3 Elite Defensemen Who Will Be On A Different Team Within 2 Years

It is always entertaining for the NHL when high-end or elite players change teams. Sometimes it comes in free agency, but even more often it comes through a blockbuster trade. The league isn't going to sit still with the cap rising and certain teams looking to do much different things than they have done in recent years. With that being said, there are some elite or number one defensemen around the NHL who very likely won't be on their teams two years down the line.

Erik Karlsson

Erik Karlsson, with two years left on his deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, is all over trade rumors and is the most obvious of the three defensemen I am going to discuss. The Penguins are rebuilding and have made that very clear, Karlsson isn't the only one that will be moved fairly soon. He is a three-time Norris trophy winner who may be 35 years old, but is healthy and playing very well offensively, as much as one can do on a bottom-feeder. It's tougher to judge defensemen on bad teams, and Karlsson has still been able to put up over 10 goals and 50+ points on bottom of the league teams like the San Jose Sharks and Penguins these past three years, missing no games either. His cap hit is high ($10 million AAV), but the Penguins will easily retain a chunk in a trade.

Dougie Hamilton

This is where things get more interesting as the New Jersey Devils are Stanley Cup hopefuls and a playoff team, but their number one defensemen won't be with the team for very much longer. The most likely time Dougie Hamilton will be traded is next summer, even though Luke Hughes needs a contract for next season. The Devils have too many capable defensemen who can play every game and Hughes showed the team that he is able to play top minutes and on the top power play while Hamilton was injured last season. That is all they needed to see to have the confidence to move Hamilton, who has been great for them. The 32-year-old Hamilton has three years left on his deal at $9 million AAV and he is worth it for a team looking for a top RD and offensive threat to also run the power play.

Morgan Rielly

Morgan Rielly has five years left on his deal, but it may soon be time for him and the Toronto Maple Leafs to part ways as he might need a change in scenery. The defense is better under Brad Treliving, but Rielly will have to waive his no-move clause in order to be traded. He was once elite, but that is up for discussion now. His cap hit is $7.5 million AAV and the Maple Leafs may have to retain a little, but they have some capable young defensemen coming through the system that could step in closer to the two-year mark like Ben Danforth, William Villeneuve, Topi Niemela, and Henry Thrun. I don't think Rielly will make it through his contract with the Maple Leafs even if he isn't moved within two years.