NHL Trade Deadline: Could A Change Of Scenery Benefit Four Notable Players?

As the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline draws near, many players could use a change of scenery.

This isn’t to say that the players we’ll list below are locks or even likely to be traded by the deadline or that staying on their current squad would hurt them. But there could be benefits for each of them to be traded to a different team, such as increased opportunity and team competitiveness. On to it we go:

John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks

Gibson has been long-rumored to be on the trade block, and you can see why. The 31-year-old has a lot of term and dollars left on his current contract, with two more seasons at a salary cap hit of $6.4 million. But after struggling on bad Ducks teams for a long time, Gibson has had a career renaissance with Anaheim this season, posting a 2.69 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 23 appearances this season – the first time since 2018-19 that Gibson has had an SP better than .904.

Gibson used to be the No. 1 option in Anaheim, but the goalie rotation is now closer to a 50-50 split with 24-year-old Lukas Dostal. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Gibson would want to go to a team where he’ll be the starting netminder.

It probably will take the Ducks retaining some of Gibson’s salary to make him palatable in a trade. But Anaheim has all sorts of salary cap space, and they can ask for a decent amount of draft picks or prospects in any Gibson deal. Gibson is clearly in a better place this season, but he could benefit from playing more games on a competitive team in need of a starter.

Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest Trade Buzz On Alex Tuch, John Gibson And Jake Evans

Ryan Donato, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Donato is almost certain to be dealt by the Blackhawks as the team’s rebuilding, and he’s a UFA at season’s end. At 28 years old, Donato is having a career season on offense, with 19 goals and 37 points in just 53 games. He’s also a very affordable asset, with a cap hit of only $2 million.

On a team that’s a true Stanley Cup contender – and not a dismal squad like the Hawks – Donato has a chance to be a 25- to 30-goal scorer and a solid asset. Donato can not drive up his salary asking price next season and beyond but carry this momentum into the playoffs, and that’s why many teams should be interested in his services. It makes sense for Chicago and for Donato to give him a chance on a better team.

Related: NHL Trade Deadline: Middle-Six Centers Are All The Rage

Brock Nelson, C, New York Islanders

Nelson is arguably the most attractive potential acquisition this year, as he’s a pending UFA with plenty of experience. His current salary of $6 million means a team may have to clear out some cap space.

The Islanders are still fighting for a playoff spot, and Isles GM Lou Lamoriello may choose to not only retain Nelson but try to re-sign him. That doesn’t mean a change of teams wouldn’t do him well, though. To the contrary.

Nelson has 17 goals and 35 points in 55 games this year, which has him on pace for his lowest scoring total since the shortened 2020-21 season. And while a hot streak improved the Islanders’ playoff chances, they remain four points and three teams behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot.

At 33 years old, this could be Nelson’s best chance yet to spend the rest of the season competing for a Stanley Cup with another squad before figuring out where he wants to sign next, whether it’s back with the Islanders or elsewhere.

Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Will Islanders’ Brock Nelson And Flyers’ Scott Laughton Stay Or Go?

Dylan Cozens, C, Buffalo Sabres

One of the most talked-about players approaching this year’s trade deadline is Cozens, who is having another disappointing year with Buffalo.

The 24-year-old has only 11 goals and 27 points in 54 games with the Sabres – numbers far lower than the 31-goal, 68-point season he had in 2022-23. Cozens’ $7.1-million cap hit makes his situation in Buffalo worse.

Sabres GM Kevyn Adams needs to hit a home run in any Cozens trade, and while there’s no assurance a Cozens trade will happen, the right decision for Cozens’ future may be somewhere other than Western New York. Cozens’ career could be rejuvenated in a deal with another organization that has a more offensive style. That’s how the Sabres played in 2022-23 under Don Granato before switching to more focus on defense.

Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Sabres’ Dylan Cozens And Avalanche’s Casey Mittelstadt

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