Analyzing the defenceman market ahead of the NHL trade deadline

The commerce market is beginning to choose up some steam, with Josh Manson being despatched to the Avalanche and Ben Chiarot for a hefty worth to the Panthers.

Colorado and Florida are removed from the one groups searching for defence — and these actually aren’t the one gamers who can be on the transfer. So let’s take a better have a look at which groups are out there, and who could also be obtainable.

The defender market ranges from playoff groups to retooling golf equipment, and people within the center. The Canucks will most likely lean in the direction of searching for a youthful defender. Equally, the Kings are out there as effectively, extra doubtless for a lefty with time period provided that they’re not simply striving for a fast playoff run and have depth on the precise of their prospect pipeline.

There’s fairly a couple of in ‘win now’ mode searching for a lift on the blue line. Ideally, the Blues can discover a higher top-four choice than Marco Scandella. The Maple Leafs may use reinforcements on the blue line, most likely preferable on the left given the Jake Muzzin damage. The Oilers, Bruins, Rangers, and Wild could bolster their depth too. And whereas the Hurricanes’ top-four needs to be wholesome down the stretch, don’t depend them out of the combo both.

Who could also be obtainable forward of Monday’s deadline for these groups, amongst others, to amass?

Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes defender isn’t a rental — the 23-year-old nonetheless has three extra years on his present contract with a $4.6 million cap hit that’s tremendous cheap for a top-four again. The spotlight of his recreation is his shot, however he has a knack for retrieving unfastened pucks in his personal zone and transitioning play up the ice with management.

Mark Giordano, Seattle Kraken

Clearly, Giordano is on the later phases of his profession, and his offensive impression has trended down this season (although the crew he’s on influences that). That mentioned, he’s a frequent shooter who can generate offence from the purpose. The lefty helps preserve his opponents to the perimeter and limits slot photographs towards and rebound alternatives. That regular, reliable play could also be precisely what groups are searching for this postseason.

Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Geese

Like Giordano, Lindholm is a pending unrestricted free agent. So the Geese could desire gaining future property on the deadline as an alternative of dropping him for nothing if an extension isn’t in sight. His play additionally isn’t on the ranges of years previous, however the left-handed shooter denies entries towards, and limits scoring possibilities at a excessive price, retains opponents away from the interior slot. Lindholm may also assist push play out of the defensive zone with management, usually occasions with an outlet cross at 5-on-5.

Nick Leddy, Detroit Purple Wings

Sticking with pending UFAs, a extra offensive lefty is Leddy. Catch him bringing the puck out of the defensive finish and into the offensive zone at a excessive price, the place he can distribute the puck to arrange his teammates, together with within the high quality areas.

Robert Hagg, Buffalo Sabres

Groups searching for a stay-at-home, bodily defender could think about Hagg. He’ll block photographs at a excessive price, and usually physique checks versus utilizing his keep on with make a play and assist restrict scoring possibilities off the cycle.

Travis Dermott, Toronto Maple Leafs

This one could look completely different than the remaining, since Dermott’s already on a playoff crew. However he’s most likely the odd-man-out as they appear to bolster their blue line and may very well be obtainable to clear some cap area. The lefty can possession the puck, make outlet passes out of his personal zone, and contribute to his crew’s drive to generate slot photographs. He’s signed for one more yr at $1.5 million in cap area.

Jacob Middleton, San Jose Sharks

One other defensive defender obtainable is Middleton in San Jose. Whether or not together with his stick or physique, he limits passing lanes and blocks set-ups for opponents. At 26 years previous, the lefty can be a restricted free agent so groups preserve management after this yr — and at such a low cap hit, of simply $725,000, it shouldn’t require monetary gymnastics to make him match. However with much less NHL expertise, and a few struggles away from Erik Karlsson, there could also be reservations about him in a top-four position. On a crew deeper than San Jose, although, he could not need to step up into these minutes.

Carson Soucy, Seattle Kraken

When opponents do get previous Soucy to enter the zone, it usually doesn’t translate right into a scoring likelihood — that’s one thing he ranks extremely within the league at limiting. Total, he suppresses scoring possibilities at a excessive price, utilizing his keep on with examine opponents. And like Middleton, he’s not a rental — he has one other yr on his contract, at a $2.75 million cap hit.

Calvin de Haan, Chicago Blackhawks

Some groups desire a extra skilled defender for the playoffs, to allow them to flip to de Haan who may very well be flipped forward of Monday’s deadline from the rebuilding Blackhawks. He could be leaned on to be a protected and reliable defenseman at even power and on the penalty kill, to dam photographs, defend the slot, and battle for rebounds and unfastened pucks.

Scott Mayfield, New York Islanders

Mayfield pairs greatest with a puck-moving defender — assume Devon Toews and Nick Leddy, the previous serving to him play a few of his greatest hockey. He could be tasked with matching up towards prime competitors, defend the blue line, and use his lengthy attain to make stick performs each at even power and in short-handed conditions. The righty has one other yr on his contract at $1.45 million.

Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils

It’s going to take lots to get Severson for the following two playoff runs earlier than he hits unrestricted free company, nevertheless it may assist solidify a crew’s blue line. Severson can deny opponents entry into the zone, shut passing lanes, and restrict high quality possibilities each off the push and cycle. He can also retrieve unfastened pucks and assist break the puck out of his personal finish to spark offensive performs. The righty is an all state of affairs participant who can go up towards prime competitors.

Justin Braun, Philadelphia Flyers

For playoff groups searching for a cheap depth choice, Braun may very well be a match seeing as he’s on the downswing of his profession, in an expiring contract. He doesn’t thread the needle offensively, however can take in robust minutes to ease the workload of different defenders. Or, if paired with a possession participant, he can present some stability together with his defensive efforts of blocking photographs and battling for unfastened pucks to assist spark performs from his personal zone.

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