Rantanen, Boeser, Nelson among NHL veterans potentially on the move

The 4 Nations Face-Off dust now settled, NHL general managers have fully pivoted to the league's fast-approaching March 7 trade deadline.

Executives are looking to ship out veterans and gather assets for the future or bolster current rosters with established talent in hopes of a long, memorable playoff spring.

Players set to become unrestricted free agents July 1 are always the most likely to be moved before the bell sounds and GMs put down their pencils.

The Canadian Press looks at some of the pending UFA talent that could be on the move before next Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

Salary cap hit: $6 million US

The 33-year-old centre appears likely to be dealt with his New York Islanders sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference standings. Nelson, who suited up with the United States at the 4 Nations, has 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists) in 57 games this season. He also owns a 52.9 per cent success rate on faceoffs.

Cap hit: $3.5 million

The 34-year-old defenceman has just one goal and 12 points in 52 games this season for the Montreal Canadiens. The veteran blue liner does, however, have plenty of playoff experience and helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2021.

The rebuilding Canadiens will have to decide soon if the organization plans to cash in experienced chips like Savard as it sits on the playoff bubble.

Cap hit: $2.1 million

The 32-year-old centre has five goals and 15 points across 51 games in this season with the Utah Hockey Club. The six-foot-five, 205-pound Bjugstad had three goals for the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023 playoffs.

Utah is currently in a battle for the West's second wild-card berth with a group of teams that includes the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames.

Cap hit: $6.65 million

The