Steve Starr
- The NHL trade market is heating up in advance of this week’s NHL Expansion Draft and the NHL Entry Draft
- Defensemen Duncan Keith, Nick Leddy and Ryan Graves have all been traded in the past few days
- Jack Eichel, Dougie Hamilton, Vladimir Tarasenko and Seth Jones will all soon be switching teams
As 32 teams across the league set their sights on winning the 2022 Stanley Cup, NHL general managers have a busy few weeks ahead with the NHL Expansion Draft this Wednesday, Round 1 of the 2021 NHL Draft on Friday and the opening of free agency on July 28th.
Whether trying to protect key players from the Seattle Kraken or tweak their rosters for next season, there are also plenty of trades in the works. Let’s review the latest news and speculate on which NHL players could be on the move in the next fortnight. You can also check out our NHL betting tips page for advice on how to wager on hockey.
Sure bets for Seattle
Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop waived his no-movement clause to be exposed in the expansion draft. Most expect the Kraken to select the 34-year-old netminder, who is signed for two more seasons at an annual salary cap hit of $4.9 million. However, if Seattle is worried about Bishop’s health after he missed last season recovering from right knee surgery, they could opt for the Canucks’ Braden Holtby instead.
Flames captain Mark Giordano could also be headed to the Pacific Northwest. Exposed by Calgary on Sunday, the 2019 Norris Trophy winner is 37 years old and entering the final year of his contract, carrying a cap hit of $6.75 million.
NEWS: Stars goaltender Ben Bishop agrees to waive no-movement clause for expansion draft https://t.co/0QYQqxIVvd
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) July 15, 2021
Despite speculation last week, the Lightning did not ask captain Steven Stamkos to waive his no-movement clause for the Seattle Expansion draft. As they push for a three-peat, Tampa Bay is set to lose Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow in free agency, as well as other key contributors who were left unprotected.
Big names on the move
Jack Eichel has been on the market since May and it would be a surprise if he’s still a Sabre by the conclusion of the NHL Draft. Columbus’ Seth Jones will also likely be in a new jersey by Friday. There’s tons of interest in the big defenseman, but the 26-year-old is reportedly only willing to sign a new contract with the Blackhawks or Stars. Sticking on the blueline, Dougie Hamilton is a lock to land the largest free-agent payday in a couple weeks.
Talented forwards like Washington’s Evgheny Kuznetsov, the Flyers’ Jakob Voracek and the Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko, who recently demanded a trade, have also played their final games for their current clubs. All eyes are also on Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who is far apart with Colorado in contract talks.
The Duncan Keith deal may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Ahead of a five-day trade freeze starting Saturday, here's a look at the latest buzz surrounding stars like Jack Eichel, Vladimir Tarasenko, Seth Jones and more ⤵️https://t.co/GJFWOlaHmh
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 13, 2021
Heading into the last year of his contract, Johnny Gaudreau has a modified no-trade list that kicks in on July 28, so it appears the time for the Flames to deal “Johnny Hockey” is now.
Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention Zach Hyman, who Maple Leafs fans have been fretting about losing for the past week after reports surfaced there was a “sizeable gap” between the 29-year-old’s asking price and Toronto management.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
