Bargain bin options could still make big impact at NHL trade deadline

2. Tony DeAngelo, New York Islanders, right defense | Status: pending unrestricted free agent | Cap hit: $775K

It's been a strange career for Tony DeAngelo, who carried enough off-ice baggage that no NHL team would sign him. He abruptly left his KHL team earlier this season to sign with the New York Islanders at a time when they desperately needed help on their blue line. The results have been mixed — six points in 14 games while playing the third most of any defensemen on the team at 5-on-5. Further down the line-up and in a role more heavily focused on power play work would make DeAngelo a bargain at the veteran minimum.

3. Pius Suter, Vancouver Canucks, Center | Status: Pending Unrestricted Free Agent | Cap Hit: $1,600,000

The Swiss-born Suter has developed into a fine little Swiss Army knife. He's only 5-foot-11 and 179 pounds, but Suter plays in all situations and generally can play up the lineup if required. He has spent more time recently playing third-line minutes for the Canucks and contributed a career-high 16 goals. He's third among Vancouver's regular forwards in fewest high danger chances allowed per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.

4. Blake Lizotte, Pittsburgh Penguins, winger/center | Status: July 2026 unrestricted free agent | Cap hit: $1.85M

Lizotte is an undersized but speedy utility forward at 5-foot-9, 173 pounds. He hasn't had the best first season in Pittsburgh, but Lizotte developed a reputation in Los Angeles as an analytics darling. In Pittsburgh, he is second on the team among forwards for fewest high danger chances against per 60 minutes and first in Natural Stat Trick's expected goals against per 60 minutes. 

5. Ryan McLeod, Buffalo Sabres, center | Status: pending restricted free agent | Cap hit: $2.1M

McLeod is one of the league's elite skaters and playing at a career high 45 point pace per 82 games while playing almost entirely at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill. While he is on the final year of his contract, his status as a restricted free agent will give an acquiring team the chance to sign him to an extension.

The trade deadline is Friday at 3 pm. ET.