4 Players Listed In 'Shocking Possibilities' Tier on New NHL Trade Board

Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks center

As we get closer to the Christmas roster freeze time on the hockey calendar the trade market hasn't quite ramped up to a frenzy yet (unless you're in Vancouver and your name is Quinn Hughes). But there's plenty of noise out there about a number of trade candidates, and insider 'Trade Boards' will start to appear with more regularity in the weeks ahead.

In the first ESPN Trade Board, from insider Greg Wyshynski, there are four players listed in the 'Shocking Possibilities' Tier:

Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues
Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs

Kyrou has full no-trade clause, would have to approve any trade

It's true that Kyrou's name has been floated since last season, when the Blues considered selling before they turned it up for an extended second-half run into the playoffs. Then in the offseason, at Draft time, before his no-trade clause kicked in, Kyrou was, in fact, very nearly dealt, but a surprising team turned the deal down.

What makes a potential Kyrou trade this season a shock, writes Wyshynski, is "only because the window seems closed on when the Blues could deal the 27-year-old winger." In addition, he's off to a slow start with 16 points in 28 games and is currently out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. He has five more years to go on his contract after this season, at an $8.125 million cap hit.

Could Panarin be a shocking trade target this season?

On one hand, Panarin's inclusion here could be called shocking as he is merely the Rangers' leading scorer for the last seven seasons, and losing him would be a devastating blow to the team's offense. However, we know there is a distinct possibility he could be dealt as he is a pending UFA, and there are no discernible extension talks ongoing. The Blueshirts tried to get him to take a team-friendly short-term extension during the summer, but Panarin flatly refused. If the Rangers aren't a serious playoff contender come March, the Bread Man could be toast in New York.

Elias Pettersson trade would be shocking for one main reason

It seems what would make a Pettersson trade shocking, is that there'd actually be a team willing to commit to the seven more years (including this one) at an $11.6M cap hit for a player who remains a shell of the guy who exploded for 102 points three years ago.

Rielly is the longest-serving Leaf. Would he approve a trade?

As for Rielly, the longest-serving Maple Leaf, he has a full no-move, and he indicated back in the summer that he wouldn't be too keen on waiving it to head elsewhere. "Since he's 31 years old, could the Leafs decide to reshape their blue line by persuading the 13-year veteran... to move on?", asked Wyshynski.