Shattenkirk top trade candidate
PLENTY OF COYOTES, AVS ON LIST OF 20 NAMES TO WATCH AS DEADLINE NEARS
With three weeks remaini ng until the March 1 trade deadline, here are some of the top candidates to be moved ( all contract figures in U.S. dollars).
D KEVIN SHATTENKIRK, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Ken Hitchcock’s firing last week was yet another sign that GM Doug Armstrong is serious in his plans to shake things up, a blueprint that likely includes moving pending unrestricted free agent Shattenkirk ( 36 points in 53 games). In the final season of a four-year contract worth $ 4.25 million per, he’s looking for a deal north of $ 6 million per season. The ideal fit would be with a team that is ready to ink him to a longterm deal, although Armstrong is having issues finding partners for those terms. Possible matches include the Bruins, Rangers, Oilers and Maple Leafs.
F MATT DUCHENE, COLORADO AVALANCHE
The speedy Avs forward still has two-plus seasons remaining on a contract with an average annual value of $ 6 million. During the past five seasons he’s racked up an impressive 259 points in 320 games. According to Postmedia colleague Bruce Garrioch, the Avs are looking for five pieces, but might eventually settle for three: A first-round pick, a young defenceman and a top prospect. The Senators, Canadiens and Bruins are among the teams reported to have kicked tires on him, but the lowly Avs don’t seem like they’re in a rush to move him.
G BEN BISHOP, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
A week ago, a Bishop- for-Shattenkirk swap between the Blues and Lightning was the hot topic in the NHL rumour mill. The lanky goalie is in the final season of a two-year contract that has an average annual value of $5.95 million. It also sports a nomovement clause. The Lightning almost had a deal with the Calgary Flames during the off-season for Bishop, but the proposed trade was scuttled when player and team could not agree to a longterm pact. While Bishop’s numbers ( 12-12- 3, 2.79, .904 save percentage) are down this season as he’s lost playing time to Andrei Vasilevskiy, he certainly still could help a team like the Dallas Stars. Of note: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman might be looking for a goalie in return.
F MARTIN HANZAL, ARIZONA COYOTES
A pending UFA this summer who carries a modest 2016-17 cap hit of $ 3.1 million, Hanzal, still just 29, has been one of the most inquired- about players in the weeks leading up to the deadline. At 6- foot- 6 and 226 lbs, he’s the type of hulking centre teams thirst for to prepare for the grind of the post- season. It should come as no surprise, then, that the Canadiens, Blues, Lightning, Flames and Oilers all have been linked to Hanzal through various reports.
F SHANE DOAN, ARIZONA COYOTES
The face of the Coyotes is 40 and wouldn’t mind a taste of the post- season. He doesn’t want to move too far from his family, meaning San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim would seem to be the most likely landing spots if something happens. Doan is on a one- year deal with a cap hit of $3.88 million and a no-movement clause.
G ONDREJ PAVELEC, WINNIPEG JETS
In the final season of a deal with a cap hit of $ 3.9 million, Pavelec becomes a UFA in the summer. As such, the Jets would welcome something in return for him. Postmedia colleague Jim Matheson, the longtime Edmonton scribe, thinks Pavelec would be a good fit behind starter Cam Talbot as the Oilers’ backup.
G MARC- ANDRE FLEURY, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Let’s be clear here: Dealing Fleury is not a pressing issue for GM Jim Ruther- ford. “Our priority here is to win,” he said, adding his “preference is to keep both these goalies here this year.” Of course, if Fleury grows weary of backing up Matt Murray and would accept a change of scenery, Rutherford will listen. “We just have to keep an eye on what direction Marc wants to go here in the next few weeks,” he said. Fleury is on a multi- year deal with a cap hit of $ 5.75 million that runs through 2018-19. He’s a candidate to be selected in the Vegas expansion draft if he isn’t dealt before then.
F GABRIEL LANDESKOG, COLORADO AVALANCHE
Dealing away your 24-yearold captain isn’t a frequent occurrence around t he league, so let’s see if the Avs actually pull the trigger on a deal involving Landeskog, who is said to have piqued the interest of teams like the Bruins, Kings and Sharks. Landeskog has four more full seasons remaining at $ 5.57 million per, so clubs must see him as a long-term add. As for the Avs, who are looking to change the vibe of their roster, they’d better get a good return should they move him.
F JORDAN EBERLE, EDMONTON OILERS
It’s become an annual event: When the trade dead- line approaches, Eberle’s name hits the rumour mill. Here’s the dilemma for GM Peter Chiarelli. Looking ahead, Leon Draisaitl’s entrylevel contract runs out this summer while Connor McDavid’s ECL expires in 2018. Both will be getting huge raises, so where does Chiarelli trim salary in order to accommodate the cost of locking up his two young stars? Eberle is under contract for two full seasons after this one at $ 6 million per. The Bruins and Canadiens are among the teams that might welcome his scoring potential.
F RADIM VRBATA, ARIZONA COYOTES
Another one of the Coyotes’ pending UFAs, Vrbata’s age ( 35) and modest cap hit ($ 1 million this season) might make him the most obtainable of Arizona’s cache of trade candidates. He does have 35 points in 51 games, stats that likely will drive up the price.
THE NEXT 10
F Mathieu Perreault ( Jets), F Thomas Vanek ( Red Wings), F Jarome Iginla ( Avalanche), D Michael Stone (Coyotes), G Petr Mrazek (Red Wings), F Patrik Berglund ( Blues), D Roman Polak (Maple Leafs), D Fedor Tyutin (Avalanche), F Patrick Sharp ( Stars), D Brandon Davidson (Oilers).