There is less than one week remaining until the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. Moves are already beginning to circulate across the league, and some of the game's brightest stars have already found new homes. Looking to add star power and a much-needed scoring punch to their team, the New York Islanders acquired center Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks. The New York Rangers also bolstered their top six by trading for winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the St Louis Blues, while the New Jersey Devils made the biggest splash to date. They sent multiple picks and prospects to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for two-time 30-goal scorer Timo Meier. With Patrick Kane, Jakob Chychrun, and Luke Schenn highlighting the list of names still left across the league, here are my trade deadline predictions.
Patrick Kane
Beginning to heat up after a slow start to the season, Kane has scored seven goals while racking up 10 points over his last four games. Remaining determined to land in New York, the 34-year-old pending UFA is reportedly only considering the Rangers as a potential landing spot. He has a full no-movement clause attached to his contract. The three-time Stanley Cup champion can nix any other trades, leaving a complicated situation for general manager Kyle Davidson. Currently, accounting for $10.5 million against the cap, look for Chicago to eat 50 percent of his contract while finding a third-party team to retain 25 percent. With the former first-overall pick reportedly away from the group, the expectation is that this trade is made before Friday.
Prediction: Traded to the New York Rangers
Jakob Chychrun
Returning to form after battling injuries a year ago, Chychrun has racked up 28 points across 36 games while playing over 23 minutes a night. He has been held out of the Arizona Coyotes lineup for the last seven games. The 24-year-old last played for the team on February 11th as they aim to find a trade partner. The Los Angeles Kings are still the front runners for the Florida native, as the Coyotes remain firm on their asking price of two first-round picks and either another first-round pick or an equivalent prospect. However, more clubs have begun to enter the mix as the St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins have all reportedly kicked tires. Nonetheless, the Kings have the prospect pool to acquire the young blue liner and are thick in the post-season chase in the wide-open Western Conference.
Prediction: Traded to the Los Angeles Kings
Erik Karlsson
The current front-runner for the Norris Trophy, Karlsson, has made a resurgence after battling multiple injuries over the past few seasons. He is currently seventh in the NHL in points (76), putting him on pace for the first 100-point season by a defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1992. Set to turn 33 years old at the conclusion of the season; the Swedish blue liner has four years remaining at an $11.5 million cap hit. Furthermore, with a full no-move clause attached to his deal, the two-time Norris Trophy winner has expressed a desire to be traded to a team in the hunt for a Stanley Cup. The Edmonton Oilers have been linked to the 14-year veteran. However, Ken Holland's team is pressed up against the salary cap, making a trade for the longtime Ottawa Senator unlikely.
Prediction: Stays in San Jose
Luke Schenn
Set to hit the open market at the season's end, Schenn is in the second season of his deal with the Vancouver Canucks. Still a steady bottom-pairing player, the former fifth-overall pick has posted three goals and 18 assists across 55 games this season. Moreover, he has also racked up 238 hits while playing over 17 minutes per night. Already being held out of the team's lineup as they look to move him before the deadline, they are reportedly asking for a second or third-round pick as compensation. Emerging as potential suitors, the Bruins already bolstered their blue line with the acquisition of Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway from the Capitals. Still, with the need for depth on the blue line all across the league, failing to recoup assets for the 33-year-old would be a wasted opportunity for Patrick Allvin.
Prediction: Traded to the Calgary Flames
Vladislav Gavrikov
Vladislav Gavrikov is the second-best defenseman behind Chychrun, that will look to move before Friday. He possesses substantial size at 6'3 220. The 27-year-old is good in his own end by using his body to break up the opposing team's cycle while also boxing out in front of the net. Moreover, the former sixth-round pick can also jump up and join the rush offensively. Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is reportedly asking for multiple draft picks, including a first-round pick as a return. The team held the former sixth-round pick out of the lineup on Thursday night, with the Bruins closing in on a deal. However, it ultimately fell through, forcing Don Sweeney to turn to Washington to acquire Orlov and Hathaway. Be that as it may, after having multiple conversations over the last month, look for the Oilers to re-enter the sweepstakes and ultimately land Gavrikov.