THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

Hello RHL readers and happy holidays. With 2023 looming most are getting a good idea as to what their teams are capable of accomplishing this season, and likely looking at the best ways to improve their chances to win either now or in the future. While many people are searching for Boxing Day sales, General Managers are shopping and stocking the trading blocks for the Trade Deadline that is soon to come. Today we are going to do some window shopping of our own and look at some players that may be on the move, as their teams have little to no chance at hoisting a Cup this season. My apologies to the unrestricted free agents not mentioned, you aren't good enough to get any "clicks", and I as a writer would like to master bait. 

SEATTLE KRAKEN: 
The Kraken are continuing to sink their inaugural season here in the RHL. Was this the plan of GM Lord Stanley? With players already seen buying their golf memberships the GM may be looking at who he's going to trade to improve his teams future. He already moved a few pending UFAs in Anton Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok but still has some interesting options for his trade block. 
Pending UFAs:
Patrick Kane ($10.5)- the future hall of famer has 30 points with the Kraken, one of the leauges elite scorers if any contenders are looking to make a massive addition up front.
William Karlsson ($6.8)- 4 points in 13 games played with the Kraken. Staying healthy wouldn't hurt, but maybe Wild Bill could use a change of scenery to reignite his offence.
Vincent Trocheck ($4.75)- 25 points this season and impressive ratings in a handful of categories including 92CK, 91DI and 84FO, Trocheck would be a great 2nd line centre for any contender.
Scott Wedgewood ($1.0)- With a 69OV, I dont see anyone banging down doors for Wedgewood, but witha $1.0 million cap hit, maybe he's an upgrade for a contenders backup or can provide some cap space to make a bigger trade.
Surprise Move: 
Josh Morrissey ($6.4x3yr)- A legitimate top 2 defenceman with a contract of $6.4 million over 3 years might be enticing for a contending team weak on the blueline. He won't go cheap, but a big return could be exactly what Seattle needs.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS:
GM LedTasso and his Maple Leafs have spent the season at the bottom of the standings. Last in the East, it only makes sense that the team will try to make some trades to improve their chances next year. 
Pending UFAs:
Anton Forsberg ($1.1)- has posted a .900 SV% and 2.92 GAA in 30 starts between the Kraken and Maple Leafs this season. Wins haven't come easy for the youn netminder, but keep in mind he's split time on the two worst teams in the league this season.
Milan Lucic ($2.0)- the type of player teams go for in the playoffs, Lucic brings experience and 94CK to a contender looking for a depth winger. 
Surprise Move:
Mats Zuccarello ($5.0x2yr)- he has 21 points (11 goals) in 23 games this season. A consistent offensive threat, but at 35 years old, the Maple Leafs likely consider moving the Norwegian winger if they can get the return they're looking for.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS:
The Capitals may wear "W" on their sweaters, but they havent acquired many this season. Third worst in the league, Capitals GM Karp should be spending his holidays stocking his trade shelf with pending unrestricted free agents. That however is going to be hard as he is lacking any of quality.
Pending UFAs:
Alex Lyon ($1.0)- is 68OV good enough to be a contenders backup? Maybe 3rd string if he goes for a late pick? At $1.0 million for the year, he may fit someones needs.
Anton Khudobin ($3.5)- if Lyon doesn't move, Khudobin surely isn't. I mean either way Khudobin surely isn't. 66OV and $3.5 million against the cap, this entry was indeed a waste of time.
Troy Stetcher ($1.7)- averaging 1min of ice time per game with the Capitals, it's no surprise Stetcher has 0 points this season. Although I guess the minutes don't matter, it is Troy Stetcher after all.
Surprise Move:
Brady Skjei ($6.0x7yr)- Is there a contender willing to commit to Skjei for his 7 year contract? If so, the first years could be well worth the cap hit to add a solid two way D-man.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: 
Champa Bay does not exist here in the RHL. Not this year at least. With only 30 points in 35 games played so far, Lightning isn't going to strike anything except the trade market. The following are the players we think GM JP Perron could be looking at sending elsewhere.
Pending UFAs:
Ryan Strome ($6.0)- he has 24 points in 35 games this season and could be an upgrade to the middle six of a team in need of offence.
Derrick Brassard ($5.6)- maybe he moves if a team can afford to spend $5.6 million on their 4th line centre...
Marco Scandella ($5.05)- maybe he moves if a team can afford to spend $5.0 million on their 6th/7th defenceman...
Jordan Martinook ($2.5)- maybe he moves if a team can afford to spend $2.5 million on their healthy scratch...
Surprise Move:
Anthony Duclair ($5.0x4yr)- With 21 points (10 goals) and 81SC rating, the 27yr old winger could be better used on a contender and net a return worth seeing him leave.

ST.LOUIS BLUES:
Their singing the blues in St.Louis yet again. Second last in the West, Blues GM Rsyzygy might need to shift focus to next season, so some deadline transactions would onlny make sense. There's nothing obvious in St.Louis that is going to amount to a blockbuster return, but there are some options for the contenders out there. 
Pending UFAs:
Mike Smith ($2.0)- His stats have dipped this season (2.94 GAA; .894Sv%), but a reasonable cap hit for a goalie with decent ratings might be a target for contenders weak in net this deadline.
Lars Eller ($4.0)- Eller could be an upgrade as a bottom six centre, but will a contender have the cap space to add the Danish forward?
Noel Acciari ($3.25)- Another option for depth up front with a slightly lower cap hit and ratings than Eller.
Victor Rask ($2.0)- Yet another option for depth up front with the lowest cap hit and ratins of the three.
Andy Greene ($1.0)- Not likely going to be a big upgrade for any contender, but perhaps someone takes on the veteran defenceman for depth and experience.
Surprise Move:
Phil "The Thrill" Kessel ($5.5x2yr)- 22 points (17 assists) this year and 82PA, The Thrill has been a proven offensive addition to NHL Cup Champions in the past, could he bring the same touch to an RHL squad this postseason? 

OTTAWA SENATORS:
Can Ryan Reynolds save the Senators from missing the playoffs? No
Can GM Noddan improve his chances at making them next year? Yes
That seems to be all Senators fans can hope for as they enter this trade deadline with a handful of players on the final year of their contracts, and hopefully don't lose all for nothing.
Pending UFAs:
Mikko Koskinen ($2.8*)- He has a no trade clause but may want to waive to go to a winner. Posting a 2.06 GAA and .928 Sv% in 26 starts, he has a reasonable cap hit for an 81OV netminder for someone in need.
John Carlson ($5.75)- One of the better rated defencemen in the RHL at a great cap hit, Carlson leads the team with 31 points in 36 games. Will teams be willing to move the necessary pieces to make the acquisition?
Tyler Seguin ($8.75)- I'll say Seguin's not likely to move with the current contract and stats, but you never know.
James Van Riemsdyk ($6.0)- Another Senator underperforming this season, JVR is in a similar boat as Seguin.
Patric Hornqvist ($5.5*)- He is producing 0.5pts/g on a losing team, but with a cap hit of $5.5 million and no trade clause Hornqvist may be a hard trade this deadline.
Josh Brown ($1.0)- With 2 points in 36 games this season while logging almost 13min/g, Brown likely nets an underwhelming return, but if someone needs a depth D-man that could be better than nothing.
Surprise Move:
Jake McCabe ($2.5x2yr)- He's not a big addition but could be a fairly reliable bottom pair D-man for contenders in need. 

CALGARY FLAMES
This season the Flames are on fire, and not in a good way. More of a burn to the ground and hope we have an insurance plan kind of way. That insurance plan will be up to GM Boud as he looks recover from damages and rebuild for the seasons ahead. He does have a few defencemen on the final year of their contracts, it feels like theirs a good chance one won't be in Calgary next year. 
Pending UFAs:
Rasmus Ristolainen ($5.6)- the Finnish defenceman has 85 hits so far this season and would be a physical upgrade on most bluelines.
Joel Edmundson ($3.9)- with 9 points and 44 hits this season, Edmundson could move if a team needs an upgrade on their bottom pair and can afford the cap hit.
Surprise Move: 
Chris Driedger ($3.5x2yr)- goalie depth is important goin into the postseason and Driedger may want a new start as he has been backing up Filip Gustavsson for most of this season despite having better ratings.

BOSTON BRUINS:
Well I can't say I'm upset to see the Bruins at the bottom of the standings. Their fans are the worst. Personal feelings aside, the Bruins season is all but ruined, and GM Skuci has some big names that he could be shopping before the end of February.
Pending UFAs:
Seth Jones ($5.4)- the 75OV defenceman has produced only 1 goal and 10 points with the Bruins this year, but with a reasonable cap hit he could be a good upgrade for a Cup contender.
Claude Giroux ($8.5)- tied for team lead in both goals (12) and points (28), Giroux has shown he can still provide offence for a team looking to improve its top six.
Jordan Staal ($5.0)- he's winning 66.7% in the faceoff circle and has a +8 on a team full of negatives. Staal would be a reliable bottom 6 centre with playoff experience.
Marc Staal ($1.5)- he's rated decent for his cap hit (70OV) so maybe someone takes him with his brother as a depth defensive option.
Surprise Move:
Damon Severson ($4.2x2yr)- a reasonable cap hit for a middle pairing defenceman with a year remaining on his contract. He could be a low risk add for a team needing depth on defence.

ARIZONA COYOTES:
Turns out a change of scenery didnt change much for the Arizona Coyotes. I guess at least there's less witnesses live to see it. Wait, nobody showed up at Mullet Arena either? What can GM YouKnowWho do to make his team better in the future and get fans back in the building? I would think the following players may be on his list of those he can trade to gain some future assets.
Pending UFAs:
Rickard Rakell ($4.1)- he only has 12 points with the 'Yotes this season, but 8 of those are goals and with a 10.5 SHT% he may just need to be utilized elsewhere.
Nick Holden ($2.75)- with 82 hits in 34 games, Holden could add a physical element to a bottom pair and has a cap hit that is affordable.
Derek Grant ($1.35)- winning 57.5% of faceoffs this year may entice a contender to add him as a 4th line centre or depth forward in case of injury.
Surprise Move:
Johnny Gaudreau ($6.5x2yr)- he's leading the team with 11 goals and 21 assists, but is there a GM willing to trade away enough to acquire the offensive winger with ratings of 99PA and 86SC? 

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS:
There's been too much beating up on the Bronx Street Bullies this season, maybe too much to come back from. With a .500 point percentage, the Flyers haven't had a terrible season but still find themselves in the bottome 10. Flyers GM Jeremy could go either way this deadline however if the trends continues, I think we could see some Flyers taking flight.
Pending UFAs:
Adam Pelech ($3.5)- he has an 81DF rating that would be a great addition to most Cup contending bluelines.
Sean Couturier ($4.3)- his durability is a question, but he's played in all 36 Flyer games this season. With 22 points so far, he still appears to be one of the better two way forwards in the game.
Joonas Donskoi ($3.2)- with 19 points (7 goals) this year, Donskoi might add the secondary scoring to a team is lacking depth up front.
Surprise Move:
JT Miller ($5.5x2yr)- leading the team in goals(17) and points(34), the 80OV centre has 91CK 96DI 95PA 81SC ratings. He may come at a big cost but would be a huge upgrade to any teams top six.

That's all for now RHL fans. Happy New Years!

Written by: Islanders Insider Bob Packenzie