NHL Trade Rumors: Top-10 Trade Candidates Available This Season

The NHL trade chatter has picked up in a major way and with the American Thanksgiving holiday weekend behind us, look for more transactions to be finalized these coming weeks. GM's like to have a a 20-game window to start the season and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and expect the movement increase over the course of these next few weeks.

While there's been some usual suspects when it comes to the trade rumor mill, here's our top-10 trade candidates available this season:

1. Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames

The best defenseman available and perhaps the best all-around player, Hanifin broke off contract extension talks and a move is coming at some point by GM Craig Conroy. Hanifin is a top-four defenseman who can play top-pair minutes in all situations and he's owed $4.95 million this season, the final year of his contract. Hanifin owns a limited eight-team no-trade clause. 

2. Elias Lindholm, Calgary Flames

Get used to seeing some Flames on our board as Lindholm is another pending unrestricted free agent who doesn't appear to be sticking around Calgary long term. The versatile forward is owed $4.85 million against the cap, a very reasonable figure considering the production. Lindholm has recorded 15 points in 22 games this season and is coming off a 64-point campaign in 2022-23. The Swedish centre does not hold any trade protection and can be moved at will.

3. Nikita Zadorov, Calgary Flames

One player who has already requested a trade this season, Zadorov wants out of Calgary and Conroy is well aware. Doesn't mean a deal is imminent at this point as the Flames will work on their own timetable. At $3.75 million against the cap, a pending free agent and a blueliner who brings a ton of sandpaper to his game, the market will be booming for the towering Russian defenseman.

4. Sean Walker, Philadelphia Flyers

One defenseman who has skyrocketed up the trade board of late is Sean Walker from the Flyers. The versatile right-handed blueliner can play in all situations and is on pace for a career season in Philly. He's also a pending unrestricted free agent who makes $2.65 million this season. After just 13 points last season in 70 games with the Kings, Walker has 10 points in his first 22 games as a Flyer and is killing a ton of penalties. Walker will cost at least a second-round pick to acquire from GM Daniel Briere.

5. Chris Tanev, Calgary Flames

Back to another Flame, Tanev is someone to circle as a prime trade candidate. He's the best defensive defenseman on the board and at 33 years old, knows what it takes to win. The Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs could find themselves in a bidding war for Tanev's services.

6. Samuel Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens

The first goalie on the board is 27-year-old Samuel Montembeault of the Canadiens. He's been scouted hard by opposing teams of late and there's been some rumblings about a move to the Edmonton Oilers. Montembeault is a pending free agent who is under a reasonable contract at just $1 million this season. Montreal has been carrying three goalies all season long and a trade is inevitable at this point.

7. Morgan Frost, Philadelphia Flyers

Frost has been in John Tortorella's dog house since training camp, and at this point we're unsure if it's warranted. Frost had himself a fine season in 2022-23, recording 19 goals and 46 points in 81 games. This season he's only managed to appear in 12 games and has only four points. Frost is a former first-round pick and the Barrie, ON native is under contract for next season at $2.1 million and will then be a restricted free agent. Lots of team security here as Frost could use a change of scenery.

8. Adam Boqvist, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets are open to just about anything at this point and Boqvist is a prime target on their blue line. He's owed $2.6 million for this season and next and becomes a restricted free agent once he's contract runs its course. As a righty and still only 23 years old, there's going to be some interest. So far this season, the Swedish defender has recorded two assists in 10 games and had an impressive 24 points in 46 games last season. 

9. Andrew Peeke, Columbus Blue Jackets

Another Blue Jackets right-handed defenseman who is available on the trade market, however Peeke's game is very different than Boqvist. It's almost like a ying and yang type of opposite as Peeke is uber physical and loves to throw his weight around. Peeke brings a 6-foot-3 presence and isn't afraid to block shots at will and do what he can to impact the game defensively. The underlying numbers have been concerning and it's going to be tough for Columbus to move out the defenseman given he's owed $2.75 million per season through 2025-26.

10. Anthony Duclair, San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are struggling and GM Mike Grier will be open to move just about everyone for future considerations. Duclair is a veteran winger with a ton of speed and offensive upside and at $3 million against the cap this season, is tradeable. Duclair's versatile to play either wing and is a strong candidate to provide secondary offense for a contending team. So far in 19 games the Laval, QC native has recorded just three goals, however has shown in the past he's capable of hitting the 30-goal mark in the right situation.

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