In continuation of last week’s writings, there are enough speculative names out there leading up to the deadline to warrant extended coverage of potential movers. These players are not so concrete in their basic guarantee to be moved a la Rick Nash, though each makes for a tantalizing addition to any contender. Those owning these players in fantasy circles certainly would not mind seeing them move to a more potent team overall. In hindsight, said players being dealt away could put a hamper on the production of others from their original squad you may own.

Mike Hoffman

With the season overall being run of the mill for Hoffman, one might have to look at his current hot streak as sell high material for a flabbergasting Senators squad. Beside his minus-12, he is having a campaign typical of the prior two years of production though seeing his goal scoring trend down for the second season in a row since 2015-16’s career high 29. Nonetheless he is still on track for points in the high fifties/sub-sixties overall albeit higher assists. Regardless the man can absolutely hammer a puck or get it off quick with his release as a prototypical sniper, making him an attractive piece to add for a contender the likes of Boston or St. Louis.

With two seasons left on his contract at a sizeable rate of pay, the 28-year old Hoffman would have to be looked at as more than just a rental for this season for any team considering a trade for his services. One hopes for fantasy purpose that a shift to a better squad will bring all of his statistics up as everything is down. Whether it be five-on-five shooting percentage, pts/60, offensive zone starting percentage or whatever you may name, he’s below the norm across the board as a direct correlation to the disaster year being endured in Ottawa. The fact that he can still keep in relative close proximity to his overall point scoring of years prior is impressive and speaks to his consistent play. The Senators surely cannot be looking to add at the deadline only sell in hopes to improve the future. Hoffman would make for a wonderful addition for any team with Stanley Cup aspirations though at a hefty price.

Max Pacioretty

Much like the New York Rangers, the Canadiens need to bite the bullet that their competitive window is closed and really start looking to the long term rebuild approach. Marc Bergevin has done some irreversible damage to this squad if you ask me and the only concrete remedy would be to tear it down and start anew. That starts with one of the faces of the current core in Max Pacioretty. On pace for less than 30 goals for the first time in several seasons, he is dire need of a change of scenery to revitalize his game. He being a premier sniper would find a suitor no doubt with a hefty return expected for the Canadiens. The likes of Jonathan Drouin and Alex Galchenyuk, two players looked too primarily for offense, are just not producing to expectation directly affecting Pacioretty’s production.

Like Hoffman, Pacioretty’s statistics are down across the board. His overall shooting percentage is but 8.4% and his pts/60 stands at below 2.0, something that has never occurred from 2010-11 and beyond. Despite the mess he is encased in he is still on pace to hit the 25-goal mark devoid of any help around him. With a move to a deeper offensive unit, Pacioretty can easily go on a run and exceed the 30-goal mark once again. The absence of Shea Weber long-term and mediocre play from Carey Price who’s always been relied upon too heavily have quintessentially dug Montreal’s grave. If Bergevin wants to start rectifying his image in the eyes of the Canadiens faithful, he must start selling off pieces in order to build a contender quicker whilst Price is in his prime.

Ryan McDonagh

And to revisit the dumpster fire in Manhattan, another player in the trade rumor mill is the captain, Ryan McDonagh. One cannot foresee McDonagh wanting to stick around for a full scale rebuild as he heads towards age 29 in June. With a very modest cap hit of $4.7 million with one year remaining on the contract, he makes for a very enticing addition on any contender’s blue line with the total package he possesses. Easily capable of 23 plus minutes per night and on pace for a 40-point season, teams should be lining up to acquire his services if the Rangers are willing to offload him in what is becoming a lost season.

Though he’ll always be known for his premier shutdown defense and high-end skating, McDonagh has also established himself as a respectable scorer from the backend scoring 30 or more points every full season he’s been in the league minus the lockout. Even with the Rangers on the downswing he has still managed to keep his pts/60 in line with the prior four seasons and sports the third highest PDO metric of his career (1025). More impressive is his ability to maintain a strong plus minus despite routinely seeing top players from the opposition which speaks to his defensive acumen. He will never be a top end goal scorer from the blue line, but no organization would complain about the complete game they’d be receiving in McDonagh. Although it would be a tough pill for Rangers fans to swallow, the return in looking to the future would be immense. 

Petr Mrazek

This one makes for a tough call with Mrazek somewhat starting to show the 2015-16 version of himself in net for the Red Wings. Since mid-January Mrazek has quietly been a top option in goal for fantasy owners. I myself have been streaming him here and there for upwards of two weeks now and no other owners have seemingly caught on to his strong play as of late. Always my favorite type of player for fantasy purposes in that Mrazek is playing for a new contract; one has to hope that brings forth extended stellar play making for an excellent late season addition to your squad(s).

Allowing one goal or shutting out the opposition in five of his seven previous starts while collecting four wins, Mrazek has been one of the top options in net for a month now. In his past six starts, he’s posted a .958 SV% and 1.30 GAA. With Howard’s lackluster play as of late he seems in line to take the starting gig reins, but the question will be if management believes in him as the future of their crease. But 25-years old, Mrazek needs to keep this production going as one or two slips leading up to the deadline might land him in sell territory. Do not be surprised if he stays in Detroit but it doesn’t hurt to consider a team like the New York Islanders coming knocking on the door about the price involved to acquire his services. Whatever may be the case he needs to be on your radar for a roster addition in a quest to make the postseason in your league(s).

Tyson Barrie

A name that may be perceived as blasphemous for being discussed here, Tyson Barrie makes for an interesting trade chip for Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to his injury, Barrie was second to John Klingberg in offensive production amongst defenders. Although nothing more than an average defender at best, Barrie’s game is all about the offense. What you have on top of an average defender is an elite offensive mind and an elite puck mover from the backend, two very valuable assets. What’s going to drive Barrie’s attractiveness through the roof is what all teams salivate over; right-handedness. It is not to say Barrie is being actively shopped but no doubts teams are calling and kicking the tires on him. Even though he’s a very important piece of the puzzle in Colorado, if a team like the Maple Leafs calls up and offers Mitch Marner in exchange, Sakic really needs to consider his outlook. After a strong World Juniors showing and holding his own at UMass Amherst, top defensive prospect Cale Makar may be ready to join the fold next season to fill the void should Barrie be moved.

Had Barrie never gone down to injury this potential scenario may never be discussed but there is no denying the team’s ability to collect wins in his extended absence. Despite the injury, Barrie is still on pace to eclipse the 50-point threshold in a little under 70 games played which would be absolutely absurd for a defender. Though assist heavy nobody can sit there and say they don’t want 40-plus assists, big minutes, 2.2 pts/60, and 20 plus power play points on their fantasy squad. The absolute same can be said for real life management as an addition the likes of Barrie can easily catapult a contender to the top of the heap.

Max Domi

After a promising rookie season that saw Max Domi collect 18 goals and 52 points in 81 games played, things have gone downhill quickly for the once promising offensive dynamo. In 112 games since said rookie campaign, he has a meager 12 goals. Though he is guaranteed for statistical regression towards the mean currently sporting a dastardly low shooting percentage of 2.8%, things are clearly not working out in the desert for the youngster. A team that is in such dire need of defense it’s not funny to even talk about, John Chayka must start considering dealing away the once promising prospect for defensive help. When your top defender in Oliver Ekman-Larsson is minus-40 on the season, the ineptitude in this department must be addressed immediately.

If you recall Sam Reinhart in the week priors article, Domi falls much into the same category of selling his “potential”, being only 22 years old still. Despite both having down seasons in comparison to past results, they can still be sold on the youth factor and potential in a new setting. Though Domi’s value is at an all-time low he’s certainly worth a shot as a cheap rental in what is the last season of his entry-level contract. Should he continue to flounder in a potential new setting, new management has no strings attached to him and can easily let him walk in the summer. If he works out said acquiring team look like geniuses and can sign him to a reasonable deal so that he may show his worth. A team out there has to like the skill he possesses and whether it would translate in their own system. Chayka needs to make the right choice and put his name out there on the market. Though the season is lost in my opinion for the youngster and looking harder into his statistics does not help, hope for a hot streak leading up to the 26th to reinvigorate his trade value.