The NHL trade deadline provides teams that think of themselves as a contender with an opportunity to further bolster their roster for a potential playoff run. Or, for teams that are out of the playoffs or trending that way, they’ll have an opportunity to add to their prospect pool by acquiring prospects and draft picks.
But while all contending teams will want to buy at the deadline, not all of them are flush with prospect depth or draft capital. Some are in better position to buy than others, which makes it more interesting to try and assign value on assets.
So today we’re identifying six teams firmly in a buyer’s mindset and the top prospects in their system who they may not want to part with, but who will garner interest from sellers. Depending on who these contenders target in the trade market, they may have to move one of these prospects to get a deal done.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Vegas has been in win now mode since entering the league. The defending Stanley Cup champions are dealing with several injuries, but they will eventually return to health in time for another playoff run. Jack Eichel is the most prominent player currently sidelined with injury — he is listed as week-to-week with a lower body injury that required surgery.
Vegas has done a nice job of keeping their prospect cupboard stocked as they navigate through their year-to-year strategy of “winning now.”
A couple of prospects teams could ask for in trade this season include…
Matyas Sapovaliv, F, Drafted 48th overall in 2022
Another big body forward in the Golden Knights system, coming in at 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds. Sapovaliv has an understated release. He’s learned to use his shot as more of a weapon and the results have been proven. He’s produced 13 goals and 24 assists in 28 games playing for Saginaw in the OHL. He also chipped in three goals and one assist for Team Czechia at the World Juniors. He’s used in all situations for the Spirit.
Sapovaliv projects as what I call a “2.5” in the forward group. He might not land as a high-end second line player, but he’s also better than a third line contributor. He falls somewhere in the middle. He sees the ice and plays a responsible game overall. His combination of size, reach, vision and puck skill are attractive assets.
NHL Projection: High-end third line forward who can skate in the top six and be better than a secondary scorer
David Edstrom, F, Drafted 32nd overall in 2023
Edstrom is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound forward who flies under the radar at times but contributes to team success. He’s playing for Frolunda in Sweden’s SHL. He also produced three assists for Team Sweden at the recently completed World Juniors.
Edstrom is a two-way forward who can be used in all situations, battles along the wall to extend plays, goes to the net looking for rebounds and tips, and can be counted on to check against top opponents defensively.
NHL Projection: Third line forward/secondary scorer/match-up checker
WINNIPEG JETS
The process of selecting a player and developing him for future success through familiarity with how an organization operates and what their internal expectations and values are, means a lot to the Winnipeg Jets. The organization’s preference is to draft and develop its own players, rather than making a lot of trades and acquiring players in free agency.
The Jets are having a fantastic season and the entire team is pulling in the same direction. They have a mix of skill – Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers, Mark Scheifele – and will – Adam Lowry, Nino Niederreiter, Mason Appleton – not to mention Vezina quality goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck.
Winnipeg is flush with some attractive prospects as well. If they are looking to further bolster their lineup teams will be inquiring about these players:
Rutger McGroarty, F, Drafted 14th overall in 2022
McGroarty was the captain for Team USA at the World Juniors and plays a heavy, skilled game. McGroarty is listed at 6-foot-1, 204 pounds. His impact is felt the most in the middle of the ice in the offensive zone and around the net. He has a quick catch and release and the leverage to box out checkers battling for rebounds and tips. McGroarty is a sophomore at the University of Michigan, where he’s produced nine goals and 22 assists for the Wolverines this season. He scored five goals and four assists for Team USA.
NHL Projection: Second line forward, power style. Net front or bumper on the PP. Better than secondary offence
Dmitri Rashevsky, F, Drafted 146th overall in 2021
The Jets have some prospects who are playing in North America at the minor league and junior levels that are more “sure options” for teams to acquire. Players like Brad Lambert (30th overall in 2022) and Colby Barlow (18th overall in 2023) are certainly prospects of interest.
Rashevsky is a little more off the radar, but deserving of some attention. He is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound forward playing in the KHL for Moscow Dynamo where he’s produced 19 goals and 16 assists this season, after scoring 19 goals and 19 assists last season.
Rashevsky is a fantastic talent who is on the same kind of trajectory — perhaps better — as Andrei Kuzmenko from the Vancouver Canucks. If a team is interested, and Rashevsky balks at the idea of becoming a Winnipeg Jet, it could end up being a nice bit of asset management moving him out as part of a trade. The team acquiring his rights would want a chance to discuss arrival timelines and contract status with Rashevsky before making a deal.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
The Canucks have elevated to contender status this year. I recently provided some insight into their depth and what they could possibly look to do at the deadline.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki, F, Drafted 15th overall in 2022
Lekkerimaki was recognized as the MVP at the World Juniors playing for Team Sweden, where he scored seven goals and three assists en route to a silver medal. His club team is Orebro in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and there Lekkerimaki has contributed 10 goals and eight assists in 29 pro games.
Lekkerimaki is a shooter more than a playmaker. He rips pucks from the flank on the power play and has proven he can beat goalies from range. His entire game has gone to another level this season. He’s competing harder to extend plays and tracking up and down the ice much better. Lekkerimaki will never be a defensive stalwart. His element is offence, but he’s proving to be more reliable in all facets of his game.
NHL Projection: Full-time second line scoring forward, potential top line forward in time. Power play goal scorer
Tom Willander, D, Drafted 11th overall in 2023
Right shot defenders are worth their weight in gold, especially ones who skate and think the game the way Willander does. Willander can be used in all situations. He contributed a goal and two assists for Team Sweden at the World Juniors. More impressively he was a plus-9. His club team is Boston University where he’s pitched in with three goals and nine assists (with a plus-13 rating) in 19 games.
Willander is an elite skater and his read/react/overall awareness is also high end. He’s the kind of player who can match up against top lines and roll over the boards on the second power play unit. Teams will no doubt have interest in him as a top prospect.
NHL Projection: Top four, two-way NHL defenceman who can be deployed in all situations and provide secondary offence. Top pairing is possible
EDMONTON OILERS
The Oilers are the hottest hockey team on the planet. They are riding an incredible 14-game winning streak and added Corey Perry to their lineup this week.
The organization isn’t dealing from a position of strength if they end up in a bidding war for a player, and most trading partners will be interested in prospects instead of draft picks. It will be interesting to see how aggressive the Oilers are. They are definitely a contending team, but do they have the assets to make a splash at the deadline?
Philip Broberg, D, Drafted 8th overall in 2019
Do the Oilers have room for Broberg on their roster? He’s been toiling in the AHL with Bakersfied and playing to his identity. Broberg has been deployed in all situations and contributed one goal and 14 assists in 22 games with the Condors.
Broberg is a two-way defenceman who skates very well. He’s a big body (6-foot-3, 200 pounds), but not overly physical. While his offence has been slow to arrive at the NHL level, he has a secondary scoring element that could rise in the right situation.
NHL Projection: Top four, two-way NHL defenceman remains possible. At worst a bottom pairing defenceman who can provide some secondary offence. Has skill set to be used in a variety of roles. Still developing
BOSTON BRUINS
The Bruins have a wide range of mid-level prospects. The one high end prospect, teams are likely to have the most interest in is forward Fabian Lysell.
Lysell plays the game quick and fast. He has the ability to create turnovers as the first forward on the forecheck. He’s also a creative threat off the rush. His combination of energy and skill makes him an attractive target. He’s contributed 11 goals and 19 assists (+3) in 37 AHL games in Providence. Lysell has the the skill to improve a team’s power play and he’s hard to contain in small areas.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
The Avs find themselves in a similar position to the Bruins. Winning, and depleting draft capital in the past, has taken its toll on the depth of their prospect pool.
It would surprise me if Colorado moved out any of their prospects at the deadline. I believe they will be more interested in moving their first-round pick instead.
Calum Ritchie, F, Drafted 27th overall in 2023
Ritchie is in the midst of a nice season playing for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL. He’s scored 14 goals and 27 assists in 25 games, with an incredible plus-28 rating.
Ritchie is a big body (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) who is being deployed in all situations. His three-zone detail, consistent pace, and leverage in the hard areas, have improved exponentially from last season. He’s not a pure power forward, but he’s figuring out how to use his strength as an advantage. Ritchie has great mitts. He’s best described as equal parts shooter and play maker.
Jason Bukala is a former NHL scouting director and founder of The Pro Hockey Group
