Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres: Trade Value Rankings Part 5
By Brad Vos
A rising star in net, and some crafty playmakers
(14) Artemi Panarin – NYR (Age: 28/Cap Hit: $11.643M/6 Years Left)
The Rangers inked Panarin to a massive contract in free agency last summer, and they got every dollar’s worth in his first season in the Big Apple. The ‘Bread Man’ piled up a career-high 95 points in the shortened season and is a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Panarin was excellent at even-strength, recording 71 of his points 5 on 5. He also logged over 20 minutes of ice time, while only taking 20 penalty minutes all season.
This is no aberration either, as Panarin has 415 points in 391 career games after going undrafted and becoming a late bloomer in Chicago. There are six years left on his deal, which pays him an average annual value of $11,642,857. That is a big cap hit, but Panarin has proven to be worth it.
(13) Carter Hart – PHI (Age: 22/Cap Hit:$730K/1 Year Left)
Hart was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft and debuted with the Flyers in 2018-19. He had respectable numbers in his first season, posting a 2.83 GAA and .917 SV% over 31 games.
The Edmonton native took over the crease this past season and had a 2.42 GAA and .914 SV%. He was the key cog in this year’s playoff run for the Flyers, appearing in 14 games and having a 2.23 GAA and .926 SV%.
He has one year left on his entry-level deal, which will see him make peanuts compared to his output. He will be rewarded handsomely after this season as a restricted free agent and one of the most exciting young goalies in the league.
(12) Sebastian Aho – CAR (Age: 23/Cap Hit: $8.54M/4 Years Left)
After being selected 35th overall in the 2015 draft, Aho has provided a ton of value for the Hurricanes on their top line. In 310 career games, the Finn has piled up 263 points.
He has also recorded 24 points in 23 career playoff games and leads an exciting young Canes squad. Paired with Teuvo Teravainen and Andre Svechnikov gives Carolina an embarrassment of riches up front.
The centreman is locked up for four more seasons at a cap hit of $8.454 million.
(11) Nikita Kucherov – TB (Age: 27/Cap Hit: $9.5M/7 Years Left)
The Tampa Bay Lightning struck gold, selecting Kucherov 58th in the 2011 NHL Draft. All he has done since then is pile up 547 points in 515 career games.
The Russian is just entering his prime too, having recently turned 27 years of age. This past season saw Kucherov light up the scoresheet with 85 points in 68 games.
He has been one of the key contributors in Tampa Bay’s current playoff run with 25 points in 18 postseason games at the time of writing.
The Lightning will pay Kucherov $9.5 million over the next seven seasons, and that already seems like a bargain.
COMING SOON: THE FINAL PART – THE TOP 10 NHL TRADE ASSETS
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What did you think of the players ranked 20 through 11? Who do you think will be in the Top 10? Let us know in the comments below!