2016 NHL Trade Deadline: Five Rental Players Teams Should Gamble On

The NHL trade deadline is a little more than two days away, and many of the best rental players for teams to target still are available.

Let’s take a look at five rental players worth gambling on for a playoff run. You’ll notice the lack of a defenseman on this list, and that’s because the market for blueliners among pending unrestricted free agents is quite thin. When Kris Russell is among the best defensemen available, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Eric Staal, Center, Carolina Hurricanes
Stats: 63 GP, 10 G, 23 A, 33 Pts
Age: 31
Contract: $8.25 million, UFA on July 1

The Hurricanes are in an interesting spot. They were expected to be among the worst teams this season, but instead they’re very much in the playoff race thanks to excellent coaching, elite puck possession and other factors.

Trading away Staal, Carolina’s No. 1 center and captain, would hurt its playoff chances. That said, the ‘Canes still are rebuilding, and it makes more sense to deal Staal and acquire draft picks and/or prospects than take a chance on making the playoffs and getting swept in Round 1. Carolina general manager Ron Francis must look at the larger picture.

Besides, the Hurricanes could trade Staal before the deadline and re-sign him in the summer if he really wants to be in Carolina long-term and play with brother and Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal.

Jiri Hudler, Left Wing, Calgary Flames
Stats: 53 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 Pts
Age: 32
Contract: $4 million, UFA on July 1

Hudler isn’t playing at a 31-goal pace like last season, but in his defense, most Flames players and the team as a whole have taken a step back from the 2014-15 campaign.

The veteran forward still is averaging 0.66 points per game and capable of filling a second- or third-line role for a contending team. His 1.44 assists and 2.10 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 are better than any player on this list.

Hudler also has a good playoff resume with 41 points in 77 career games, including two Stanley Cup Final appearances with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and 2009.

P.A. Parenteau, Right Wing, Toronto Maple Leafs
Stats: 59 GP, 16 G, 16 A, 32 Pts
Age: 32
Contract Remaining: $1.5 million, UFA on July 1

The Leafs should continue to stockpile draft picks and trade Parenteau, whose 1.76 points per 60 minutes during 5-on-5 is better than a lot of the players rumored to be available. He could even play a top-six role depending on the team, and one interesting landing spot could be the New York Islanders, with whom he developed good chemistry with No. 1 center John Tavares.

Parenteau will be among the best trade targets for teams unable to strike a deal for Staal, Andrew Ladd, Mikkel Boedker, Radim Vrbata, etc.

Radim Vrbata, Right Wing, Vancouver Canucks
Stats: 57 GP, 12 G, 12 A, 24 Pts
Age: 34
Contract Remaining: $5 million, UFA on July 1

Vrbata has been a bit snakebitten this season with a 5.65 shooting percentage at even strength, but he’s still capable of making a positive impact offensively. He has a great shot and isn’t a liability defensively.

Kris Versteeg, Right Wing, Carolina Hurricanes
Stats: 62 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 Pts
Age: 29
Contract Remaining: $2.2 million, UFA on July 1

Versteeg is another good target for general managers who strike out on the top-tier rental forwards on the market. He’d be a nice bottom-six upgrade for a contending team in search of additional depth scoring. Versteeg also is doing an excellent job driving puck possession, evidenced by his 56.42 Corsi percentage at even strength.

The St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings all would be good fits for the two-time Stanley Cup champion.