Big fish disappearing from rental market
The biggest fish in the NHL trade market are disappearing fast.
Kevin Shattenkirk is gone, dealt to Washington on Monday night; Martin Hanzal went from hopelessness in the desert to hockey country in Minnesota; Ben Bishop joined fellow American goaltender Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles; and hulking sixfoot-six centre Brian Boyle is off the market too, dealt to Toronto as the Lightning reload.
“If there was one guy we were going to pursue that could make our team better it was him,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said of Shattenkirk.
MacLellan described the landscape ahead of the Wednesday trade deadline as a “pure rental market” and while the glitziest names are almost all gone, a few helpful players on expiring contracts still remain: Thomas Vanek, Detroit
Position: Right-wing Cap hit: US$2.6 million Report: The Montreal Canadiens picked up Vanek at the deadline three years ago and he helped them by scoring 15 points in 18 regular season games before adding five goals and 10 points in the playoffs. Though no longer a prolific scorer, the 33-year-old could offer a nice boost at limited cost on the cap.
Radim Vrbata, Arizona Position: Right-wing Cap hit: $1 million Report: The 35-year-old has bounced back from last season’s disappointment in Vancouver
He figures to slot into Ottawa’s bottom-six forward contingent alongside Burrows, who cost the club Swedish prospect Jonathan Dahlen. and is tied for 13th among rightwingers in points per-game this season. Vrbata, on a bargain one-year contract, could be a helpful add to any power play.
Patrick Sharp, Dallas Position: Winger Cap hit: $5.9 million Report: Sharp missed a large chunk of time this season with concussion and the 35-year-old hasn’t produced to his usual standards, with his points pergame at its lowest in a decade. He’s only a year removed from a 20-goal, 55-point campaign though and has tons of playoff experience as a three-time Stanley Cup winner in Chicago. The problem with Sharp is that contract also carries a no-trade clause.
Johnny Oduya, Dallas Position: Left defence Cap hit: $3.75 million Report: Oduya isn’t the rock who played alongside Niklas Hjalmarsson on the Blackhawks Cup-winning squad in 2015. Underlying numbers suggesting decline, both at even-strength and on the penalty kill, and the 35-year-old Swede only just returned from a month-plus on the shelf with an ankle injury.
Ryan Miller, Vancouver Position: Goaltender Cap hit: $6 million Report: Miller is having another relatively effective year at age 36 for the Canucks and could be a solid No. 2, or even 1-A, for squads with goaltending needs. Miller is expensive with a very limited no-trade clause though, which could shrink an already thin market.
Anders Nilsson, Buffalo Position: Goaltender Cap hit: $1 million Report: Nilsson struggled in every one of his NHL stints previously, but he’s been effective for the Buffalo Sabres and could be a helpful backup for the stretch drive.
Mark Streit, Philadelphia Position: Left defence Cap hit: $5.25 million Report: While among the league’s oldest players Streit still appears to have a little bit left in the tank. The 39-year-old remains a capable puck-mover and power-play point man, both valuable attributes for a club with depth issues on defence.
Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia Position: Left defence Cap hit: $3.875 million Report: Like Streit, Del Zotto’s availability surely depends on the Flyers opting in or out of the playoff race. The 26-year-old has bounced in and out Philadelphia’s lineup, but he’s still an able puckmover.