Los Angeles Kings (7th Pacific, 18-25-4, 40 points)
Despite having a number of old players on long contracts, the LA Kings look ready to rebuild. They have a prospect pool growing in talent, and enough veterans to shelter them until they’re ready to take over. With that in mind, I doubt there is a trade available here, but just for fun (and to set both fanbases off.)
Los Angeles Kings
Anaheim DucksEveryone is unhappy, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.
Minnesota Wild (6th Central, 20-19-6, 46 points)
The Wild are full to the brim with big contracts, which for a struggling team that could be a death toll. However, old guys who work hard are Bob Murray’s bread and butter.
Minnesota WildAnaheim DucksThe Wild get younger and a scorer coach Bruce Boudreau knows, while the Anaheim Ducks pick up some pieces.
Montreal Canadiens (6th Atlantic, 20-20-7, 47 points)
The Canadiens don’t have a lot of longterm bad contracts, although Shea Weber certainly comes to mind. Still, no one likes paying a lot of money for a player to wallow in the minors.
Montreal CanadiensAnaheim DucksMontreal removes some dead money and a potential logjam on their blue line. The Anaheim Ducks acquire a young player who played well in the NHL last season.
Nashville Predators (5th Central, 21-16-7, 49 points)
The underperforming Predators have recently let go of their coach, yet perhaps further shake-ups are necessary. Of their big-money contracts, Kyle Turris is perhaps the most disappointing.
Nashville PredatorsAnaheim DucksThe Predators get out from an underperforming long term contract, whereas the Anaheim Ducks get a smart young defenceman and a potential bounce-back candidate to fit into their middle 6.
New Jersey Devils (8th Metropolitan, 17-21-7, 41 points)
A once great-looking offseason turned to ash. With P.K. Subban not living up to his billing perhaps the Devil’s look to continue their shake-up
New Jersey DevilsAnaheim DucksThe Devils acquire the younger, cheaper and more defensively responsible Josh Manson as well as a young NHL ready player to fill in for Subban and Sami Vatanen, given the rumors he will be leaving town as well. The Anaheim Ducks pick up a future pick, but more importantly an entertainer to get fans interested in a team that is not going to be a contender for a few years more.
New York Islanders (3rd Metropolitan, 27-13-4, 58 points)
No one really likes burying money and the Islanders probably won’t like it either.
New York IslandersAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks take on a bad contract but get some excitement coming back in exchange. Maybe Ho-Sang isn’t anything and maybe he is, but someone has to find out. It should be the Ducks.
New York Rangers (7th Metropolitan, 22-19-4, 48 points)
The Rangers are pretty well off so far as contracts go, and they have some space to play with. However, Marc Staal isn’t really doing anything for them.
New York RangersAnaheim DucksThe Rangers get rid of a problem (or two), while the Ducks take a chance on a reclamation project. Staal shores up their defense a little for one more season.
Ottawa Senators (7th Atlantic, 16-22-7, 39 points)
The Senators as we all know are notoriously tight-fisted, and Bobby Ryan cost them a bunch.
Ottawa SenatorsAnaheim DucksBobby comes home and brings a smooth Finnish defenceman with him.
Philadelphia Flyers (5th Metropolitan, 24-16-6, 54 points)
Like many people, I don’t know why the Flyers do the things that they do, yet of all the underperforming contracts that might be worth moving Shayne Gostisbehere’s stands out.
Philadelphia FlyersAnaheim DucksThe now underperforming ghost is traded along with a slow developing, but high potential forward. In return, the Flyers get another good looking defenceman and a lottery ticket.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd Metropolitan, 28-12-5, 61 points)
Bob Murray loves bad defencemen and the Penguins have Jack Johnson. Enough said I imagine?
Pittsburgh PenguinsAnaheim DucksThis absolutely flies in the face of acquiring young players or picks for dead cap space, but… Bob Murray. I had to hold myself back from saying they’d give up Rickard Rakell and a 1st.