With the NHL trade deadline now two weeks away, I’m taking a look at the needs of the potential buyer teams and identifying some of the likely candidates for rental players on the teams that are likely to be selling.
Next up is the West Division. The West includes a handful of strong teams that have a chance for a long playoff run that may look to gear up.
As the standing sit now, the Golden Knights and Avalanche are in a tight battle for top seed in the division. The Wild sit comfortably in 3rd place, while the Blues and Coyotes sit in a tie for the last playoff spot. The three California teams sit further back and are the likely sellers in the division.
We’ll take a look at each team’s needs in order of the current standings. Using player data from Natural Stat Trick and salary cap data from CapFriendly, we’ll look at player usage charts for each team based only on this season’s data to see where their strengths and weaknesses lie. We’ll limit our analysis to players who have played over 100 minutes this season.
Vegas Golden Knights
Projected Cap Space: $31,711
The Golden Knights are having another strong season. They’ll try to hold off the surging Avalanche for the division title down the stretch. With limited cap space, their options to add at the deadline are limited.
What’s gone right: The Golden Knights top forwards are dominating. With strong possession metrics and point production, they are difficult to handle for opposing teams. Alex Pietrangelo is anchoring the defense corps.
Areas for improvement: There is a sharp drop off in both point production and possession metrics at the bottom end of the forward depth chart. On defense, possession metrics are concerning with most players below 50% xGF%.
Trade targets: Depth forward, depth defenseman
Colorado Avalanche
Projected Cap Space: $1,023,049
The Avalanche have been climbing in the standings and will look to overtake the Golden Knights for the division’s top seed. They have a bit of cap space to work with to add a piece or two at the deadline.
What’s gone right: The Av’s top players are producing as expected and the team has carried play on a regular basis throughout the lineup.
Areas for improvement: The Av’s only players below 50% xGF% are on defense. They may look to strengthen their defense corps.
Trade targets: Top 4 defenseman
Minnesota Wild
Projected Cap Space: $772,721
The Wild have broken out this season and have enough cap space to add an affordable piece at the deadline.
What’s gone right: Kirill Kaprisov’s rookie season has him in the mix for the Calder trophy. Minnesota’s depth players are generally controlling play.
Areas for improvement: While Kaprisov and Zucarrello have strong point production, their possession metrics could be improved. Finding an affordable defensive minded forward to play with them could be a good addition.
Trade targets: Top 6 forward
St Louis Blues
Projected Cap Space: $0
The Blues are in a battle for the final playoff spot in the West. Tight to the cap, they have limited options to add to their roster at the deadline.
What’s gone right: The Blues scoring has been distributed throughout the top half of their depth chart.
Areas for improvement: The Blues possession metrics are not nearly as strong as they were during their cup winning run two seasons ago.
Trade targets: Depth forward, depth defenseman
Arizona Coyotes
Projected Cap Space: $756,842
The Coyotes are challenging for the final playoff spot in the West. With a bit of cap room available, they may be able to add before the deadline.
What’s gone right: The top line is having a great season, leading the offense and controlling play.
Areas for improvement: The Coyotes possession metrics change drastically after the top line and D-pair. Further down the lineup, they are consistently being out-chanced by their opponents.
Trade targets: Top 4 defenseman, Top 6 forward
Los Angeles Kings
Projected Cap Space: $9,280,471
The Kings sit 5 points back of the final playoff position in the West. With over $9M in cap space, they could make a move if they go on a run before the deadline.
What’s gone right: The Kings have had contributions from their entire lineup to keep them near the playoff picture.
Potential Rental Players: While the King’s aren’t too far back from the playoff picture, they are rebuilding and it would be a surprise to see them make a big move before the deadline. Alex Iafallo ($2,425,000), Olli Maatta ($875,000) and Kurtis MacDermid ($875,00) are upcoming UFAs that could be used to bring more assets in for the King’s rebuild.
San Jose Sharks
Projected Cap Space: $2,197,283
The Sharks are well back of the final playoff spot and will likely look to re-tool for the future.
What’s gone right: The Sharks are getting strong seasons from their top players. Patrick Marleau continues to close in on Gordie Howe’s games played record.
Areas for improvement: Depth appears to be an issue for the Sharks, with significant drop of in point production after their top unit. They also lack a checking line that is good enough to consistently shut down the opposing top lines.
Potential Rental Players: While his production has declined, Patrick Marleau may be a valuable depth addition for a contender and he comes with a small cap hit ($700,000). Devan Dubnyk ($2,166,667) may be a nice addition for a team looking for some insurance in goal.
Anaheim Ducks
Projected Cap Space: $0
The Ducks have struggled this season and they will likely look to the future at the deadline.
What’s gone right: The Ducks top 3 defensemen have strong possession metrics.
Potential Rental Players: The Ducks are in re-build territory. With no cap space available to retain salary in a trade, it may be difficult to move players with significant cap hits. Notable UFAs include Ryan Getzlaf ($8,250,000, no-movement clause), Ben Hutton ($950,000) and Ryan Miller ($1,000,000).
Other Trade Deadline Previews:
2020-2021 Trade Deadline Preview: North Division
