Players Who Could be Traded Shortly in The Atlantic 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.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Patric Hornqvist - He has a $5.3 million AAV and if the team wants to clear cap space for any trade deadline adds, he may be a good choice. They may be forced to do something before the deadline, since they are $3.4 million over the cap currently.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Justin Holl - He has been rumored to be moved before with the Leafs constant cap space issues. His $2 million contract could relieve some of that cap dilemma. If Holl becomes the seventh defenseman, look for him to start packing.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Cal Foote - In an attempt to compete for another Cup, the Lightning could make some moves at the deadline. Foote could be moved. He's a pending RFA and with Zach Bogosian returning in a few months, Foote may be expendable.
BOSTON BRUINS
Craig Smith - He is in the last year of his $3.1 million contract and the Bruins will sorely need cap space once Matt Grzelcyk, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy come off of long-term injured reserve. At 33, Smith seems the logical choice to get traded.
BUFFALO SABRES
Vinnie Hinostroza - The 28 year old forward is on a one-year deal worth $1.7 million and had 25 points in 62 games last season. There's a good chance he will lose ice time to Jack Quinn and John-Jason Peterka. Even if the Sabres contend for a playoff spot, Hinistroza may be gone.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Olli Maatta - He is on a one-year deal and his shutdown style of play could certainly attract a team toward him at the deadline. That becomes especially true if Tyler Bertuzzi gets signed.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Nikita Zaitsev - He carries a $4.5 million cap hit for the next two years and has been in rumors to be part of a prospective Jakob Chychrun trade, if that ever happens. To make additional cap space he could be traded... somewhere.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Evgenii Dadonov - The Habs don't expect to make the playoffs and this could be an entirely different looking team come deadline time. Dadonov will turn 34 near the deadline and his $5 million contract seems to be one that needs to be moved. Of course, the Habs may need to retain some salary, but hey... it's worth it, right?
That concludes this segment of our series on players who could be traded. We'll do the Central Division of the Western Conference next.
