5 Players Likely to Be Traded Before the Deadline, per Sportsnet
Photo credit: Sportsnet video screenshot
NHL insiders were debating key players that could be moved before this season's trade deadline, and five big names popped up who could be traded.
The NHL trade deadline is on March 7th, and several big-time players could be on the move, according to a Sportsnet panel that included Sam Constantine, Justin Bourne, Luke Gazdic, and host David Amber.
One such player touched upon was Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri. Justin Bourne emphasized that Calgary is in somewhat of a rebuild, and Nazem Kadri has an annual cap hit of $7 million until 2029.
«At this stage of his career, he wants to be somewhere with a chance to win,» Bourne explained.
Bourne suggested the Stanley Cup champion should go to a contender such as the Carolina Hurricanes. The Toronto Maple Leafs have also been mentioned as a destination for Kadri.
Another player on notice could be Bryan Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Luke Gazdic said Bryan Rust has had a good year so far in the team, with 16 points in 23 games.
Being an upcoming unrestricted free agent, he can be a good rental for playoff-bound teams, particularly when postseason hope declines for the Pittsburgh team.
From there, David Amber went to the power forwards: Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres can find himself traded if things continue to go sideways in Buffalo.
"Tuch is sensational," Amber added, as the Sabres could deal him if the playoffs begin to slip away from them.
Other Canadiens players who were talked about were Josh Anderson and defenseman David Savard.
Though his offence has come in spurts, Amber stressed Josh Anderson's physicality might be enticing to contenders, and the Canadiens may have to eat some of his $5 million cap hit.
That would leave several teams around playoff contention, so the fates of players like Kadri and Alex Tuch could go a long way in dictating the trade market as franchises try to bolster their rosters for a postseason push.
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