8 Players Who Could be Traded at Any Moment in The Central Division
Training camps are underway and NHL teams are building their rosters for the 2022-23 season. We all know that there will still be trades, so we are examining which players from each of the four divisions could be moved.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
Martin Kaut - The soon-to-be 23-year-old has not really made the transition to the NHL as of yet. He has only gathered two goals, one assist in 20 games. His trade value may only be as a sweetener in a larger deal at the deadline. If a larger deal is made, the Av's may need to include J.T. Compher who has a $3.5 million contract, but they'd rather not do that.
MINNESOTA WILD
Matt Dumba - His future is a regular trade rumor topic. He is entering the last year of his $6 million AAV deal and what better time to create some cap space? The thing is the Wild have a treasure chest full of defensive prospects with Calen Addison, Brock Faber, Carson Lambos, Daemon Hunt, Ryan O'Rourke and Jack Peart wanting a spot. Seems illogical to not hold them back.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Klim Kostin - The 23 year old Russian has only played 46 games in the NHL with five goals, six assists to his credit. He was the Blues 31st pick in 2017. While not a big name like Vladimir Tarasenko, he doesn't seem to have much of a future in St. Louis. Tarasenko won't be going anywhere if the Blues are in the hunt this season.
DALLAS STARS
Anton Khudobin - It's unlikely that Khudobin will make the roster ahead of Jake Oettinger and Scott Wedgewood. He is nursing an injury and at 36 it may take a while to heal. He will likely be in the AHL to play back into shape. His $3.33 million contract could certainly help towards the Stars signing their prize forward Jason Robertson.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Eeli Tolvanen - Both Tolvanen and Dante Fabbro have not played up to snuff for the Stars and could be headed out. Both players if they stay, will have reduced roles in the lineup. Now that the Preds have Filip Forsberg locked in, they really seem content.
WINNIPEG JETS
Brenden Dillon - He should provide a good return in any trade. He is a big body at 6'-4", 225 pounds. The Jets have an excess of defensive choices. If Dillon isn't moved perhaps Dylan DeMelo is gone. Who knows?
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Patrick Kane - This is an obvious choice, as he has been at the top of NHL trade rumors for a long time. He still has full control, and it may not happen until close to the trade deadline on March 3rd. There is even conjecture now that he could be traded, and then re-sign with the Hawks next season. Stranger things have happened in the Windy City.
ARIZONA COYOTES
Shayne Gostisbehere - Since it seems that Jakob Chychrun's return doesn't work for most teams interested in him, Ghost is a logical choice. He has a reasonable $4.5 million contract that expires next summer. He is the ideal trade deadline rental player for a team looking to add a quarterback on the power play. He added 51 points in 82 games even if he is a defensive liability.
That concludes this segment of our series on players who could be traded. We'll do the Metro Division of the Eastern Conference next.
