Rumor: Stanley Cup Champion winning D-man hits the trade market!

The American Thanksgiving weekend is an important mark in the National Hockey League, as teams hit the 20-25-game market and start to realize what they truly need to add to their roster before the Trade Deadline. 

Now, the Arizona Coyotes already know the postseason is yet again out of reach. But GM John Chayka may be considering a rebuild plan around star defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and might have decided to place an important player on the market to get prospects and picks in return. 

According to Elliotte Friedman, Stanley Cup winning defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is expected to be used as trade bait on the market before the deadline. 

If Chayka is telling the truth about OEL being an untouchable, Hjalmarsson could be a very valuable trade chip for the Coyotes. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals are all said to be eying the market for help on the blue line. 

Hjalmarsson becomes a very interesting option for a boost on the back end, and could generate a bidding war that would allow the Coyotes to build a better future.