Every year around the trade deadline we hear the same thing: Teams are looking for a top 6 forward to get them over the top...and there are almost NONE available.

But not this year. This year we are looking at potentially the best group of forwards EVER available at the deadline and there are enough that every team who wants to get a top 6 will have the opportunity...The price tags are high now, but they will HAVE to come down before the deadline hits. Its basic supply/demand economics.

Domino #1 Matt Duchene.

Duchene is not the best player who will be available, but he does appear to be the top domino because should he sign with Ottawa, and there is a good chance I am hearing, this will affect the best player available, AKA Domino #2.

Domino #2 Mark Stone.

If Ottawa can extend Duchene their chances increase of convincing Stone to stay increases drastically....I have heard it said that whoever gets Stone will immediately become the Cup favorite...Kypreos actually said exactly this yesterday on Sportsnet Hockey Central at noon...Many might call Panarin Domino #1, but as good as Artemi is, he does not give you as many positive impacts all over the ice as Mark Stone.

Domino #3 Artemi Panarin

Artemi is a limited domino because he appears to have his heart set on a very specific place he wants to play...If that team is also looking at Stone, then Panarin falls behind and if Columbus decides that they aren't getting enough they will just go for it with Panarin in the playoffs.

Domino #4 Wayne Simmonds.

It feels a bit like whoever loses out on Stone and Duchene will go hard after Simmonds, but Wayne brings more toughness. Whoever loses out on Simmonds is looking for more muscle and will likely turn to.

Domino #5 Michael Ferland.

Carolina is saying they may extend Ferland, but honestly I think they know his value right now to the team that doesn't get Simmonds (or if Simmonds is taken off the market). Ferland brings points and muscle, If you don't need the muscle you could look to Domino #6...

Domino #6 Ryan Dzingel.

Dzingel's value will NEVER be higher and he is going to land a huge contract, so I don't see any way the Sens don't move him...But what he does when he is suddenly under pressure and not playing the kind of minutes he is getting in Ottawa is he a sure thing?. Unlike domino #7...

Domino #7 Zuccarello/Silfverberg

Looking for character meets playoff experience? Either of these two will be the next two dominos and are the kind of pickups that usually pay the biggest dividends in the playoffs.

The rest of the Domino Baker's Dozen.

Domino #8:Andre Burakovsky
Domino #9: Kevin Hayes
Domino #10: Derrick Brassard
Domino #11: Gustav Nyquist
Domino #12: Carl Hagelin


X-Factors/ Longshots:

These players could be moved and if they are they could jump the line...

Ryan Getzlaf, Jordan Eberle, Phil Kessel, Marcus Johansson, Jesse Puljujarvi

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