Top 10 trade candidates …
Matt Larkin of The Hockey News: Larkin lists his top 10 trade candidates at the NHL draft.
10. Ben Bishop – Tampa Bay Lightning
9. Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings
8. Sami Vatanen – Anaheim Ducks
7. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers
6. Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues
5. Frederik Andersen – Anaheim Ducks
4. Andrew Shaw – Chicago Blackhawks
3. Tyson Barrie – Colorado Avalanche
2. Scott Hartnell – Columbus Blue Jackets
1. Marc-Andre Fleury – Pittsburgh Penguins
Honorable mentions: Jonas Brodin, Matt Dumba, Jordan Eberle, Brian Elliott, Jimmy Howard, Patrick Marleau, Rick Nash, Jacob Trouba, Nail Yakupov
Dobber Hockey: Dobber looks at the top 10 players who have the highest likelihood of being traded this offseason.
10. Tyler Bozak – Toronto Maple Leafs
9. Frederik Andersen – Anaheim Ducks
8. Marc-Andre Fleruy – Pittsburgh Penguins
7. Sami Vatanen – Anaheim Ducks
6. Jimmy Howard – Detroit Red Wings
5. Rick Nash – New York Rangers
4. Kevin Shattenkirk – St. Louis Blues
3. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Edmonton Oilers
2. Martin Hanzal – Arizona Coyotes
1. Scott Hartnell – Columbus Blue Jackets
On the Nashville Predators …
Adam Vingan of The Tennessean: The Predators re-signed goalie Marek Mazanec on Monday, and he could become their backup next season as it’s unlikely that Carter Hutton will be back. Hutton is a UFA and is looking for more playing time. Hutton’s agent did say on Monday that the sides are still talking about a contract though. It doesn’t sound like Hutton will be back according to GM David Poile.
“In our last conversation, I think Carter sees signing with the Predators as a little bit of a dead end to his career, meaning he think he’s played well enough, which I would agree with,” Poile said. “He doesn’t get a lot of games or hasn’t had a lot of games playing behind Pekka Rinne. I think more than term or money, he feels that going to another team will give him a better opportunity to get more games and to probably extend his career.
“It’s not over yet, but I would say that’s probably the way that Carter is leaning. I have a tough time arguing against that. I think Carter’s done a great job for us. Good goaltender, real good person, good chemistry, all those things. But it is what it is.”