Scouting players who may be traded soon
NHL teams have until Friday to decide if they’re going to be a playoff hopeful or a trade deadline seller.
The Philadelphia Flyers potentially could be both.
General manager Danny Briere and president Keith Jones are committed to continue their rebuild, even though the team sits in a playoff spot in the first full year of the plan. That means they will listen to offers, and coach John Tortorella told reporters that he already has talked to the players who could be on the move if the return is right.
That list could include pending unrestricted free agent defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler, an effective pairing. Seeler leads the league in blocked shots. Forward Scott Laughton, who’s tied for the league lead in shorthanded points, also has been mentioned in trade rumors.
Here are some other players who could be on the move before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET Friday:
Pending unrestricted free agents
Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin ($4.95 million cap hit): He can produce offense and had a recent twogoal game. The Flames, who lost Johnny Gaudreau for nothing in the summer of 2022, don’t want that to happen again, even with the team close to a playoff spot. Plus moving him would give GM Craig Conroy another chance to put his imprint on this team. He got a hefty return when trading Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks and a prospect and two picks in the Chris Tanev trade to the Dallas Stars.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel ($6 million): He’s an elite scorer who can fetch a big price in the team’s bid to get younger. Sidney Crosby’s linemate is currently out with an injury.
Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique ($5.825 million): The top remaining UFA center is versatile and kills penalties.
Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko ($5 million): He’s familiar with being moved around the deadline, going to the New York Rangers last season and getting 21 points in 31 games. He won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker ($5.3 million): He plays with an edge and showed when he was in Pittsburgh that he can be a fit alongside top players.
Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha ($5.7 million): He was acquired at the 2021 deadline and had subpar seasons, but he just scored his 20th goal this season. The Capitals would have to retain some salary.
Chicago Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson ($5 million): His playoff experience as a two-time Stanley Cup winner will be valuable.
Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo ($2.5 million): The Sabres captain brings leadership and has an inexpensive cap hit.
Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson ($3.25 million): The depth defenseman is being held out of the lineup. He won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in ’22.
Seattle Kraken forward Alex Wennberg ($4.5 million): He’s being held out of the lineup as a precaution.
Players with terms left on deals
Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom ($6 million): He has two years left on his deal and would have to waive his no-movement clause, but he’s playing very well of late and would fetch a good return. Moving Markstrom would give Dustin Wolf an opportunity to take the net. But Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Flames might keep him this season.
Ducks forward Frank Vatrano ($3.65 million): The All-Star has topped 25 goals, has a reasonable cap hit and has a year left on his deal. GM Pat Verbeek could be busy this week.
Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich ($5.8 million): The Blues were sellers last season and have fallen out of a playoff spot in recent weeks. The five-time 20-goal scorer would draw interest and has a year left on his deal.