NHL RumorsNHL RumorsNHL Rumors
  • Rumors
  • Free Agency
    • 2025 NHL Free Agent Signings Tracker
    • Our Top 50 2025 NHL Free Agents
    • A Collection of Top 12 to 50 UFA Lists
    • List of Pending UFA Forwards
    • List of Pending UFA Defensemen
    • List of Pending UFA Goaltenders
  • NHL Trades
    • 2024-25 NHL Trade Tracker
    • Trade Articles
    • 2023-24 NHL Trade Tracker
  • Video
  • Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Utah Mammoth
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Contact
  • FAQ
Font ResizerAa
NHL RumorsNHL Rumors
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
NHL RumorsNHL Trade Deadline

NHL Deadline Trade Bait That Could Move This Summer

Lyle Richardson 03/03/2020
5 Min Read
Some who were considered trade bait remained with their current teams as the NHL trade deadline passed. A look a some who could be traded this offseason.
© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

There was plenty of speculation over which players could be moved in the weeks leading up to the NHL’s Feb. 24 trade deadline. Several, such as Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Sami Vatanen, and Andreas Athanasiou, wound up changing teams by deadline day.

Some who were considered trade bait, however, remained with their current teams as the deadline passed. A handful were players under contract beyond this season. While they weren’t traded this season, they could end up getting shopped this summer.

Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild

Wild general manager Bill Guerin already made one significant move, shipping Jason Zucker to the Pittsburgh Penguins in early February. On deadline day, it was revealed he was attempting to ship Parise to the New York Islanders. While the deal fell through, Guerin hinted the two clubs could revisit those discussions this summer.

Parise, 35, is still a productive winger, but he has five seasons remaining on his contract with an annual average value of over $7.538 million. The Isles were trying to get Guerin to take winger Andrew Ladd and his $5.5 million salary-cap hit, but the two sides had trouble getting the dollars to fit. Both players waived their no-trade clause to make this happen, so perhaps this deal takes place in the off-season.

Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin, Minnesota Wild

The speculation over these two defensemen emerged as the Wild seemed in danger of sliding out of the playoff race. Their recent resurgence, however, may have given Guerin reason to pause.

It’s believed Guerin wasn’t actively entertaining offers for Dumba or Brodin, but he could’ve been open to offers. How the Wild finish this season could determine the two blueliners still have futures in Minnesota.

Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils

Signed through 2020-21 with an annual average value of $4.625 million, Palmieri surfaced in the rumor mill after the Devils traded Taylor Hall to Arizona in December. He was frequently linked to the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues approaching deadline day.

Devils acting GM Tom Fitzgerald said he wasn’t shopping Palmieri, who expressed his desire to stay put. Nevertheless, Fitzgerald could listen if someone makes an interesting pitch this summer.

Brandon Saad, Chicago Blackhawks

Like Dumba and Brodin, Saad seemed to surface in the rumor mill depending on where his club was in the standings. He was linked to the Boston Bruins before their acquisition of winger Ondrej Kase before the deadline.

The 26-year-old Saad has a year left on his contract with a salary-cap hit of $6 million. With the Blackhawks giving more playing time to younger, more affordable wingers, perhaps he becomes a cost-cutting casualty.

Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets

With Byfuglien sidelined by ankle surgery and at loggerheads with Jets management, there was talk he could be available in the trade market. Following the deadline, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff didn’t rule out trying to peddle the big blueliner.

It’s more likely the two sides could agree to mutual contract termination. Still, if Byfuglien decides to continue his playing career and the Jets can find a taker, perhaps he could be dealt in the summer.

Kasperi Kapanen, Toronto Maple Leafs

Kapanen frequently came up in media trade chatter whenever the talk got around to the Leafs’ defensive needs. However, Leafs GM Kyle Dubas was reportedly reluctant to part with him.

The speedy 23-year-old winger is under contract for two more seasons with an affordable $3.2-million annual average salary. If defense once again proves the Leafs’ downfall in the playoffs, Dubas could end up listening if someone offers up a top-four blueliner.

Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers

Inconsistency and injury hampered Gostisbehere’s performance this season. The 25-year-old blueliner also struggled to adjust under head coach Alain Vigneault. He was briefly linked last fall to the Montreal Canadiens.

Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said he wasn’t shopping Gostisbehere before the deadline. Even if he was, the rearguard’s declining performance hurt his trade value. That might change this summer if a rival GM seeking offense from the blueline decides to take a chance on Ghost Bear and his $4.5-million AAV through 2022-23.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Brandon SaadChicago BlackhawksDustin ByfuglienJonas BrodinKasperi KapanenKyle PalmieriMatt DumbaMinnesota WildNew Jersey DevilsPhiladelphia FlyersShayne GostisbehereToronto Maple LeafsWinnipeg JetsZach Parise

Offer Sheet Compensation

<$1.54M no comp
$1.54M – $2.34M: 3rd
$2.34M – $4.68M: 2nd
$4.68M – $7.02M: 1st, 3rd
$7.02M – $9.36M: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$9.36M – $11.7M: 1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd
$11.7M+: 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st,

2024-25 Critical Dates

June 27th-28th: 2025 NHL Draft
July 1st: Start of free agency

NHL Rumors to your inbox.

NHLrumors Logo

Categories

  • Rumors

Information

  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking NHL News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.