Who are the best available candidates for contenders to target in trades before the March 1 deadline? We present THN’s top 30.

The best commodities to seek out at the trade deadline are (a) skilled; (b) known or rumored to be available based on their teams’ situations; and (c) not anchored by massive remaining contract term. Our top 30 candidates approaching March 1 mostly meet those criteria, minus a few noteworthy names in Colorado who have plenty of years left on their deals but are worth pursuing nonetheless.

1. KEVIN SHATTENKIRK, D, BLUES (TRADED TO CAPITALS Feb. 27)

2. MATT DUCHENE, C, AVALANCHE

The Avs must start over. Duchene is still in the middle of his prime at 26, but Colorado might need five years to become competitive again. He can play center or wing on a scoring line and possesses game-changing speed.

Contract: $6-million cap hit through 2018-19

Best fits: Predators, Hurricanes, Canadiens

3. BEN BISHOP, G, LIGHTNING (TRADED TO KINGS Feb. 26)

4. GABRIEL LANDESKOG, LW, AVALANCHE

He was the youngest full-time captain in NHL history before Connor McDavid beat the record. Landeskog combines scoring touch with physicality. He hasn’t quite realized the potential that made him 2011’s No. 2 overall pick, though.

Contract: $5.57-million cap hit through 2020-21

Best fits: Bruins, Senators, Hurricanes, Kings

5. MARTIN HANZAL, C, COYOTES (TRADED TO WILD Feb. 26)

6. MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, G, PENGUINS

Fleury’s no-movement clause means he must be protected in expansion draft. As long as he remains a Penguin, he’s a threat to force Matt Murray out of Pittsburgh. ‘Flower’ is a must-trade commodity. That hurts GM Jim Rutherford’s leverage and should drop Fleury’s price.

Contract: $5.75-million cap hit through 2018-19

Best fits: Stars, Flyers, Flames

7. PATRICK SHARP, LW, STARS

Three Stanley Cup rings. Big games don’t faze him. Still enough goals in his stick to play in a team’s top nine at 35 years old. Will playing through injuries stop any teams from chasing him?

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Blackhawks, Canadiens, Senators

8. JAROSLAV HALAK, G, ISLANDERS

Ripping up the AHL as he awaits a trade. Has proven in past he can steal a playoff series when hot.

Contract: $4.5-million cap hit through 2017-18

Best fits: Flyers, Stars, Flames

9. THOMAS VANEK, LW, RED WINGS

Numbers look great on paper in his contract year. Vanek has burned teams in past as a trade-deadline buy, however, by disappearing in the post-season.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Kings, Blackhawks, Senators

10. PATRIK BERGLUND, C, BLUES (RE-SIGNED WITH BLUES Feb. 24)

11. JANNIK HANSEN, RW, CANUCKS (TRADED TO SHARKS Feb. 28)

12. RADIM VRBATA, RW, COYOTES

Enjoying a resurgent season in the desert at 35. Can help a contender’s second line and power play.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Kings, Blackhawks, Senators

13. MICHAEL STONE, D, COYOTES (TRADED TO FLAMES Feb. 20)

14. JOHNNY ODUYA, D, STARS (TRADED TO BLACKHAWKS Feb. 28)

15. BRENDAN SMITH, D, RED WINGS (TRADED TO RANGERS Feb. 28)

16. MARK STREIT, D, FLYERS

Ice time way down as he pushes 40. Teams still covet the power-play ability he brings, though. He’ll draw interest.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Islanders, Bruins

17. DMITRY KULIKOV, D, SABRES

Hard to believe he’s still just 26. Not finished as a useful minutes eater and shot blocker despite horrid numbers with Sabres this year.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Bruins, Jets

18. JAROMIR JAGR, RW, PANTHERS

The Panthers may hold No. 68 if they get back into the Atlantic race now that they’re healthy. Otherwise, he’ll find a new home on someone’s scoring lines.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: None. The Panthers have re-emerged as a playoff threat in the East and likely won't break up their first line.

19. EVANDER KANE, LW, SABRES

A boom-bust acquisition. Could disrupt team chemistry or could be a heart-and-soul playoff warrior. Has been plenty good for Buffalo this season. If Sabres deal him they may need to retain some salary.

Contract: $5.25-million cap hit through 2017-18

Best fits: Ducks, Kings, Wild

20. BRIAN BOYLE, C, LIGHTNING (TRADED TO MAPLE LEAFS Feb. 27)

21. PATRICK EAVES, RW, STARS (TRADED TO DUCKS Feb. 24)

22. P-A PARENTEAU, RW, DEVILS

Can score a little bit. Underrated possession force. Not a sexy addition but could be a quietly effective one.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Kings, Senators, Oilers

23. ALEXANDRE BURROWS, RW, CANUCKS (TRADED TO SENATORS Feb. 27)

24. JAY MCCLEMENT, C, HURRICANES

Has been one of the NHL’s best penalty-killing forwards for a while now. A target for anyone seeking a specialist.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Oilers, Blackhawks, Islanders

25. RON HAINSEY, D, HURRICANES (TRADED TO PENGUINS Feb. 23)

26. DEVANTE SMITH-PELLY, RW, DEVILS

He’s a bulldozer in the corners, and he’s shown post-season streakiness in the past. A decent lottery ticket.

Contract: $1.3-million cap hit through 2017-18

Best fits: Capitals, Flyers

27. DREW STAFFORD, RW, JETS

Respectable stopgap for a team dealing with injuries among its scoring-line wingers.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Senators, Oilers, Kings

28. JAROME IGINLA, RW, AVALANCHE

More of a cute, cuddly story than a legit trade target at this stage of his career. Would at least be a wise, respected voice in a new team’s room, however.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Kings, Capitals, Oilers

29. SHANE DOAN, RW, COYOTES

See No. 28.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Kings, Oilers

30. KYLE QUINCEY, D, DEVILS

Doesn't do any one thing particularly well, but he's a decent minutes eater and good depth add to provide injury insurance.

Contract: unrestricted free agent in 2017

Best fits: Bruins, Penguins