A look at the top-15 trade candidates leading up to March 3rd's deadline

Trade action will likely pick up in the weeks ahead and rumours will circulate, as they do, leading up to the NHL's deadline, which this season is Friday, March 3rd.

There are several teams that are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture in each conference and as it the case every year, teams will look to off-load pending unrestricted free agent for future assets.

Today, we're going to take a look at the top-15 trade candidates leading up to the March 3rd deadline.

1. Bo Horvat (C) - Vancouver Canucks.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $5.5 million.
Stats: 33 GP - 24 G - 11 A - 35 PTS - 8 PIMS - Even rating.

2. Patrick Kane (RW) - Chicago Blackhawks.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $10.5 million.
Stats: 32 GP - 5 G - 20 A - 25 PTS - 8 PIMS - Minus-19.

3. Jakob Chychrun (D) - Arizona Coyotes.
Contract: Two years left after this season, cap hit of $4.6 million.
Stats: 16 GP - 3 G - 10 A - 13 PTS - 12 PIMS - Plus-8.

4. Brock Boeser (RW) - Vancouver Canucks.
Contract: Two years left after this season, cap hit of $6.65 million.
Stats: 25 GP - 5 G - 12 A - 17 PTS - 10 PIMS - Minus-15.

5. John Klingberg (D) - Anaheim Ducks.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $7 million.
Stats: 28 GP - 4 G - 7 A - 11 PTS - 18 PIMS - Minus-21.

6. Jonathan Toews (C) - Chicago Blackhawks.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $10.5 million
Stats: 31 GP - 11 G - 9 A - 20 PTS - 33 PIMS - Minus-15.

7. Vladislav Gavrikov (D) - Columbus Blue Jackets.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $2.8 million.
Stats: 33 GP - 2 G - 7 A - 9 PTS - 18 PIMS - Minus-3.

8. Timo Meier (RW) - San Jose Sharks.
Contract: Pending RFA, cap hit of $6 million.
Stats: 35 GP - 18 G - 16 A - 34 PTS - 12 PIMS - Minus-3.

9. Max Domi (C) - Chicago Blackhawks.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $3 million.
Stats: 32 GP - 11 G - 12 A - 23 PTS - 37 PIMS - Minus-10.

10. Erik Karlsson (D) - San Jose Sharks.
Contract: Four years left after this season, cap hit of $11.5 million.
Stats: 35 GP - 13 G - 33 A - 46 PTS - 10 PIMS - Minus-5.

11. Sean Monahan (C) - Montreal Canadiens.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $6.375 million.
Stats: 25 GP - 6 G - 11 A - 17 PTS - 16 PIMS - Minus-5.

12. Shayne Gostisbehere (D) - Arizona Coyotes.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $4.5 million
Stats: 32 GP - 8 G - 16 A - 24 PTS - 10 PIMS - Minus-6.

13. Andreas Athanasiou (C) - Chicago Blackhawks.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $3 million.
Stats: 31 GP - 7 G - 3 A - 10 PTS - 22 PIMS - Minus-11.

14. Nick Jensen (D) - Washington Capitals.
Contract: Pending UFA, cap hit of $2.5 million.
Stats: 36 GP - 1 G - 13 A - 14 PTS - 12 PIMS - Plus-9.

15. Jack Roslovic (C) - Columbus Blue Jackets
Contract: One year left after this season, cap hit of $4 million.
Stats: 30 GP - 3 G - 15 A - 18 PTS - 8 PIMS - Minus-4.

Contract information from: CapFriendly
Statistics from: HockeyDB