NHL Trade Deadline: Best fits for the next wave of top available players on the move

*Best Fits are based on a teams interest and the players fit from a need/playing style*

1. Erik Cole, RW, Dallas Stars

|$4.5 million cap hit | 18 Goals – 15 Assists – 33 Points |

Trade Buzz: Cole has become one of the hottest names on the trade block, drawing significant interest in the last couple days as the Dallas Stars have reached sell mode. At least seven to eight teams are said to be interested in Cole, including the Chicago Blackhawks, who are still looking to add another forward after the acquisition of Antoine Vermette. Cole is very popular among Eastern Conference teams with the Bruins, Islanders, Capitals, Rangers, among the top suitors in the mix. Another team in the East monitoring Cole is the Detroit Red Wings due to the Johan Franzen situation. If the cap space was there, Pittsburgh would be a strong contender for Cole. The Bruins, Capitals, Rangers and Penguins are all on Cole’s trade list (Will accept a trade). Washington looking for a right winger to play with Ovechkin/Backstrom, might be making the hardest push for Cole.

Best Fit (Eastern Conference Team): Washington Capitals

Best Fit (Western Conference Team): Minnesota Wild

2. Jeff Petry, D, Edmonton Oilers

| $3.1 million cap hit | 4 Goals – 11 Assists – 15 Points |

Trade Buzz: Edmonton made Petry a healthy scratch Saturday night to protect the asset. The cost is expected to be a second round pick and mid-tier prospect. Lightning, Rangers, Canadiens, Ducks, Blues, Red Wings, Bruins among the teams chasing defensemen, though, the Detroit Free Press reports the Red Wings won’t be getting Petry. Pittsburgh likes Petry but not at the current asking price. Petry’s skating ability makes him an ideal fit for the New York Rangers.

Best Fit (Eastern Conference Team): New York Rangers

Best Fit (Western Conference Team): Anaheim Ducks

3. Zbynek Michalek, D, Arizona Coyotes

| $4 million cap hit | 2 Goals – 6 Assists – 8 Points |

Trade Buzz: Despite being sidelined with a concussion, Michalek is drawing significant interest, Coyotes GM Don Maloney told reporters on a conference call Saturday night. Michalek makes a lot of sense for a team like the Canadiens, Lightning or Blues that can wait for him to get healthy. All three have been linked to him for weeks. A team that jumps out as an ideal fit for Michalek is the New York Islanders who need to bolster their penalty kill.

Best Fit (Eastern Conference Team): New York Islanders

Best Fit (Western Conference Team): St. Louis Blues

4. Curtis Glencross, LW, Calgary Flames

| $2.5 million cap hit | 9 Goals – 19 Assists – 28 Points |

Trade Buzz: Despite being in the midst of a playoff race, the Flames intend to trade Glencross who has drawn strong interest. The issue is he prefers to stay in the West and has been pushing for a trade to Anaheim. Last week Glencross gave a list of five teams he would accept a trade to, Anaheim, Nashville, Chicago, Tampa Bay, and Los Angeles. The Lightning being the only Eastern Conference team he would sign off on being traded to, though, that is always subject to the change as the Flames have been pushing to expand the list to seven to eight teams with Eastern Conference teams very interested from the Bruins, Capitals and even Penguins at different points this season. Don’t be surprised if the list expands.

Best Fit (Eastern Conference Team): Tampa Bay Lightning

Best Fit (Western Conference Team): Chicago Blackhawks

Traded to Washington Capitals

5. Chris Stewart, LW, Buffalo Sabres

| $4.1 million cap hit | 11 Goals – 14 Assists – 25 Points |

Trade Buzz: Will the Bruins finally close on a deal for Stewart? Sabres GM Tim Murray has been holding out for a 2nd round pick and prospect for months and will probably get it from somebody after all, as interest has picked up in recent days. The Montreal Canadiens still have a need to get bigger and also make some sense. Winnipeg, Nashville, Calgary have shown interest.

Best Fit (Eastern Conference Team) Boston Bruins

Best Fit (Western Conference Team: Calgary Flames