Five Draft Lottery teams, their draft capital, and who they should move at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
DRAFT PICKS
CAP SPACE
TRADE BAIT: Adam Henrique, Jakob Silfverberg, John Gibson, Trevor Zegras, Cap Space
The Ducks don’t have a lot to offer when it comes to expiring contracts. They already made one big deal when they traded Jamie Drysdale to Philadelphia earlier this month. They have Adam Henrique, who has a $5.8 million cap hit on an expiring contract, and Jakob Silfverberg, who has a $5.2 million cap hit. Their problem is that their big bait is hurt. John Gibson, who is available at a $6.4 million hit, is available and still has two more years left. The problem is he is hurt and hasn’t been consistent all year. The other surprising one I have heard rumors of is Trevor Zegras. He has been linked to three contenders back east and carries a modest $5.7 million cap hit. Moving him would mean the Ducks are on reboot 5.0 unless they can get high-end prospects or young roster players in return.
ARIZONA COYOTES
DRAFT PICKS
CAP SPACE
TRADE BAIT – Jason Zucker, Cap Space, Draft Picks, and Karel Vejmelka
The Coyotes current 10 game losing streak has taken them out of the running for a wildcard spot and has sealed them as sellers at the Trade Deadline. They have a lot of little things. First off, they do not have any defensemen signed after this season. That’s right, zero. You could probably trade them defensemen to clear out cap space, and if it’s reasonable, they may even take some of the cap hit with them. They also have Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba on expiring contracts. Dumba is probably a no-go with his inconsistent play and questionable decision-making. Zucker could help a team in need of leadership and a good third line. The problem is he carries a $5.3 million contract. The most intriguing is Karel Vejmelka in net. He is under contract for another season after this at only 2.75 million. He hasn’t been as consistent as he has been in previous years, but maybe a change could make him a solid backup in Carolina or even Toronto. Last, if you need draft picks, this is the team to come to. They have ten 2nd round picks in the next three years and seven 3rd round picks. Now, all the Coyotes need is a place to play.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
DRAFT PICKS
CAP SPACE
TRADE BAIT – Tyler Johnson, Anthony Beauvillier, Colin Blackwell, Cap Space
The Hawks don’t have a lot of players to offer. They do have a lot of cap space that is out there, but knowing that Bedard is in need of a raise in two years and you need help around him, you may need to save that. I think with Tyler Johnson having a modified no-trade clause, it is going to be hard for someone to want to take off your hands. Beauvillier could get someone a depth forward for a push but has a bit of a cap hit to take at 4.15. I think the Hawks just need to stay the course. Keep their picks and just build from what they have.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
DRAFT PICKS
CAP SPACE
TRADE BAIT – Jack Roslovic, Patrik Laine, 6 RFA Forwards
Well, whoever takes over the Blue Jackets GM position is going to need to build in some unique ways. They don’t have a lot of draft picks. They don’t have a lot of cap space. I honestly don’t know where they are going. I think they could trade off Roslovic for some middle-round draft picks, which they need. I think the big fish that not a lot of people talk about is Patrik Laine. Yes, he does have a huge cap hit, but he could do two things. He can get you good draft capital. He can clear out some cap space and get you the pieces that they need. It could also start yet another rebuild. If he goes, does Gudreau want to go with him? John Davidson does not have a lot to work with, and someone who wants to take this job is going to have to build this team up again, using the little pieces that are still here or out there.
OTTAWA SENATORS
DRAFT PICKS
CAP SPACE
TRADE BAIT – Vladimir Tarasenko, Dominik Kubalik, Anton Forsberg
Ottawa needs help. They have wasted draft picks in the past. They have nothing left in cap space. They are wasting away some good talent. They have a new owner, and like most, he will want to win now. So here is what I think. They trade Tarasenko for a second and a third, with a possible pick if he re-signs with someone, which may be what they can hope for. Dominik Kubalik gets traded for a late pick. They are not going to get much more for him. Anton Forsberg could be trade bait, but I would rather look at resigning him. Joonas Korpisalo is not the answer, and they still have Matt Murray wasting away in the minors. They need help. They could trade away a name, but they have the pieces. They need leadership to get them going in the right direction.
I didn’t post San Jose because I had already posted them as trade bait earlier in the week.
