10 bold predictions for the NHL trade deadline

This upcoming Monday, Feb. 29, is the NHL trade deadline. It’s a day that many players dread but fans love, as there is never any shortage of rumors, rumblings and actual trades.

Over the past few seasons, deadline deals involving Jeff Carter, Marian Gaborik and Antoine Vermette propelled their respective teams to Stanley Cup Final runs. In other words, Monday will be a make-or-break day for many NHL teams.

So with that in mind, here are 10 bold predictions for Monday’s NHL trade deadline.

1) The Montreal Canadiens will trade P.K. Subban

The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a lost season. But would they actually be willing to trade Norris Trophy candidate P.K. Subban? When you consider the return they could get on a player of his caliber, why not?

Dealing Subban would nab the Habs a slew of draft picks, prospects and promising youngsters who can play in the NHL right now. Trading the defenseman would also open up a ton of cap space for the Canadiens, as the 26-year-old is under contract until 2022.

In the short term, it might piss off the Canadiens’ fan base, but in the long term, moving Subban could prove to be a wise and prudent move. Expect the Canadiens to shock the hockey world and ship out P.K. Subban.

2) Andrew Ladd will be traded to the Florida Panthers

It seems like a forgone conclusion at this point that the Winnipeg Jets will trade captain Andrew Ladd. The only question remaining is: Where will Land wind up by the end of Monday?

The Blackhawks and Kings both covet Ladd, but the Florida Panthers appear most primed to land the two-time Stanley Cup champion. With an unusual, but effective, combination of young and old players, the Panthers find themselves with a real shot at a deep playoff run. The 30-year-old Ladd would be the perfect top-six forward to add to the team. Expect the Panthers to continue to surprise the hockey world and acquire Ladd at the deadline.

3) Dan Hamhuis will be traded to the Los Angeles Kings

Although the Kings' desire to bring a veteran defenseman in to the fold is well-known, general manager Dean Lombardi doesn’t want to simply acquire a “rental” player at the position. However, expect Lombardi to bite the bullet and change his mind at the deadline.

The Kings once again find themselves in position to contend for a Stanley Cup, and adding a top-four blue-liner like Dan Hamhuis would go along way toward propelling L.A. to another Final run. The Kings' oldest defenseman who receives playing time is Alec Martinez, who is a solid player, but he’s only 28 years old. Adding a steady, veteran presence along the blue line like Hamhuis would solidify the L.A. defense. Granted, Hamhuis does have a no-trade clause, but the chance to win a Stanley Cup could sway the 33-year-old.

4) The Chicago Blackhawks will make a minor trade

The defending champion Chicago Blackhawks once again find themselves in contention to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup. Expect Chicago to try to acquire another weapon on offense. The Blackhawks would love that player to be Andrew Ladd, but the asking price might be too high for the team.

Instead, expect the Blackhawks to trade for a player like Mikkel Boedker, Teddy Purcell or Jiri Hudler for a much cheaper price to add depth to the forward position. Chicago could very well become the first NHL team to win back-to-back titles since the 1998 Red Wings, and adding another scoring threat would help in that cause.

5) The Washington Capitals will stand pat

If ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Washington Capitals have become the Golden State Warriors of the NHL. With a record of 44-11-4, the Caps have established themselves as the NHL’s elite club.

Braden Holtby is a stud in goal, Alex Ovechkin is doing Alex Ovechkin things, and Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov have both established themselves as all-world players. The offseason additions of Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie have been rousing successes, and veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik is finally healthy.

Winners of the President’s Trophy typically falter in the playoffs, but all signs point to this Caps team being the exception to that rule. There’s no need for the Capitals to add any new players to their roster at the deadline.

6) The Tampa Bay Lightning will not trade Jonathan Drouin

Make no mistake, Jonathan Drouin will be leaving Tampa Bay at some point; just don’t expect that time to come at the trade deadline. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman won’t take pennies on the dollar for a young talent like Drouin, so if a deal of equal value doesn’t present itself, the third overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft will be staying in Tampa for the remainder of the season.

Remember, Drouin is only 20 years old, so it’s not like Yzerman needs to be in a rush to trade him. An offseason deal seems more likely at this point.

7) The Carolina Hurricanes will trade Eric Staal

Eric Staal doesn’t want to leave the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are the team he led to a Stanley Cup Final victory in 2006, and they’re the only team he’s played for in his 11-year NHL career.

However, the Hurricanes will more likely than not miss the playoffs this season and should begin the rebuilding process. Trading Staal, as painful as it might be, would nab the Hurricanes a slew of young prospects and future draft picks.

8) The Anaheim Ducks will be major players at the deadline

The Anaheim Ducks are the hottest team in the NHL right now, and they’re also set up to be major players at the deadline, both as buyers and sellers. The Ducks have tremendous depth on defense, and with so few quality blue-liners available this trade deadline, the Ducks are positioned strongly to add another quality forward at a marginal cost to the team.

Also, if the Ducks truly want to add an impact player, they could dangle goaltender Frederik Andersen. The market for goaltender is also extremely thin, and if made available, Andersen would be the best netminder out there to be had. It’s not clear exactly what the team formerly known as the “Mighty Ducks” will do, but general manager Bob Murray is going to be a busy man between now and Monday.

9) The Toronto Maple Leafs will be surprisingly quiet

Conventional wisdom around the NHL would suggest that if you’re willing to buy it, then the Toronto Maple Leafs are willing to sell it. Having already dealt Dion Phaneuf, Roman Polak and Shawn Matthias, among others, the Leafs are in full-on rebuild mode. Head coach Mike Babcock wants a new set of players whom he can mold and develop.

That being said, the Maple Leafs don’t have too many players left who are attractive trade chips. Joffrey Lupul has a contract no one wants, Leo Komarov is suspended, Tyler Bozak is injured and Nazem Kadri actually looks like a keeper. Sure, P.A. Parenteau and Brad Boyes will likely be dealt, but other than those two players, don’t expect much movement out of Toronto.

10) Scott Hartnell will be traded to the Minnesota Wild

Since firing coach Mike Yeo, the Minnesota Wild has found new life and appears to be on its way to clinching a playoff berth. That being said, Minnesota needs to add some firepower and grittiness. The Wild could accomplish both of those tasks by adding Columbus Blue Jackets forward Scott Hartnell at the deadline.

Hartnell is a tough, veteran forward who also knows how to put the puck in the back of the net, evident by his 19 goals so far this season. The 33-year-old winger also has no shortage of playoff experience, having played in 91 postseason games in his career. Hartnell would be the perfect top-six forward for the Wild to pick up at the trade deadline.