from Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic,

As the 2019 trade deadline draws ever close, that may be the most overlooked part of the entire free-for-all – how prices can vary from year to year, depending upon the supply and demand of rentals. In years when the supply exceeds the demand, prices tend to drop. In years when the demand exceeds the supply, teams usually need to pay a premium to get the players they target.

What’s complicating matters this year is that teams are still trying to sort out the marketplace, which at the moment remains dense, murky and wildly intriguing.

Rarely has there been a season in which three A-level position players – Artemi Panarin of the Columbus Blue Jackets; along with Mark Stone and Matt Duchene of the Ottawa Senators – are all on expiring contracts and thus could be on the move. Panarin’s availability most closely resembles that of Marian Hossa’s 11 years ago, when Hossa was with Atlanta and the Thrashers were shopping him around the league, demanding a pile of futures in return.

much more, well worth the read and/or an Athletic subscription...