6 veterans who deserve a shot at the Cup

Everybody loves to see a grizzled veteran end their career on top. Below, we identify six candidates around the NHL who could receive that opportunity leading up to the 2021 trade deadline.

Note: Effective cap hit indicates the total dollars a team will pay any player it acquires ahead of the trade deadline. It's determined by dividing a player's salary by the number of days remaining in the season. All figures dated to April 1, courtesy of Cap Friendly.

Marc Staal, Red Wings

Age: 34
Effective cap hit: $1.818 million

Depth defensemen are a popular commodity at every trade deadline. General managers with championship aspirations often take low-risk gambles on veteran rearguards that can eat up sheltered minutes or be a substitute in the event of an injury. Staal fits that bill. He's not a guy that will drive play or anchor a team's back end against top competition, but the Thunder Bay native has 107 career playoff games under his belt and offers value as a depth defender.

The Rangers bought out Staal last offseason, and he's a pending unrestricted free agent. He very well could be facing his last chance to win a Stanley Cup, and Detroit should sell every asset it can. Staal will have to waive his no-move clause to orchestrate a trade, but a chance to ride off into the sunset as a champion should be a pretty convincing reason to do so.

Ryan Miller, Ducks

Age: 40
Effective cap hit: $318,965

Depth in goal is never a bad thing, and Miller could be a desirable second or third option for a team needing reinforcement between the pipes. He's posted some poor numbers for a terrible Ducks squad this season, but he's a cheap choice that isn't too far removed from being a reliable backup. Miller's made nearly 800 NHL appearances but has logged only 57 playoff games. The former Vezina Trophy winner and All-Star is a prime candidate to chase a ring in what could very well be his last NHL campaign.

Bobby Ryan, Red Wings

Age: 34
Effective cap hit: $318,965

As mentioned above, the Red Wings should hold a deadline firesale, and they could do Ryan a significant favor by shipping him to a contender. The former No. 2 overall pick is back on his feet and contributing for a lowly Detroit squad, and he still displays his offensive prowess from time to time. Ryan can add skill in a depth role or be on a good team's second power-play unit. He's also proven he can step up when he needs to, posting 15 points in 19 games in his most recent playoff appearance with the Ottawa Senators in 2017.

There's no guarantee this is Ryan's final year in the NHL. Still, opportunities at a championship are difficult to obtain for anyone, and the free-agent market in a flat-cap world promises to be a challenge again this summer. There's no denying it would be one of the feelgood stories of the year if Ryan ends up hoisting the Cup.

Patrick Marleau, Sharks

Age: 41
Effective cap hit: $223,275

Unfortunately for Marleau, he's been the face of this list for a few years now. The Sharks veteran is on an expiring deal again and close to breaking Gordie Howe's all-time record for games played. However, the big piece of his Hall of Fame puzzle is still missing, and Marleau's previous sojourns to Toronto and Pittsburgh to win a Cup were ultimately fruitless.

Marleau is open to being dealt again, and it would be a shock if San Jose retained him through the deadline. He doesn't contribute offense like he used to, but the idea of Marleau concluding his playing days in Ray Bourque fashion would be icing on the cake for an already legendary career.

Jason Spezza and Joe Thornton, Maple Leafs

Age: 37, 41
Effective cap hits: $223,275 (players have same salary)

Spezza and Thornton qualify for this list under a different criterion than the rest: they don't need to be moved for their chance to win a Cup. The Leafs are in good shape to make some noise against their North Division foes but will have to prove they have the fortitude to win a playoff series after years of futility and then go on a run with their savvy vets in mind.

Playoff time in Toronto is always a massive story in itself, but Thornton and Spezza's contributions to any potential postseason success would be a major subplot. The two former stars capping their careers with a championship for their hometown team is a story that would go down in NHL history.