Remaining Trade Targets

In the last 10 days or so, there has been a flurry of activity. So much so, that it could somewhat water-down deadline day a week from today. Nonetheless, here are the most likely trade targets that could switch teams before next Monday’s deadline.

Trade likelihood key: 5 = Very likely … 1 = Doubtful

Ales Hemsky, EDM
Cap hit: $4.1 million through 2011/12
Stats: 42 GP, 13 G, 27 A, 40 Pts, +2
Trade likelihood: 3/5
Possible destinations: Los Angeles, Washington

With Brad Richards seemingly out of the question (even before he sustained a concussion), Hemsky could possibly be the biggest name to be dealt by the 28th. That said, I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect out of Edmonton when it comes to him, though. It depends on the package that GM Steve Tambellini can get in return; he won’t just give him away.

Hemsky has almost been a point-per-game player this year while battling injury. His skill-set is surely something that some contenders would love to add for the stretch run (along with next year). Los Angeles has been the team most rumored to inquire about the Oilers forward, but there are also whispers that Washington has interest.

I’m sure the Oilers would be more than happy to keep him, too.

Jason Arnott, NJ
Cap hit: $4.5 million through 2010/11 (NMC)
Stats: 59 GP, 13 G, 11 A, 24 Pts, -9
Trade likelihood: 4/5
Possible destinations: Pittsburgh, Montreal, Washington

Arnott is getting a little bit slow in the foot, but could still lend a hand to a contender looking for a center. The veteran does have a no-movemeent clause, which complicates things. Arnott would like to play in the playoffs, but has to determine whether he can realistically get that shot with the Devils. With the way they're playing, who knows!

The Pens have a need for a forward, and Arnott could fit the bill; same goes for Montreal. An intriguing team could be Washington. Now that they aren’t playing a run-and-gun style, Arnott may be a fit there; in their offensive-minded system, he may not have been. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello will certainly get calls about Arnott between now and Monday. Ultimately, it will come down to the player himself.

Tomas Vokoun, FLA
Cap hit: $5.7 million through 2010/11 (NMC)
Stats: 44 GP, 19-20-4, 2.57 GAA, .921 SV%, 5 SO
Trade likelihood: 2/5
Possible destinations: Anaheim

ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun reported over the weekend that Vokoun is ‘very much in play’. However, there’s not much of a goalie market. Detroit doesn’t seem interested in a goaltender anymore (despite the pursuit of Evgeni Nabokov); Philly – annually linked to goaltending at the deadline – has found a solution; Washington is adamant about sticking to their young netminders.

The only contender that I can see making a play for Vokoun is Anaheim; Jonas Hiller has two separate IR stints since the All-Star break with dizziness and lightheadedness, and the Ducks just gave up 21 goals in three games last week. Even then, Vokoun would have to ok the deal to go there, and it doesn’t seem like Hiller’s injury is long-term.

GM Dale Tallon could be out of luck, staring at the prospect of losing Vokoun for nothing this summer. We'll see.

Bryan McCabe, FLA
Cap hit: $5.75 million through 2010/11 (NMC)
Stats: 45 GP, 5 G, 17 A, 22 Pts, +6
Trade likelihood: 4/5
Possible destinations: NY Rangers, Montreal, Dallas

LeBrun also mentioned that McCabe, Florida’s captain, is a likely trade possibility. The injury-prone blueliner is coming off a broken jaw, but is still getting a lot of interest around the league. Teams that missed out on Tomas Kaberle could turn to McCabe and not have to trade as much as Boston did.

McCabe has a high cap hit, but is making $4.1 million this year (almost $2 million less than the cap hit). Would the Rangers go after McCabe? They have the need for a defenseman and cap space to pull off a deal. Like every year, there are a lot of teams looking to beef up the blueline this trading season.

Of course, McCabe has to sign off on any trade.

Cory Stillman, FLA
Cap hit: $3.53 million through 2010/11
Stats: 42 GP, 7 G, 16 A, 23 Pts, +5
Trade likelihood: 5/5
Possible destinations: Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Dallas

I think it’s only a matter of time before Stillman changes teams. He can bring a lot to a team on and off the ice, whether he goes to a Cup contender or a team trying to sneak in. Stillman is 37 years old, but can still produce from the third line and has two Cups on his resume.

Los Angeles has been watching Florida closely recently; and if they go the rental/veteran route, Stillman could be a guy they are targeting. Pittsburgh and Montreal are also in the market for a top-nine forward; as is Dallas, who has sustained injuries to forwards in recent weeks.

Marty Reasoner, FLA
Cap hit: $1.15 million through 2010/11
Stats: 58 GP, 11 G, 14 A, 25 Pts, +7
Trade likelihood: 5/5
Possible destinations: Vancouver, Carolina, Phoenix, Anaheim

I’d hate to make a big deal about a fourth-line center, but I will anyway. Reasoner, soon to be 31, brings intangibles to the table that could be valuable to any playoff team. He has won over 54% of his faceoffs this year, is responsible in his own end, and has chipped in 25 points on an average Panthers club.

His faceoff success could help Carolina, while the Canucks are reportedly looking for an upgrade on the fourth line. Reasoner comes cheap, too, so look for him to quietly be a hot commodity.

John-Michael Liles, COL
Cap hit: $4.2 million through 2011/12 (NTC)
Stats: 59 GP, 6 G, 30 A, 36 Pts, -7
Trade likelihood: 4/5
Possible destinations: NY Rangers, Montreal, Dallas

Liles has cooled off considerably since a hot first couple of months, but will still have suitors in the next week. Why? He’s a veteran D-man that can contribute offensively. The question is whether a team will be willing to add on his $4.2 million cap hit through next season; a high price for an inconsistent defenseman like Liles. There was a report today hinting that Colorado is shopping Liles 'aggressively.'

Filip Kuba, OTT
Cap hit: $3.7 million through 2011/12
Stats: 41 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 Pts, -26
Trade likelihood: 4/5
Possible destinations: NY Rangers, Dallas, Montreal

If Chris Phillips (who has a NTC) continues to state his desire to stay in Ottawa, GM Bryan Murray will likely try to trade Kuba. The veteran defenseman is not having a great year, but who is with the Senators? Kuba could be a quality addition to any team looking for an upgrade on their second or third pairing.

Chris Neil, OTT
Cap hit: $2 million through 2012/13
Stats: 59 GP, 3 G, 9 A, 12 Pts, -11
Trade likelihood: 3/5
Possible destinations: Montreal, Tampa Bay, Washington

Any team looking for toughness could be interested in Neil. One unattractive element about trading for him is that he is not a rental; however, $2 million isn’t a staggering amount for Neil for the next two years. Murray is trying to stockpile assets as much as he can, and if a team is willing to give a mid-round pick, Neil could be sent elsewhere.

Radek Martinek, NYI
Cap hit: $1.5 million through 2010/11
Stats: 48 GP, 1 G, 8 A, 9 Pts, -2
Trade likelihood: 5/5
Possible destinations: Chicago, Vancouver

Martinek is an underrated veteran defenseman that will likely get shipped off Long Island before Monday. He could be a cheap upgrade for any team looking to improve its third pairing. Vancouver is decimated on the blueline, while Chicago is in the market for defensive depth. Martinek is not going to be a difference-maker by any means, but would be a safe pickup by a playoff contender.

Others: Dustin Penner, Jim Vandermeer and Ladislav Smid, EDM; Alex Kovalev and Chris Campoli, OTT; Radek Dvorak and Dennis Wideman, FLA; Johnny Oduya and Niclas Bergfors, ATL; Jan Hejda, CBJ; J.S. Giguere, TOR; Joni Pitkanen, CAR; Nikolay Zherdev, PHI

Cap numbers courtesy of CapGeek.com
Photo credit: Getty Images