Top 10 players that could have new addresses before the deadline

With the NHL deadline coming soon, every general manager in the League will most likely be looking to add a little depth to their lineup. With the deadline only 2 months away, let's have a look at the Top 10 players most likely to have a new address before the deadline according to NHL insider Lyle Richardson.


10- Wayne Simmonds - Philadelphia Flyers

Regarded as a strong two-way power forward, Simmonds will be an unrestricted free agent. The 30-year old winger could be too expensive to re-sign this offseason and new general manager Chuck Fletcher wouldn't have too much difficulty finding him a new home.

9- Mats Zuccarello - New York Rangers

Being a constant 50-point player, 31-year old Zuccarello will be an unrestricted free agent this coming offseason and with the New York Rangers in rebuild mode, Zuccarello may not be a suitable in their plans if they re-sign pending UFA Kevin Hayes. With a current cap hit of $4.5-million cap hit, Zuccarello could generate a lot of interest by other franchises if not signed before the re-sign phase.

8- Jimmy Howard - Detroit Red Wings

The 34-year old is still putting up solid numbers despite his team's woes this season with 2.66 goals allowed against average and a save percentage of .922, Howard could generate a ton of interest for teams needing a goaltender such as the Flyers. His contract expires this offseason, so maybe Detroit can trade him before he walks. He also has a no-trade protection, but maybe just maybe, management could find a way to get him to waive it.

7- Gustav Nyquist - Detroit Red Wings

Like his teammate Jimmy Howard, Nyquist is too on an expiring contract. The 29-year old winger has a no-movement clause in his contract, but has struggled continuously for the past two seasons. With 31 points in 38 games so far this season, he could approach the 70-point plateau this season. Teams looking for a decent winger could look to see what Detroit and Nyquist would be willing to offer.

6- Alex Edler - Vancouver Canucks

Surrounded by rumors for the past couple of seasons, it shouldn't be a surprise to find Edler in this list. With the Canucks in rebuild mode and on the verge of becoming a competitive team once again, Canucks' general manager Jim Benning has been reluctant on trading the 32-year old defenceman, but could consider trading him if he doesn't fit in the franchise's plans. Although he has a no-trade clause within his contract, him being traded to a Stanley Cup contending team could probably make him waive the clause.

5- Jake Muzzin - Los Angeles Kings

On a struggling team, Muzzin has a pretty nice $4-million cap hit, but is signed through 2019-20 and lacks a no-trade clause. Los Angeles management could opt to trade the defenceman if they decide he doesn't fit in the picture anymore due to the fact they may be on the verge of rebuilding. The defenceman could get a pretty considerable return if they trade him.

4- Jay Bouwmeester - St. Louis Blues

With the Blues putting everyone on the trade block, including stars like Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Pietrangelo. Bouwmeester is the most likely to be gone before any other star on the team since he's coming to the end of his contract. The 35-year old was a healthy scratch for the first time of his career this season. The only problem with Bouwmeester is that he's injury prone and isn't the top pairing defenceman he once was, but could attract attention by any team looking for a solid defenceman. He would most likely be willing to waive his no-trade clause to have one last shot at Lord Stanley before his career comes to an end. 

3- Andre Burakovsky

Plagued by injuries and inconsistencies, Burakovsky is a restricted free agent next July. With his ice time reduced this season and being a healthy scratch from more than a couple of games, Burakovsky's name was mentioned in Vancouver. With the Capitals not willing to give the 23-year old up for future prospects or picks, they mentioned wanting someone right now. If they get a more than interesting offer from any team to help them acquire a second straight Stanley Cup, Burakovsky could be leaving the nation's capital.

2- Mark Stone - Ottawa Senators

One of the Senators' top forwards, Stone will becoming a UFA in July. By the way he is playing he could be very expensive to re-sign and he could be on the trade block this February if the Senators could trade him for the right price. Although recent reports have said that he is willing to stay in Ottawa. We never know with owner Eugene Mylnyk, the guy controlling the purse for the players.

1- Matt Duchene - Ottawa Senators

 Another of the Senators' top forward, Matt Duchene will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Being expensive to re-sign most likely, and with his recent trashtalking his own team and coach, we could see Duchene on the move if Ottawa finds the right place for him. Although he was caught trashtalking his own team and some coaches, Duchene would be willing to stay in Canada's nation capital. But again, we can never know what the Senators have up their sleeve this coming trade deadline or even at the NHL Entry Draft.