NHL Players Most Likely To Get Traded This Off-season
Jack Eichel
Cody Eakin
The veteran forward will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and a rental in 2021-22. Eakin is a 30-year-old bottom-six centre who can play a decent shutdown role. The Winnipeg native only had seven points in 46 games last season. Regardless, expect the Sabres to trade Eakin before the trade deadline for a mid-round pick and a prospect.
The reports out of Finland this summer indicated Laine wanted to get back on track after a bad season. The sniper has the potential to score 50 goals per season and must find his consistency to remain a first-line winger. He battled with Torts last season, but now he gets to call Brad Larsen his head coach. If the Blue Jackets struggle this season, expect Laine to be traded.
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Kadri was suspended again during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and yes, that's three times in the past four seasons it's happened. Word is the Avs held some pretty heated internal discussions about his future, and for now, he remains with the team. If he struggles to begin next season, look for the team to gauge the market as Kadri is in the final season of his contract paying him $4.5 million. He holds trade protection as he can block a deal to 10 teams of his choosing.
The 33-year-old is expendable when you lock of Cale Makar to a long-term extension. There's been speculation in the past about his future and if Johnson can stay healthy there will be interest across the league, even with two years left at $6 million per season. Last season he only managed to appear in four games, and will need to stay on the ice if any team is going to take a gamble on a deal. Out of these two, Kadri is definitely the most likely to be moved.
Zack Kassian
Kassian plays a style that many teams would love to add to their mix so if the bruising winger struggles to start next season, look for trade talks to ramp up. The Pittsburgh Penguins would love to get their hands on Kassian and had been in touch with the Oilers as recent as the NHL Draft. The 30-year-old has three seasons left on his deal paying him $3.2 million. Expensive ticket for only five points last season, so he better be bringing the intensity each and every shift.
Mikko Koskinen
The overpaid netminder was expected to be bought out this summer but general manager Ken Holland decided against it. There were some talks about a trade with the Washington Capitals but they were able to get a deal done with the Seattle Kraken. Koskinen is in the final season of his contract, paying him $4.5 million. His modified no-trade clause protects him from 15 teams. If the Oilers are able to move him before or during this season, look for them to retain the maximum salary for the rest of the season. Not many teams are eager to pay full price for a .899 save %.
| POLL | ||
Will one of these players get traded before the season starts? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 53.8 % |
| No | 36 | 46.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
