It is just a few days until everyone starts opening their Christmas presents, but for NHL general managers, their special days will be leading up to the March 8th trade deadline. With cap space hard to come by, contending teams will likely wait until the last minute to make their moves to maximize the room they have to work with under the salary cap and to hope that the price for pending unrestricted free agents or players with short term left on their deals.
Many clubs are looking for one or two difference-makers at key positions to improve their post-season chances, and at each position, there are obtainable options that could help a team advance further.
Here are five defensemen who could be on the move before or on March 8th:
David Savard – Montreal Canadiens
Salary – $3.5 million
Status – Signed through 2024 – 25
The Canadiens are not likely to stay in the playoff race leading up to the deadline and, while still in the midst of a rebuild, may be willing to move out veterans with short term left on their contracts for young players, prospects, and/or draft picks. The 33-year-old Savard has one year left on a four-year deal signed by former Habs GM Marc Bergevin. The veteran won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in 2021 and is a righty, two factors that would make him attractive to contenders before March 8, but GM Kent Hughes might have to retain some of his $3.5 million cap hit to make the return more profitable.
Noah Hanifin – Calgary Flames
Salary – $4.95 million
Status – Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024
Speculation regarding Hanifin being dealt stretches back to last summer when it was rumored that the Boston native wanted to play in the U.S, but then there was talk that the 26-year-old was on the verge of signing an extension before Calgary’s sluggish start of the season, but the deal was pulled off the table.
The former Carolina top-five pick is a legitimate top-four defenseman capable of playing 20+ minutes a night, and that will likely make the cost of acquiring him prohibitive (an NHL player, prospect, and a first-round pick).
Ilya Lyubushkin – Anaheim Ducks
Salary – $2.75 million
Status – Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024
Probably a better fit as a bottom-pairing defender, but someone who can step into the top four if necessary. Lyubushkin is well-traveled. He was traded from Arizona to Toronto in 2022, signed a two-year deal as a free agent with Buffalo, but was traded to Anaheim last summer. The 29-year-old is a tough, dependable, right-handed physical defender with not a lot of offense to his game. His $2.75 million cap hit is a little rich, but the Ducks can retain to make his deal more palatable.
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Mathew Dumba – Arizona Coyotes
Salary – $3.9 million
Status – Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024
Dumba was sought after in the early days of free agency last summer but got priced out and eventually signed a one-year deal with the Coyotes. Not as much of an offensive threat as he was in his earlier days, the 29-year-old provides the physical edge contending teams are looking for and is averaging close to 20 minutes a night for Arizona. His availability is likely contingent on the Coyotes falling out of a playoff spot, which they are still in at this point.
Chris Tanev – Calgary Flames
Salary – $4.5 million
Status – Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024
Tanev could be the most sought-after name on the trade market since he is a shot blocker, right-handed, an excellent defensive defenseman, and someone very likely to be traded because of his expiring contract. The 34-year-old blueliner was connected to the Toronto Maple Leafs in rumors last month, but the Flames appear to be holding on to him into January and perhaps after the All-Star break to get more teams into the mix.