Adam Proteau makes his predictions on four pending UFAs who he believes will join a different team by the trade deadline on March 8.

As the New Year looms large, the NHL will have players changing employers by the league’s March 8 trade deadline. Here are four NHLers who this writer thinks are most likely to be changing teams in 2024:

1. Chris Tanev, D, Calgary Flames

Tanev’s name has been mentioned constantly in trade rumors, and for good reason. The 34-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract, and his salary cap hit of $4.5 million can, pro-ratedly, fit into the payroll of Stanley Cup-contending teams seeking a blueliner with a robust physical game. Flames GM Craig Conroy may choose to retain a portion of Tanev’s salary if it means he can squeeze more assets out of a trade partner.

There are teams we know will be in the market for a player like Tanev – the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils have a clear need to improve their depth on the back end – but don’t count out a team like the Colorado Avalanche swooping in and nabbing Tanev for themselves. The Avs opened up cap space when they dealt winger Tomas Tatar to Seattle earlier this month, and while it’s true they may use that cap space to improve their forward group, it’s never a bad idea to add a player with an edge who would make their defense corps one of the very best in the league. 

Regardless, there’s little chance Tanev stays in Calgary beyond the deadline if the Flames remain out of a playoff spot, even with the 10-team no-trade list. The only questions are where he’ll go and how much Conroy will get in return for him.

2. Adam Henrique, LW, Anaheim Ducks

Turning 34 in February, Henrique no longer has time on his side, but he’s a looming UFA who is quietly having a solid season on a bad Ducks team. He’s generated 10 goals and 18 points in 31 games this year, and a team in need of offense could do much worse than to acquire him for his experience and veteran know-how.

Henrique’s cap hit of $5.825 million makes him one of the pricier potential acquisitions, and he’s got a modified no-trade clause allowing him to veto a deal to 10 teams of his choice, per PuckPedia. But he’s spinning his wheels in Anaheim, playing games that will have no meaning in the playoff race. The chance to move to a team at least in the mix for a playoff spot – think the New York Islanders, first and foremost – would be perhaps one of Henrique’s last chances to take a run at a Cup.

This is not to suggest he’s going to retire after this season, but between injuries and the threat of being on another sad-sack team next year, Henrique might well decide to be a rental player on a bona fide above-average team. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek must make deals to salvage the season, and Henrique could be the trade component that brings back the most to Anaheim to build around next year.

3. Kaapo Kahkonen, G, San Jose Sharks

The need for solid goaltending is acute in some organizations, and there’s no guarantee that mid-tier teams will surrender their goalie simply because other teams want them. 

One example is Arizona’s Karel Vejmelka, who we’ve spoken about before as a veteran who could boost the depth of a team wanting help in net. The Coyotes’ decent play may mean they keep Vejmelka around, thinning out the pool of available netminders.

And that brings us to Kahkonen, who hasn’t exactly lit the league on fire playing on the abysmal Sharks. The 27-year-old Finn’s individual numbers – including a 3.61 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 15 appearances – aren't Vezina-worthy. But he’s a looming UFA with a cap hit of $2.75 million, and that’s a decent price teams would be willing to pay. 

There’s no compelling reason for Sharks GM Mike Grier to retain Kahkonen’s services, and if he can pry a couple of draft picks and/or a decent prospect out of a team seeking goalie help, he’ll have helped his rebuilding franchise more than he would by hanging on to Kahkonen. It may not happen until the deadline, but trading Kahkonen is much more likely than him staying put.

4. Tyler Johnson, C, Chicago Blackhawks

The 33-year-old Johnson is well past his prime, but he could be a smart depth pickup for teams needing a boost down the middle and a veteran with championship pedigree. 

Johnson has seven goals and 11 points in 31 games with the lowly Blackhawks this season, and he has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to rule out 11 teams to be dealt to, per PuckPedia. But there’s every reason for Hawks GM Kyle Davidson to find a market for Johnson. 

Once again, Chicago is going to miss the playoffs, and while the Blackhawks are swimming in draft picks and young players, they could always use more help for the long term. That’s what Davidson will be seeking in any swap involving Johnson.

Johnson hasn’t been the same player he was in Tampa Bay for so many years, but he still has a little bit left in the tank. Although his cap hit of $5 million makes him harder to deal, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Chicago has the will to move on from greybeard veterans in the last season of their contracts. Johnson fits that bill, and we don’t see him lasting in the Windy City beyond the trade deadline.