The 2020 NHL All-Star Game is history and the 31 teams are returning to action. With the Feb. 24 trade deadline less than a month away, fans and pundits will focus in the coming weeks on which players could change clubs.
Non-contending teams usually attempt to trade away pending free agents before deadline day, rather than risk losing them for nothing this summer. That trend is expected to continue this year.
Here's a look at the top 10 trade candidates and their potential suitors ahead of the 2020 trade deadline:
1. Chris Kreider, New York Rangers
The top available forward in this summer's unrestricted free agent market, the 6-3, 217-pound Kreider is a big, fast, skilled left winger. While the Rangers are playing coy about his future, they won't lack for suitors should they put him on the trade block. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman recently linked Kreider to the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues.
2. Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings
A speedy, versatile two-way forward who can play center or wing, the 27-year-old Toffoli could be enticing to clubs unwilling to wait for the Rangers to move Kreider. The Kings are rebuilding and could seek a quality draft pick and a prospect in return. TSN's Pierre LeBrun speculated the Calgary Flames could target Toffoli. Their cross-province rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, could also come calling.
3. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators
With 19 goals and 31 points in 47 games, Pageau is on pace for a career-high 30 goals and 50 points. Like Toffoli, he's a skilled, two-way forward who can play at center or on the wing. He also elevates his play in the postseason. Pageau's best suited for third-line duty and would be a welcome addition to any club's penalty-killing unit. The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch believes as many as 15 clubs would express interest in the 27-year-old forward.
The Penguins, Oilers, and New York Islanders could be among them.
4. Alex Martinez, Los Angeles Kings
Unlike most on this list, Martinez isn't a free agent at season's end. He's signed to the end of 2020-21 with an affordable $4 million annual average salary. The skilful 31-year-old defenseman has considerable playoff experience, helping the Kings win two Stanley Cups. LeBrun suggested the Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets as possible destinations.
5. Sami Vatanen, New Jersey Devils
With the Devils having already shaken up their management and coaching staff, and having shipped star winger Taylor Hall to Arizona, more changes could be in store before the deadline. An experienced, underrated performer, Vatanen is a dependable all-around defenseman who will draw interest in the trade market. In early December, Justin Emerson of the Las Vegas Sun suggested the 28-year-old blueliner would be a good fit with the Vegas Golden Knights.
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6. Alexandar Georgiev, New York Rangers
Georgiev has done well backing up veteran goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. With promising Igor Shesterkin considered Lundqvist's heir apparent, Georgiev could be the odd-man-out. The 23-year-old netminder carries a very affordable $792,000 salary and becomes a restricted free agent this summer. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in dire need of a reliable, cost-effective backup. The Athletic's James Mirtle reports they've made multiple inquiries about Georgiev.
7. Brenden Dillon, San Jose Sharks
Dillon keeps surfacing in the rumor mill as the Sharks playoff hopes fade. The 6-4, 225-pound defenseman's size and physical style could make him attractive for playoff contenders seeking a shutdown rearguard. Friedman speculated the Maple Leafs could be interested in Dillon. The Jets, Islanders and Florida Panthers could also get into the bidding for his services.
8. Mikael Granlund, Nashville Predators
A slick playmaker with two 60-point seasons on his resume, Granlund's struggled since getting traded to Nashville last season. If the Predators fail to gain ground in the playoff chase, the 27-year-old winger could be shopped at the deadline. While the decline in his production is troubling, he might regain his touch on a deeper roster. He could prove a decent option for the Bruins or Penguins.
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9. Andreas Athanasiou, Detroit Red Wings
Athanasiou, 25, is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. He tallied a career-high 30 goals and 54 points in 2018-19, but his production plummeted to just five goals and 19 points thus far this season. Hampered by injury and inconsistency, he might not have a future with the rebuilding Red Wings. GM Steve Yzerman could test Athanasiou's value in the trade market.
10. Ilya Kovalchuk, Montreal Canadiens
The 36-year-old former scoring star was considered washed-up following his contract termination with the Kings last month. Signed to a one-year, $700,000 deal with the Canadiens, Kovalchuk tallied eight points in nine games and seems rejuvenated in Montreal. That's generated growing speculation he could be shipped to a playoff contender for a draft pick.
If he maintains his current level of production, his trade value should rise as deadline day approaches.