As the NHL trade deadline approaches, there are several teams that players could be interested in joining. These teams top the league and are destinations for veterans on struggling teams, looking to have a solid run at the Stanley Cup this year.

The teams listed here are solid contenders for the Stanley Cup, but also have assets at their disposal that allow them to entice weaker teams into trading for them.

Here are our top five destinations for veterans this NHL Trade Deadline!

The top destination for Veterans this NHL Trade deadline are the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs are currently top of the league with 84 points and a record of 40-11-4. Led by Mackinnon and Makar, the Avalanche are looking to add to their strong roster.

The Avalanche are also the only team in the West on this list.

Though they do not have their first or second round pick for the 2022 NHL Draft, they do have assets to trade in Tyson Jost, and Justin Barron, that could be sent to a team like the Flyers for a veteran like Claude Grioux.

The second team on our list here is the Florida Panthers. The panthers are currently third in the league with 77 points. With a record of 36-13-5, they have impressed many and have shown that they can revitalize careers like they did with Sam Bennett, and Sam Reinhart.

The panthers are currently not in possession of their first or second round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft either, however they do have Owen Tippett as a prospect that could be used to snatch a solid roster player from a selling team.

The Carolina Hurricanes could also be a great destination for a player to go to this trade deadline. Sitting currently in second place in the league with 79 points and a record of 37-12-5, the Canes want to add to their already deep roster.

For tradable assets, the Carolina Hurricanes are not in possession of their first round pick, as they provided that to Montreal for the Jesperi Kotaniemi offer sheet. However they do have their second round pick, and Ryan Suzuki, which could be an interesting look for selling teams.

The fourth team on this list are the defending two time Stanley Cup champions. Famously making moves at the trade deadline, it is no surprise that Tampa Bay are in the hunt to add more players to their roster.

The Bolts are currently 4th in the league with 76 points and a record of 35-12-6. In terms of their roster they have a plethora of depth and superstars on this team that know how to win, and want more silverware.

For tradable assets, the Bolts are in possession of their 2022 first round pick.

The final team on this list are the New York Rangers. The Rangers are the lowest team in the standings on this list (at the time of posting) at seventh in the league, but still are a solid team with 73 points and a record of 34-14-5.

In terms of tradable assets, the Rangers definatly have the most to offer on this list, with their first round pick, their second round pick, and St Louis’ second round pick, in this year’s NHL Draft.

The Rangers also have a young superstar goalie in the making on the bench in Alexandar Georgiev, who would be a great pick up for a rebuilding team looking for a goalie to develop and grow.

That is our list of the top five trade deadline destinations for players this season! All of these teams have the potential to make a solid run at the Stanley Cup, and are likely buyers come trade deadline.

Click here to read our list of trade deadline storylines this season!