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Familiar names among players on NHL's 2022 offseason trade list |
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The 2021-22 NHL regular-season is still winding down, but already speculation is emerging about who could be traded this offseason.
Winnipeg media, plus some national reporters, have noted the Winnipeg Jets might have challenging decisions about Pierre-Luc Dubois.
The Jets season was disappointing on multiple levels and a shakeup might be coming. More importantly, the Jets anticipate difficulty re-signing Dubois this summer. He is two seasons away from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Here is a preliminary list of players who could be traded this summer:
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes: This is a better time for the Coyotes to move him because team rosters and salary caps have more flexibility in the summer. The Coyotes should receive a rich return for Chychrun because he’s 23 and his $4.25 million cap hit won’t break the bank. They still want four pieces to a trade and they likely will get that.
Left wing Jake DeBrusk, Boston Bruins: After making a trade request, DeBrusk had a good season, scoring 23 goals. With so many teams looking for scoring, the Bruins should move him easily in the offseason. Would think the Bruins will move him before the draft because they might get a draft pick as well as a player. The Bruins smartly gave DeBrusk a two-year extension which makes him more tradeable.
Center JT Miller, Vancouver Canucks: Because Miller will be an unrestricted free agent a year from this summer, he seems to be the likely candidate to move. He’s coming off an exceptional season with 30 goals and 96 points. His value will never be higher. The best guess is they will talk to Miller about a new contract after July 1. If Miller looks easily signable, then Brock Boeser might be the player traded. His qualifying offer is $7.5 million. Conor Garland is another Canuck with potential to be dealt.
Center Pierre-Luc Dubois, Winnipeg Jets: It is difficult to know what will happen in Winnipeg because we don’t know whether Kevin Cheveldayoff will be the general manager. If he is fire because the Jets are backsliding, then who knows what a new management team will think about Dubois who will be a restricted free agent. But Dubois is only 23 and that would make him very attractive in the marketplace.
Right wing Tyler Bertuzzi, Detroit Red Wings: He is coming off a strong season (29 goals) and the Red Wings don’t necessarily want to trade him. But he will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. Based on Bertuzzi’s last negotiations, it is anticipated that this negotiation may not go smoothly. If the rebuilding Red Wings sense this will be a long fight, then they might deal him to get the center they desperately need.
Defenseman Filip Hronek, Detroit Red Wings: The marriage between Hronek and the Red Wings seems on the rocks. Moritz Seider became the featured defenseman this season in Detroit and Hronek had trouble adjusting to his different role. He didn’t have a strong season, although he did get better in the second half. He’s still a desirable D man with some offensive flair. Packaging Bertuzzi and Hronek could get Detroit an enticing return.
Right wing Evgenii Dadonov, Vegas Golden Knights: The Golden Knights salary cap issues will continue into next season. According to Cap Friendly, the Golden Knights have salary commitments for next season that exceed the projected cap. Dadonov is likely to move, based on the fact the Golden Knights already traded him once. The trade was voided because of confusion regarding Dadonov’s no-trade clause. The Golden Knights likely will also have to move another regular, although it is hard to know who that will be.
Right wing Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers need to carve out salary cap space. The expectation is they will try to move James van Riemsdyk first. But Konecny’s name is out there as a possibility. His goal scoring has been down over the past couple of seasons, but he posted 52 points. Teams will be interested if the Flyers move.
Right wing Dominik Kubalik, Chicago Blackhawks: His name circulated before this season’s trade deadline. His scoring numbers have declined since his 30-goal rookie season. Despite rumors about Patrick Kane possibly being on the trade block, that seems unlikely. He’s still playing at a high level and wants to end his career in Chicago. Jonathan Toews wants to stay in Chicago, but he didn’t play at a high level this season coming back from illness. But he has a no-movement clause. Plus, his $10.5 million cap hit will discourage any team from being seriously interested.
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