The NHL's fascination with 265-pound defenseman
Byfuglien, eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is the league's most desirable rental property with less than four weeks left before the Feb. 29 (3 p.m. ET) trade deadline. The Jets still hope to re-sign Byfuglien, but if they can't, they will be able to deal him for a return that will start with a first-round pick and a prized prospect.
The intrigue over Byfuglien is multi-layered. He boasts a heavy, high-velocity slap shot that accents his quality offensive instincts.
Byfuglien is also a bulky, physical presence who can be impactful and irritating in a playoff series. He has a reputation of being popular in the dressing room. Plus, he has a Stanley Cup on his résumé, earned with the
Here are 10 other noteworthy players who could be moved before the deadline:
Left wing
Left wing Andrew Ladd (Jets): He offers goals, grit, leadership and a Stanley Cup ring. He would be a perfect fit for a contending team as a rental. He is an unrestricted free agent after July 1.
Defenseman Keith Yandle (New York Rangers): The Rangers paid a steep price (Anthony Duclair, John Moore and a first-round pick) to land Yandle last season. They would like to regain assets because Yandle will test the marketplace this summer. General manager Jeff Gorton's challenge is to make a deal that can help the Rangers immediately. With Henrik Lundqvist in net, this is still a team with the potential to make a playoff run.
Center Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes): Staal holds all of the cards because of the full no-trade clause he possesses. The Hurricanes haven't been able to re-sign him, and they would like to move him if he isn't coming back next season.
Defenseman Travis Hamonic (New York Islanders): He's on the list because he has asked to be traded closer to his Winnipeg home for personal reasons. Hamonic is in the third year of a seven-year, $27 million contract. He is a physical player logging close to 24 minutes of ice time per game. The Islanders are looking at offers, but they need him and may wait to trade him this summer.
Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (St. Louis Blues): It's not as if the Blues' priority is to move Shattenkirk, who has a $4.25 cap hit through next season. But since last summer, rival organizations believe the Blues are willing to part with him in the right deal. Shattenkirk is an offensive defenseman, and the Blues are looking for scoring forwards.
Left wing Loui Eriksson (Boston Bruins): The Bruins would like to keep Eriksson (15 goals, 39 points in 50 games), but they don't want to pay him what he could command on the open market this summer, which could be around $6 million per season. The Bruins have to factor in that they are in a scrap to make the playoffs.
Defenseman Dan Hamhuis (Vancouver Canucks): The Canucks' eight home games this month will give the organization an indication of whether it is a contender. If their playoff push fades, it would be logical to move Hamhuis, a dependable two-way defender with strong penalty-killing abilities. He is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Right wing Radim Vrbata (Canucks): Vrbata has struggled to find the net lately, with one goal over his past 16 games. But he was a 31-goal scorer last season, and has five seasons with at least 20 goals. He also is an asset on the power play.
Defenseman Roman Polak (Toronto Maple Leafs): He's a 235-pound defenseman with more than 500 games of experience. Polak is the veteran defenseman coaches covet.
Others of note: Forwards Jamie McGinn (Sabres), Jiri Hudler (Calgary Flames), Kris Versteeg (Hurricanes).
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