Seven players who could still be traded before the season begins
— -- With the NHL draft over and all the top free agents under contract, rosters across the league appear to be mostly set. But there are still a handful of difference-making players who have been on the trading block since the end of the regular season and still have not yet been moved.
Where could they land? Does it make sense to trade them? How could another blockbuster or two shape the league next season? Let's have a look:
Rick Nash, LW, New York Rangers
Possible destination: Minnesota Wild
The 32-year-old star is coming off a lackluster season in which he scored only 15 goals in 60 games, but an exceptionally low 8.2 percent shooting percentage is enough to suggest that a return closer to his career average is likely, and there is still something in the tank.
The Wild went all-in on their final run at a Stanley Cup while they still have Zach Parise and Ryan Suter as still top-end players by hiring coach Bruce Boudreau and signing Eric Staal. Minnesota is cap-strapped, but it has several restricted free agents -- including Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter and Matt Dumba -- who could be moved to help make room. According to the New York Post, Nash submitted a 12-team list of destinations to which he would accept a trade, so this one may already be in the works.
Kevin Shattenkirk, RD, St. Louis Blues
Possible destination: Boston Bruins
The reported price to acquire Shattenkirk at the draft was too high for a deal to get done, but St. Louis' stance may soften as the season approaches and the Blues still do not have a long-term extension with their talented offensive-minded defenseman. Shattenkirk is not only one of the best power-play blueliners of the past five seasons, he is good in transition, creating offense for his teammates with his passing skill.
The Bruins signed former Blues center David Backes to a long-term contract, which indicates they're still thinking about being a Cup contender for the time being. The Boston University product would offer a win-now option and be a quality producer from the back end for years to come.
Cam Fowler, LD, Anaheim Ducks
Possible destination: Buffalo Sabres
Rumors have linked the Sabres and Fowler for about a year because Anaheim and Buffalo have assets that match up. Buffalo could still use one more left-handed defender to feel like they are a legitimate playoff team, and they have several forwards who could interest the Ducks.
Young restricted free agent Zemgus Girgensons, a former first-round pick who struggled to produce during his first season under Dan Bylsma, may be attractive to Anaheim for his likely cap hit and potential to be a quality role player. The Sabres may not be willing to pay that high a price considering Fowler has fallen behind Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen in Anaheim's lineup, but there could be something here.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Edmonton Oilers
Possible destination: New York Islanders
After last season, it became clear that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl passed Nugent-Hopkins on the Oilers' depth chart at center. Nugent-Hopkins' production drifted to only 34 points in 55 games. The gifted playmaker has not taken the next step since posting 52 points in 62 games as a rookie, in part because of his physical build.
However, he still has the smarts and offensive skill to be a terrific No. 2 center -- a position at which the Isles do not have a shoo-in. The Oilers may have gained a defenseman in Adam Larsson, but they lost some (a lot, actually) of their quality at wing when they traded Taylor Hall to New Jersey. The Isles have several promising young wingers in their system who could be enticing to Edmonton.
Tyson Barrie, RD, Colorado Avalanche
Possible destination: Edmonton Oilers
Colorado's management has said that they will not be moving their talented RFA defenseman, but that doesn't preclude it from happening. The Avs have had an issue keeping their stars happy, as Ryan O'Reilly was eventually traded after years of contract disputes, and both Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog have been in trade rumors. It would be a mistake to deal Barrie, who is 24 years old and has scored 102 points combined during the past two seasons. Top-pairing scoring defensemen are as valuable as they have ever been, and they are not all that easy to find.
However, if they did open up the phone lines for calls, the Oilers' stock of talented young players would certainly catch Colorado's eye. Edmonton already acquired their shutdown top-pair defender in Larsson, but they do not have an elite offensive blueliner on the roster. Adding one could make them extremely dangerous.
Matt Dumba, RD, Minnesota Wild
Possible destination: Arizona Coyotes
The Wild are facing a tough decision with their 21-year-old defenseman, who scored 10 goals and added 16 assists in 81 games last season. While Dumba is skilled, there are questions about whether he can become an above-average top-four D-man.
Because he is young and was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 draft, he would have significant trade value to an up-and-coming team like the Coyotes, whose defense corps is top-heavy with superstar Oliver Ekman-Larsson and recently signed veteran Alex Goligoski set to carry a great deal of the load.
Scott Hartnell, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Possible destination: Carolina Hurricanes
After signing Seth Jones to a long-term contract, the Blue Jackets are in a tough spot with their salary cap going forward, and Hartnell is under contract through 2019 with a cap hit of $4.75 million. The former Predator and Flyer still produced 23 goals and 26 assists last season, but 22 of his 49 points came on the power play. At 34 years old, Hartnell has lost some foot speed, making it difficult for the Jackets to use him in 5-on-5 situations against top lines.
The Hurricanes still have not reached the salary-cap floor and are looking to take a step forward in their rebuild. Carolina has added two forwards already in Lee Stempniak and Teuvo Teravainen, but they have a lot of offensive slack to make up, ranking 24th in power play success last season and 22nd in even-strength goals. Even if Hartnell's contract is not ideal, he could add offense.
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