TSN releases first trade bait rankings of season, Savard among most intriguing options

With the NHL Trade Deadline looming just six weeks away, TSN analyst Frank Seravalli released the first trade bait rankings of the season. Among the most intriguing options is Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard, as he could be seen as the missing piece of a contending team's roster.

Savard is one of four defensemen that make up the top four spots on the list. The 30-year-old defenseman trails just Nashville Predators' Mattias Ekholm in the rankings, and is followed by New York Rangers Tony Deangelo and Buffalo Sabres Brandon Montour. Savard made life tough versus the Toronto Maple Leafs last August in the playoffs, and he plays key minutes in games that mean the most.

He will be in high demand around the league, and the only one that could possibly stop a trade from going through would be Blue Jackets' GM Jarmo Kekalainen. Columbus has been disappointing so far, and it is likely that the team could be in selling mode come the deadline.

The TSN Trade Bait board is determined by the players' prominence and the likelihood of a deal. The full list can be seen below:

1. Mattias Ekholm, NSH, LD

2. David Savard, CBJ, RD

3. Tony Deangelo, NYR, RD

4. Brandon Montour, BUF, RD

5. Taylor Hall, BUF, LW

6. Mikael Granlund, NSH, C

7. Bobby Ryan, DET, RW

8. Jake Virtanen, VAN, RW

9. Sam Bennett, CGY, C

10. Tanner Pearson, VAN, LW

11. Luke Glendening, DET, C

12. Vince Dunn, STL, LD

13. Eric Staal, BUF, C

14. Marc Staal, DET, LD

15. Ryan Dzingel, OTT, LW

Source: TSN

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