The 2018 NHL Draft takes place on Friday and Saturday in Dallas, TX. As the draft weekend approaches, a number of notable players are considered prime trade candidates
The first domino has already dropped in the trade market. Last Friday, the Montreal Canadiens shipped forward Alex Galchenyuk to the Arizona Coyotes for left wing Max Domi.
We can likely expect more significant moves by the end of this week. Here’s a look at the players considered to be notable trade bait as the draft weekend nears.
Milan Lucic – Edmonton Oilers: Over the past two weeks, there’s been growing speculation that the Oilers are attempting to move Lucic with the winger’s blessing. On Friday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told Edmonton’s 630 CHED he believes they’re confident they can move Lucic, despite his hefty $6-million annual average value.
The Oilers don’t want this to be a salary-dumping deal, preferring to get something worthwhile in return. No word so far as to which teams they’re targeting. The Montreal Canadiens were believed an option but TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said they’re not interested.
Jeff Skinner – Carolina Hurricanes: Under new ownership and management, the Hurricanes are looking to shake things up. Skinner has a year left on his contract and could waive his no-movement clause to go to a contender.
Last Thursday, TSN”s Pierre LeBrun speculated the Los Angeles Kings or San Jose Sharks have interest in Skinner, though they’re also among the clubs looking at free-agent winger Ilya Kovalchuk.
Ryan O’Reilly – Buffalo Sabres: O’Reilly’s end-season comments regarding the effect the Sabres’ culture of losing was having on his performance sparked considerable conjecture over his future. Last Friday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told the NHL Network he thinks they could move him for a first rounder.
If the Sabres wait until after the draft, O’Reilly value could soar as teams that lose out in the potential free-agent bidding for John Tavares could come calling.
Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens: With the Canadiens having dealt Galchenyuk, Pacioretty might be next on the block. The 29-year-old left wing is a year away from UFA eligibility and was the subject of frequent pundit trade chatter leading up to last February’s trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues could pursue him. Perhaps the Canadiens might offer him up to Buffalo as trade bait for Ryan O’Reilly.
Mike Hoffman – Ottawa Senators: Hoffman’s been a fixture in the rumor mill for months. The Senators were apparently hoping to get a good return for him, but recent allegations of cyberbullying leveled at his fiancee by Erik Karlsson‘s wife could hurt his trade value.
TSN’s Frank Seravalli cited two NHL GMs expressing concern over Hoffman’s situation potentially becoming a distraction for his new club. He could still be moved but it’s assumed interested GMs will try to low-ball the Senators now.
Torey Krug – Boston Bruins: Krug’s name surfaced in the rumor mill following Boston’s second-round elimination in this year’s playoffs.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney said he’s not actively shopping the 27-year-old defenseman. However, the Boston Herald‘s Steve Conroy wonders if Krug might be used to land a bigger, left-handed blueliner such as Carolina’s Noah Hanifin or Edmonton’s Oscar Klefbom.
Philipp Grubauer – Washington Capitals: Grubauer is a restricted free agent keen to prove himself as a starting goaltender, but Braden Holtby is firmly entrenched in that role for Washington. Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan last week told the Washington Post he’ll shop the 26-year-old netminder.
Given the lack of quality goalies in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets, Grubauer could attract interest from teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes or New York Islanders.
