10 NHL players who could be traded this offseason

USA Today: Kevin Allen has compiled a list of 10 players he thinks could be traded this off season. A lot of trades could happen at the upcoming 2015 NHL draft.

1. RW Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs: Kessel has a limited no-trade clause, but that won’t be an impediment to moving him. Toronto is not a good fit for Kessel, as he doesn’t enjoy dealing with media scrutiny.
2. D Dion Phaneuf, Toronto Maple Leafs: Some contenders will be interested in Phaneuf because when he is playing at his best he is a complete package defenseman. The Detroit Red Wings have the most interest in Phaneuf.
3. C Ryan O’Reilly, Colorado Avalanche: O’Reilly has been in the rumor mill for a couple of years. Will this be the season he is traded? The Avalanche will be looking for a defenceman in return.
4. LW Rick Nash, New York Rangers: The Rangers have to contemplate trading the 42-goal scorer if only to ease their salary cap situation. The Rangers have to re-signDerek Stepan and Carl Hagelin, among others this summer, and the timing could be right to move Nash’s $7.8 million cap hit.
5. RW Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks may not want to move Sharp, but they will likely have to trade Sharp to prepare their salary cap to accommodate raises that have been given to Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
6. C Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes: The Hurricanes are currently talking contract extension with Staal. If those negotiations don’t work out, the Hurricanes would have to consider dealing him.
7. LW Bryan Bickell, Blackhawks: The Blackhawks were hoping Bickell would develop into more of a scorer, but that hasn’t happened. Moving his $4 million cap would help ease the Blackhawks’ salary cap woes.
8. G Cam Talbot, Rangers: When Henrik Lundqvist was injured, Talbot, 27, played well enough to draw the attention of teams looking for a goaltender.
9. G Robin Lehner, Ottawa Senators: The Senators have a surplus in net, and Lehner seems like the most logical choice to move. He is still viewed as a goalie with potential.
10. G Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars: The Stars have potential, and Lehtonen didn’t play well last season (.903 save percentage). It’s unknown whether there is a market for Lehtonen. But the Stars have to be considering a change in net.