As we creep closer to the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25, we take another look at the Top-10 Must-Watch trade list and realize that a number of the names that have been on our board for over a month are still occupying the top spots. There have been a few trades in the NHL, but none of the big names have gone and the market hasn’t really been set.
At some point, the first major shoe will drop and the expectation is that a plethora of trades will follow. Five or six days from now, most of these names should be scratched off the list:
1. Artemi Panarin, Columbus Blue Jackets:
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen has told other GM’s around the league that Artemi Panarin is available at this year’s trade deadline but they’d better come with their best offers and not to bother “kicking tires”. The Blue Jackets will not move Panarin unless the deal is a great one for the team and that includes a player that will help the Blue Jackets today and in the future.
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It appears if Panarin is moved, it could be closer to the trade deadline since teams are waiting to see what happens with names like Matt Duchene and Mark Stone first.
The Dallas Stars, New York Islanders and Nashville Predators are rumored to be among the teams with the most interest.
2. Matt Duchene, Ottawa Senators:
Matt Duchene stays high on our list of likely trade candidates and as the days roll on, it seems more and more likely he’ll be moved. The latest is that Duchene has come out and said he’d be willing to sign an extension depending on the team who acquires him in trade and that makes Nashville a favorite.
Per sources, assuming he's traded by the deadline, Matt Duchene is open to the idea of signing a contract extension with the acquiring team. https://t.co/Ehkt7BWBBG
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 19, 2019
There has long been speculation he’s like to wind up there and the Predators are certainly interested in adding him. The New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets are also rumored to have interest.
3. Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators
Mark Stone may be the player that really gets the ball rolling at this year’s trade deadline. There are a number of teams apparently interested in acquiring him should the Senators not be able to finalize a deal. Among them are the Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, and Calgary Flames.
The Sens have tabled a last-ditch offer to Stone but at this point, it has not been accepted.
Report: Golden Knights showing heavy interest in Mark Stone. https://t.co/sTH9QrY30z pic.twitter.com/YxHmWeLBWC
— theScore (@theScore) February 16, 2019
4. Alex Chiasson, Edmonton Oilers:
The Edmonton Oilers have been ice cold as has one of the more productive forwards Alex Chiasson. Chiasson has 17 goals on the season but hasn’t scored since mid-December. With the Oilers looking like the playoffs are a distant memory, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Chiasson moved for something like a third-round draft pick.
Edmonton Oilers forward Alex Chiasson is discovering how top scorers are treated https://t.co/aaM7B9Jbmt pic.twitter.com/0fhSvCdW2z
— Edmonton Journal (@edmontonjournal) February 15, 2019
He’s expressed interest in staying but it might be a better move for the Oilers to stockpile whatever assets they can for the new management regime that comes in to run the organization next season.
5. Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers:
Frank Seravalli of TSN is reporting that Wayne Simmonds has generated interest from a number of teams, including the Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Flyers power forward Wayne Simmonds still qualifies as the best possible trade deadline fit for the Bruins considering cost, impact on the lineup and what the Bruins really, truly need right now https://t.co/TZdjv5AVZ8
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) February 19, 2019
Simmonds will likely be a rental and not the type of player a team acquires with the expectation to re-sign him in the offseason. He’s speculated to want a long-term extension but his production has consistently dropped over the past three seasons.
See Who Rounded Out Our Top-10 Must-Watch List Here
