NHL Trade Bait List for 2024 Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is less than a week away (March 8, 2024). And while there haven’t been too many significant trades yet, that should start picking up soon. Trade boards from insiders like Chris Johnston (TSN, The Athletic) and Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff have received updates over the last couple of days. Using those trade boards, let’s compile a list of 30 players who could be trade targets for playoff contenders. Also, stay tuned to The Hockey Writers’ Trade Deadline Tracker to keep updated on the latest moves.

Flames’ Pending UFAs Lead the Way

The Calgary Flames have gotten back in the playoff race, but it still looks like the best path for their long-term future is becoming sellers at this deadline. Even with this update, their pending UFAs may be among the most highly sought-after at the 2024 trade deadline.

The Flames had three pending unrestricted free agents in defensemen Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin and center Elias Lindholm coming into this season. General manager Craig Conroy has already gotten to work, trading Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks for a package that included Andrei Kuzmenko, knocking two of our top 10 names off the trade board. And now, Tanev is on his way to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a couple of picks and a prospect.

Lindholm’s price tag, which included two prospects and two draft picks in addition to Kuzmenko, could set the market for other centers who might find themselves on the move ahead of the March 8 deadline. Could Adam Henrique go for something similar? It’ll probably cost less to acquire him than Lindholm, but it doesn’t appear centers will be cheap.

Hanifin and Tanev should also have their fair share of suitors since defense is always a priority for Cup contenders. Hanifin is more of a puck-mover than Tanev, but he can play a top-four role on just about any playoff team. Tanev is one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL and is a right-handed shot, so expect him to be in demand, too. If the Flames do things right, they could be in a position to retool quickly. 

Big Names Starting to Emerge on Trade Boards

When we initially published our trade board, there weren’t many big names to watch. But things have changed in recent weeks, as buyers and sellers have become clearer, affecting what teams might do with some of their pending UFAs. Among those big names is Jake Guentzel, who still sits in the top 10 of this most recent trade board update. If the Pittsburgh Penguins trade him, he could cost around a first-round pick, an NHLer and a top prospect.

Related: 9 NHLers Who Could Be Popular Trade-Deadline Targets

Also entering the chat are a couple of Senators in Vladimir Tarasenko and Jakob Chychrun, who sit at No. 5 and No. 13 in this edition of our trade board. Seeing Tarasenko’s name isn’t a surprise. The Senators are out of the playoff race, and he’s a pending UFA. He’s been productive, with 16 goals and 38 points in 54 games, so he should garner plenty of interest.

It is surprising to see Chychrun, though. He’s an Ottawa native and was acquired by the Senators less than a year ago. But according to reports, he may already want out. He’s one of the more underrated two-way defenders in the league, and having an extra year on his deal will help the Senators maximize their return if they trade him since a playoff team can get two runs with him.

There are also plenty of teams looking for goaltenders. The goalie market was once thin, but a couple of bigger names are starting to emerge. Flames’ Jacob Markstrom was close to a move to the New Jersey Devils, according to Frank Seravalli. The Flames even approached Markstrom about waiving his no-move clause to the Devils, but the trade fell through. He’s definitely available and moves up in our updated list below.

Kaapo Kähkönen is another name to watch in the goaltending market. The San Jose Sharks have been awful this season, but he’s played quite well. He has a .901 save percentage and has saved 4.7 goals saved above expected on one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL. He could be a cost-effective option for a team that needs help in between the pipes.

Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes and Devils are ones to watch for goaltending help, as Pierre LeBrun mentioned in The Athletic in early December (From ‘LeBrun: Earlier-than-usual rumblings on NHL’s defense, goalie trade markets’ – The Athletic, 12/8/2023). But the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings could also be in the mix for a backup.

With the deadline fast approaching, we should start seeing trade activity pick up soon. Until then, here are 30 names to keep an eye on via Daily Faceoff, TSN and The Athletic (From ‘Chris Johnston’s NHL trade board 5.0: The latest on the buzziest targets as the list expands to 50’ – The Athletic, 2/22/2024). 

Top 30 Trade Bait for 2024 NHL Trade Deadline – Feb. 27