NHL

Alexander Ovechkin and 10 NHL Star Players Who Need to be Traded by 2015 Deadline

10 Traded NHL Superstars

Alexander Ovechkin
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL is not shy to trade away a superstar when a team feels like they've gotten everything out of them, or if they are out of the playoff race. Last season alone, Matt Moulson, Thomas Vanek, Marian Gaborik, Jaroslav Halak, Martin St. Louis and Ryan Callahan were all traded. This season could see the same level of names changing teams thanks to some front office issues and certain teams out of the playoff race.

10. Patrick Sharp

10. Patrick Sharp
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

10. Patrick Sharp

10. Patrick Sharp
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Sharp is going to be on a new team thanks to the massive contracts the Chicago Blackhawks gave Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Next year, their contracts will pay them each over $10 million per season. The team will not be able to afford to pay Sharp close to $6 million per season after this one.

9. Antoine Vermette

9. Antoine Vermette
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

9. Antoine Vermette

9. Antoine Vermette
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Coyotes are currently in the midst of a lost season. Nobody seems to be playing well on the roster. Antoine Vermette is the best player they have, leading the team with 30 points in 45 games. If he were on another team, especially a contender, he would flourish once again.

8. Cam Ward

8. Cam Ward
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

8. Cam Ward

8. Cam Ward
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Ward has seen better days, especially in Carolina. A franchise that was once a perennial contender a few years ago is now a laughing stock. They are more focused on seeing if they will stay where they are rather than put up a winning team. That means Ward, who turns 31 next month, will be looking for work elsewhere as the team goes with the younger Anton Khudobin.

7. Marek Zidlicky

7. Marek Zidlicky
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

7. Marek Zidlicky

7. Marek Zidlicky
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Marek Zidlicky is the bane of the New Jersey Devils' existence. After a season where he was scoring at will and playing acceptable defense, he is now doing neither of those things. There could be some bigger names on the Devils that get traded, including Jaromir Jagr, but Zidlicky is close to a certainty.

6. Mark Streit

6. Mark Streit
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

6. Mark Streit

6. Mark Streit
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Flyers are way down this season. Despite playing more games than any playoff team in the Metropolitan Division, they are still 11 points out from even a Wild Card spot. This has much to do with the fact that they are 29th in the league in goals again. Flyers defenders are now expendable. Mark Streit could be the first to be dealt.

5. Evander Kane

5. Evander Kane
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

5. Evander Kane

5. Evander Kane
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

This has gone on for too long. The Winnipeg Jets and Evander Kane will not work out. They should trade him while his value is still high. If they wait, they could get close to what the Islanders got for Thomas Vanek last season.

4. Joe Thornton

4. Joe Thornton
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

4. Joe Thornton

4. Joe Thornton
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

This may be the biggest surprise of the trade deadline. While his on-ice play has been good enough, it seems like the management wants to go in a different direction. Joe Thornton would yield an amazing package for a team that feels like they are one major piece away. It also helps that he has two additional years on his contracts.

3. Luke Schenn

3. Luke Schenn
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

3. Luke Schenn

3. Luke Schenn
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers need to clean house to give them the ability to maneuver this offseason. Getting another underperforming defenseman off the team will only help them do that. Luke Schenn just never seemed to work out after getting traded for James van Riemsdyk. In case you were curious, van Riemsdyk is currently at 40 points on the season already.

2. Taylor Hall

2. Taylor Hall
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Taylor Hall

2. Taylor Hall
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

It isn't fair for Taylor Hall to get as much criticism as he had this season. The Oilers need an entire team to turn their fortunes around. There will be a team willing to give up multiple picks and young prospects for a proven 23-year-old with four years of professional experience.

1. Alex Ovechkin

1. Alex Ovechkin
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alex Ovechkin

1. Alex Ovechkin
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin has been the face of the Washington Capitals for ten years now. He has not been able to deliver them even a Stanley Cup appearance. In fact, he hasn't been able to even take them past the second round. It may be getting to the time to see if there is another way to go for the franchise. They have Barry Trotz, who has built winners before. It could be time to do that again if the Caps end up falling down the standings.

Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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