now, which is essentially why they signed him to an extension last summer.
Trading Nedeljkovic, however, is the kind of business Dubas should be doing at the deadline: turning a free agent signing who might not be back next season into a pick or a prospect.
Age: 26 | AAV: $1.1 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Ever hear an NHL coach talk about the need for grit and jam and other euphemisms for toughness? Duhaime is the guy they’re talking about. The Wild forward has 64 penalty minutes in 58 games, picking up six points along the way. He’s a fast and physical forward who likely isn’t in the Wild’s plans beyond this season. His age, his contract and his intangibles should mean a decent return for Minnesota.
Age: 32 | AAV: $850,000 | Status: 2024 UFA
Carrick has spent the past six years with the Ducks as a dependable depth forward, especially in his own end, and now it’s his time to shine. The center’s very manageable cap hit and expiring contract make him an ideal candidate for salary-strapped teams — the Oilers have been mentioned as one possible destination. He could also be a boon to someone’s penalty kill as the Ducks’ leader in short-handed ice time among forwards. He has two short-handed goals on the season.
Age: 33 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Johnson’s days as a speedy scoring center are behind him, as he has managed 18 points in 44 games. He does have extensive playoff experience from his days with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but even if the Blackhawks picked up 50% of his cap hit it might still not be worth the space for a contending team. Johnson also has a 12-team no-trade list.
Age: 32 | AAV: $4.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
At a deadline filled with defensive defensemen, one would think a power-play quarterback would be sought after. Barrie had been one throughout his career before falling into this strange professional abyss in Nashville. He has played only 35 games this season, having been a frequent healthy scratch under coach Andrew Brunette.
Back in December, it was leaked that Barrie had requested a trade and the Predators had granted him permission to seek other opportunities. Preds GM Barry Trotz said he didn’t fit in with the current team and that he was “having a tough time not being on the first power play.” Whatever the case, whatever the story, Barrie is still with Nashville, a puck-moving defenseman apparently stuck in hockey purgatory.
Age: 35 | AAV: $2 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The veteran winger has only two goals in 22 games for the Capitals in another injury-plagued season. Still, he’s a player with 25 goals in 74 playoff games with an insatiable hunger to win his first Stanley Cup. He has a full no-movement clause and reportedly a desire to stay in the East.
Age: 35 | AAV: $800,000 | Status: 2024 UFA
Maroon recently had back surgery, which complicates things at the trade deadline. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has 16 points in 49 games for Minnesota, skating 12:46 per game. Obviously an ideal fit for a team that needs some fourth-line toughness and locker room levity, as Maroon is known for both.
Age: 30 | AAV: $1.75 million | Status: 2024 UFA
There’s nothing contending teams love more than a veteran defensive defenseman with Stanley Cup experience. Edmundson is exactly that, having won with the Blues in 2019. His best days are behind him, but as a depth defenseman on the left side he could still make an impact — and that cap hit, shared with Montreal, is advantageous.
Age: 33 | AAV: $3 million | Status: 2024 UFA
We all have that moment when the passage of time becomes shockingly obvious. Like, for example, when one realizes that Justin Schultz has been in the league for 12 seasons and is now 33 years old. If the Kraken are trading away, Schultz could be a decent third-pairing option for someone without much offensive upside.
Age: 29 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2027 UFA
Merzlikins has defined his desire to change the scenery as everything from a trade request to the Jackets attempting to find a “new scenario” for him. However badly Elvis wants to leave the building, the problem remains that contract: $5 million against the cap for three more seasons after this one. And that’s for a goalie who was ninth worst in goals saved above replacement (-9.2) over the past three seasons.
Age: 28 | AAV: $1.675 million | Status: 2024 UFA
DeAngelo has spent as much time in the press box as on the power play this season for Carolina. He and his agent have had discussions with Hurricanes management about his place on the team as the deadline approaches. A change would do both good, while Carolina could clear a bit more cap space for its pressing needs, like a proven playoff scorer.
Age: 27 | AAV: $3.2 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Ideally, the Blues would have loved to turn a waiver claim like Kapanen into something palpable at the trade deadline. But given his AAV and lack of production since coming to the Blues — 12 goals in 73 games, including four in 50 games this season — they’d be hard-pressed to get much for him.
Age: 29 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The Sharks complete biffed the chance to get value back for Barabanov back in 2022, when he was a pending UFA attracting attention for his minuscule cap hit at the time. Instead, they signed him to a two-year extension despite staring in the abyss of a rebuild. Now he makes more against the cap and does less on the ice, with three goals in 35 games. But someone might like him for a depth forward spot.
Age: 25 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2026 UFA
What on earth happened here? Once a promising young shutdown defenseman for the Blue Jackets, Peeke has been a frequent healthy scratch this season and has been ineffective when he has played. Maybe there’s a team that feels he can pick up the tune in another NHL city, but is that worth exploring when Peeke has that kind of cap hit and term?
Age: 27 | AAV: $4 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The center has 17 points in 34 games this season for the Jackets. Seattle Kraken analyst Alison Lukan said it best on a recent episode of ESPN’s “The Drop” podcast: Roslovic can score in bunches, but every time he has been given the chance to advance up the lineup in his career, he has fumbled the bag. He’s not developed an identity in his eight-year NHL career, which is one reason Lukan cautions to “steer clear” of him even as a depth forward option.
Age: 28 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Kubalik has traditionally been a streaky scorer whose production could excuse his defensive deficiencies. But this season, he’s not scoring — one goal in his past 20 games — and the totality of his 5-on-5 game has fallen apart. He’s playing less than 10 minutes per game most nights. Buyer very much beware.
Age: 34 | AAV: $4.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
It’s often said that anyone who can score a goal in the NHL can find a gig somewhere. For all the faults in Hoffman’s game, that was his calling card: putting the puck in the net. But his totals have fallen for four straight season, and his eight goals in 54 games projects to the lowest goals-per-60 minutes rate of his career. Like his teammate Kevin Labanc ($4.725 million AAV), he carries a significant cap hit for minuscule production ahead of unrestricted free agency.