NHL · 11 hours ago

NHL Trade Deadline: 15 Stars Likely On The Move To Track Now

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

Which Trade Would Shake Up the League Most?
The Answer: Elias Pettersson

A trade involving Elias Pettersson would be a seismic event. It is incredibly rare for a 27-year-old franchise center to hit the market with long-term control. While Pettersson's game has seemingly stagnated on the West Coast, the elite talent that once produced 102 points hasn’t disappeared. He is the ultimate "change of scenery" candidate, a superstar who needs a fresh environment to unlock his ceiling again. If a buyer can reignite that spark, they aren't just renting a player; they are acquiring a cornerstone for the next decade.

Which trade do you believe would make the biggest impact? We'd love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments!

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
NHL Trade Candidates
With the Olympics in the rearview mirror and the roster freeze officially lifted, the NHL trade market is back open for business. Contenders now have a rapidly shrinking window to upgrade their lineups ahead of the March 6 deadline.

From pending UFAs to blockbuster candidates, here are 15 players most likely to be on the move:

Note: This is a continuation of our original article. Players who have been dealt have been updated accordingly.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
TRADED: 1. Artemi Panarin (LW, New York Rangers)
UPDATE: Artemi Panarin was traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Liam Greentree and two conditional draft picks.

2025-26 Stats: 52 GP | 19 G | 38 A | 57 P

This is more a matter of when, not if. With the Rangers pivoting to a retool and GM Chris Drury having no plans to re-sign the pending unrestricted free agent, Artemi Panarin has become "pure catnip" for contenders. The situation has reached a breaking point, with New York holding Panarin out of the lineup for asset protection purposes until a deal is finalized. Despite the Rangers' struggles, Panarin has produced at better than a point-per-game pace. He's the rare rental who would instantly transform a buyer’s top line into a championship-caliber unit.
2. Nazem Kadri (C, Calgary Flames)
2025-26 Stats: 56 GP | 10 G | 29 A | 39 P

As Calgary orchestrates a structural teardown, Nazem Kadri stands as the premier center available with long-term cost certainty. The Detroit Red Wings are reportedly a highly motivated suitor, seeking Kadri's Stanley Cup pedigree and high-leverage experience, potentially in a massive package deal alongside defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.
3. Steven Stamkos (C/LW, Nashville Predators)
2025-26 Stats: 57 GP | 28 G | 16 A | 44 P

Following GM Barry Trotz's retirement and the Predators' disappointing season, Steven Stamkos may waive his full no-movement clause to chase another Cup. Having already topped last year's goal total, Stamkos remains an elite power-play specialist, though any trade will likely require Nashville or a third party to retain a significant portion of his $8 million cap hit.
4. Vincent Trocheck (C, New York Rangers)
2025-26 Stats: 43 GP | 12 G | 24 A | 36 P

Vincent Trocheck is another potential casualty of the Rangers’ lost season. Moving him is complicated by his long-term contract, but his value is undeniable. Between his two-way responsibility and dominance in the faceoff circle, Trocheck represents a massive upgrade down the middle for any contender with the cap space to make it work.
5. Evander Kane (LW, Vancouver Canucks)
2025-26 Stats: 56 GP | 9 G | 16 A | 25 P

With Vancouver in full rebuild mode, pending UFA Evander Kane is a logical candidate to be moved. While he remains a polarizing figure, playoff teams are historically willing to pay a premium for a power forward who can score when the checking gets tight in the postseason.
6. Dougie Hamilton (D, New Jersey Devils)
2025-26 Stats: 52 GP | 7 G | 14 A | 21 P

Perhaps sparked by the swirling trade rumors, Dougie Hamilton has turned his season around, racking up points in ten of his past 13 games. The 32-year-old has re-established himself as a prime target for contenders needing a quarterback for their power play. However, executing a deal will be tricky given the significant amount of money still owed on his contract.
7. Jordan Kyrou (RW, St. Louis Blues)
2025-26 Stats: 47 GP | 13 G | 19 A | 32 P

The Blues are in deep sell-off mode, and Jordan Kyrou is their most intriguing asset. Bound by an $8.13 million AAV and a full no-trade clause, Kyrou holds absolute leverage but is reportedly willing to waive it for the right team, with the Canadiens, Kraken, and Islanders emerging as potential suitors.
8. Ryan O'Reilly (C, Nashville Predators)
Ryan O'Reilly remains the quintessential two-way deadline acquisition, maintaining nearly a point-per-game average while excelling defensively. O'Reilly's digestible $4.5 million AAV makes him an ideal middle-six target for contenders like the Colorado Avalanche, helping Nashville untangle its costly veteran core.
9. Elias Pettersson (C, Vancouver Canucks)
2025-26 Stats: 49 GP | 13 G | 21 A | 34 P

Elias Pettersson has struggled to live up to his massive contract, and reports suggest Vancouver is finally listening to offers for the 27-year-old center. While a blockbuster of this magnitude is notoriously tricky to execute in-season, the Canucks appear serious about a major reset, putting their franchise cornerstone squarely in play.
10. Blake Coleman (LW/RW, Calgary Flames)
2025-26 Stats: 44 GP | 13 G | 8 A | 21 P

Blake Coleman is the quintessential depth addition, offering relentless energy, elite penalty-killing, and two Stanley Cup rings. As Calgary sells, the 34-year-old is highly coveted by contenders willing to pay a premium for a proven, versatile "glue guy" who thrives in the high-attrition playoff environment.
11. Robert Thomas (C, St. Louis Blues)
2025-26 Stats: 42 GP | 11 G | 22 A | 33 P

St. Louis's toxic environment also has Robert Thomas on the block. However, like his teammate Jordan Kyrou, Thomas holds a full no-trade clause and carries an $8.125 million AAV. The Philadelphia Flyers have emerged as a highly motivated suitor to stabilize their top line, assuming Thomas signs off on a deal.
12. Rasmus Ristolainen (D, Philadelphia Flyers)
2025-26 Stats: 19 GP | 1 G | 5 A | 6 P

Following a dominant Olympic showing, Rasmus Ristolainen is drawing significant interest from teams like the Oilers and Bruins. Between the 31-year-old's elite physical metrics and a reasonable $5.1 million cap hit, Philadelphia is seeking a premium return.
13. Bobby McMann (LW, Toronto Maple Leafs)
2025-26 Stats: 56 GP | 19 G | 13 A | 32 P

A pending UFA enjoying a career year, Bobby McMann is Toronto's most sought-after asset due to his elite speed, physical forechecking (126 hits), and scoring touch. Contenders like the Oilers and Wild are heavily engaged, though the Maple Leafs are seeking a first-round pick or exploring an extension.
14. MacKenzie Weegar (D, Calgary Flames)
2025-26 Stats: 56 GP | 3 G | 17 A | 20 P

Weegar remains a foundational, heavy-minute defenseman despite his production dipping amid Calgary's struggles. Carrying a $6.25 million AAV and a full no-trade clause through 2026-27, the Ottawa native is a prime fallback option for teams missing out on Rasmus Ristolainen, drawing heavy interest from the Senators and Red Wings.
15. Braden Schneider (D, New York Rangers)
2025-26 Stats: 57 GP | 2 G | 9 A | 11 P

A 24-year-old right-shot defenseman and pending RFA, Braden Schneider is a prime trade chip in New York's rapid retool. Schneider's blend of youth, defensive proficiency, and cost control is drawing aggressive inquiries from the Sharks, Blackhawks, and Lightning, who view him as a long-term foundational piece.
Which Trade Would Shake Up the League Most?
The Answer: Elias Pettersson

A trade involving Elias Pettersson would be a seismic event. It is incredibly rare for a 27-year-old franchise center to hit the market with long-term control. While Pettersson's game has seemingly stagnated on the West Coast, the elite talent that once produced 102 points hasn’t disappeared. He is the ultimate "change of scenery" candidate, a superstar who needs a fresh environment to unlock his ceiling again. If a buyer can reignite that spark, they aren't just renting a player; they are acquiring a cornerstone for the next decade.

Which trade do you believe would make the biggest impact? We'd love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments!

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
NHL Trade Candidates
With the Olympics in the rearview mirror and the roster freeze officially lifted, the NHL trade market is back open for business. Contenders now have a rapidly shrinking window to upgrade their lineups ahead of the March 6 deadline.

From pending UFAs to blockbuster candidates, here are 15 players most likely to be on the move:

Note: This is a continuation of our original article. Players who have been dealt have been updated accordingly.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

NHL Trade Deadline: 15 Stars Likely On The Move To Track Now

The Answer: Elias Pettersson

The Answer: Elias Pettersson

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