NHL: seven players who could change addresses

BETTING ; DAY

With less than three weeks to go before the National Hockey League (NHL) trade deadline, negotiations are well underway in the Bettman circuit. 

Big players like Bo Horvat and Vladimir Tarasenko have already been traded and they shouldn't be the only ones to change addresses by March 3. Here are seven skaters who could be traded very soon: 

Jakob Chychrun 

Last Saturday, the Arizona Coyotes publicly announced that the 24-year-old defenseman was not going to be in uniform for “trade-related” reasons. Two days later, head coach André Tourigny said that Jakob Chychrun would no longer wear the colors of his team “until something happens”. The organization therefore cannot be clearer in its intentions to send Chychrun to other places. The guard has amassed 28 points in 36 games so far in 2022-23. His contract is also a big plus for the teams that have him in their sights. Indeed, he has a valid agreement until the conclusion of 2024-2025 and pockets “only” $4.6 million annually.

Ryan O’Reilly 

The St. Louis Blues seem to be at a crossroads and could part ways with their captain, forward Ryan O'Reilly. Considered one of the best center players of his generation in both directions of the ice, he has slowed down greatly this season. The 32-year-old veteran could become an unrestricted free agent next summer and is a strong candidate for a team looking for a rental skater. O'Reilly has previously expressed his desire to stay in St. Louis, but the Blues' intentions regarding him are still unclear.

Timo Meier

The 26-year-old Swiss has been at the heart of several transaction rumors for several months now. His time is running out with the San Jose Sharks, who are expected to hand him a $10 million qualifying offer to secure his services next summer. Timo Meier has 30 goals and 21 assists for 51 points in 54 games so far this season. Teams looking for a striker for their first two lines would be satisfied by getting their hands on Meier.

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews 

Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews have made rain or shine with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning three Stanley Cups over the years. They both agreed to identical eight-year, $84 million contracts on July 9, 2014. And now it looks like their Illinois run will end at the same time.

Kane and Toews, who have 35 and 28 points respectively this season, will indeed be unrestricted free agents this summer. The Blackhawks, who are languishing at the bottom of the overall NHL standings, will certainly want to trade them to avoid losing them without any return.

Joel Edmundson 

The Montreal Canadiens are at the heart of a rebuilding process since vice-president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes took office. In this sense, Edmundson could serve as a bargaining chip.

If he is currently injured – his condition is reassessed daily – the 29-year-old Edmundson is an interesting option since he has another season left before freelance at $ 3.5 million per year. The salary is certainly reasonable for an effective 6'5″ Stanley Cup-winning guard.

Jesse Puljujarvi 

It's no secret that the Jesse Puljujarvi experience is not a success with the Edmonton Oilers. The forward selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft is not able to establish himself on an offensive line within the Alberta formation. The latter has high aspirations in the playoffs and could be tempted to trade the Finn to attract a player who will help him more in his quest for success. Puljujarvi could become a restricted free agent in July and there is no indication the Oilers want to continue their association with him.