10 trades we would like to see at the NHL trade deadline

2. Matt Duchene to the Nashville Predators

The crazy thing about the Nashville Predators is they have assembled an outstanding team, with almost all of their core players locked under team control for the long term, and they still have salary cap space to play with. They also have a general manager who is not afraid to swing for the fences and go after a top player. The Predators could not only swing a deal for Duchene, they could absolutely get him signed to a long-term contract extension (something Duchene is reportedly willing to do with whatever team acquires him at the deadline). Duchene wants to win, he would have a chance to win in Nashville, and Nashville would have a better chance to win with him.

3. Mark Stone to the Boston Bruins

This is an easy one. The Boston offense runs through about three or four players and it has absolutely zero secondary scoring to speak of. That is not a recipe for success in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Stone is one of the league's most underrated stars and would make an immediate impact and help give the Bruins a second scoring line. Is Stone enough to get the Bruins through some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference? Probably not, but they would have a significantly better chance with him.

4. Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin to the Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are not the type of team to be in the market for rentals, but they are clearing salary cap space to make a run at the current Columbus Blue Jackets teammates. Acquiring Bobrovsky and Panarin now would give Florida an opportunity to sign them before the two hit unrestricted free agency. It would also give Bobrovsky and Panarin the option to seek eight-year contracts instead of the seven-year terms they would be limited to in the UFA market. 

This would also require a bit more maneuvering because the Panthers already have two goalies under contract beyond this season in Roberto Luongo and James Reimer. That sort of contract would be a huge risk for Bobrovsky, given his age (30), but I'm a fan of big moves and chaos and this type of acquisition would be just that. It would be a gut-punch for Blue Jackets fans, because Columbus should be a playoff team this season and losing Panarin is going to hurt being he he is probably the second-best player on the roster.

5. Mats Zuccarello to the Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have been overhauling their forward group all season with the additions of Tanner Pearson, Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann and the departures of Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, and Carl Hagelin. You know GM Jim Rutherford is never done making trades, and if the opportunity presents itself he would probably like to add another winger to provide scoring depth. The Pens haven't really replaced that depth from their Stanley Cup-winning teams and Zuccarello would be an intriguing rental to add to the lineup. Zuccarello plays the type of game that would transition well to the Penguins lineup.

6. Ilya Kovalchuk to the New York Islanders

The Islanders are the biggest surprise in the NHL this season, coming back from a disastrous 2017-18 campaign and overcoming the loss of John Tavares in free agency to climb to the top of the Metropolitan Division. For as great as the story has been, it is still a team with holes that could use some offense. The Los Angeles Kings would no doubt love to move Ilya Kovalchuk as his return to the NHL has been a bit of a disappointment and L.A. is looking to start a rebuild. It would be a bit of a gamble for the Islanders, given the financial commitment, but with Anders Lee, Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle all unrestricted free agents after this season, the Isles are going to have salary cap space and a need for forwards. It is possible Kovalchuk's struggles this season are the result of being stuck in the worst possible environment for offense (the Kings) and a fresh start could help him.

7. Gustav Nyquist to the Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights made a big splash at the deadline a year ago by acquiring veteran forward Tomas Tatar from the Red Wings. It did not go as planned. Vegas should go back to that well this season by going after the Red Wings' Gustav Nyquist. He is a free agent after this season and would be a rental, but Nyquist would give an inconsistent team some much-needed scoring depth. He isn't a star, by any means, but Nyquist is a solid top-six winger having a really good season in a tough situation.

8. Kevin Hayes to the Winnipeg Jets

After losing Paul Stastny in free agency, the Jets did little to address that spot on the roster. Stastny was always a luxury, but with the Jets being fairly inconsistent this season they could use some added depth down the middle. Hayes is having a strong season for the Rangers and would be a nice upgrade over all of the Jets' centers after Mark Schiefele.

9. Jesse Puljujarvi to anywhere

This would be an effort to save a young career. The Edmonton Oilers have wasted more top draft picks than any team in recent NHL history (maybe all NHL history?). Puljujarvi looks as if he is destined to be the next player to have his career sabotaged by the hellscape that is the Oilers' organization. Edmonton has completely mismanaged Puljujarvi's career, throwing him into situations he was not ready for, and not allowing him to properly develop. Give Puljujarvi a fresh start somewhere else. Let him go to a team that is not hopeless. 

10. Artemi Panarin to the Dallas Stars

Yes, we already mentioned Panarin above as an option for the Florida Panthers, but this would be Plan B. Here is the reality for the Dallas Stars: General manager Jim Nill has to be under immense pressure to make the playoffs. His team has been a constant disappointment, the team's CEO publicly ripped the team's best players earlier this season, despite the fact they are still the most productive players on the roster. There is absolutely zero secondary scoring to speak of once you get beyond Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov. This is a team that has a habit of making bold, blockbuster moves. It is in its DNA to go after the top players available. Panarin, right now, is the top player available and fills an obvious need in the short term. This is a definite long shot, and probably just wishful thinking, which is why it is at No. 10 on the list.