The action continues to pick up as the NHL trade deadline nears, and it’s worth wondering whether pending RFAs could be on the move.
While most of the attention will be on pending UFAs and players who may have an extra year on their contract, a very interesting route to take would be targeting RFAs. Some may be available to acquire at the deadline from teams continuing to rebuild, looking to retool or seeking a big “hockey trade.”
It’s unlikely that teams will move their RFAs coming off of their entry-level deals, but these six players are eligible for arbitration and could demand a big raise.
If their current teams want to avoid that scenario and see the right opportunity to improve their roster for this season and the future, other clubs should try to acquire them.
Fabian Zetterlund, LW, San Jose Sharks
Although he’s been one of San Jose’s better forwards this season, Zetterlund could be an excellent secondary scorer for a contender looking for a player in their prime.
Zetterlund is the only Sharks regular with a positive plus-minus rating, and his 16 goals are quite respectable on a bad team.
Signing Zetterlund beyond this season won’t be incredibly costly, so a team with limited cap flexibility could be a great landing spot for the 25-year-old Swede. He’s settled in as a player who will score 20 to 25 goals, and on a better team, he could hit 50 points.
Zetterlund has made a name for himself as a glue guy in San Jose, and he seems like the kind of player who would seamlessly slide into any lineup in the middle six.
Morgan Geekie, LW, Boston Bruins
Geekie was a solid player for the Bruins over the past two years and a solid performer last post-season. He is a menace around the net at times, plays heavy hockey and brings the bottom-six work ethic that just about any team could use on a long playoff run.
The 26-year-old could be an attractive piece for any acquiring team but certainly would be a strong addition for a team that needs a bit of jam. With the Bruins already moving Trent Frederic, it also makes sense for them to shop Geekie. Teams would likely pay a decent price for someone with playoff experience and team control while having a $2-million cap hit. Re-signing him wouldn’t be too tall of a task, either.
Noah Cates, C, Philadelphia Flyers
Cates is back to producing at the level we saw in his rookie year, when he had 38 points in 2022-23. He would be a very interesting addition to a team looking for some versatility in the middle of their lineup.
Cates brings defensive value and a good motor. He’s having a solid season as a goal-scorer for the Flyers, with 20 goals on the year in his sights. He plays center and wing and could help a contender who needs someone with that kind of positional flexibility in their bottom six.
Although he gets played up and down the lineup, on a contender, Cates fits in perfectly on a third line. There are a lot of traits that Cates brings that coaches love, even if his physical tools are somewhat limited.
Jack McBain, C, Utah Hockey Club
McBain is a 6-foot-4 center who can give you solid minutes at 5-on-5, contribute a bit on the second power-play unit and be a solid penalty-killer. Teams want someone who can do all that.
McBain understands his role on Utah and can bring some functional physicality and complementary on-puck play. While he doesn’t bring a ton offensively outside of some net-crashing and screening ability, he would be a great addition to a team that needs some stability in their bottom six.
K’Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
The fact the Rangers are in such a volatile spot right now that Miller surfaced in trade speculation is crazy. Despite a down season, he has excellent size and brings legitimate value at both ends of the ice.
Miller could slot into the top four of many NHL clubs, and with 43 games of playoff experience, the 25-year-old defender could blossom in a new environment. He’s physical, has a good shot and brings a lot of what teams desire. His next contract could be a bit pricey, but a short-term cheaper deal could come to fruition after a down year.
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Bowen Byram, D, Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres must figure things out, and they seem to be open to making a change on the back end. With captain Rasmus Dahlin and 2021 first-overall pick Owen Power already locked in on the left side, it makes sense that Byram is the odd man out.
That said, Byram is a very solid offensive defender who has shown high-end flashes of skill and playmaking in Colorado and Buffalo.
He can be a difference-maker, but he must be put in a position to succeed, likely playing alongside a stout defensive partner. In the right spot, Byram could be a 50-plus-point defender.
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