While the NHL trade deadline is not until March 7th, more trades will go down earlier this season. These two weeks pause for the 4 nations tournament is a great opportunity for NHL General Managers to make moves. Here are the players I can see being moved in the coming weeks. The players are ranked by position and trade value:
Forwards
Elias Pettersson ($11Million AAV/UFA 2032) VAN
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: NYI, BUF, MIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 20%
Even though Vancouver traded JT Miller to the Rangers I do not think Pettersson is in the clear yet. The former 100-point scorer has struggled since signing his new contract last season. The Canucks have until July to trade the former 5th overall pick as his No-Move claws kick in. Even with his struggles I think the Canucks would get a lot back in a Pettersson deal. I can also see them holding onto him for their playoff push, but if they plan to trade him now is the time to do so. The Canucks lose a lot of leverage if they wait until the off-season.
Mikko Rantanen ($4.63 Million AAV/UFA 2025) CAR
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VAN, WSH, VGS
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 35%
Even though the Hurricanes just got him, there is some thought that Rantanen might be flipped to another team. If the star power-forward will not sign an extension by the trade deadline, maybe Caralina would rather get something for him then lose him for nothing. They also have the option to hold onto him for the playoffs to give themselves the best chance at winning the Stanley Cup this spring.
Brock Boeser ($6.650 Million AAV/UFA 2025) VAN
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: WAS, FLA, NJD
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 35%
With the Canucks battling for a wildcard spot there is some debate on what they are going to do with pending free agent Brock Boeser. Given the Canucks President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin’s history as being a part of management with the Canucks and Penguins I lean towards expecting them to keep him. However, if they know they are not going to keep him and they are getting good offers I do not think taking a deal is out of the question.
Brad Marchand ($6.13 Million AAV/UFA 2025) BOS
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VGS, FLA, MIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 30%
With the Bruins on the outside looking in on a wildcard spot, General Manager Don Sweeney might look to ship off some of the teams pending unrestricted free agents. This includes captain Brad Marchand who has been the heart and sole of the team for years. Given that they are out of a playoff spot and the state of the franchise long term if they are unable to extend him by the trade deadline it makes a lot of sense to trade him.
Brock Nelson ($6 Million AAV/UFA 2025) NYI
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: WIN, COL, MIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 35%
This year there is a big market for top 6 centers, and Nelson is arguably the best one other than Pettersson who is not as easy to acquire because of his big contract and high trade value. Recently, the reports claimed the Islanders and Nelson are working on an extension. However, if the Islanders are unable to come to terms with him, given the fact that they are 4 points out of a wildcard spot and the state of their franchise long term it can make a lot of sense to move on from him.
Dylan Cozens ($7.1 Million AAV/UFA 2030) BUF
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VAN, SEA, UHC
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 35%
Since Cozens broke out in the 2022-23 season with 68 points and signed his big contract, he has failed to put up the same type of production. Sabers GM Kevyn Adams has seemed to run out of patients for the former 7th overall pick. Earlier this year it was reported two thirds of the NHL has inquired on the former 30 goal scorer. Buffalo is unlikely to trade Cozens for future assets and will want a return that improves the roster in the immediate future. Due to Cozens’ young age and potential there is a big market out there for him.
Rickard Rakell ($5 Million AAV/UFA 2028) PIT
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VAN, CAR, WIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 20%
With the Penguins looking like they are going to miss the playoffs for a third season in a row, they might finally start retooling their roster. The Swedish winger has bounced back from last season, where he struggled to replicate his production in his first full season with the Pens. There are several factors holding the Penguins back from trading him. They might want to wait to rebuild until Crosby retires to do right by him, they might not get a good enough offer and Rakell’s partial no trade claws are all working against a potential Rakell deal.
Ryan O’Reilly ($4.5 Million AAV/UFA 2027) NSH
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: TOR, WIN, COL
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 70%
With the Predators failing to meet expectations this season, General Manager Barry Trotz will likely look to retool the roster this deadline. The 2019 Conn Smythe winner will draw a lot of interest because of his experience, leadership, and low cap hit.
Oliver Bjorkstrand ($5.4 Million AAV/UFA 2026) SEA
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: NJD, CAR, WIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 60%
For a second year in a row it looks like the Kraken will miss the playoffs. This deadline I expect the Kraken to trade multiple players including Oliver Bjorkstrand. Bjorkstrand is a productive top 6 forward that I can see bringing back some nice assets for Seattle.
Casey Mittelstadt ($5.75 Million AAV/UFA 2027) COL
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: NYI, NSH, VAN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 60%
Ever since Mittelstadt’s hot start to this season his production has slipped. With Colorado in win now mode it might make sense to trade him in a package for a more productive second line center.
Scott Laughton ($3 Million AAV/UFA 2026) PHI
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: TBL, TOR, NJD
Likelihood of trade happening this season:70%
Laughton’s team friendly contract helps inflate his deadline value as a great third line center. I can see him getting a lot of interest on the market this season.
Yanni Gourde ($5.17 Million AAV/UFA 2025) SEA
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: TBL, TOR, NJD
Likelihood of trade happening this season:85%
A lot of teams would love to add a depth center like Gourde. Unfortunately for Seattle, Gourde’s injury might tank his trade value. Gourde suffered an abdomen injury in a 4-3 loss against the Canucks on January 2nd. He is expected to come back sometime around the trade deadline.
Kyle Palmieri (5 Million AAV/UFA 2025) NYI
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: NJD, FLA, VGS
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 40%
If the Islanders trade Nelson, it makes a lot of sense to deal Palmieri as well who is also on an expiring contract.
Other notable players I can see getting traded before the deadline (in no order) :
Jesperi Kotkaniemi CAR
Trent Frederic BOS
Jordan Greenway BUF
Robby Fabbri ANA
Philipp Kurashev CHI
Ryan Donato CHI
Christian Dvorak MTL
Joel Armia MTL
Jake Evans MTL
Gustav Nyquist NSH
Ondrej Palat NJD
Erik Haula NJD
Anthony Beauvillier PIT
Michael Bunting PIT
Brandon Tanev SEA
Jaden Schwartz SEA
Eeli Tolvanen SEA
Alexey Toropchenko STL
Nicholas Robertson TOR
Nick Bjugstad UHC
Defense
Noah Dobson ($4 Million AAV/RFA 2025) NYI
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VAN, OTT, MTL
Likelihood of trade happening this season:15%
Dobson has had a very up and down season so far before. Throughout this season and his career there have been some defensive shortcomings in his game. There has been some speculation that the Islanders might offer up the right-shot defender for a first line forward. Dobson’s low cap hit for this season and his young age makes him appealing to a lot of teams.
Bowen Byram ($3.85 Million AAV/RFA 2025) BUF
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: CGY, NSH, PHI
Likelihood of trade happening this season:45%
Even though Byram has played well for the Sabers since being acquired last season, he is not a great fit for the team. Primarily because aside from Byram they have Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. All three defenseman shoot left, meaning one of them either have to play their offside or on the bottom pair. Like Dobson, the 23-year-old will draw a high amount of interest because of his low cap hit and young age.
Simon Nemec ($918K AAV/RFA 2026) NJD
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: NSH, VAN, SEA
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 60%
With Nemec recently voicing his frustration on not being in the NHL, I can envision the former 2nd overall pick being moved as soon as this season. While he has not asked to be traded yet, given the situation there is a good chance he eventually does. There are several Right-Shot defenders ahead of him on the depth chart. This includes stars Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce who are signed long term. Jonathan Kovacevic has broken out this season as a legit NHL defenseman, and while he is a pending unrestricted free agent there is some belief that the Devils might extend him. I would even put Seamus Casey ahead of him for his stellar play in the AHL this season. It is just hard to see a path for Nemec moving forwards with the Devils and I can see him being dealt this deadline for a good roster player to help the Devils with their push for a deep playoff run.
Jamie Oleksiak ($4.6 Million AAV/2026 UFA) SEA
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: FLA, MIN, WIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 60%
With the defenseman market being thinner this season than most I can see Oleksiak getting a good return. As a big, strong defenseman who is physical, blocks shots and thrives on the penalty kill, Oleksiak is a very useful player to have.
Ivan Provorov ($4.72 Million AAV/2025 UFA) CBJ
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: FLA, MIN, WIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 60%
The Blue Jackets are currently one point out of a playoff spot, and it is unclear if they will look to add for a playoff push or sell yet again this trade deadline. Provorov has had his ups and downs throughout his tenure with Columbus. I believe Provorov has more potential that is yet to be unlocked and can thrive with a new team.
Braun Dumoulin ($3.15 Million AAV/2025 UFA) ANA
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: TOR, COL, TBL
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 95%
Dumoulin is arguably the best right shot defenseman on the market other than Noah Dobson, who very well might not get traded. The pending free agent is a reliable veteran that can play on a contender’s bottom pair.
Ryan Lindgren ($4.5 Million AAV/UFA 2025) NYR
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: FLA, MIN, WIN
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 55%
Ryan Lindgren has been a reliable defensive defenseman for the Rangers for the past few years. However, this season the 27-year-old has struggled with consistency. With his contract expiring this July it feels like the writing is on the wall that he will no longer be a Ranger past this season. I can see the Rangers trading him this deadline for a roster player to help with their playoff push.
Other notable players I can see getting traded before the deadline (in no order) :
Alec Martinez CHI
Dante Fabbro CBJ
Mathew Dumba DAL
Jonathon Merrill MIN
David Savard MTL
Luke Schenn NSH
Rasmus Ristolainen PHI
Ian Cole UHC
Olli Maatta UHC
Goalie
John Gibson ($6.4 Million AAV/2027 UFA) ANA
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VGS, CAR, CBJ
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 40%
Gibson has been rumored to have been in trade discussions for years, but I think this might finally be the season that the veteran netminder gets dealt. His big contract complicates things, but I think because his term is down to three years, and he has been good this season a team might be willing to acquire him. If the Ducks are willing to retain part of his salary, I see a few teams being in on the Pittsburgh native.
Karel Vejmelka ($2.73 Million AAV/2025 UFA) UHC
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: VGS, CAR, OTT
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 90%
Vejmelka has been very solid for Utah this season. He is on an expiring contract and is likely on his way out via trade.
Anton Forsberg ($2.75 Million AAV/2025 UFA) OTT
Best Fits/Most Likely to be able to get a trade done: TBL, LAK, SEA
Likelihood of trade happening this season: 60%
Anton Forsberg has struggled the past couple of seasons. I can see the Senators wanting an upgrade for their backup role, especially with Linus Ullmark’s injury history.
