2024 NHL Trade Deadline: Five under-the-radar additions to watch

Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

With two weeks until the March 8 NHL Trade Deadline, we’re delivering at least one deadline-focused story every day at Daily Faceoff.

Today, we explore which players escaping the headlines could become valuable pickups this year.

2024 NHL Trade Deadline Countdown: 14 days

Chris Tanev? Noah Hanifin? Juuse Saros? Nah. They’re too mainstream.

Here’s the thing about most recent Stanley Cup winners: they’re typically not chasing the top names available. The Blues didn’t even make a move back in 2019. What you’ll notice from the winning teams is shoring up their depth is more important than bringing in an impact name. There’s the odd outlier, but it seems like adding depth is the way to go each spring.

And that’s what makes these five players more interesting. They’re cheap, know their role and, in some cases, are capable of stepping up bigger when they need to. That’s exactly what you need during the playoffs – and if there’s anything these five players have in common, it’s incredible work ethic.

While using Frank Seravalli’s Trade Targets board as a base, here’s a look at five under-the-radar trade targets this year:

1. Nick Seeler, D, 30 (Philadelphia Flyers)

Contract: Pending UFA, $800,000

It’s been a whirlwind few seasons for Seeler. From playing just 18 total games in 2019-20 to missing all of 2020-21, expectations were low for a guy making just above league minimum. The physical defender is averaging a career-best of 16:57 in ice time this season, essentially breaking out as a 30-year-old. The veteran blueliner has had to fight for his opportunities since going in the fifth round of the 2011 NHL Draft, and that dog-on-a-bone mentality has been evident this year.

With his low cost, there should be no shortage of teams looking to add Seeler as a depth piece, even if he becomes a seventh option on a contender. He’s difficult to play against and just watching him play this year, you can tell his confidence is the best its ever been. The Flyers need to capitalize on that.

2. Arthur Kaliyev, RW, 22 (Los Angeles Kings)

Contract: Pending RFA, $894,167 AAV

Once one of the Kings’ top prospects, it just hasn’t worked out for Kaliyev thus far. He’s got some talent, but he’s been kept out of the team’s lineup on occasion this year. Kaliyev has a wicked release and loves to put slapshots on net, evidenced by his 14/13-goal campaigns the past two years. He has a career average ice time of 12:25, including 12:54 this year, so he’s done a lot with the ice time afforded to him.

With a great shot and tremendous offensive intincts, Kaliyev deserves more opportunities. His skating still needs work and he’s not overly effective away from the puck, but the offensive potential alone – especially on the second power-play unit – should intrigue teams needing scoring depth. This feels a bit like Owen Tippett in Florida years ago: someone with the raw talent to make it work but who just wasn’t in the right spot to make it happen. A change of scenery could do wonders for him, and his next RFA deal shouldn’t cost much, either.

3. Nic Dowd, C, 33 (Washington Capitals)

Contract: 1 year remaining, $1.3 million AAV

Hopefully, his recent injury won’t impact his trade value. But as Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli previously reported, Dowd has generated some interest all season long. With eight goals and 16 points in 45 games, Dowd’s offense doesn’t jump off the page. But he’s on pace to fall into the 24-26-point range for the third straight season – talk about consistency.

From watching Dowd, you’re seeing a guy that’s reliable and has incredible work ethic. Every team can use a guy like Dowd during the postseason, and with another year on his deal with a low-cost AAV, Dowd could be coveted by a team with extra draft capital and a shot at winning the Stanley Cup. It’s been a few years since he was last in the postseason, but he’s no stranger to getting involved at both ends of the ice when it matters most.

4. Joel Edmundson, D, 30 (Washington Capitals)

Contract: Pending UFA, $1.75 million

Big, shutdown defensemen are always in demand, and Edmundson could be a sneaky trade candidate for a team that misses out on Chris Tanev. Edmundson doesn’t bring much offense, but he can hit, shut guys down and get in the way of scoring chances. A third-pairing defenseman, Edmundson has been respected everywhere he’s gone. He’s a veteran who’s willing to lay everything on the line and work as hard as possible to make it happen.

With Washington’s crowded blueline, moving Edmundson makes sense. He’s no stranger to long playoff runs – he won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019 before helping the Canadiens to the final two years later. He hasn’t been back since, but for teams craving veteran playoff leadership, Edmundson’s your guy.

5. Brandon Duhaime, LW, 26 (Minnesota Wild)

Contract: Pending UFA, $1.1 million AAV

Ignore the stat line for a second – Duhaime brings a lot more than his four goals and six points might suggest. In fact, depending on where he goes, he might not be an every day player during the postseason. But at a cap-friendly price, his speed and work ethic should entice teams. He doesn’t score much, but for someone averaging about 10 minutes a night, he can contribute the odd goal every now and then.

Duhaime also has a big 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame and isn’t afraid to use that. So add in the high top-end speed and the physicality and you’ve got someone who can cause havoc when you need it most come playoff time. He’s as close to a perfect fourth-line winger that you’ll find on the trade market this year, and it shouldn’t cost much to acquire him, either. That said, the Wild have climbed back into the playoff hunt recently, so it remains to be seen if GM Bill Guerin want to cash out certain assets.

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