The 2022-23 NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and we've already seen some significant moves.

Bo Horvat and Vladimir Tarasenko were two of the best players available before they were sent packing by their former teams, but plenty of other big names could join them in being shipped out before March 3. Many of them are pending unrestricted free agents, as usual, but some - including the No. 1 player on the market - are either pending restricted free agents or still have term left on their contracts beyond this season.

On this list, we've taken the talent of each player into account but also considered their likelihood of being dealt. For example, Erik Karlsson would be near the top of the rankings if not for an expensive and lengthy contract that makes an offseason trade more likely.

Here are the top candidates to be dealt before deadline day:

1. Timo Meier

Meier is unquestionably the top dog on the list, and that's noteworthy, considering who else appears to be available. The San Jose Sharks sniper reportedly has no shortage of suitors. He's already hit the 30-goal mark this season for the third time in his career, impressively building off a 2021-22 campaign in which he scored 35 times while adding 41 assists.

2. Jakob Chychrun

It seems like Chychrun's been on the trade block forever, but at least the saga appears to be nearing a conclusion. The Arizona Coyotes are holding him out of games for trade-related reasons "until something happens," so his days in the desert certainly appear numbered. As has been the case for a while now, the term and digestive cap hit on the skilled blue-liner's pact further enhance his value.

3. Patrick Kane

Kane still hasn't decided whether to waive his no-move clause, but the Chicago Blackhawks playmaker seemed genuinely disappointed when the New York Rangers landed Tarasenko. Numerous other teams have expressed interest in Kane, which isn't surprising given his track record. The accomplished veteran could still give a contender an offensive boost even if his best days are behind him.

4. Ryan O'Reilly

The Tarasenko trade was a clear sign that the St. Louis Blues have accepted the fact that they're unlikely to make the playoffs this season. Dealing O'Reilly would be a logical next step, as painful as it would be for the club to ship out its captain and Conn Smythe Trophy winner from their 2019 championship run. Given his experience and two-way prowess, the versatile pivot would significantly bolster a contender if the Blues choose that route rather than extend him.

5. Vladislav Gavrikov

Chychrun isn't the only defenseman being scratched to avoid sustaining an injury that would scuttle a trade. The Columbus Blue Jackets are doing the same with Gavrikov, a steady defensive blue-liner offering stability on the back end. He's a little older than Chychrun and doesn't have the term, but his even more team-friendly cap hit should help him attract plenty of interest.

6. Ivan Barbashev

If the Blues opt to re-sign O'Reilly, shipping Barbashev out would make sense given his potential free agency, his trade value thanks to an extremely team-friendly contract, and considering the Russian is much more expendable despite his skill set. He's come back down to earth after a breakout 2021-22 season, but St. Louis has struggled as a whole. Competitive clubs would be wise to consider adding him for depth.

7. Brock Boeser

The Vancouver Canucks already parted with their biggest trade chip in Horvat, but Boeser should also garner some interest. He's having a somewhat disappointing season, though so are the Canucks as a whole. Other teams may figure he'd rediscover his scoring touch with a change of scenery, and while the American's AAV isn't ideal, the fact that he's under contract for two more seasons could make him more of a target.

8. Jake McCabe

The Blackhawks are clearly open for business, and their franchise icons aren't the only ones who could be headed elsewhere. McCabe has decent value as a left-shot blue-liner with both term and a palatable AAV. He's playing on Chicago's top pairing and would be a capable top-four rearguard on a contender.

9. Erik Karlsson

Karlsson is obviously the best offensive defenseman on this list, but again, he's not the most likely blue-liner to be traded. That being said, the Edmonton Oilers reportedly got back in touch with the Sharks to discuss acquiring him after touching base earlier in the campaign. A summer swap would make far more sense given the Norris Trophy favorite's hefty contract, but a deadline deal's not completely far-fetched if San Jose can find a legit trade partner (or two) to make the money work.

10. Jonathan Toews

Toews is in the exact same boat as Kane, both in terms of his contract and the fact that "Captain Serious" has yet to decide on his future. Toews would be higher on this list, but an illness has kept him out of action since before the All-Star break, and that may be giving previously interested teams pause - especially given he missed an entire season due to illness in 2021.

11. Tyler Bertuzzi

Bertuzzi's 2022-23 season has been marred by injuries, and the Detroit Red Wings forward's production has suffered as result. But we doubt other teams have forgotten the 30 goals and 32 assists he notched in only 68 games last season or the two other 21-goal campaigns he produced earlier in his career. The Ontario-born winger's health is a concern, but he's contributing again now that he's healthy and is a legitimate trade candidate as a result.

12. Sam Lafferty

Yet another Blackhawks skater appears likely to be moved. While Lafferty doesn't have the name recognition of his more coveted teammates, the versatile forward has an extremely team-friendly AAV along with term, which could entice cap-constrained clubs looking to solidify their bottom six.

13. James van Riemsdyk

Some of the Philadelphia Flyers have flown under the radar this season amid the team's struggles, and one of those players is van Riemsdyk. He's Philly's second-highest-paid forward and will turn 34 in May, but he's posted favorable underlying numbers despite the Flyers' lackluster play. The American winger missed all of November with a broken finger, but he's been healthy for a while now and offers a combination of playmaking ability and experience.

14. John Klingberg

Klingberg's failed bet on himself has been well-documented, but he's still appealing for a couple of reasons. Since the calendar flipped to 2023, the Anaheim Ducks rearguard has raised his offensive game and started to play like he has for most of his career. Also, it may not be a coincidence that as of Jan. 1, his previously full no-trade clause turned into a modified one with a 10-team list of teams he'd be willing to join.

15. Shayne Gostisbehere

Gostisbehere has been surprisingly productive for the Coyotes in 2022-23, and he's in the final season of the six-year deal Philadelphia gave him in 2017 before trading him to Arizona in 2021. The market for defensemen is robust, but Gostisbehere is worth a longer look than many other options.

16. Luke Schenn

The fact that there's a market for Schenn isn't too surprising. He's a grizzled vet with playoff experience and a couple of Stanley Cup rings, to boot, not to mention an ideal AAV. Contenders looking to bolster their top four on the back end should probably look elsewhere, but he'd be a decent addition as a third-pairing guy.

17. Joel Edmundson

Edmundson's not the most appealing defenseman available, but he's a good bet to be traded as the Montreal Canadiens' rebuild continues. His defensive metrics aren't pretty this season, but that could be partially a result of playing for one of the worst teams in the league. He's got term and a reasonable AAV. Plus, he helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.

18. Max Domi

The list of likely available Blackhawks doesn't end with Lafferty. Domi has been streaky but fairly effective while playing primarily as Chicago's top-line center, and he also occupies the net-front position on the team's top power-play unit. The former Coyote, Canadien, Blue Jacket, and Carolina Hurricane's positional flexibility makes him even more intriguing as a potential addition.

19. Sean Monahan

The Canadiens could look to move Monahan, considering he's playing on an expiring deal. His AAV won't make that easy, though, and he can also submit a 10-team no-trade list. The ex-Calgary Flames forward has been out since December due to injury but is nearing a return and could fetch the Habs an asset if he heals up before the deadline.

20. Jesse Puljujarvi

Speaking of once-promising players who've fizzled out over the years, Puljujarvi's time with the Oilers could be drawing to a close. As with Monahan, the Swedish-born Finn's AAV isn't ideal, but teams may believe a change of scenery can help Puljujarvi unlock his true potential.

21. Matt Dumba

Much like with Chychrun, it's hard to remember when Dumba wasn't on the trade block. It's been another uncertain season for the Minnesota Wild rearguard, who head coach Dean Evason twice made a healthy scratch earlier in the campaign. Dumba isn't playing like he has in the past, and both his AAV and 10-team no-trade list make a deal more difficult. He could be a worthwhile depth addition, though the Wild may not become sellers if they stay in a playoff spot.

22. Karel Vejmelka

It's pretty rare that a relatively young goaltender with term and a team-friendly cap hit gets traded, but this is the Coyotes we're talking about. Vejmelka's underlying numbers have been stellar this season, too. His favorable contract and commendable performance on a subpar Arizona squad make him an intriguing option for contenders looking for stability in the crease.

23. Nick Bjugstad

The Coyotes may not stop there, as Bjugstad could be another Arizona trade chip. The veteran forward comes at a cost that's just above the league minimum, and he plays on both the power play and penalty kill for the Desert Dogs. Bjugstad would likely improve a contender's bottom six and could probably be had for a reasonable price.

24. Nick Seeler

Another Nick may get a call or two before the deadline, and for good reason. Seeler has emerged as a potential trade candidate because of the Flyers' struggles, his bargain-bin price tag, and the fact he's under team control for another season after this one. The Minnesota-born defenseman has impressive underlying figures considering his club's woes.

25. Gustav Nyquist

Nyquist is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a shoulder injury but may return for the playoffs. That means another team could acquire him, stash him on long-term injured reserve, and then activate him for the postseason - when there's no longer a salary cap - if he's able to play. The Swede isn't what he once was, and who knows how capable he'll be coming off the extended absence, but it would be a low-risk move.

(Contracts source: CapFriendly)

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