RED WINGS

Ted Kulfan's top NHL trade deadline targets

Go through the gallery to see the top NHL trade deadline targets compiled by Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News.
Go through the gallery to see the top NHL trade deadline targets compiled by Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Erik Karlsson, defenseman, Ottawa — Karlsson is included on this list, but it’s more likely he’d be dealt near the Entry Draft in June. Karlsson is a game-changing player who can be an unrestricted free agent in 2019. The return for Ottawa has to be otherworldly.
Erik Karlsson, defenseman, Ottawa — Karlsson is included on this list, but it’s more likely he’d be dealt near the Entry Draft in June. Karlsson is a game-changing player who can be an unrestricted free agent in 2019. The return for Ottawa has to be otherworldly.
Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press
Rick Nash, forward, New York Rangers — Arguably the best rental on the market. A big winger who can play in various situations and will be hungry to win. A good playoffs will improve his UFA contract this summer.
Rick Nash, forward, New York Rangers — Arguably the best rental on the market. A big winger who can play in various situations and will be hungry to win. A good playoffs will improve his UFA contract this summer.
Nick Wass, Associated Press
Max Pacioretty, forward, Montreal — The Canadiens have been talking about big moves, but Pacioretty, the former Michigan star, is another player more likely to be dealt at the Entry Draft. Pacioretty could thrive getting out of the mess in Montreal.
Max Pacioretty, forward, Montreal — The Canadiens have been talking about big moves, but Pacioretty, the former Michigan star, is another player more likely to be dealt at the Entry Draft. Pacioretty could thrive getting out of the mess in Montreal.
Nick Wass, Associated Press
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, defenseman, Arizona — Another prospective UFA in 2019, Ekman-Larsson theoretically would get the Coyotes a bounty in return. But Arizona, rightfully, wants to get him signed to a long-term deal.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, defenseman, Arizona — Another prospective UFA in 2019, Ekman-Larsson theoretically would get the Coyotes a bounty in return. But Arizona, rightfully, wants to get him signed to a long-term deal.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Evander Kane, forward, Buffalo — Kane is looking toward being one of the top UFA’s available on July 1, so he’ll be motivated to play well. He’ll also be thankful to get out of the mess in Buffalo. Kane is an established winger who doesn’t have much playoff experience, but will definitely strengthen a team.
Evander Kane, forward, Buffalo — Kane is looking toward being one of the top UFA’s available on July 1, so he’ll be motivated to play well. He’ll also be thankful to get out of the mess in Buffalo. Kane is an established winger who doesn’t have much playoff experience, but will definitely strengthen a team.
Jeffrey T. Barnes, Associated Press
Ryan McDonagh, defenseman, New York Rangers — If the Rangers truly want to tear the roster apart and basically start over, this top-pairing defenseman would generate a lot of interest. Just a good, solid player all the way around.
Ryan McDonagh, defenseman, New York Rangers — If the Rangers truly want to tear the roster apart and basically start over, this top-pairing defenseman would generate a lot of interest. Just a good, solid player all the way around.
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Mike Green, defenseman, Detroit — From an offensive standpoint, no rental defenseman is better. But Green has flaws defensively, which makes him a bit of a luxury item. If the Red Wings can get a couple second-round picks, it would be a fair deal.
Mike Green, defenseman, Detroit — From an offensive standpoint, no rental defenseman is better. But Green has flaws defensively, which makes him a bit of a luxury item. If the Red Wings can get a couple second-round picks, it would be a fair deal.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Mike Hoffman, forward, Ottawa — He’s not a rental, but Ottawa wants to rebuild and Hoffman has two more years at just over $5 million. But he’s a legit 25-30 goal scorer and has one of the best shots in the NHL. Edmonton, and being a linemate of Connor McDavid, would appear to be a dream combination.
Mike Hoffman, forward, Ottawa — He’s not a rental, but Ottawa wants to rebuild and Hoffman has two more years at just over $5 million. But he’s a legit 25-30 goal scorer and has one of the best shots in the NHL. Edmonton, and being a linemate of Connor McDavid, would appear to be a dream combination.
Chris Szagola, Associated Press
Mats Zuccarello, forward, New York Rangers — Another piece of the Rangers’ tear down. He’s not big (5-foot-8), but Zuccarello plays with a lot of heart and has proven to be successful come playoff time (31 points in 60 games).
Mats Zuccarello, forward, New York Rangers — Another piece of the Rangers’ tear down. He’s not big (5-foot-8), but Zuccarello plays with a lot of heart and has proven to be successful come playoff time (31 points in 60 games).
Abbie Parr, Getty Images
Patrick Maroon, forward, Edmonton — A big winger who is likely to cash in big on July 1, Maroon will be a much-in-demand rental. Boston would appear to be a near-perfect match for this spring.
Patrick Maroon, forward, Edmonton — A big winger who is likely to cash in big on July 1, Maroon will be a much-in-demand rental. Boston would appear to be a near-perfect match for this spring.
David Becker, Associated Press
Jack Johnson, defenseman, Columbus —
 The former Michigan star asked for a trade earlier this season. The Blue Jackets are a mess right now and Johnson might thrive in a different locale. He's probably not a top-pairing guy, but he plays physical and teams can do a lot worse.
Jack Johnson, defenseman, Columbus — The former Michigan star asked for a trade earlier this season. The Blue Jackets are a mess right now and Johnson might thrive in a different locale. He's probably not a top-pairing guy, but he plays physical and teams can do a lot worse.
Kirk Irwin, Getty Images
Justin Faulk, defenseman, Carolina — The Hurricanes are going to need some money for other contracts, and to get more depth up front, and trading Faulk might be able to acquire that kind of player. Faulk is good, but his stock was higher a season or two ago.
Justin Faulk, defenseman, Carolina — The Hurricanes are going to need some money for other contracts, and to get more depth up front, and trading Faulk might be able to acquire that kind of player. Faulk is good, but his stock was higher a season or two ago.
Maddie Meyer, Getty Images
Erik Gudbranson, defenseman, Vancouver — The Canucks are working to re-sign Gudbranson, who plays with an edge but is a borderline top-4 defenseman. He seems to fit well with the Canucks.
Erik Gudbranson, defenseman, Vancouver — The Canucks are working to re-sign Gudbranson, who plays with an edge but is a borderline top-4 defenseman. He seems to fit well with the Canucks.
Claus Andersen, Getty Images
Thomas Vanek, forward, Vancouver —
 Vanek has been effective in Vancouver, as he was with the Red Wings last season, but he’s never been a playoff performer. The market isn’t going to be very large for Vanek.
Thomas Vanek, forward, Vancouver — Vanek has been effective in Vancouver, as he was with the Red Wings last season, but he’s never been a playoff performer. The market isn’t going to be very large for Vanek.
Rich Lam, Getty Images
Michael Grabner, forward, New York Rangers — Grabner has been a revelation on Broadway the past couple seasons, but you wonder how effective he’ll be elsewhere. The speedy Grabner could re-sign and return to New York on July 1.
Michael Grabner, forward, New York Rangers — Grabner has been a revelation on Broadway the past couple seasons, but you wonder how effective he’ll be elsewhere. The speedy Grabner could re-sign and return to New York on July 1.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Tomas Plekanec, forward, Montreal —
 Plekanec isn’t the player he used to be, but Montreal appears interested in re-signing him. At 35, Plekanec provides nice insurance for a playoff contender this spring.
Tomas Plekanec, forward, Montreal — Plekanec isn’t the player he used to be, but Montreal appears interested in re-signing him. At 35, Plekanec provides nice insurance for a playoff contender this spring.
Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images
Max Domi, forward, Arizona — At 22, it would take a bounty to acquire Domi, who is struggling and might need a change of scenery. Domi hasn’t had a good season, and his stock is down. But the potential is most definitely there.
Max Domi, forward, Arizona — At 22, it would take a bounty to acquire Domi, who is struggling and might need a change of scenery. Domi hasn’t had a good season, and his stock is down. But the potential is most definitely there.
Christian Petersen, Getty Images
Gustav Nyquist, forward, Detroit — Nyquist has had a big rebound season and would be a sneaky good acquisition for a team who needs that one more piece. But with a partial no-trade clause, Nyquist has the power to essentially goes where he wants.
Gustav Nyquist, forward, Detroit — Nyquist has had a big rebound season and would be a sneaky good acquisition for a team who needs that one more piece. But with a partial no-trade clause, Nyquist has the power to essentially goes where he wants.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Tomas Tatar, forward, Detroit — Tatar continues to have trouble with consistency as one of the more streaky goal-scorers in the NHL. The Red Wings probably wouldn’t mind dealing Tatar for the right offer.
Tomas Tatar, forward, Detroit — Tatar continues to have trouble with consistency as one of the more streaky goal-scorers in the NHL. The Red Wings probably wouldn’t mind dealing Tatar for the right offer.
Paul Sancya, Associated Press
Matt Cullen, forward, Minnesota — The Wild might do Cullen a favor and return him to Pittsburgh for a chance to win a third Stanley Cup. Cullen is a perfect fit on the third or fourth line and is capable of winning big faceoffs.
Matt Cullen, forward, Minnesota — The Wild might do Cullen a favor and return him to Pittsburgh for a chance to win a third Stanley Cup. Cullen is a perfect fit on the third or fourth line and is capable of winning big faceoffs.
Hannah Foslien, Getty Images
Derick Brassard, forward, Ottawa — Brassard has never really lived up to his potential, but there are teams likely to keep rolling the dice. Columbus, where Brassard began his career, may want a reunion. UPDATE: Dealt to the Penguins as part of a three-team deal involving Golden Knights. Defenseman Ian Cole and goalie Filip Gustavsson go to the Senators, who also receive Pittsburgh's first-round pick this year and next year's third-round selection. The Penguins also get a pair of prospects,  forward Vincent Dunn from Ottawa and forward Tobias Lindberg from Vegas as well as the Senators' third-round pick this year. Vegas receives forward Ryan Reaves from Pittsburgh and a fourth-round pick.
Derick Brassard, forward, Ottawa — Brassard has never really lived up to his potential, but there are teams likely to keep rolling the dice. Columbus, where Brassard began his career, may want a reunion. UPDATE: Dealt to the Penguins as part of a three-team deal involving Golden Knights. Defenseman Ian Cole and goalie Filip Gustavsson go to the Senators, who also receive Pittsburgh's first-round pick this year and next year's third-round selection. The Penguins also get a pair of prospects, forward Vincent Dunn from Ottawa and forward Tobias Lindberg from Vegas as well as the Senators' third-round pick this year. Vegas receives forward Ryan Reaves from Pittsburgh and a fourth-round pick.
Jana Chytilova, Getty Images
Danny DeKeyser, defenseman, Detroit — Another player who could be more likely dealt in June, or next season, as his contract winds down. DeKeyser would add depth to a playoff contender.
Danny DeKeyser, defenseman, Detroit — Another player who could be more likely dealt in June, or next season, as his contract winds down. DeKeyser would add depth to a playoff contender.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
Luke Glendening, forward, Detroit — Not surprisingly, Toronto is rumored to be extremely interested in this checking forward. Coach Mike Babcock has always been a huge fan of Glendening.
Luke Glendening, forward, Detroit — Not surprisingly, Toronto is rumored to be extremely interested in this checking forward. Coach Mike Babcock has always been a huge fan of Glendening.
David Guralnick, Detroit News