Greeley: 5 Players added to ‘Change of Scenery’ List

Three weeks ago, we introduced the idea of a “Change of Scenery” list on Daily Faceoff, a living and breathing inventory of interesting players in the NHL who may be destined for a new home.

Once upon a time, Troy Terry may have appeared on this list, a young fifth-round pick the Anaheim Ducks were once considering moving. Terry, 24, is now riding a 16-game point streak and is fourth in league scoring behind only Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Round 2 of our “Change of Scenery” exercise brings in new names that opposing teams are likely checking in on. While all of these players are capable of getting back on track overnight, scouting staffs will be watching with great interest to see if their situations continue to deteriorate further.

What factors can put a player on your “Change of Scenery” list?

Lack of ice time
Road block in the current organization’s depth chart that prevent player success
Not meeting expectations of where they were selected in draft
Minimal special teams usage in an area where you think player may thrive
Hitting certain internal analytic marks that your organization values more than player’s current organization
Comments to the media by coach, management that shows a displeasure with the player
Noise from the player’s agent growing louder in and around arenas

Here a five new players potentially on the move:

Oliver Wahlstrom
Age: 21
RW, New York Islanders
Change of Scenery: Barry Trotz likely grabbed the attention of many teams when he announced “Wahlstrom was lucky to be in the lineup” vs. Florida on Tuesday. Wahlstrom started the year off on fire, recording three goals in his first three games. But now Wahlstrom only has two goals in the last 10 games, including zero in the last five. Wahlstrom has not been a threat as of late with only nine shots on net in his last six games. With the Islanders struggling I would imagine GMs from the league will be keeping Lou Lamoriello aware that they have interest in this 11th overall pick from 2018.

Dillon Dube
Age: 23
LW, Calgary Flames
Change of Scenery: Dube’s ice time has decreased recently with the last two games, resulting in his fewest minutes of the season. Calgary is 16 games into the season and Dube only has one goal to show. As Calgary pushes for the playoffs, Dube’s usage will be monitored by teams across the league. Gaudreau and Coleman will make it difficult for Dube to find his way into the top six, so the potential “road block” may exist in Calgary for Dube this season. The combination of the roadblock and a Flames playoff push could be the perfect formula for an opposing team, who likes the character Dube brings, to make Calgary an offer that makes sense for both organizations.

Justin Holl
Age: 29
RD, Toronto Maple Leafs
Change of Scenery: Holl was rock solid for Toronto last season. But in the second year of his three-year deal with a $2 million cap hit, Holl has not been as reliable as Sheldon Keefe would like. Teams that were eager to see Holl become a UFA are likely checking in with Kyle Dubas and seeing if Toronto would like to rid itself of the $2 million AAV – which is likely way more than the Leafs would comfortably budget for the role is currently playing on the team. Holl has been a healthy scratch six times in 18 games this season.

Eeli Tolvanen
Age: 22
RW, Nashville Predators
Change of Scenery: Tolvanen was drafted to be a goal scorer and after scoring 11 goals and 11 assists in 45 games last season, it appeared as if he was ready to take the next step offensively. Unfortunately for Tolvanen and the Predators, after 16 games, Tolvanen finds himself on the fourth line with only one goal to his credit. Nashville is battling for a playoff spot and if Tolvanen can net a return that GM David Poile and coach John Hynes can use to impact their team immediately, then I believe Tolvanen could be part of the deal.

Matt Kiersted
Age: 23
LD, Florida Panthers
Change of Scenery: Kiersted is a smooth-skating defenseman who was a top undrafted college free agent when he signed two seasons ago at a time he had more than half the league offering him a contract. When Kiersted’s name hit the transaction wire earlier this season, teams looking for young defenseman certainly took notice. The AHL could be excellent for Kiersted’s development, but that will not stop other teams from trying to pluck Kiersted from Florida in exchange for a veteran who may be able to help Florida this season in its pursuit of a Stanley Cup.