The 2018-19 NHL regular season begins on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Following an offseason in which several noteworthy players changed teams through trades, fans will be monitoring the rumor mill to determine which players could be on the move this season.
Most will be players slated to become unrestricted free agents next July. A handful could belong to teams with depth in one part of the roster looking to address a weakness elsewhere in the lineup.
Here’s a look at the notable Eastern Conference players most likely to be moved by the Feb. 25, 2019, NHL trade deadline.
Matt Duchene, Ottawa Senators
A UFA at season’s end, Duchene is completing a five-year, $30-million contract. In nine seasons, he’s exceeded 50 points six times. Should he reach that number again, the 26-year-old could seek around $7 million annually on his next deal.
With the Senators in tear-down mode, they could be unwilling to pay Duchene a substantial raise. For that matter, he might not be keen on hitching his long-term fortunes to a rebuilding club.
Jordan Eberle, New York Islanders
In his first season with the Islanders, Eberle reached the 20-goal plateau for the sixth time and 50-or-more points for the fifth time. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of a six-year, $36-million contract.
Should Eberle reach or exceed the 20-goal, 50-point plateau again, he could look for something more than his current $6-million annual salary. That could prove too expensive for new general manager Lou Lamoriello.
Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
The 27-year-old defenseman’s been a fixture in the trade rumor mill for well over a year. Unlike the others on this list, Faulk‘s under contract beyond this season. He also carries an affordable $4.833-million cap hit.
Given the Hurricanes’ blueline depth and need for scoring punch, they could draw upon their defense to bolster their offense. Faulk could be their best trade chip this season.
Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings
Though Nyquist reached 40-or-more points in five consecutive seasons, he’s never achieved the 30-goal potential he showed earlier in his NHL career. He’ll be completing the final season of his four-year, $19-million deal.
With the Wings rebuilding with younger talent, the 29-year-old Nyquist could be on his way out by the trade deadline. Another 40-plus point campaign could make him enticing to playoff contenders seeking rental players.
Artemi Panarin, Columbus Blue Jackets
Panarin raised eyebrows this summer with his reluctance to discuss a contract extension with the Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old wing is in the final season of his two-year, $12-million deal and tallied a career-high 82 points in 2017-18.
Considering how important Panarin is to the Blue Jackets’ playoff hopes, they’re reportedly uninterested in trading him at this time. However, that could change if they fall out of contention come February and he remains unwilling to sign an extension.
Jeff Skinner, Buffalo Sabres
Acquired in August from the Carolina Hurricanes, the Sabres hope Skinner meshes well with center Jack Eichel. The 26-year-old left wing has three 30-goal seasons on his resume and is entering the final year of his six-year, $34.35-million contract.
Skinner claimed he was happy to join a club with a talented young core like the Sabres. But if he and Eichel fail to click this season, perhaps he’ll be on the move again come February.
Mark Stone, Ottawa Senators
Inked to a one-year. $7.35-million contract, Stone hasn’t ruled out signing a longer-term deal next year with the Senators. One of the league’s better two-way forwards, the 26-year-old right wing has exceeded 60 points in three of the last four seasons.
While Stone’s saying all the right things about his love of playing in Ottawa, the Senators’ haphazard approach to rebuilding could make him reluctant to re-sign with them. He could be shopped if not under contract by the traded deadline.
Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers
Zuccarello‘s been one of the Rangers’ most consistent performers. The 31-year-old winger exceeded 50 points in four of the past five seasons.
Now in the final season of a four-year, $18-million contract, Zuccarello might not have a place in the rebuilding Rangers’ long-term plans. If they’re outside the playoff picture come February, he could be on the move.
Player stats via NHL.com. Salary info (as of Sep. 30, 2019) via Cap Friendly.