General managers for some of the NHL’s best teams were busy on Wednesday, two days ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.
The Vegas Golden Knights acquired the Calgary Flames’ Noah Hanifin, the top defenseman who was available on the trade market. That follows their trade for Washington Capitals forward Anthony Mantha on Tuesday.
Also off the market: Vladimir Tarasenko (Florida Panthers), Adam Henrique (Edmonton Oilers), Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Walker (Colorado Avalanche) and Alex Wennberg (New York Rangers).
There was even an old-fashioned hockey trade with defenseman Bowen Byram going to the Buffalo Sabres in the one-for-one deal for Mittelstadt.
There are other players who could be moved in the next two days to add intrigue to the trade deadline. Here’s a look:
Forward Jake Guentzel, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins want to get younger and Sidney Crosby’s linemate could potentially bring back a first-round pick and more. The pending unrestricted free agent is an elite scorer with two 40-goal seasons and is averaging more than a point a game this season. He totaled 23 goals over his first two postseasons and had eight goals in seven games in his last playoff appearance. He’s currently out with an injury but should be back after the deadline.
Forward Pavel Buchnevich, St. Louis Blues
He has a year left on his contract, so the Blues don’t have to move him now. He’s on pace to top his career best of 30 goals and would satisfy a team’s need for a top-line or top-six winger.
Forward Frank Vatrano, Anaheim Ducks
General manager Pat Verbeek already got a first-round pick and other draft picks by moving out Henrique, Sam Carrick and Ilya Lyubushkin, all pending unrestricted free agents. Vatrano has term left on his deal. He’s a first-time All-Star this season with a career-best 29 goals. That includes 11 power-play goals and two short-handed ones.
Forward Tyler Toffoli, New Jersey Devils
The Devils made a coaching change, but it’s looking less likely that they’ll make the playoffs. Contenders would be interested in pending UFA Toffoli, who has 26 goals this season and had 34 last season.
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun, Ottawa Senators
His name is out there because the Senators are loaded with top-notch left-shot defensemen and they have signed Jake Sanderson long term. General manager Steve Staios said he isn’t actively pursuing anything with Chychrun but said, “We’re getting a lot of interest in all of our players.”
Forward Jason Zucker, Arizona Coyotes
He plays with an edge and would fit in a team’s middle six. He was Evgeni Malkin’s linemate in Pittsburgh.
Defenseman Matt Dumba, Arizona Coyotes
He longer brings the offense, but he’s a right-shot defenseman, averages 20 minutes a game and has 150 hits.
Forward Reilly Smith, Pittsburgh Penguins
He hasn’t had a strong season in Pittsburgh, but he did win a Stanley Cup last season in Vegas.
Forward Tyler Johnson, Chicago Blackhawks
The pending unrestricted free agent won two Stanley Cup titles with the Tampa Bay Lightning and has 116 games of playoff experience.
Defenseman Erik Johnson, Buffalo Sabres
He’s being held out of the lineup. He won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
First appeared on www.usatoday.com