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As the NHL trade deadline fades into the rearview mirror, teams around the league are adjusting, and some players find themselves on precarious ground. While some veterans were dealt to contenders, others remained with their teams despite swirling trade rumors. For these players, affectionately nicknamed “bears on thin ice,” the uncertainty could mean struggles with their roles, diminishing value, or career pivots in the coming months.

Here’s a look at four players who are on thin ice post-trade deadline, facing heightened scrutiny, possible benching, or even risk of being released. Could this be the beginning of the end for these players’ tenures with their current teams?

1. Jonathan Toews – Chicago Blackhawks

A Chicago legend, Jonathan Toews has given the Blackhawks fans moments to remember for life, including three Stanley Cups. However, post-deadline, questions have arisen regarding his future in Chicago. With a high cap hit and diminishing performance stats, the Blackhawks’ management might need to consider their post-Toews era. His slower production, combined with the team’s focus on rebuilding, has placed him in an uncomfortable spot. Rumors of possible retirement or trade continue to swirl, and while he remains a fan favorite, his future with Chicago is in limbo. Could the Blackhawks risk losing one of their most beloved players for the sake of a rebuild?

2. Phil Kessel – Arizona Coyotes

Phil Kessel’s time in Arizona has been enigmatic, to say the least. Known for his offensive flair, Kessel has faced scrutiny due to his inconsistency with the Coyotes, especially when the team needed him most. With the Coyotes’ playoff hopes waning, keeping Kessel around comes off as more of a drain than a benefit, as his current production doesn’t justify his salary. Kessel’s untradeable contract and Arizona’s reluctance to commit to long-term deals post-deadline may signal that his days in the desert are numbered. His future performance could spell the difference between staying on a dwindling team or being moved for a fresh start elsewhere.

 3. Jeff Skinner – Buffalo Sabres

The Jeff Skinner situation in Buffalo has been polarizing from the start. He once seemed like a cornerstone for the Sabres, but with time, his output has trailed off considerably. While the Sabres resisted trading him, his hefty contract is fast becoming a burden on a team struggling to find its footing. Post-deadline, Skinner remains on Buffalo’s roster, but for how long? This is a player on the verge of losing his place, facing benching, or even becoming a buyout candidate in the offseason. His contract continues to tie up valuable cap space, leaving Buffalo fans questioning if his past production was ever worth the investment.

4. Erik Karlsson – San Jose Sharks

One of the most talented defensemen in recent memory, Erik Karlsson’s tenure with the Sharks has not lived up to the initial expectations. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued his performance, and with the Sharks in need of a reset, Karlsson’s position on the team appears shaky. Despite staying put past the trade deadline, whispers of a possible offseason move grow louder as Karlsson’s massive contract and cap hit drain San Jose’s flexibility. Could the Sharks pull the plug on their Karlsson investment, opting for fresh talent?

Conclusion

While these players have been invaluable to their teams in the past, the NHL’s business reality means that loyalty isn’t always rewarded. Aging players with hefty contracts and diminishing returns are often the first to face the axe when teams hit the reset button or shift their focus. For Toews, Kessel, Skinner, and Karlsson, the post-deadline NHL landscape is uncertain.

Their teams, and perhaps their fans, may need to confront the possibility of saying goodbye. As playoff pictures form and offseason strategizing begins, only time will tell which of these bears break through the ice and which slip beneath it in search of new opportunities.

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