The lead-up to this year's NHL trade deadline is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, with no shortage of star power potentially on the block ahead of March 21.

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller was originally expected to be one of the best players available, but it now appears the team is reluctant to trade him.

We took both talent and likelihood of being traded into account when determining the list. With that in mind, here are our top players who could be sent packing before the deadline:

1. Claude Giroux

Giroux has a no-move clause but has yet to sit down with Philadelphia Flyers management to discuss his plans. However, if both sides agree to send him elsewhere, no one will be more in demand than the 15-year veteran.

The Canadian center is still producing at an impressive rate despite his age and lackluster team. Giroux's range of skills and wealth of experience would make him the top target before March 21 if he hits the market, which appears more likely than not despite his career-long tenure with Philadelphia.

2. Jakob Chychrun

It's rare to see a young player with this much term at such a reasonable rate as a trade candidate, but this is the Arizona Coyotes we're talking about. It would take a hefty package to land Chychrun, but he'd be well worth it.

The left-shot blue-liner, who'll turn 24 on March 31, is having a down season production-wise, but don't be fooled by his point total for the moribund Coyotes. The potential best rearguard available would be a major acquisition and he hasn't even entered his prime yet.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury

Fleury has a 10-team no-trade list, but that shouldn't prevent the Chicago Blackhawks from moving him if that's what both sides want. Of course, that's the big question. His cap hit might make a deal more complicated unless his current club retains some of it, and there are several contenders who could use more stability and experience in the crease.

4. Tomas Hertl

It's not yet clear if Hertl will be moved, and he said on March 1 that contract talks were "positive." However, if the San Jose Sharks are unable to re-sign him in time for the frenzy, Hertl could be the best skater on the board. He's in this spot on the list because unlike the players above him, it seems a bit more plausible he'll stay with his current squad.

The Czech center is close to matching his career-high goals per game rate he set in 2018-19. While he may only have a couple more seasons of high-level play before he starts to decline, the 2012 first-round pick would significantly bolster an acquiring team's forward group.

5. Ben Chiarot

The Montreal Canadiens' new regime has already started dealing and clearly isn't done. Chiarot is the most likely to be traded among those still on the Habs' roster. The right-shot rearguard can play on the first pairing at five-on-five, the power play, and the penalty kill. He can score, too, and all of these strengths will undoubtedly intrigue teams with postseason aspirations.

6. John Klingberg

Another right-shot blue-liner who could be highly coveted plays in the Lone Star State. There's been radio silence on the Klingberg contract extension front, which could either be encouraging or concerning for the Dallas Stars. The Swede's not having his best season, but his abilities and reasonable cap hit would help attract cap-constrained clubs.

7. Jake DeBrusk

DeBrusk isn't the most talented forward on the market, but the Boston Bruins winger is one of the most likely to be dealt considering he's been on the block for months.

His agent said in November he asked for a trade. Then in early March, it was reported they informed teams of their willingness to work on an extension to facilitate a swap. The Edmonton-born forward has been playing on the Bruins' top line and Boston could be showcasing him. Regardless, he's produced at an impressive clip.

8. Mark Giordano

It's safe to assume no team has ever traded its captain before its inaugural campaign is even over, but it would make sense for the struggling Seattle Kraken to send Giordano to a contender. There would be plenty of suitors for the seasoned vet.

9. Alexandar Georgiev

This isn't Georgiev's first rodeo on the trade block for the New York Rangers. The career backup isn't going to get regular starts given the way Hart Trophy candidate Igor Shesterkin's been playing. The club would be better served with a more weathered No. 2 netminder, and Georgiev deserves a chance to carve out more crease time with another squad.

10. Justin Braun

Giroux's future remains unclear, but if the Flyers trade anyone, they'll clearly look to deal Braun. His extremely team-friendly cap hit and experience will grab attention, and this rebuilding squad would be wise to capitalize on that.

11. Phil Kessel

Kessel's cap hit isn't ideal for an acquiring team, but the Coyotes have plenty of space to retain a portion of his contract. The veteran has a modified no-trade clause (he can submit a list of eight teams to which he'd approve a deal), so that complicates things further, but Kessel still has some gas left in the tank and could provide a contender with scoring depth.

12. Brandon Hagel

Casual fans might be asking, "who?" But the Blackhawks will get calls on Hagel for several reasons. The winger's age, cheap cap hit, and the fact he's under team control for another two seasons after this one will ensure he generates interest, and it helps he's playing better than most expected in his second full season.

13. Rickard Rakell

The Anaheim Ducks' trade deadline strategy remains to be seen, and that's understandable considering they're in the playoff hunt. General manager Pat Verbeek is intent on getting something for a trio of his pending UFAs if he can't re-sign them. Rakell would be the most coveted of the group despite diminished production ever since he peaked in 2017-18.

14. Braden Holtby

Holtby has proven himself while splitting time with Jake Oettinger in his 10th full season. That may be partly due to the Dallas Stars' defensive system, but Holtby would be a solid addition for those seeking goaltending help if his current squad fades from playoff contention.

15. Hampus Lindholm

The Ducks have another important decision with Lindholm, a capable blue-liner who could play a key role on another team's defensive corps if Verbeek looks to move on from him.

16. Andrew Copp

Copp is one of the more intriguing players on the lower end of the list. The American can play on the wing or down the middle. Copp has clicked with a variety of linemates for the Winnipeg Jets and he's on pace for a career season points-wise.

17. Artturi Lehkonen

Lehkonen is another Hab who should generate some interest. He's not a pending UFA, but he will be 27 this summer, so the solid two-way forward may not factor into the club's long-term plans. Lehkonen's underlying numbers are more than favorable this season, which is impressive considering how poor his team played until its February head coaching change.

18. Max Domi

The Columbus Blue Jackets are well back of fourth place in their division, so it's looking more likely they'll be sellers. Patrik Laine has been on fire for a prolonged stretch, is a pending RFA, and is soon to be just 24 years old. As a result, Domi is a far more likely candidate to be moved. Teams in need of a center with some experience who can also play the wing may view him as an option.

19. Nick Leddy

Speaking of experience, Leddy has that in spades. The left-shot blue-liner has suited up for over 800 games, won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013, and has played in four conference finals. The Detroit Red Wings surely want to get younger or stockpile assets, and Leddy could help them do that.

20. Nick Paul

Do the Senators trade Paul - an under-30 pending UFA - at the deadline to ensure they get something for him if he doesn't re-sign, or keep him and risk losing him for nothing in the summer? If the Sens opt for the former, he could help another team as a depth forward.

(Salary source: CapFriendly)

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San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner wasn't happy after Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell scored in what the bench boss deemed questionable fashion to win Sunday's game in overtime.

Early in the extra frame, Rakell came off the bench while teammate Adam Henrique was still leaving the ice. The Swede received a pass and buried the decisive marker moments later, only 14 seconds into the extra frame.

Here's another look at the play:

"It's a complete, disastrous blown call," Boughner said postgame, according to The Athletic's Corey Masisak, before adding he believed it was "too many men all day long."

Boughner was particularly upset with how the officiating crew handled the aftermath.

"The thing that pisses me off the most is they don't even come over to the bench. They race off the ice, (don't even have) the respect to come and explain it," the head coach said, according to the Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.

Here's Rule 74 from the NHL rule book:

Players may be changed at any time during the play from the players' bench provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall be within five feet (5') of his players' bench and out of the play before the change is made. Refer also to Rule 71 – Premature Substitution. At the discretion of the on-ice officials, should a substituting player come onto the ice before his teammate is within the five foot (5') limit of the players' bench (and therefore clearly causing his team to have too many players on the ... ice), then a bench minor penalty may be assessed.

When a player is retiring from the ice surface and is within the five foot (5') limit of his players' bench, and his substitute is on the ice, then the retiring player shall be considered off the ice for the purpose of Rule 70 – Leaving Bench. If in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering the game or the player retiring plays the puck or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while both players involved in the substitution are on the ice, then the infraction of "too many men on the ice" will be called.

If in the course of a substitution either the player(s) entering the play or the player(s) retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called. During the play, the player retiring from the ice must do so at the players' bench and not through any other exit leading from the rink. This is not a legal player change and therefore when a violation occurs, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed. A player coming onto the ice as a substitute player is considered on the ice once both of his skates are on the ice. If he plays the puck or interferes with an opponent while still on the players’ bench, he shall be penalized under Rule 56 – Interference.

Sunday's result gave Anaheim victories over the Sharks in the first and last contests of its six-game homestand. The Ducks prevailed 4-3 in a shootout Feb. 22.

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The New York Islanders have claimed forward Austin Czarnik off waivers from the Seattle Kraken, according to TSN's Chris Johnston. The Detroit Red Wings also claimed defenseman Olli Juolevi from the Florida Panthers.

The Kraken originally claimed Czarnik off waivers from the Islanders in February. He skated in six games with the team, registering two assists. Czarnik put up five points in 11 games with New York before joining Seattle.

The Panthers acquired Juolevi in October in a trade that sent defenseman Noah Juulsen and forward Juho Lammikko to the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver drafted the 23-year-old fifth overall in the 2016 draft. Juolevi went pointless in 10 contests with Florida this season.

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Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz had an afternoon to remember Saturday against the Ottawa Senators.

Schmaltz set a franchise record with seven points (two goals, five assists) in a thrilling 8-5 victory. That feat includes the club's era as the Winnipeg Jets,

The effort was the most prolific across the NHL this season, and the most the league has seen in a single game since Sam Gagner recorded eight points for the Edmonton Oilers in 2012.

Here's a look at all Schmaltz's points:

After the offensive outburst, Schmaltz is up to 33 points in 36 games on the season.

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Nikolaj Ehlers appears ready to return after a prolonged absence.

The Winnipeg Jets activated the speedy forward off long-term injured reserve Friday before their game against the Dallas Stars. The Jets placed forwards Cole Perfetti and Kristian Reichel on LTIR while reassigning winger Austin Poganski to the AHL in corresponding moves.

Ehlers sprained his MCL when Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov caught him with a knee-on-knee hit on Jan. 18. The Jets placed Ehlers on LTIR four days later. He was required to miss at least 10 games and 24 days as a result. The Danish winger ultimately sat out 19 contests.

The 26-year-old produced 13 goals and 12 assists over 34 games before the injury.

Ehlers is a key offensive contributor for the Jets. He posted nearly a point per game last season (46 in 47) and scored at least 20 goals in five of his six previous campaigns. Winnipeg drafted him ninth overall in 2014.

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