There’s been much digital ink spilled on the account of Dan Hamhuis in weeks past and with good reason. The February 29th trade deadline is nigh upon us and not far in the distance is the expiration of Hamhuis’ contract. Connect those dots with the stark reality that Vancouver is in no way, shape or form a playoff contender and the good soldiers days appear numbered in the blue and green.

With full no-trade protection, the ball remains firmly in Hamhuis and his families court. The Canucks, by all accounts, have yet to engage in contract extension talks with Hamhuis or his camp. Does Hamhuis see the writing on the wall and try to auger his cause for his last, great contract on a contending side down the stretch?

It’s best for everyone involved if pragmatism comes out on top. The recent extension of Dustin Byfuglien in Winnipeg makes Hamhuis the best rental defender left on the market. If the Canucks play their cards right and Hamhuis responds in kind… what a haul they could they snag.

Connecting these two registers a twelve out of ten on the common sense scale. Hamhuis has a wealth of experience playing under Barry Trotz, as the two spent several years together with the Nashville Predators organization. If there’s one area of relative concern on the Capitals, it’s likely their blue line. Adding a reliable puck mover, like Hamhuis, would go a long way in advancing the cause.

Potential trade chips: Madison Bowey, Jakub Vrana, Connor Carrick, Nate Schmidt, first round pick, second round pick

Whether it’s due to the tough division they play in or their youth as whole, the Stars are one of the more overlooked teams in the conversation about top-end contenders. Really, all they need is to shore up that blue line and they’ve as good a shot as any team in the league.

Potential trade chips: Julius Honka, Radek Faksa, Jason Dickinson, Brett Ritchie, Roope Hintz, Denis Guryanov, first round pick, second round pick, Jack Campbell

The Kings have made quick work to get rid of the stench of last season. They’re right at the top of the NHL standings and looking every bit the role of contender that we’re used to seeing him as. One area of concern for the Kings might be their blue line. They’ve just recently waived Christian Ehrhoff, which certainly doesn’t help the cause.

Potential trade chips: Spencer Watson, Kevin Gravel, Adrian Kempe, Valentine Zykov, Alexander Dergachyov, second round pick

A puck-moving defenceman has been on the Penguins wishlist for pretty much the entire season. Adding Trevor Daley helps, but that’s a bit of a band-aid solution if we’re being entirely honest. Adding a player like Hamhuis makes the entire group better as a whole, as it moves players into roles more closely aligned with their ability.

Potential trade chips: Matt Murray, Tristan Jarry, Sergei Plotnikov, Scott Wilson, Connor Sheary, second round pick

The Panthers are my wildcard pick of the group. The Panthers are, by all accounts, looking to add strength on the wing. I have a hard time seeing them as averse to the addition of a defender, though. Pretty much anything that can limit the minutes Erik Gudbranson and Willie Mitchell are playing is a win.

Potential trade chips: Samuel Montembeault, Logan Shaw, Connor Brickley, Rocco Grimaldi, Ian McCoshen, second round pick