ESPN: Five players who could be moved before the 2015 NHL trade deadline this season:
Mike Green, Washington Capitals: Green begins the season slotted on the Capitals’ third defensive pairing. With a $6 million cap hit and Green looking at UFA status July 1, something has to give. If the Caps are playoff-bound, perhaps they hold on to him and figure out the rest later. Or, they could also use him to augment another area of their team.
Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks: Niemi is entering the final year of his contract. He wasn’t very good last season, and Alex Stalock will be given every chance to start. The writing’s on the wall for the Finnish veteran.
James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs: Reimer came back to Toronto despite asking for a change of scenery after last season. If he has a bounce-back season while pushing Jonathan Bernier, he’ll improve his stock around the league and give Leafs management a better shot at recouping some value, whether before the March deadline or perhaps after the season.
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes: Given that Anton Khudobin appears more than capable of handling a No. 1 job, Ward might be deemed expendable this season, especially if the Hurricanes struggle. He’s got another year left after this season at $6.3 million so he may not be easy to move, but if he can stay healthy Ward still can be a very good goalie in this league and might draw interest closer to March. He does control his fate somewhat with a no-trade clause.
Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres: There have been discussions with other teams over the past year about Myers, but he remains a Sabre. How he plays this year after a couple of disappointing seasons will likely have some impact on whether Buffalo would still be interested in moving him. Myers is signed through 2018-19 at a $5.5 million cap hit, and that contract isn’t easy to move. But on the other hand, the actual salary dips to $4 million in 2016-17, $3.5 million in 2017-18 and $3 million in the final year. Plus, he’s only 24, so you should have a few teams willing to gamble that he’s got time to get it right. But will the Sabres trade him this season? That remains to be seen.
