The NHL regular season has just begun, but it's always a good time to discuss trades.
One of the key dates for the 2022-23 season is March 3, which has been set as the NHL's trade deadline day. The days leading up to the deadline are always some of the wildest in the sport, as playoff contenders look to acquire pieces to add to their team, while sellers aim to gain back draft capital and prospects for pending free agents.
It's an important time of the year, especially for clubs with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Look at the Avalanche last year, who added Artturi Lehkonen, Josh Manson, Andrew Cogliano and Nico Sturm to their roster ahead of their Stanley Cup win. All four players contributed in some fashion to Colorado's championship.
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Here is what you need to know about the 2023 NHL trade deadline.
When is the NHL trade deadline?
- Date: Friday, March 3
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
The deadline for teams to make a trade during the 2022-23 NHL season is Friday, March 3. Calls of the trade must be sent to the league office by 3 p.m. ET.
Clubs are free to make trades at any time before that date.
Can teams make a deal after the trade deadline?
While there is a specific deadline for trades, teams can still acquire players from other clubs after March 3. The caveat is that any player traded after the deadline is not eligible to play in any regular season or playoff games for their new teams.
If any deals are done post-deadline, it typically involves AHL players.
Who are trade deadline candidates?
We still have a ways to go before even thinking about the trade deadline, however, it is easy to identify some early candidates to be traded.
The easiest way to find potential trade deadline targets is by looking at pending free agents on teams that likely won't be in the playoffs. If their clubs know they are not going to re-sign the player, then they will ship them out and get back players, prospects, and/or draft picks in return.
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Here are some potential trade deadline candidates:
Patrick Kane, F, Blackhawks
With Chicago likely heading into full rebuild mode, a Kane trade feels inevitable at this point. With the Blackhawks trading away Kirby Dach and Alex DeBrincat, a Kane trade this summer felt like a possibility, but nothing came to fruition. He has one year left on his deal, carrying a cap hit of $10.5 million. He'll be an expensive rental for a contender, but Kane is one of the league's greatest passers and stick handlers and would be an excellent addition to any team.
John Klingberg, D, Ducks
Klingberg entered free agency looking to cash in on a long-term deal. However, with multiple teams strapped for cash, the Swede ended up signing a one-year deal with the Ducks. It's a great scenario for both parties: Klingberg can play in a more open system that allows him to jump up in the play more and produce in a way that will allow him to get his big deal next summer, while the Ducks can flip him at the deadline and get draft capital and prospects.
Jakob Chychrun, D, Coyotes
Chychrun was one of the top candidates to be moved at the 2022 deadline, but the Coyotes felt they did not get a suitable enough offer. The 24-year-old defenseman has three years left with a very team-friendly $4.6 million cap hit, making him an appealing option around the league. Chychrun stated that he wishes to be traded to a contender as the Coyotes continue their rebuild and with a modified no-trade clause kicking into effect in 2023-24, a move at the 2023 deadline makes the most sense.
Max Domi, F, Blackhawks
Domi is going on his fifth team in just eight years in the league, and he very well could be on club No. 6 by March. The forward signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks this summer, giving him a chance to see top minutes on a really bad team to boost his value. After the Blue Jackets traded him to the Hurricanes at the 2022 deadline, expect Domi to be on the move again for the 2023 date.
