Martin Brodeur. RFA in 2014: Andrei Loktionov

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There is a lot of uncertainty in the Eastern Conference playoff race, as the March 5th trade deadline approaches, which means a lot can change in a short period of time before the March 5th trade deadline. Jonathan Papelbon Nationals Jersey . Scott Cullen presents the 2014 Trade Deadline Playbook for the Eastern Conference. Its been accepted that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins are clearly the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but there are so many teams still involved in the playoff race that buyers and sellers cant be easily differentiated without a few more results. Buffalo, Florida and the New York Islanders are the three teams that can be considered sellers, but there are six teams between 61 and 64 points, with Detroit (64 points in 58 games) currently holding the final playoff spot. If a few more of those teams fall further behind than their current two or three-point deficits, that could help initiate more trade activity. A couple of notes about the following chart: Restricted Free Agents (RFA) have contracts that expire this summer, barring a contract extension in the meantime, but their current team retains the right to match a contract offer so long as they make the requisite qualifying offer. While restricted free agents havent moved a lot, its worth noting when decision time is coming on a young players contract. Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) have contracts that will expire this summer and, without a contract extension, they will be free to sign with whatever team they choose on July 1. These are the players that often move in "rental"-type deals, ideally providing a short-term fix with minimal commitment required. Top prospects are the top five players in each organization, but other top prospects may be listed among other players of interest. Contending teams may be more likely to dangle a prospect or two as they try to find that final piece for their playoff mix, while its safe to assume that young and rebuilding teams arent going to move top prospects unless they get a significant long-term piece in return. Other players of interest will include prospects who have spent some time in the NHL this season as well as players under contract for future seasons that may have some level of attractiveness on the trade market. IMPORTANT: Just because a player is listed as being of interest, it doesnt mean he will be traded or should be traded. Some may just be of interest for teams looking to hit a home run when trying to swing a deal or they are players that may be considered to be underachieving for the money they are due over the rest of their contract. Generally, then, heres a rough guide for which players each Eastern Conference team might have at their disposal in order to make a trade leading up to the deadline. The Western Conference Playbook can be viewed here. BOSTON BRUINS UFA in 2014: Jarome Iginla, Shawn Thornton, Chad Johnson. RFA in 2014: Reilly Smith, Jordan Caron, Torey Krug, Matt Bartkowski. Top Prospects: Malcolm Subban, G, Providence (AHL)Ryan Spooner, C, Providence (AHL)Alexander Khokhlachev, C, Providence (AHL)Joe Morrow, D, Providence (AHL)Seth Griffith, RW, Providence (AHL) Others of Interest: Adam McQuaid, Anthony Camara, Ryan Fitzgerald, Matt Fraser, Zach Trotman. No-Trade Clauses: Milan Lucic (modified), David Krejci (modified), Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Loui Eriksson, Chris Kelly, Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuk (modified), Dennis Seidenberg (limited). The Plan: The Bruins have been getting by just fine since D Dennis Seidenberg suffered his season-ending knee injury, but finding a veteran defenceman to eat up some of those minutes has to be a priority for a team that is expected to challenge for a title. Its one thing to get quality minutes from Matt Bartkowski and Kevan Miller, its another to go into the playoffs with them taking prominent roles and Bartkowski has been playing about 21 minutes per game since the start of January. The Bruins made some moves in the offseason, notably shaking up their right wing, but there is a lot of continuity on this roster, with a stable core that has enjoyed playoff success in recent seasons. BUFFALO SABRES UFA in 2014: Matt Moulson, Steve Ott, Cody McCormick, Zenon Konopka, John Scott, Matt DAgostini, Kevin Porter, Henrik Tallinder, Alexander Sulzer, Ryan Miller. RFA in 2014: Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno, Jamie McBain, Brayden McNabb. Top Prospects: Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Rochester (AHL)Nikita Zadorov, D, Rochester (AHL)Joel Armia, RW, Rochester (AHL)Jake McCabe, D, Wisconsin (Big 10)Mark Pysyk, D, Rochester (AHL) Others of Interest: Drew Stafford, Mikhail Grigorenko, Johan Larsson, J.T. Compher, Matt Hackett. No-Trade Clauses: Christian Ehrhoff (modified), Ryan Miller (limited). The Plan: New GM Tim Murray gets to put his stamp on the organization and has a challenging position to take right off the bat if hes going to deal G Ryan Miller, who has clearly been the Sabres best player this season. But, Miller will be an unrestricted free agent and is attractive enough that he should bring a quality package in return. There are several other Sabres veterans that could be moved, including LW Matt Moulson, C Steve Ott and D Henrik Tallinder, and its easy enough to look at the Sabres and shed all veterans as they build for the future -- expecting that they are still a few years away from icing a competitive team -- but Buffalo will have to keep a certain number of vets around if only to reach the salary floor next season. CAROLINA HURRICANES UFA in 2014: Manny Malhotra, Radek Dvorak, Joni Pitkanen, Ron Hainsey, Mike Komisarek, Anton Khudobin, Justin Peters. RFA in 2014: Jiri Tlusty, Drayson Bowman, Nathan Gerbe, Justin Faulk, Brett Bellemore. Top Prospects: Ryan Murphy, D, Charlotte (AHL)Victor Rask, C, Charlotte (AHL)Brock McGinn, LW, Guelph (OHL)Phil Di Giuseppe, LW, Michigan (Big 10)Danny Biega, D, Charlotte (AHL) Others of Interest: Alexander Semin, Riley Nash, Jay Harrison, Justin Shugg. No-Trade Clauses: Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Tuomo Ruutu, John-Michael Liles, Mike Komisarek, Cam Ward. The Plan: Right on the edge of the playoff picture, the Hurricanes are too close to sell, so they could make a move to upgrade in the short-term while not surrendering future value because their crop of prospects isnt great. The Canes have an excess in goal, carrying three on their NHL roster now that Cam Ward is healthy, and that could lead to a minor deal, shipping out Justin Peters. If G Anton Khudobin continues to hold the crease, its also feasible that the Hurricanes might consider a new home for Ward, though that deal might be easier to orchestrate in the offseason. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS UFA in 2014: Marian Gaborik, Derek MacKenzie, Blake Comeau, Nikita Nikitin, Curtis McElhinney. RFA in 2014: Ryan Johansen, Corey Tropp, David Savard.. Top Prospects: Tim Erixon, D, Springfield (AHL)Alexander Wennberg, LW, Frolunda (SEL)Kerby Rychel, LW, Guelph (OHL)Oscar Dansk, G, Erie (OHL)Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Portland (WHL) Others of Interest: Artem Anisimov, Mark Letestu, Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert, Jack Johnson, Mike Reilly, Marko Dano. No-Trade Clauses: Marian Gaborik, Nathan Horton, R.J. Umberger, James Wisniewski (modified), Fedor Tyutin (modified). The Plan: The Blue Jackets are in the playoff picture and have been there largely without much contribution from RW Marian Gaborik, so they could use Gaborik -- a pending UFA -- as a trade chip, or simply add him back into the lineup for a scoring boost. The challenge, and its an enviable one, with adding Gaborik to the lineup is that the Blue Jackets have a relatively deep and balanced group up front. Ryan Johansen is their one emerging star, but the rest of their forwards can be moved up and down the depth chart and its worked well enough that maybe the Blue Jackets would be willing to part with Gaborik, but theyre also a team that doesnt have game-breaking scorers and, while that hasnt been Gaboriks effect this season (scoring five goals and 12 points in 18 games), he has that pedigree. Otherwise, there may be some interest in D Jack Johnson and, as some have noted, the Blue Jackets would do well to listen to any teams expressing serious interest. DETROIT RED WINGS UFA in 2014: Daniel Alfredsson, Mikael Samuelsson, Todd Bertuzzi, Dan Cleary, Patrick Eaves, Kyle Quincey, Jonas Gustavsson. RFA in 2014: Tomas Tatar, Luke Glendening, Danny DeKeyser. Top Prospects: Anthony Mantha, RW, Val dOr (QMJHL)Tomas Jurco, RW, Grand Rapids (AHL)Riley Sheahan, C, Grand Rapids (AHL)Teemu Pulkkinen, RW, Grand Rapids (AHL)Petr Mrazek, G, Grand Rapids (AHL) Others of Interest: Johan Franzen, Drew Miller, Jakub Kindl, Brendan Smith, Brian Lashoff, Calle Jarnkrok, Ryan Sproul, Xavier Ouellet. No-Trade Clauses: Pavel Datsyuk (partial), Stephen Weiss (modified), Daniel Alfredsson, Mikael Samuelsson, Todd Bertuzzi (modified), Danny Cleary, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson (modified), Jimmy Howard, Jonas Gustavsson (modified). The Plan: In a tough spot as it pertains to the playoff chase because leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg left the Olympics with a back injury and its been tough sledding through injuries for Detroit this season already. While injuries have contributed to the Red Wings struggles this year, they have also allowed the next generation of Red Wings forwards -- including Gustav Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Tomas Jurco, Riley Sheahan -- to play. If theyre pushing for a playoff spot, the Wings always have assets that they can move for immediate help. FLORIDA PANTHERS UFA in 2014: Marcel Goc, Brad Boyes, Scott Gomez, Krystofer Barch, Jesse Winchester, Mike Weaver, Tom Gilbert, Mike Mottau, Ryan Whitney, Matt Gilroy, Tim Thomas, Scott Clemmensen. RFA in 2014: Jimmy Hayes, Dmitry Kulikov, Erik Gudbranson, Dylan Olsen. Top Prospects: Drew Shore, C, San Antonio (AHL)Alex Petrovic, D, San Antonio (AHL)Mike Matheson, D, Boston College (HE)Vincent Trocheck, C, San Antonio (AHL)Rocco Grimaldi, RW, North Dakota (WCHA) Others of Interest: Tomas Kopecky, Sean Bergenheim, Shawn Matthias, Jacob Markstrom, Kyle Rau, Quinton Howden, Colby Robak. No-Trade Clauses: Tomas Fleischmann (modified), Scottie Upshall (modified), Brian Campbell (limited), Tim Thomas. The Plan: There was a bit of a competitive stint after their terrible start, but the Panthers have fallen back again and are playing for next season. There are several veterans to shop heading towards the deadline and young players should get ample opportunity to play big minutes in the final quarter of the season. Perhaps the most interesting decision involves veteran D Tom Gilbert, a bargain free agent signing after he was bought out by Minnesota last year, who has had a fine year on the Panthers top pair, which would figure to make him appealing as a trade chip, but maybe hes been good enough that the Panthers would rather have Gilbert as part of their defensive core for the next few seasons too. MONTREAL CANADIENS UFA in 2014: Brian Gionta, George Parros, Andrei Markov, Francis Bouillon, Douglas Murray. RFA in 2014: Lars Eller, Dale Weise, Ryan White, P.K. Subban. Top Prospects: Nathan Beaulieu, D, Hamilton (AHL)Jarred Tinordi, D, Hamilton (AHL)Sven Andrighetto, RW, Hamilton (AHL)Sebastian Collberg, RW, Frolunda (SEL)Dalton Thrower, D, Vancouver (WHL) Others of Interest: David Desharnais, Michael Bournival, Michael McCarron, Christian Thomas, Jacob De La Rose. No-Trade Clauses: Tomas Plekanec (modified), Brian Gionta, Daniel Briere, Rene Bourque (modified), Travis Moen (modified), Andrei Markov (modified), Josh Gorges (limited). The Plan: The Canadiens are in playoff position, so theyre theoretically in the market to add, rather than subtract, but theyre also saddled with the likes of Daniel Briere and Rene Bourque who arent producing nearly enough to match their contracts. If the Canadiens are going to make noise this season, though, it may be a result of players like LW Alex Galchenyuk and D Alexei Emelin performing better as they come back from injuries. Emelin endured a rough start to the year, but was making progress prior to joining Team Russia for the Olympics and Galchenyuk, the second-year forward, has been productive enough, though he could get a few more minutes if the Habs are going to take advantage of his high-end skill. NEW JERSEY DEVILS UFA in 2014: Jaromir Jagr, Ryan Carter, Steve Bernier, Stephen Gionta, Marek Zidlicky, Mark Fayne, Martin Brodeur. RFA in 2014: Andrei Loktionov, Jacob Josefson. Top Prospects: Jon Merrill, D, Albany (AHL)Eric Gelinas, D, Albany (AHL)Damon Severson, D, Kelowna (WHL)Reid Boucher, LW, Albany (AHL)Stefan Matteau, RW, Albany (AHL) Others of Interest: Michael Ryder, Damien Brunner, Reece Scarlett, Raman Hrabarenka. No-Trade Clauses: Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias, Ryane Clowe, Dainius Zubrus, Anton Volchenkov, Marek Zidlicky, Martin Brodeur. The Plan: On the fringe of playoff contention, the Devils have some bodies to move if they decide to go that way. Jagr has resisted trade talk, which is fair enough since hes been a bit of nomad since returning to the league, but hes had such a strong season that a team seeking an offensive upgrade would have to consider him (how about finally joining Tomas Plekanec in Montreal?). Martin Brodeur says he hasnt contemplated a trade yet, but if the Devils are going to look ahead to the future, the guys on the north side of 40 dont have to be part of the plans. At the same time, if the Devils are going to move them, anything to upgrade the forward talent in the organization should be a priority. NEW YORK ISLANDERS UFA in 2014: Thomas Vanek, Eric Boulton, Radek Martinek, Andrew MacDonald, Evgeni Nabokov. RFA in 2014: Casey Cizikas, Calvin de Haan, Kevin Poulin. Top Prospects: Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)Ville Pokka, D, Karpat (SML)Ryan Pulock, D, Brandon (WHL)Matt Donovan, D, Bridgeport (AHL) Others of Interest: Josh Bailey, Michael Grabner, Matt Carkner, Brian Strait, Anders Lee, Johan Sundstrom, Scott