The 2023 NHL trade deadline is coming up in a couple of weeks on Friday, March 3, 2023.  In an ideal world where NHL teams were not at the mercy of a flat salary cap, budget issues, each NHL team has a “want list” of players and talent that they would like to add to their respective teams. This season there are a few big names that are on the NHL “trade block” and like we always suggest “if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, any player can be traded”. 

We thought it would be fun to identify one ideal trade candidate for each of the 32 NHL franchises in what we are calling “32 Trades for 32 NHL Teams”.  These trades are based on an ideal situation if the based on fit for the team.  In some cases, the same player may be the ideal fir for multiple teams.

32 Trades for 32 NHL Teams

Let’s start with the Western Conference beginning in the Pacific Division:

Anaheim Ducks – well the Ducks are in rebuild mode.  They have some young up and coming talent and could benefit from adding a veteran presence who could chip in some goals.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Josh Anderson – Montreal Canadiens

Calgary Flames – it’s been an interesting season for the Flames.  They are missing Matthew Tkachuk and to a lesser extent Johnny Gaudreau.  Nazem Kadri was a nice addition but the Flames could use some additional scoring.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks

Edmonton Oilers – lots of rumours swirling in Oil Country with the like of Jacob Chychurn, Erik Karlsson and even Patrick Kane floating around out there.  As the Oilers appear to be in a “win now” window with superstars Connor Mc David and Leon Draisaitl entering the prime of their careers. Personally we think that a big shutdown defenseman is what the team needs perhaps someone like Luke Schenn from the Vancouver Canucks but someone who just might push them over the edge is

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Johnathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks

Toews veteran leadership and experience as a Stanley Cup winner would do wonders for the oilers team looking to take the next step in the post season.

Los Angeles Kings – the kings could use another strong puck moving defenseman on their blueline.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jakob Chychurn – Arizona Coyotes

San Jose Sharks – the Sharks are going to need a couple of seasons to retool and may be looking to shed some salaries.  Having said that they could used a boost to their offensive game.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings

Seattle Kraken – The Kraken have had a really nice season but many are expecting them to finish outside of a playoff spot.  Through the first portion of the season, they were one of the League’s highest scoring teams, but the offense is starting to dry up.  They could use a forward, perhaps another centre to help add some scoring.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Sean Monahan – Montreal Canadiens

Vancouver Canucks – lots of turmoil in Vancouver this season.  With the trade of their captain Bo Horvat, Canucks fans were left shaking their heads.  The Canucks have a few holes to fill, but from our perspective they could use a calming presence in the room.  While Johnathan Toews might be a great candidate, if he gets traded he’ll want to go to a contender.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Ryan O’Reilly – St. Louis Blues

Vegas Golden Knights – the Golden Knights have again had an injury-riddled season and quite honestly look to have been overachieving through the halfway point.  Goaltending has not been that bad but with injuries to their top two tenders, the Golden Knights might want to look at a goaltender.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: James Reimer – San Jose Sharks

Moving over to the NHL’s Central Division:

Arizona Coyotes – the Coyotes need a few pieces.  They should be able to get a decent return for Jacob Chychurn.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Boston Bruins first round picks in 2023 and 2024.

Chicago Blackhawks – Chicago is in full rebuild mode and have made some questionable moves over the past couple of seasons.  They may be in “Fail Hard for Bedard” mode so they could use ayoung prospect or player that needs change of scenery.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jesse Puljujarvi – Edmonton Oilers

Colorado Avalanche – The Avs sure seem to be stuck in Stanley Cup hangover mode don’t they?  They made need a former Avs player to get them going again.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Ryan O’Reilly – St. Louis Blues

Dallas Stars – the Stars have a bit of a trade history with the San Jose Sharks.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Timo Meier – San Jose Sharks

Minnesota Wild – The Wild have some good young talent but could perhaps use a solid puck moving defensemen.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: John Klingberg – Anaheim Ducks

Nashville Predators – the Preds still have a solid defensive core, but could use a skilled winger.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: James van Riemsdyk – Philadelphia Flyers

Winnipeg Jets – the Jets have quietly had a strong season; they will be an interesting team to watch if they make the post season.  The one element that is missing is a player with a winning pedigree.  The answer in this case is an obvious one:

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Johnathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks

Ok that does it for the Western Conference, left’s shift our focus over to the teams in the East beginning in the Atlantic Division.

Boston Bruins – sheesh the Bruins have had a strong season, haven’t they?  They are looking to add some depth and the one player we keep hearing them target is the one we have listed here:

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jakob Chychurn – Arizona Coyotes

Buffalo Sabres – the Sabres young groups of players are finally starting to come into their own.  An opportunity for improvement would be in between the pipes at the goaltending position.  Conversely there is one hometown player that might be interested in coming to Buffalo in Patrick Kane.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jack Campbell – Edmonton Oilers

Detroit Red Wings – on the outside chance that the Wings lose Dylan Larkin, perhaps they look for another forward with potential to put up some points?

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks

Florida Panthers – the Panthers are in the hunt for a Wildcard spot in the East. They can score but they also give up a lot of goals so might be looing for some defensive help.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Matt Dumba – Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadiens – with all of their man-games lost, the Habs have been playing some inspiring hockey.  While they might be a longshot to earn the number one lottery pick and select junior talent Connor Bedard (see: Connor Bedard’s Top 10 WHL Games), they could use some help on the wings and on the back end.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Ivan Barbashev – St. Louis Blues

Ottawa Senators – another injury and yet another goaltender goes down for Ottawa recently.  Perhaps another tender might be in order for the team?

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jack Campbell: Edmonton Oilers

Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning simply need to fine tune their roster for some veteran experience.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Luke Schenn – Vancouver Canucks

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs still need a proven post season playoff goaltender.  They could also use another top four defenseman.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jakob Chychurn – Arizona Coyotes

Finally in the Metropolitan Division:

Carolina Hurricanes – the Canes currently sit atop the Metropolitan Division and have one of the best defensive cores in the league.  We could easily see them looking to add some additional depth up front.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Max Domi – Chicago Blackhawks

Columbus Blue Jackets – perhaps the Jackets could use a winger that is familiar with Patrik Laine?

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Jesse Puljujarvi – Edmonton Oilers

New Jersey Devils – The Devils have had a great season and are very sound defensively and offensively as they lead all teams in the Metro Division in Goals For and Goals Against.  Could see them looking to add a depth player at the deadline.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Vladislav Gavrikov – Columbus Blue Jackets

New York Islanders – well the Islanders already made their nig splash acquiring Bo Horvat from the Vancouver Canucks.  Could they go to the well twice?

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks

New York Rangers – the Rangers have also made a splash acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko from St. Louis.  We could see them looking to add another forward.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Sam Lafferty – Chicago Blackhawks

Philadelphia Flyers – the Flyers sit out of a playoff spot and are a minus 22 in goal differential.  Our ideal candidate fits the Philadelphia style.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Sam Lafferty – Chicago Blackhawks

Pittsburgh Penguins – the Pens have had an up and down season.  They still have a strong forward core.  Pro-rated they have given up the third most goals in the Metropolitan Division.  So perhaps they may be looking for some help on the back end?

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Thatcher Demko – Vancouver Canucks

Washington Capitals – the Capitals have had a few injuries to deal with this season.  They just re-upped Dylan Strome and could use a bit of a bolster on the back end.

Hockey Fanatic’s Ideal Trade Candidate: Shayne Gotisbehere – Arizona Coyotes

The NHL trade deadline is always a fun time. It’s when the teams that are looking to make a playoff push refine their rosters to see if they can win it all. While other teams are looking at acquiring assets for the future.