20 Possible Players Moved During the Offseason

This off-season looks to be a buyers’ market as many teams are looking to strip their teams after unsuccessful playoff runs. Starting with the sweep at the hands of the Blue Jackets, Toby's Penguins are looking to go into tank mode, and he has put his whole team on the block because of it. Then you have the Winnipeg Jets, who are looking to move on from James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri and Phil Kessel to end the Toronto era. Another failed playoff run comes out of Tampa Bay as the Lightning are looking to move on from Anze Kopitar, Brent Burns and crew.. here is a look at the top 20 players available on the market this off-season (not including RFAs)..

20. James Neal (DET) 4 - $2,000,000

The first player on the list is an asset out of Detroit. In what was considered a resurgence type season, James Neal came out of the gates flying. His scoring rating will be very appealing to most, and his 4-year contract at only 2 million a season could improve his value. Even getting one more similar season out of Neal would be considered worth it as his buyout potential is cheap.

19. David Rittich (SEA) 5 - $3,465,000

The only Stoner to make the list. Rex has been peddling a lot of shit on his block lately, but Rittich remains his only valuable player asset. It seems like every year is "Rittich's year" but this one very well could be. His ratings this year suggest he's a solid backup, but there should be a brighter future ahead for the goaltender. A 5-year investment that could pay off for someone.

18. Lars Eller (STL) 2 - $4,275,000

Now must be the time to move on from Eller. He sees a big increase in his ratings which are most likely unsustainable. Eller throughout his career has been a nice depth scorer with good defensive abilities. A perfect third line Centermen on a contender. With a 2-year contract, Eller could very well be useful next season again. Eric should move on from him this season and continue the rebuild.

17. Oliver Ekman-Larsson (CGY) 3 - $6,435,000

With 3 years on his contract, Ekman-Larsson can be a nice pickup for any team who believes their window is short. His immediate ratings are nice, and an improvement over last season. OEL always seems like if he had just an extra 30 seconds to PK time every year he would be a dominate player in our sim. Still a very nice asset to add this season.

16. Reilly Smith (TBL) 1 - $5,400,000

Tampa has an abundance of two-way forwards. Smith and Kopitar are the two with expiring deals who they would be keen to move out. It's been about 3 seasons now that Smith has had very similar ratings. He is consistent in a league where consistency is key. His Scoring rating gets a big increase this season while his passing goes down a bit. A trade off that most teams will take without question. He is one of the premier rentals on wing this offseason.

15. Corey Crawford (PHI) 2 - $6,000,000

In what could be considered a coup for Anthony, Corey Crawford was the best decision he's ever made with a goaltender. With the failures in free agency year after year, Anthony found himself a valuable goaltender as a cap dump. I don't believe Jared expected the ratings Crawford got this season, but the whole point of signing Crawford and Nilsson last season was for this very purpose.. to trade. Unfortunately, the wrong goaltender was kept, and Anthony is the beneficiary of it. With two years on his contract, and Lehner out of Chicago, it is Crawford’s net once again. Crawford becomes a two-year investment to any team interested in him.

14. Logan Couture (NYR) 1 - $7,560,000

PJ makes the list with Logan Couture coming in as one of the premier two-way C's available this offseason. Very similar playstyle to Anze Kopitar. Couture can step in as a team’s #1 Centermen. Shockingly, Couture was not moved at last season’s deadline, but my best guess is PJ didn't like any of the deals brought forward to him. Now is his chance to move Couture.

13. Nazem Kadri (WPG) - 2 - $5,265,000

The only Jet to make the list, Kadri is the top player available in Winnipeg. A great centermen who can score on a whim. Kadri comes in with a two-year contract so he is not just a rental player. He could be a nice compliment to a #1 centermen for a contender looking to make a push for the playoffs this year, and perhaps next.

12. Ondrej Palat (PIT) 4 - $2,000,000

Coming off a fresh contract last season that saw him sign for 5 years @ $10 million dollars, it brought some controversy with it. Palat was one of the reasons people started bringing up a change to the way RFA sign and trades work. His contract is his best asset, but his ratings are no slouch. Coming off a very good year, the oft injured Palat is a well-rounded player who can step into a top 6 role. He is not a game changer like most of the players on this list, but the fact that he is a 4-year investment adds a lot of value.

11. Anze Kopitar (TBL) 1 - $6,800,000

The 2nd, but not last Lightning player to make the list. Kopitar benefits from having a good rerate this season and remains one of the top Forward rentals in the class. He is a top 5 two-way player in the sim. There may not be as many teams looking for a Centermen as Wingers, but Kopitar should still be a hot commodity come the offseason when free agents go for three times the price.

10. Brent Burns (TBL) 1 - $10,000,000

Pretty much an equal to Mark Giordano. Both defensemen will fetch similar deals to wherever they are moved. Burns comes in with a cheaper salary that could come into play here as some teams may not have the room to take on $12.5m or $6.25m if half retained. When one domino falls, so will the other. Burns remains one of the better goal scoring defensemen in the sim, like he is every year.

9. Mark Giordano (PIT) 1 - $12,500,000

I went back and forth between Giordano and Burns to see who gets the higher ranking.. I ultimately decided that Giordano was ranked ahead of Burns despite the extra $2.5m per year in salary. Ratings wise, they are very similar with Giordano being slightly better defensively and Burns slightly better offensively. Either way, these two should fetch similar deals if they are moved. Given both their salaries, retention would have to be possible.

8. Mike Hoffman (NSH) 2 - $6,536,250

There are soon to be many Nashville players on this list. Sheds looks to be going for a full rebuild after missing the playoffs. Hoffman is one of many top-quality players available. A pure offensive player, Hoffman is a good bet to be one of the premier snipers in the game on a yearly basis. Trading for him would be a 2-year commitment, so he will get more than your average rental.

7. John Carlson (VGK) 1 - $4,641,000

There is a big debate on who is the top defensemen this year. Carlson is definitely in the conversation. After another stellar year, Joe looks to move Carlson before he is set to become an UFA. While I agree with not wanting to lose a player for nothing, the Golden Knights are still a great team next season and it would make sense to hang onto Carlson for another run. With the amount of good defensemen available, Joe will most likely have to settle for less than he wants for Carlson if he moves him during the offseason. With that said, he is still the top rental D available.

6. Ryan Strome (BUF) 3 - $3,069,000

Strome is coming off a career year, so it makes sense as to why Jared may be looking to move him. There is good reason to believe Strome can replicate the success he had this past year. I originally had Strome much higher on this list, until I looked at his contract. Someone fucked up the resigning process and gave Strome 1 year too many. He is set to be an UFA at the end of his 3-year contract. With that said, his ratings are very good this season and there is a lot to like here.

5. Colton Parayko (PIT) 1 - $5,500,000

While Parayko rating wise can't compete with the likes of Carlson, Burns, Josi and crew.. what he brings to the table is control. If somebody was interested in Parayko they can get 6 years out of the investment. He won't ever be that complete two-way defensemen in the BRHL, but he is a solid defender who is better than average offensively. A guy who can slot in as a #3 defensemen on a contender year in and year out. If someone was looking to the future, Parayko should be their first choice.

4. Sean Monahan (ANA) 1 - $5,875,000

At only 25 years old, Monahan is a long term add to any team who is looking to compete or rebuild. His ratings this season took a hit, but they are still good enough for a contender to go after. Monahan should bounce back, as the whole Flames team was a disappointment this year. Normally I would ask why a team would want to trade Monahan when they have some young talent coming up.. but it's Devon and we all know there is no plan. Monahan is a top 5 commodity coming into this off-season.

3. Alex DeBrincat (NSH) 1 - $2,000,000

Only 22 years old, Sheds wants to trade DeBrincat for some reason. Perhaps he feels that he has more value now while he is still cheap, but his ratings this season say the opposite. Due for a bounce back season, it's hard to leave DeBrincat out of the top 5 for potential alone. We saw his ratings this past season, so there is every reason to believe he will be a long term add for any team interested.

2. Roman Josi (NSH) 3 - $6,000,000

Another Nashville player. With 3 years of term at a very reasonable price, Josi becomes the top defensemen available this off-season. There is no reason to believe his ratings won't stay the same throughout the term of his contract. Currently rated as a top 5 defensemen in the sim, Josi should be on top of all contenders list when it comes to looking for a defenseman. With Giordano, Burns and Parayko also on this list though, bargain hunters will want to shop around.

1. Artemi Panarin (NYR) 4 - $7,560,000

What's not to like about the top player on the list. I am not actually sure if P.J. has straight up said Panarin is available, but he should be if he is trying to rebuild. Panarin would instantly become the hottest commodity available this offseason. Four years term at a very reasonable cost. Any contender should be starting here first if they are trying to add to their team. At what cost does the best player available come at though?

Honorable Mentions

Keith Yandle (NSH) - One of the premier scoring defensemen, Yandle suffers from having a low DF rating again

James van Riemsdyk (WPG) - Not a bad player by any means. Almost made the list at #20, JVR does have 2 years left and could be appealing to some. Still has a scoring rating over 80.

Sami Vatanen (SJS) - With Mika gone, the Finns can be freed and Vatanen should be the first to go. A 4-year investment, Vatanen is hurt by his poor contract. Has solid ratings though.

Phil Kessel (WPG) - Only 1 year left on his contract and poor ratings, there probably won't be much interest here as he is not capable of playing in the top 6. Ratings still well enough to play top 6 on a fringe playoff team.