NHL trade rumors: 5 players who could be dealt by the deadline

The NHL's trade deadline is just around the corner, and some of the league's top players could experience a change of scenery soon. Let's assess five potential trade targets and predict where they may land.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (Senators)

The rebuilding Senators will probably try to move second-leading scorer Jean-Gabriel Pageau, as his contract is set to expire. Ottawa is -33 in goal differential, but Pageau has a team-leading +13 plus-minus rating, so this two-way forward should prove to be a valuable addition to any playoff contender.

He would fit in nicely on a team like the Islanders, who place a high value on team defense.

Alexandar Georgiev (Rangers)

Since they called up blue-chip prospect Igor Shesterkin on Jan. 7, the Rangers’ bench has been crowded with three goaltenders. Franchise cornerstone Henrik Lundqvist has a no-trade clause and has never shown an interest in playing anywhere other than New York, so that makes future restricted free agent Alexandar Georgiev the most likely netminder to be dealt at the deadline.

Toronto is the obvious destination for Georgiev, as the Maple Leafs have struggled to find a competent backup for Frederik Andersen, but they may balk at the Rangers’ asking price. Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton figures to be a busy man over the next few weeks, as forwards Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich are also popping up in the rumor mill.

Erik Gustafsson (Blackhawks)

Gustafsson hasn’t come close to replicating his 60-point 2018-2019 season, but the puck-moving defenseman could still draw some interest at the deadline as a rental, as Chicago's postseason hopes fade (his two-year, $2.4 million contract expires this summer).

The Penguins, who are playing third defensive pairing Juuso Riikola and Chad Ruhwedel just 12-13 minutes per game, could use an upgrade at this position. Pittsburgh could also use Gustafsson’s presence on the power play, as its man-advantage unit is just 17th in the NHL (19.6%).

Andreas Athanasiou (Red Wings)

Athanasiou, who hasn’t played since Dec. 29 but is expected to rejoin Detroit after the All-Star break. He scored 30 goals last season, but the streaky left winger has just five goals and 14 assists through 36 games this season and a league-worst -35 plus-minus rating. According to Ansar Khan of MLive.com, general manager Steve Yzerman is focusing on locking up forwards Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi, which makes Athanasiou (a restricted free agent after this season) expendable.

A team like the Oilers, in need of secondary scoring behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, could knock on Detroit’s door by the deadline.

Alec Martinez (Kings)

The Los Angeles Kings have dangled defenseman Alec Martinez’s name in trade talks, asking for “second (round draft pick) and a prospect,” according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun. The 10-year veteran is having a lousy year (five points in 32 games and a -4 plus-minus rating), but he isn't over the hill at age 32. The Vegas Golden Knights, who wouldn’t have fired head coach Gerard Gallant in mid-season if they didn’t care about contending this year, might be desperate enough on defense to pull the trigger on a deal like this and hope a change of scenery wakes up the venerable Martinez.

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