Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres: Trade Value Rankings Part 5
By Brad Vos
Some serious scoring power
(17) Alex Ovechkin – WSH (Age: 34/Cap Hit: $9.538M/1 Year Left)
Similar to Crosby, Ovechkin came into the league with a ton of hype as the first overall selection in 2004. And just like his division-rival, Ovi has not disappointed.
Ovechkin has been exceptionally durable in piling up 1278 points over 1152 games. Oh yeah, 706 of those have been goals. Ovi is one of the most gifted goal scorers of all time and shows no signs of slowing down. The past three seasons have season the Russian put up 49, 51 and 48 goals.
In 2018, the Caps superstar got his first Stanley Cup and proceeded to party for four straight months. It seemed to be more of a relief than joy, and the hockey world was happy for him.
Ovechkin is heading into the final year of a massive 13-year contract extension signed in 2008. He is slated to make $9.538 million in the coming years. The Capitals would be crazy not to have him play out his career in D.C.
(16) Patrick Kane – CHI (Age: 31/Cap Hit: $10.5M/3 Years Left)
Speaking of gifted goal scorers, Patrick Kane is as talented a player as there has been in the past decade. The Chicago Blackhawks made him the first overall selection in 2007, and he has been a stud for them ever since.
In 973 career games, Kane has recorded 1022 points. He has starred in deep playoff runs for the Hawks, notching 132 points in 136 games and has hoisted three Stanley Cups.
His pay has shown no decline after an 84 point regular season in 2018-19 and another nine points in nine postseason games. He is under contract for three more seasons, with Chicago at an average annual value of $10.5 million.
(15) Matthew Barzal – NYI (Age 23/Restricted Free Agent)
Barzal is among the best young forwards in the game and has a genuine chance to move further up this list in the coming years. The Islanders selected him 16th overall in the 2015 draft.
The Coquitlam native debuted in 2016-17 for two games. He has since played three full seasons and has 207 points in 234 career games. His recent playoff run has opened eyes all over the league. As of writing, the centre has posted 16 points in 21 postseason games this year.
The Islanders will have to pay Barzal in the offseason as he hits restricted free agency. It will be interesting to see what that amount is. It is hard to see it as being overpriced, though.