Trade Deadline Rumours: Pacific Division

The NHL Rumour Report will be breaking down trade deadline rumours and speculation by Division in the lead up to February 29th. First up: the Pacific.

The Pacific holds some of the best and worst teams in the Western Conference, meaning there is plenty of business to get taken care of ahead of February 29th. Rumours are flying as we inch closer and closer to the deadline.

Check out our other trade deadline previews: Atlantic Division / Central Division / Metro Division

ANAHEIM DUCKS
Deadline status: Buyer

The Ducks are buyers at the deadline, but may look to sell off some of their defense and goalie depth for help up front.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Jonathan Drouin - TB - W - ELC
Andrew Ladd - W - WPG - Pending UFA

Patrick Marleau - W - SJ - UFA in 2017
Kerby Rychel - W - CBJ - ELC
Loui Eriksson - W - BOS - Pending UFA

Ducks rumoured to be in play:

Sami Vatanen - D - Pending RFA - One of Vatanen or Lindholm is believed to be available in a trade, because they're both going to cost a lot to resign. The Oilers, Penguins and Capitals are interested.

Hampus Lindholm - D - Pending RFA - See above. Lindholm might have the better two-way game, making him a more important asset than Vatanen. The Oilers are definitely interested.

Anton Khudobin - G - Pending UFA - The depth goalie probably belongs in the NHL, albeit in a backup spot-start role. If Frederik Andersen gets dealt, Khudobin probably stays. If Khudobin gets dealt, Andersen stays.

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Frederik Andersen - G - Pending UFA - With the emergence of John Gibson, Andersen will be an asset Bob Murray likely trades before next season. The young pending RFA has demonstrated his talent as an NHL starter, making him appealing for any team in need of an upgrade. The Flames and Leafs are among the teams linked to Andersen.

Cam Fowler - D - UFA in 2018 - Fowler could be dealt for forward help if the Ducks are able to resign both Lindholm and Vatanen. Fowler's name was out there in rumours last season; less so this season.

John Gibson - G - RFA in 2019 - Gibson appears to be the goalie the franchise wants to build around, but stranger things have happened. A lot of teams have called Anaheim about Gibson, including the Flames and Leafs.

Shea Theodore - D - ELC - Teams are asking (including the Lightning and Blue Jackets), but it doesn't sound like the Ducks are all that willing. A situation worth keeping an eye on.

ARIZONA COYOTES
Deadline status: To be determined

The Coyotes will continue to push for the playoffs, but have to be smart with their money as per usual. They'll do a bit of buying and selling this year.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Bryan Bickell - W - UFA in 2017 - We can assume Arizona's interest in Bickell was, or is, salary cap related. If the 'Yotes acquired Bickell, expect them to be compensated for it with salary retention and other assets thrown in.
Tyler Bozak - C - UFA in 2018

Coyotes rumoured to be in play:

Mikkel Boedker - W - Pending UFA - Boedker could stay if the Coyotes are in the playoff mix, but he will be dealt if he can't be resigned. The team continues to make offers, but unrestricted free agency allures the 26 year old.

Steve Downie - W - Pending UFA - Downie didn't get claimed on waivers, but if anyone wants him, they can have him.

Martin Hanzal - C - UFA in 2017 - Hanzal is a big part of what the Coyotes are doing right now, but his name has come up in rumours as the Coyotes may be willing to maximize their return on this asset.

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Nicklas Grossman - D - Pending UFA - Demand isn't expected to be high for depth defensemen with $3 million dollar salaries, but as a pending UFA, someone might take a chance.

CALGARY FLAMES
Deadline status: Seller

After overperforming in 2014-2015, the Flames have come back down to reality. Several veterans on expiring deals are expected to be shipped out before the deadline.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Travis Hamonic - D - NYI - UFA in 2020
Steven Stamkos - C - TB - Pending UFA
Kerby Rychel - W - CBJ - ELC

Jeff Skinner - W - CAR - UFA in 2019

Cam Ward - G - CAR - Pending UFA

Frederik Andersen - G - ANA - Pending RFA

James Reimer - G - TOR - Pending UFA

Flames rumoured to be in play:

Jiri Hudler - W - Pending UFA - Hudler and the Flames don't seem to be on the same page in terms of contract talks. The Penguins, Wild and Senators are rumoured to have interest.

Dennis Wideman - D - UFA in 2017 - Despite his suspension, Wideman is generating a lot of interest and the Flames are more than listening. The Sharks, Penguins and Bruins have been rumoured as interested.

Kris Russell - D - Pending UFA - The Flames want to keep Russell, but if the team is out of it and Russell still isn't extended, he could be dealt. The Bruins and Penguins have been rumoured.

Jonas Hiller - G - Pending UFA - Hiller has struggled mightily this season, and the Flames would love to dump his contract.

Kari Ramo - G - UFA in 2017 - Ramo has improved as of late, but isn't the long term solution for the Flames.

Mason Raymond - W - UFA in 2017 - Raymond passed through waivers, meaning it's unlikely a team out there has interest. But he's available, and if a team wants to take a chance on the enigmatic forward, he'll probably be free.

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Sam Bennett - C - ELC - I know, I know. It sounds crazy. But the reality is Bennett's name surfaced in trade rumours in the summer. We're talking blockbuster trades with big pieces on both sides.

Joni Ortio - G - Pending RFA - Orio passed through waivers despite only being paid $600k this season. The Flames will likely move out most of their under-performing goalies, and that could include Ortio.

EDMONTON OILERS
Deadline status: Seller and Buyer

The Oilers will trade away expiring contracts, but may also be in the hunt for defensemen as they look towards next season.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Travis Hamonic - D - NYI - UFA in 2019
Sami Vatanen - D - ANA - Pending RFA
Hampus Lindholm - D - ANA - Pending RFA
Brandon Pirri - W - FLA - Pending RFA

Oilers rumoured to be in play:

Justin Schultz - D - Pending RFA - Once heralded as a future offensive dynamo on the blueline, the Oilers management have decided they've had finally had enough with Schultz. Certainly, a change of scenery could be the boost Schultz needs to get his game back on track. The Penguins, Blue Jackets and Sabres are among those that have kicked tires.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - C - UFA in 2021 - The playmaking center may be used as a chip to get the stud blueliner the Oilers have needed for eternity. The Ducks, Predators, Wild, Leafs and Hurricanes are amongst the teams that have inquired.

Jordan Eberle - W - UFA in 2019 - Just like RNH, Eberle may be flipped for defensive help. The Blues, Predators, Bruins and Ducks have been linked to Eberle.

Teddy Purcell - W - Pending UFA - The Blackhawks are among the teams rumoured to be interested in the veteran winger who is playing well on a line with Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl.

Nikita Nikitin - D - Pending UFA - Nikitin hasn't worked out in Edmonton, and he's not even playing in the NHL right now. Nonetheless, teams such as the Avalanche and Blackhawks are interested providing the Oilers take back a bad contract.

Others:
Eric Gryba - D - Pending UFA
Matt Hendricks - C - UFA in 2017

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Nail Yakupov - W - RFA in 2017 - The enigmatic winger may become trade bait if there's enough interest. The only problem is, teams aren't knocking their door down with solid offers for Yakupov.

LOS ANGELES KINGS
Deadline status: Buyer

The Kings are looking at top four defensemen this deadline, and may be willing to move some of their prospects or young forwards to make it happen.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Roman Polak - D - TOR - Pending UFA
Dan Hamhuis - D - VAN - Pending UFA
Patrick Marleau - W - SJ - UFA in 2017
Kris Russell - D - CGY - Pending UFA

Kings rumoured to be in play:

Christian Ehrhoff - D - Pending UFA - The veteran blueliner was expected to provide depth and maybe chip in offensively, but he seems to have lost a step. The Kings continue to shop Ehrhoff and may be willing to hold back some of his already cheap $1.5 million salary to make it happen.

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Tanner Pearson - W - RFA in 2017 - The young winger has come up in trade rumours in the past, and his cheap 1.4 million cap hit for this season and the next would make him very desirable to other teams.

Dustin Brown - W - UFA in 2022 - The Kings love their leader, but they would love even more to rid themselves of his massive $5.8 million cap hit that goes until 2022. With the cap stagnant, any GM taking this contract on better have a damn good explanation for his owner.

Jordan Nolan - W - UFA in 2018 - Nolan's name came up in trade rumours last year, leading many to believe he wanted out. He ended up re-signing with LA, but his name could resurface in trade talks in the future.

SAN JOSE SHARKS
Deadline status: Buyer

The Sharks enter the deadline aiming to bolster their defense as they make a somewhat surprising playoff push on the backs of veterans Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Roman Polak - D - TOR - Pending UFA

Keith Yandle - D - NYR - Pending UFA
Dan Hamhuis - D - VAN - Pending UFA

Sharks rumoured to be in play:

Patrick Marleau - W - UFA in 2017 - The veteran scoring winger has generated interest throughout the league, although most teams have concerns about taking on nearly 7 million dollars in salary. The Rangers, Ducks, Habs, Wild and Predators have explored the possibility.

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Joe Thornton - W - UFA in 2017 - Jumbo won't be dealt unless he wants to leave. And with the Sharks in the playoff mix, it's hard to see him going that route this season.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Deadline status: Seller

The Canucks are after young players that can step into the NHL this season or the next. They will also look to add prospects and picks.

Rumoured to have interest in:

Steven Stamkos - C - TB - Pending UFA
Loui Eriksson - W - BOS - Pending UFA
Jonathan Drouin - W - TB - ELC
Nazem Kadri - C - TOR - Pending RFA
Travis Hamonic - D - NYI - UFA in 2020
Jake Gardiner - D - TOR - UFA in 2019

Canucks rumoured to be in play:

Dan Hamhuis - D - Pending UFA - The veteran blueliner should generate interest around the league. Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Dallas and Washington are rumoured to be among those teams.

Radim Vrbata - W - Pending UFA - Still to be determined if the Canucks want to deal him, but Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Anaheim have been linked to Vrbata.

Chris Higgins - W - Pending UFA - This one can't even be considered a rumour - it's been confirmed by GM Jim Benning himself. The Canucks continue to look for a taker without any luck. A deadline day deal is most likely here.

Matt Bartkowski - D - Pending UFA - The depth blueliner will in all likelihood be moved if the Canucks are out of the playoff hunt.

Alex Burrows - W - UFA in 2017 - The veteran winger has agreed to waive his no trade clause if an offer comes the Canucks way.

Others:
Luca Sbisa - D - UFA in 2018
Sven Baertschi - W - Pending RFA

Adam Cracknell - W - Pending UFA

Brandon Prust - W - Pending UFA

Darkhorse trade candidates:

Ryan Miller - G - UFA in 2017 - Teams inquired on Miller in the summer, and Jacob Markstrom has emerged as an option in net. San Jose had interest in Miller before acquiring Martin Jones, and its unclear who would have interest now.