Early trade deadline lookahead: 5 intriguing names who could be moved

We're still roughly three months away from the 2022 NHL trade deadline, but it’s never too early to look at who could be dealt. Below, we explore five high-profile players who could find themselves on the move.

Jakob Chychrun, Coyotes

Position: LD
Cap hit: $4.6M
Years left: 4

Chychrun is the only non-rental on this list. He's also just 23 years old and finished in the top 10 in Norris Trophy voting a year ago. This seems to be the type of player the Coyotes should try and build around rather than trade away.

However, that apparently hasn't stopped Arizona from gauging the market. Given that Chychrun is signed long term, the rebuilding Yotes should be in no rush to pull the trigger and only do so if they get a haul in return.

Chychrun is having a miserable season, too, so his trade value likely isn't at an all-time high. It's hard to blame him, considering how bad the team is. He's recorded just two goals and five assists in 26 games while logging 24:50 of ice time per contest. Plus/minus is a flawed stat, but his minus-29 rating is nearly double the second-worst in the league.

Nonetheless, nearly every team should be at least reaching out to Arizona for the asking price. He's a two-way defender with size and speed entering the prime of his career on a bargain contract - those don't grow on trees. It's also fair to assume he would flourish with a stronger supporting cast.

Best fits: Bruins, Flames, Hurricanes, Oilers, Panthers, Rangers, Blues, Maple Leafs, Canucks, Capitals

Tomas Hertl, Sharks

Position: C
Cap hit: $5.625M
Years left: 1

The Sharks are in unfamiliar waters. After a two-decade run of competitiveness, they're on track to miss the playoffs for the third straight season for the first time in franchise history. They can't quite commit to a full teardown due to the veteran contingent that remains under contract long term, so they're trying to retool on the fly.

San Jose would probably like to keep Hertl around, but it'd be smart to move on. At 28 years old, Hertl's likely going to command a lucrative long-term contract (Evolving-Hockey projects he inks a seven-year deal with an $8.14-million cap hit). The Sharks already have four players (Logan Couture, Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic) on the wrong side of 30 signed through at least 2024-25 making at minimum $7-million per season.

Instead of committing to another pact that could go sideways, the Sharks are better off attempting to trade Hertl for a bundle of assets that can help the team get younger.

There is one significant obstacle in this plan: Hertl's contract contains a three-team trade list. If Hertl wants, he could leverage this to make it nearly impossible to trade him. The Sharks need to hope he's willing to help facilitate a deal to a contender. Otherwise, they could see him walk for nothing at the season's end.

There will be no shortage of interest. Hertl is a big, strong, skilled, two-way center who could be the missing piece for center-needy teams vying for a Stanley Cup. He's recorded 14 goals and eight assists in 30 games this season. The Czech pivot also has a stellar playoff resume with 24 goals and 18 helpers in 62 career postseason contests.

Best fits: Bruins, Wild, Rangers, Penguins

Marc-Andre Fleury, Blackhawks

Position: G
Cap hit: $7M
Years left: 1

The Blackhawks' splashy offseason has not paid immediate dividends, as the club sits seventh in the Central Division and 14th in the Western Conference. It's been no fault of Fleury's, who owns a respectable .913 save percentage in 20 appearances.

Given that the 37-year-old pondered retirement this past offseason, Chicago would be smart to get whatever assets it can for the pending UFA. The Blackhawks can maximize their return for Fleury if they're willing to retain half his salary, too.

Fleury does have a 10-team no-trade list in his contract, which could complicate things considering very few contenders have a need between the pipes. For the teams that do, targeting the three-time Stanley Cup champion should be a no-brainer.

Best fits: Oilers, Capitals

Mark Giordano, Kraken

Position: LD
Cap hit: $6.75M
Years left: 1

It appears there will be no inaugural season miracle for the Kraken. They've performed more like a typical expansion team, sitting last in the Pacific Divison and second-last in the Western Conference.

This makes Giordano a near-lock to be traded. While he is the team's captain, he's also 38 years old, so an extension is unlikely. His contract does contain a 19-team no-trade list, but Giordano's never won a Cup and likely wants to chase a ring.

Giordano's basic stats suggest a decline. He's recorded just eight points in 24 games, putting him on pace for his worst offensive season in nearly a decade. His minus-11 rating is also a career low.

The underlying numbers remain strong. His 53.7% expected goals share is the best among Seattle's regular blue-liners, and his 1.94 expected goals against per 60 minutes would stand as his best since 2010-11. He could still adequately serve as a second-pairing defenseman on a contending team.

Best fits: Bruins, Flames, Blues, Maple Leafs, Capitals

Claude Giroux, Flyers

Position: C/LW/RW
Cap hit: $8.275M
Years left: 1

This is more of a wild card, but it's something to watch for. Giroux has been with the Flyers for his entire 15-year career and it would only be fitting for him to retire in Philly. However, the team is in the midst of a disastrous season relative to preseason expectations. They sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division and are bound to be deadline sellers.

Giroux's contract contains a full no-movement clause, so his future is in his own hands. It seems more likely that he inks an extension to stay, but if he did approve a trade, the Flyers could get a nice return (especially if they retain 50% of his salary), and he could always come back in the offseason.

The 33-year-old is a better fit on the wing at this point in his career, but he can still play center in a pinch. He's remained productive this season, tallying 25 points in 29 games so far. He's also won 61.6% of his faceoffs.

Best fits: Bruins, Panthers, Wild

(Cap source: CapFriendly)
(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)