This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
It's worth reminding everyone that the NHL trading season is right around the corner. Yes, trades are off limits from Dec. 19 to Dec. 28, but after that it's fair game. It's hard to believe that the Trevor Daley for Rob Scuderi trade last week was the first player-for-player deal of the season.
With the help of Hockey's Cap, here's one player from each Eastern Conference team who is close to free agency and could be on the move.
Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning becomes an unrestricted free agent at season's end. The longer he goes without a contract, the more likely he gets dealt at the deadline. Twitter has it that the Maple Leafs and Stamkos might have interest in one another. Detroit signed Mike Green to a three-year, $18 million deal last summer but he hasn't produced. It's probably too early to move him but one would think the Red Wings would listen to offers. Patric Hornqvist has two years remaining after 2015-16 at $4.25 million per season. He played well Saturday but hasn't shown the skill Pittsburgh looks for from its forwards.
Dan Girardi has four more years left on his deal with the Rangers. His play has made him a potential trade candidate. The Flyers' Mark Streit's contract runs through 2016-17 but rookie Shayne Gostisbehere might turn the injured Streit into a trade chip. It's hard to figure out what Toronto might do, although moving Phil Kessel's contract looks like a shrewd move right now. Nazem Kadri is in the last year of his deal.
The Capitals' Marcus Johansson could probably use a change of scenery. Ryan Johanssen of the Blue Jackets is pretty much a layup. He has one more year left after 2015-16 at $4 million and coach John Tortorella – rightly or wrongly – would love to see him go. (or re-shape him in his own image). Lars Eller always comes up in trade talks, he has two more seasons at $3.5 million before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Zdeno Chara is having a strong rebound season but the Bruins might take a look at moving his $6.5 million deal which runs through 2017-18. That scenario would only occur if the team falls in the standings and the team is playing really well right now -- my how things can change in a short period of time. The Panthers will likely be buyers, heck; they picked up Jaromir Jagr despite slim playoff chances last season. Brian Campbell and is $7 million-plus contract is mercifully in its last season. Florida is substantially under the cap but if a partner wanted to make a trade including a bad contract, there it is.
One wonders what the Islanders might be able to get for Ryan Strome. His affordability will likely keep him in Brooklyn ($863,333 in 2015-16) but he will be due a raise as a restricted free agent at year's end. The Sens are one of the highest scoring teams in the East without Milan Michalek. He's due another $4 million in 2016-17. It's questionable what another team might see in him, but Ottawa would be nuts not to consider moving the 31-year-old if possible after he returns from injury.
Carolina has some nice pieces but the team doesn't appear to be going anywhere fast. Eric Staal is in the last year of his deal. Loyalty is fine but not in the $8 million neighborhood. The 'Canes would be smart to move Staal but for whatever reason it seems like he'll be back in Raleigh again next fall. Carlo Colaiacovo is with Buffalo? If he has any juice left at the deadline (and two healthy legs) he could be on the move.
Tuomo Ruutu will be an unrestricted free agency after his $3.8 million contract ends after the 2015-16 campaign. He's currently out with a fractured foot and has a no-movement clause, but that hasn't always stopped teams from making trades.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid
Anaheim Ducks (John Gibson) at New York Islanders (Jaroslav Halak), 7:00 PM
St. Louis Blues (Jake Allen) at Philadelphia Flyers (Steve Mason), 7:00 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets (Curtis McElhinney) at Pittsburgh Penguins (Jeff Zatkoff), 7:00 PM
Washington Capitals (Philipp Grubauer) at Carolina Hurricanes (Cam Ward), 7:00 PM
Montreal Canadiens (Mike Condon) at Nashville Predators (Pekka Rinne), 8:00 PM
Dallas Stars (Antti Niemi) at Minnesota Wild (Devan Dubnyk), 8:00 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs (Jonathan Bernier) at Colorado Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov), 9:00 PM
Winnipeg Jets (Connor Hellebuyck) at Edmonton Oilers (Anders Nilsson), 9:00 PM
Injury News For Teams Playing Monday
Anaheim Ducks
Nate Thompson, C - Thompson has been suspended three games for an illegal hit to the head.
Simon Despres, D - Ducks general manager Bob Murray told reporters Saturday that Despres is dealing with a concussion.
New York Islanders
Jean-Francois Berube, G - Berube (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Kyle Okposo, RW - Okposo is dealing with a lower-body injury that will keep him out for the next two games.
St. Louis Blues
Steve Ott, C - Ott will miss three months due to hamstring injuries suffered in the first period of Saturday's game against the Maple Leafs.
Kyle Brodziak, C - Brodziak leg is sore after being cut by a skate.
Patrik Berglund, C - Berglund (shoulder) has been placed on long-term injured reserve.
Jaden Schwartz, LW - Schwartz will miss at least 12 weeks after receiving surgery on a fractured left ankle.
Jake Walman, D - Walman suffered an undisclosed injury Saturday night in Providence's win over Merrimack.
Philadelphia Flyers
Logan Pyett, D - Pyett was diagnosed with sarcoma in his upper left leg Friday and is out indefinitely.
Mark Streit, D - Streit (groin) skated by himself Thursday.
Vincent Lecavalier, C - Lecavalier (back) took part in Thursday's morning skate.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Jack Johnson, D - Johnson (upper body) is expected to return to the lineup Monday against the Penguins.
Nick Foligno, LW - Coach John Torterella indicated Sunday that Foligno got "nicked up" in Saturday's game against the Flyers, and is considered questioned questionable for Monday's contest against the Penguins.
Sergei Bobrovsky, G - Bobrovsky (groin) skated Thursday and looks to be ahead of his initial three-week timetable.
Markus Hannikainen, RW - Hannikainen (shoulder) is expected to miss two months and was placed on injured reserve.
Paul Bittner, LW - Bittner underwent hip surgery last weekend and will be out indefinitely.
Cody Goloubef, D - Goloubef (jaw) is expected to miss six weeks.
David Savard, D - Savard
has been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury and is expected to miss four weeks.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Beau Bennett, RW - Bennett is sidelined four to six weeks with an upper-body injury.
Kris Letang, D - Letang (undisclosed) took part in practice Sunday, wearing a non-contact uniform.
Pascal Dupuis, RW - Dupuis will no longer play hockey because of a medical condition related to blood clots.
Marc-Andre Fleury, G - Pittsburgh placed Fleury (concussion) on injured reserve Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Sidney Crosby, C - Crosby is reportedly day-to-day with a lower-body issue.
Washington Capitals
Jakub Vrana, RW - Vrana underwent successful wrist surgery Wednesday morning, adding that he will require 3-to-4 months before returning to "full hockey activities." (11/4/2015)
Brooks Orpik, D - Orpik (lower body) will be out a "long time."
Carolina Hurricanes
James Wisniewski, D - Wisniewski is expected to be sidelined six months after undergoing surgery on his left knee Friday to repair the torn ACL he suffered in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Predators.
Nathan Gerbe, LW - Gerbe (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss 4-to-6 weeks.
Montreal Canadiens
Carey Price, G - Price (leg) will miss at least six weeks but will not require surgery.
Jeff Petry, D - Petry (upper body) is unlikely to suit up for games Monday in Nashville and Tuesday in Minnesota, the Montreal Gazette reports. Petry was forced to leave Saturday night's loss to Dallas after getting rocked by the Stars' Jamie Benn.
Devante Smith-Pelly, RW - Smith-Pelly (lower body) participated in Monday's morning skate but won't fully rejoin practice for at least another week.
Brendan Gallagher, RW - Gallagher (fingers) skated Monday for the first time since being injured on Nov. 22.
Nashville Predators
Gabriel Bourque, LW - Bourque (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve.
Mike Fisher, C - Fisher (lower body) was on the ice for the Saturday morning skate.
Dallas Stars
Devin Shore, C - Shore is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after suffering an undisclosed injury in Friday's game against the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.
Minnesota Wild
Zac Dalpe, C - Dalpe underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip Thursday, and has been given a recovery timetable of five months.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Stephane Robidas, D - Robidas (knee) still hasn't resumed skating, and remains without a definitive timetable to return to practice.
Nick Spaling, C - Spaling (upper body) is expected to miss an extended period of time due to the injury he suffered in Thursday's game against the Sharks.
Garret Sparks, G - Sparks (lower body) is expected to miss an extended period of time due to the injury he suffered in Thursday's game against the Sharks.
James Reimer, G - Reimer (groin) will at least be out through Dec. 25.
Colorado Avalanche
Ben Street, C - Street (chest) has been placed on injured reserve.
Jesse Winchester, LW - Winchester (concussion) has been placed on injured reserve.
Brad Stuart, D - Stuart has returned to Denver due to some back issues.
Winnipeg Jets
Ondrej Pavelec, G - Pavelec is expected to be out until January or February due to a knee sprain.
Grant Clitsome, D - Clitsome did not pass his pre-training camp physical and, as a result, will not play for the Jets this season.
Edmonton Oilers
Rob Klinkhammer, LW - Klinkhammer (ankle) will not be in the lineup Thursday when the Oilers face the Blackhawks on the road, nor is he likely to play against the Avalanche on Saturday.
Oscar Klefbom, D - Klefbom (finger) is out for the next two games and has a small chance of facing the Jets on Dec. 21.
Nail Yakupov, RW - Yakupov will miss 2-4 weeks with an ankle sprain.
Dillon Simpson, D - The Oilers signed Simpson to a three-year, entry-level contract Tuesday.
Connor McDavid, C - McDavid (shoulder) has been skating in Edmonton for the past week.
Hot
Alexander Steen, LW, STL – With two goals and 11 points in eight games, Steen is red hot. In fact, he's tied with Erik Karlsson for the most assists over the last 30 days with 12 helpers. The 31-year-old is in his 11th NHL season and he's played 80 games or more one time (and that was way back in 2006-07). He really upped his game after coming over from the Maple Leafs in 2009, collecting 335 points in 460 games. Injuries have curtailed Steen's game and fame, but when healthy he's as good as there is.
Aleksander Barkov, C, FLA – Still just 20 years of age, Barkov has a goal and five points in his last four games. His listing as a hot player includes overall progress in addition to recent success. Consider that the Russian totaled 36 points in 71 games in 2014-15. This year he already has compiled 18 points in 24 contests. With a host of young players and a dash of Jaromir Jagr, Florida is an up-and-coming team both on the ice and on fantasy radars.
Cold
Oscar Lindberg, C, NYR – He served as a pleasant October surprise but has run out of fantasy gas in December. Held without a point for seven consecutive contests, the Swede served his purpose but can released in search of another short-term option. Jussi Jokinen has had a nice run in Florida and now Conor Sheary is making waves in Pittsburgh. Either of these guys could serve as an upgrade over Lindberg.
Max Pacioretty, LW, MON – The truth hurts sometimes and Pacioretty's play the last couple weeks has not been good. The star winger has pointed once in nine games, registering a minus-9 rating along the way. Montreal has fallen off since losing Carey Price and the underrated absence of Brendan Gallagher. Pacioretty is an All-Star caliber player and fantasy owners simply have to wait for his turnaround.
Recommended Pickup
Conor Sheary, RW, PIT – Undrafted out of the University of Massachusetts in 2014, Sheary has had to work for everything he's gotten -- at 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, it's easy to see why no team drafted him. He's had to prove himself repeatedly, scoring 23 points in 23 career AHL playoff games and leading the Baby Penguins in scoring as a rookie last year with 20 goals and 45 points in 58 contests. Now he's skating right wing on Sidney Crosby's line and has looked good at both ends of the rink. He's picked up points in the last two games, giving the struggling Penguins a boost. New coach Mike Sullivan coached Sheary in Wilkes-Barre and has repeatedly expressed his confidence in the 23-year-old.
