There are less than 24 hours left for NHL teams to make upgrades to their roster, as the trade deadline looms ahead on Friday afternoon.
The trade deadline is always one of the most hectic times of the year on the hockey calendar. Contenders are looking to add pieces to their championship-caliber rosters, while the pretenders are aiming to sell and gain picks/prospects for the future.
With that said, the 2024 trade deadline day is shaping up to be a bit of a dud. There weren't many big names expected to be on the move as is, and the general managers seemed to collectively decide to make all the exciting deals before Friday.
Among the most prominent moves before deadline day were Noah Hanifin going to the Golden Knights, the Avalanche and Sabres swap of Bowen Byram and Casey Mittelstadt, the Panthers landing Vladimir Tarasenko and the Hurricanes winning the Jake Guentzel sweepstakes.
While the cupboards are bit more barren than usual fro deadline day, there are still options available. Here's a look at the best players still available for deadline day:
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Top NHL players still available on 2024 deadline day
Tyler Toffoli, LW, Devils (traded to Jets)
When the Devils traded for Toffoli last offseason, it was viewed as a pivotal piece for a young team on the verge of becoming perennial contenders. Oh, how a few months can change everything.
New Jersey's blue line and goaltending woes leave the Devils likely to become sellers, and that includes the potential trading of Toffoli. The veteran winger has over 25 goals for New Jersey, but he's an impending free agent. His scoring ability — paired with plenty of playoff experience — should make him a tempting target for those with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Best fits: Kings, Golden Knights, Canucks
Scott Laughton, C, Flyers
Laughton has been in trade rumors for over a year now. He was almost a part of the deal that sent Kevin Hayes from the Flyers to the Blues this offseason, but he ultimately was not included. Now his name is swirling yet again as teams have expressed interest in the 29-year-old middle-six center.
The major caveat is that Laughton doesn't want to leave the Flyers, according to multiple reports. He has been vocal about how much he enjoys the team, wanting to stick it out in Philadelphia and see the entire transformation through. However, from a business standpoint, he is a valuable deadline piece as a cheaper player for whom the Flyers most certainly could score multiple assets.
Best fits: Red Wings, Oilers
Pavel Buchnevich, LW/RW, Blues
Buchnevich was a steal for the Blues when they acquired him in the 2021 offseason from the Rangers. But he could be on his way out of St. Louis due to the Blues not contending for playoffs this year.
The appeal with Buchnevich — outside of the fact that he is a yearly 20-goal scorer — is that he comes with term. He has one year left on his deal after this season, and he carries a very reasonable cap hit of $5.8 million. The 28-year-old Russian could be enticing for contenders to try and nab, but the Blues may be hesitant to move Buchnevich if they want him as a part of their future.
Best fits: Red Wings, Rangers
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Frank Vatrano, RW, Ducks
Like Henrique, Vatrano is a veteran Ducks' forward on the trade block. The 29-year-old is having an exceptional season in Anaheim, already setting career-highs in goals (29) and points (48) through 61 games. He has been a dangerous scorer the past two seasons, and he would be a strong add to a contending team.
The beauty of Vatrano is he has shown an ability to play up and down a lineup in his career. He can be a complimentary winger on a top line with two stars, or take on a third-line role and drive offense that way. He is also signed for one more year after this, carrying a team-friendly cap hit of $3.65 million.
Best fits: Rangers, Bruins, Panthers
Kaapo Kahkonen, G, Sharks
When it comes to the goaltending market at the deadline, there are a lot of question marks. Boston's Linus Ullmark, Calgary's Jacob Markstrom, and Nashville's Juuse Saros all might be traded by Friday afternoon, but it's not a definite.
One goaltender that should have a new team is Kahkonen. The Sharks goalie is fair from a bonafide No. 1 like the others mentioned, as he has been fine as the 1B to Mackenzie Blackwood on an extremely bad San Jose team. However, if a team is in need of depth in the crease, Kahkonen is the perfect rental candidate since he is a pending free agent.
Best fits: Oilers, Avalanche
Nic Dowd, C, Capitals
The Capitals have slipped out of contention and are in prime position to sell. One of those potential trade pieces is Dowd, a free-agent center who can be a depth forward addition for a team in need of a bit more grit down the middle.
Dowd is a shutdown center who most likely should be playing fourth-line minutes. He's an exceptional defender, especially at 5 on 5, and he's not a pure rental either. Dowd has one more year at the extremely cheap price of $1.3 million.
Best fits: Bruins, Rangers
Matt Dumba, RD, Coyotes (traded to Lightning)
Dumba was a prominent name at last year's deadline; however, the Wild ultimately decided to keep him on the roster for the back end of the season. It's unlikely the same happens this year.
The right-handed defenseman signed a one-year, prove-it deal this offseason with the Coyotes. He hasn't exactly "proven" much, with just nine points in over 50 games with Arizona, and Dumba is not known to have stellar defensive work. Still, right-handed defensemen are valuable, especially at the deadline, and the Coyotes blue-liner fits that bill.
Best fits: Maple Leafs, Canucks
Max Pacioretty, LW, Capitals
Coming off back-to-back Achilles injuries, Pacioretty signed a one-year deal with the Capitals this offseason with a full no-trade clause. While the Capitals may still technically be in the playoff picture, the team seems willing to sell at the deadline, and Pacioretty could have a chance to go after a ring.
The veteran sniper has been limited to just 26 games this season, but he has tallied three goals and 12 assists in that span. Pacioretty may never return to his 30-goal form, but the winger can still contribute in a depth role on a contender. Since he would have to waive the no-trade clause, the cost should be fairly cheap.
Best fits: Rangers, Panthers
Jason Zucker, LW, Coyotes (traded to Predators)
Zucker was primed to be a trade deadline candidate dating all the back to the summer when he signed just a one-year deal with the Coyotes. Put up a decent showing through the first 50-plus games, then join a contender at the deadline.
The 32-year-old winger could be a solid depth addition for a team in need of boosting its bottom-six. Zucker's days of being a top-six winger are likely behind him, but he has put up nine goals and 25 points this year in 51 games for Arizona. He is solid on the forecheck as an offensive option, but doesn't bring much defensively.
Best fits: Bruins, Maple Leafs, Rangers
