2021 Top 10: #7 — Seravalli Trade Targets: 20 names in play in the Summer of Jack
The seventh most-read article was a primer of things to come.
Written on June 23 by our own Frank Seravalli, he dove into what was ahead in the trade market for the summer.
Of the 20 assets he listed, a total of nine have been moved, with a few more likely to come. Nonetheless, here’s a look at the top five players listed:
1. @Jack Eichel
Center, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 24
Contract: 5 years at $10 million AAV remaining
Scoop: The marriage between the Sabres and their captain appears to be irretrievably broken. The two sides have kept quiet of late, but a medical treatment disagreement boiling over publically is typically the tip of the iceberg. Six weeks after their season has ended, the Sabres have still not named a head coach – who could become Eichel’s fifth ahead of his seventh season. Teams will need reassurance on his neck injury, but there is no trepidation about this elite threat’s contract.
2. @Seth Jones
Right Defense, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 26
Contract: 1 year at $5.4 million AAV remaining
Scoop: It’s not often that a Norris Trophy-vote-earning defenseman makes it to market at age 26, but the Blue Jackets haven’t run from the fact that Jones has informed the team he won’t be re-signing long-term there. He won’t be playing out his contract in Columbus, unlike Artemi Panarin or Sergei Bobrovsky. Jones holds the cards, with both his 10-team no-trade clause and his ability to signal his (dis)interest in an extension, but there have quietly been legitimate concerns voiced from multiple teams behind the scenes about his two consecutive seasons of declining production. That, plus the need to pay Jones, makes Eichel the clear No. 1 trade target.
3. @Evgeny Kuznetsov
Center, Washington Capitals
Age: 29
Contract: 4 years at $7.8 million AAV remaining
Scoop: Simply put, the Caps are tired of Kuznetsov’s antics. From being one of the only NHL players to test positive for Covid-19 twice this season, to his four-year suspension from international hockey after testing positive for cocaine, the time is right for change. Kuznetsov is unquestionably a talented player – see his Conn Smythe-worthy playoff run in 2018 – but an inconsistent one. His contract will be difficult to move, but perhaps less so after the Caps pay his $5 million signing bonus due in July.
4. @Conor Garland
Right Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 25
Contract: RFA (Arbitration Eligible)
Scoop: The Coyotes have not treated Garland like the player who was the heartbeat of their team. Garland’s camp, led by agent Peter Cooney, submitted two contract proposals (as requested by the club) on May 20 and there has been zero communication or dialogue since. “We’re just looking for Conor to be paid respectfully like the core player he was for the Coyotes,” Cooney told Daily Faceoff on Tuesday. It appears that will be elsewhere, which is no real shock given that Arizona nearly moved Garland in the days prior to April’s trade deadline.
5. @Evander Kane
Right Wing, San Jose Sharks
Age: 29
Contract: 4 years at $7 million AAV remaining
Scoop: Doug Wilson is navigating choppy waters in the Bay Area. Sources indicate significant friction built up between Kane and a number of his teammates last season, frustration that was expressed clearly to management in exit interviews. The trouble is Kane is also coming off the best season of his career: 32 goal and 40 assist pace over an 82-game season. He is one of the best at his position with a relentless forechecking style – and he’s signed to a contract that is commensurate with that production. We’ll see where this goes.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.