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NHL 14: Ten Players Who Could Be Sporting New Uniforms Soon

With the Olympics over, the NHL swings back into its home stretch, and several teams are going to be in the market for some hired guns. There are quite a few names in the mix this year, even with the fact that the trade deadline isn't quite the circus it used to be 5-10 years ago. It's always interesting seeing which unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and restricted free agents (RFAs) are moved, poached, bought or bargained for, so here's a list of ten players that could find themselves wearing a different jersey on March 5.

(1) Steve Ott (Buffalo Sabres)


The Buffalo Sabres are expected to a busy team approaching the deadline, and it's likely that they'll part ways with several more key assets to build for the future. The most likely candidate seems to be Steve Ott, their current captain. Ott's one of those guys that teams need, as he can score about 15-plus goals, get about 40 points, play with a ton of edge and help augment the leadership core of a team. A lot of teams have shown interest in him, so it won't be surprise to see Buffalo try and bring back a first-round pick as well as a roster player in return.

(2) Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres)


The other player that Buffalo might have to part with will be their incredibly talented netminder, Ryan Miller. A two-time Olympian and consummate pro, Miller is capable of giving any team a chance to win. He routinely gets about 35-40 wins in a season, and his GAA (goals against average) is around a 2.5, and his save percentage is usually hovering near 0.92. It's hard to see Buffalo unloading Miller without getting something considerable in return, likely a great deal more than Vancouver got for another talented U.S. goaltender, Cory Schneider.

(3) Ryan Callaghan (New York Rangers)


While Callaghan has been a mainstay on Broadway for the last few seasons, one has to wonder if his time there isn't coming to a close. He's a pending UFA, and he's missed 17 games due to injury this season. His point totals aren't bad (11 goals, 13 assists), but he's only on pace for about 35 points, which has to be considered on the low end of what he should be providing. If the Rangers can package him up for something better in order to bolster their likely playoff spot, he could find himself elsewhere very shortly.

(4) Devin Setoguchi (Winnipeg Jets)


The Jets winger is one of those guys who teams hope can rediscover himself on their squad, but then they realize he's only a 35-point player, not a 50-point player. Since he's a pending UFA, and with the Jets finding themselves on the playoff bubble, Setoguchi is the type of player who could be packaged up to another team willing to give him a whirl. There have been some rumblings of Evander Kane being moved by the Jets as well, but I think he's a player capable of greater things in the future, and Winnipeg might be wise to give him a few years of patience.

(5) Andrew MacDonald (New York Islanders)


The 27-year-old Islanders d-man should be a prime candidate for movement at the deadline, especially if he doesn't sign a new deal with the team soon. He's become more of a physical presence with increased hit totals and penalty minutes this year, and he's on pace for about 32 points, which would likely be a higher total on just about any other team. He would command a fairly good package in return, as these kinds of defenders have had their stock raised quite a bit over the last five years.

(6) Ales Hemsky (Edmonton Oilers)


This longtime Edmonton Oilers forward has a good chance of being dealt at the trade deadline, even though this has appeared likely for Edmonton in years past. This year, though, he's coming off a strong performance at the Olympics (3 goals, 4 points), and Edmonton can likely wield that against other teams who might try and lowball for his services. Hemsky is one of those guys who has just gotten too worn down by the circus going on in Edmonton, and a new look would help him pivot into a new point in his career.

(7) PA Parenteau (Colorado Avalanche)


While not a guarantee to be dealt, Parenteau could find himself on the outs with Colorado if the organization is able to bring a solid blueliner in return. After being signed by the team last season as a UFA, Parenteau has cooled a bit while still putting up decent numbers. Colorado would likely hang their hat on the good years he had with the Islanders and the strong first season with the Avalanche, and honestly, he's still a guy who can score about 20 goals, which is useful. His hit totals have dropped dramatically in Colorado, which is always a worrying sign, but it's still hard to say whether the Avalanche will want to part ways with PA.

(8) Daniel Briere (Montreal Canadiens)


It's unclear whether the Canadiens could get any takers for his massive salary, but some sort of structured deal (with the Habs taking something toxic in return) could get Briere's bloated payload out of town ($4 million cap hit). Briere isn't a young hockey player at 36 years of age, but he's done many great things in his career, all the while putting up big numbers (just not in Montreal or Philadelphia). He's not a true rental, as the team getting him would have to pay him next year, but a playoff contender might be willing to take that risk for the possible benefits he would bring.

(9) David Booth (Vancouver Canucks)


One of the true anchors on the Canucks (and I mean that in the most negative sense possible), Booth has been about as big of a bust as you can imagine. He's just one of those guys who had one great year and has been kind of coasting on that. He's a big player, capable of great things, but clearly the focus isn't there for Booth. Whether the Canucks can move him is another thing, but I suspect they'll try. He has a cap hit of $4.25 million this year and next, but a team renting wouldn't have to pay that much for his services this year. The 'Nucks would likely have to take garbage in return for him, but if they can get a taker, he's likely on the outs.

(10) David Legwand (Nashville Predators)


A long-serving member of the Predators, assistant captain David Legwand could definitely be dealt to a contender to help bolster their playoff push. While Legwand does have a no-trade clause, he might be willing to move if the right team came calling. He's been a perennial 40-point player for the Preds over many, many years, but maybe it's time for a change of scenery. And while he can't be moved without his say-so, this is the last year of his deal, which would make him the ideal rental.

 


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Member Comments
# 1 BCDX97 @ 02/27/14 04:54 PM
I think the Sabres should definitely move Miller, but a team would be dumb to give up too much for him for just the rest of the season. It will be interesting to see what they can get, though I don't know if there is any team where he would be the final piece of the championship puzzle.
 
# 2 GROGtheNailer @ 02/28/14 10:15 AM
(6) Ales Hemsky (Edmonton Oilers) is not a defenseman
 
# 3 Wiggy @ 02/28/14 02:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GROGtheNailer
(6) Ales Hemsky (Edmonton Oilers) is not a defenseman
Good point. I'll change it =)
 
# 4 finn712 @ 02/28/14 08:34 PM
Ryan Callaghan is Ryan Callahan*
 
# 5 PensDynasty87 @ 02/28/14 11:41 PM
Miller and Ott will be calling St. Louis home just announced not too long ago. In exchange for trading away Miller and Ott, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 third-round pick.
 

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