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As the curtain rises Wednesday on another NHL season, the trade rumor mill is already buzzing over which players could be moved before the Feb. 25 deadline.
Most trades will involve pending free agents being shed by rebuilding teams near the trade deadline. Some could be cost-cutting deals by clubs trying to free up salary-cap room. It's also possible a team draws upon one area of roster depth for trade bait to address a weakness elsewhere.
With those parameters in mind, here's a look at 10 NHL players most likely to be dealt this season.
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10. Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets
Trouba's contentious contract negotiation history with the Jets makes him a frequent subject of media trade conjecture. Currently on an arbiter-awarded one-year deal, he's once again due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights at season's end. Rather than haggle again with the 25-year-old defenseman, the Jets could trade him next summer. If their Stanley Cup hopes become derailed during this season, however, they could entertain offers before the trade deadline.
9. Alexander Edler, Vancouver Canucks
Entering his 13th season with the only NHL team he's ever played for, Edler is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The 32-year-old blueliner carries a full no-trade clause and hasn't ruled out re-signing with the rebuilding Canucks but he might not fit into their long-term plans. Teams seeking an experienced puck-moving defenseman could come calling around mid-January.
8. Artemi Panarin, Columbus Blue Jackets
Panarin and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky are both due to become unrestricted free agents in July. While the Bobrovsky camp has had contract extension talks with the Jackets, Panarin was unwilling to do so. It's assumed he'd prefer playing in a larger market such as New York. As the Jackets' most talented forward, Panarin remains crucial to their playoff hopes. If they fall out of contention by February, he could be shipped to the highest bidder by deadline day.
MIXER: Trade benefits all sides in Artemi Panarin contract impasse
7. Jason Spezza, Dallas Stars
In the final season of his four-year contract, the 35-year-old Spezza will try to rebound from last season's woeful 26-point performance. A bounceback effort would make him useful to the Stars' playoff hopes. It could also make him attractive as a playoff rental player if they tumble down the standings in February.
6. Artem Anisimov, Chicago Blackhawks
Anisimov lost his spot on the Blackhawks' second line to Nick Schmaltz. The 30-year-old is signed through 2020-21 with an annual average value of $4.55 million, making him an expensive third-line center. With the Blackhawks in dire need of blueline depth, they could dangle Anisimov by early-December to teams seeking a center with 20-goal potential.
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5. Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings
The rebuilding Red Wings have made a habit in recent years of dealing away many of their pending unrestricted free agents. Nyquist, who's surfaced several times in the rumor mill over the last two seasons, could be next. The 29-year-old winger carries a no-trade clause but maybe he'll waive it for an opportunity to join a playoff club. Should the Wings remain out of contention, Nyquist could be shopped by mid-January.
4. Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers
With four 50-point seasons in the last five years, Zuccarello's been a reliable performer for the Rangers. But with management rebuilding with youth and the 31-year-old Norwegian winger eligible for free agency at season's end, he might not fit into their long-range plans. They could field trade offers for Zuccarello by February.
3. Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes' anemic offense was further weakened this summer by shipping former 30-goal scorer Jeff Skinner to Buffalo for two draft picks and a prospect. They could be forced to draw upon their blueline depth for trade bait to bring in a scorer. Faulk, 26, is a solid top-four defenseman carrying an affordable $4.833 million cap hit through 2019-20. If the Hurricanes stumble from the gate, he could hit the trade block by November.
1a/1b. Mark Stone and Matt Duchene, Ottawa Senators
Having traded Erik Karlsson, Mike Hoffman and Derick Brassard in 2018, the Senators appear to be tearing down their roster in favor of younger, cheaper talent. Duchene and Stone are both eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July. Of the two, Stone seems the most amenable toward re-signing but that could change if the atmosphere around the club remains toxic. Don't be surprised if both are skating with new teams in February.