About a month into the end of the season is far too early to decide who and who isn’t going to be in the playoffs this year. Teams like the Anaheim Ducks were floundering just a couple weeks ago, but are now showing signs of new life. With that being said, teams that were expected to struggle this season are doing just that, and it may be time for them to start selling some of their older assets.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs have their new coach of the future in Mike Babcock. He cannot, however, perform miracles and this season is lost. It will take time for Babcock to fully implement his system into a new team. He also hasn't had much time to go out and grab the personnel with the talent needed to succeed in his system. The team only has two wins in the 14 games they have played so far and has given up 16 more goals than they have scored.

They have some big names they could give up. Their top line defenseman Dion Phaneuf is off to a good start and is leading the team in assists. He is in his prime at the age of 30 and could definitely have a hefty price on the market. James Reimer has also gotten off to a quick start, grabbing the starting gig from Jonathan Bernier. His 2.57 GAA and .913 SV% are even more impressive when considering the defense he is playing behind has been awful. The Calgary Flames need a goaltender, and could give up a huge reward for Reimer’s services.  

Columbus Blue Jackets

While new coach John Tortorella has improved the team, he took over a team that had not won a game. The eight game losing streak pretty much ruined the Blue Jackets season before it even began. Tortorella has managed to get four wins and repair a lot of the damage, but the blue Jackets just started out too far behind the eight ball.

The team has plenty of veteran talent they could get some return for. Sergei Bobrovsky is a former Vezina winner, and the price for his caliber of talent is extremely high. Scott Hartnell has a terrible contract, but he has proven he is a top 6 forward and a team with some cap room may decide to pick him up. Jack Johnson has been playing on the top line in Columbus, and is a dynamic offensive minded defenseman. He could get quite a few suitors on the open market given his ability to contribute offensively.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers playoffs hopes took a nosedive when it was found out that Connor McDavid was going to miss months due to a shoulder injury. This year’s first round pick was playing on the top line for the Oilers. He was a key contributor too, scoring five goals and 12 points in the 13 games he has played. Taylor Hall was sensational playing with him, and it is clear they have chemistry moving forward.

With that being said, they have a log jam at the forward position. Jordan Eberle is set to make six million this year, but will he be a top line forward when McDavid returns? He has reached the 60 point plateau in each of the last four seasons except for the lockout shortened one. His value has to be sky high considering there isn’t many 25 year old top liners on the open market. By giving him up, the team could finally get the starting goaltender they have been craving for.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have been in a perpetual state of rebuild ever since they won the Stanley Cup back in 2005-2006. Captain Eric Staal has found success since then, but the team has just failed to find the players to surround him with. The team is giving up almost three goals a game this year, and the defense has been what has let them down in previous years.

Jeff Skinner was supposed to be Stalls left hand man, but he has struggled since him impressive rookie season. Since then, he has only hit the 50 point plateau once and has really fallen off the radar. Some team though will take a chance on a 23 year old with lots of experience and talent.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are another team that has been in a perpetual state of rebuild in recent years. They picked up Jack Eichel in the draft this year, and seem to be on the right track for recovery. The team also has talented young players in Tyler Ennis and Sam Reinhart that are just beginning to tap into their potential. More young players to build around the young core they are building would be advantageous.

The easiest player they could get rid of with some talent is Ryan O’Reilly. O’Reilly was a top liner with Colorado, and he has been a PPG player with Buffalo so far this season. Plenty of teams could use a top liner, and O’Reilly fits the bill. Evander Kane is a former 30 goal scorer, but has been a bust so far this year with the Sabres. There might be some value left for him from a team that still thinks they can restore him to his former glories.