NHL trade deadline rankings tiers: Which players could move? - ESPN

The NHL needs two things for an entertaining trade deadline: demanding contenders who have delusions of Stanley Cup grandeur, and enough teams willing to part with their current players to provide supply.

There are roughly eight teams that are probably out of the playoff hunt as the March 6 trade deadline approaches.

The New York Rangers already sent their letter to fans signaling a «retool» and traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. Teams around the league are waiting to see how dramatically the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks compensate for disappointing seasons.

Meanwhile, a change in recent fortunes for some teams might change their thinking. Take the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have surged up the standings under new coach Rick Bowness. A month ago, players like Boone Jenner and Charlie Coyle would have been found in the trade tiers below. Now, it sounds like there's a better chance they could be extended than moved — or at least kept around for a playoff push.

This list was compiled through conversations with league executives and other sources, as well as media reports. ESPN insiders, including Emily Kaplan, added their input as well. Salary figures are from PuckPedia.

With huge names such as Quinn Hughes and Panarin already off the board, let's start with some other shocking possibilities before diving into pending free agents, players with term left on their deals and some glue guys.

Jump ahead: Shockers
Elite pending free agents
Elite forwards with term
Elite D-men with term
25-and-under tier
Goalies | Glue guys

Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers
Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues
Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks
Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Robert Thomas, C, St.