NHL · 2 hours ago

NHL Trade Deadline: 10 Stars Likely On The Move To Track Now

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

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

While Artemi Panarin is the premier rental, 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 didn’t just disappear. 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!
NHL Trade Candidates
The NHL hits pause today at 3:00 p.m. ET for the Olympic roster freeze, but the trade chatter isn't slowing down.

With rosters locked until February 22, contenders have a shrinking window to upgrade their lineups before the final push to the March 6 deadline. From pending UFAs to blockbuster candidates, here are 10 players most likely to be on the move →
1. Artemi Panarin (LW, New York Rangers)
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 (57 points in 52 games). 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)
As the Flames continue to dismantle their roster and move key pieces, Nazem Kadri remains the team's most valuable asset. A capable scorer with an edge, Kadri is a tailor-made playoff addition. While the veteran has term remaining on his contract, Kadri offers the exact brand of "battle-tested" center depth that teams crave for a deep Cup run.
3. Steven Stamkos (C/LW, Nashville Predators)
Barry Trotz’s decision to step down as Predators GM signals a significant transition in Nashville, casting even greater uncertainty over the future of Steven Stamkos. Although he holds a full no-movement clause, reports suggest the veteran sniper may be willing to waive it for one last chase at a Cup. Stamkos isn't the dominant force he was in his prime, but he has already matched his goal total from all of last season (27), and his one-timer remains a lethal weapon on the power play.
4. Vincent Trocheck (C, New York Rangers)
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)
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)
Perhaps sparked by the swirling trade rumors, Dougie Hamilton has turned his season around, racking up points in ten of his past 11 games. The 32-year-old has re-established himself as a prime target for contenders needing a quarterback for their power play. However, executing the deal will be challenging given the significant amount remaining on his contract.
7. Jordan Kyrou (RW, St. Louis Blues)
The Blues are in deep sell-off mode, and Jordan Kyrou is their most intriguing asset. Though he is having a down year, Kyrou remains a dynamic offensive talent. At 27, he is young enough to fit a retooling team’s timeline yet skilled enough to help a contender immediately. St. Louis appears ready to move on from his heavy contract as the franchise shifts toward a long-term rebuild.
8. Ryan O'Reilly (C, Nashville Predators)
Much like his teammate Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly is a prime trade candidate if the Predators decide to sell. The veteran is averaging nearly a point per game and remains one of the league's best defensive forwards and faceoff men. Contenders likely view him as the ideal "final piece" for a shutdown role or middle-six stability, similar to his impact on the 2019 Blues.
9. Elias Pettersson (C, Vancouver Canucks)
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)
With Calgary selling, Blake Coleman is the quintessential deadline pickup. The 34-year-old is a versatile, high-energy forward with two Stanley Cup rings who excels on the penalty kill. He's precisely the type of "glue guy" that contenders overpay for at the deadline to shore up their third line.
Which Trade Would Shake Up the League Most?
The Answer: Elias Pettersson

While Artemi Panarin is the premier rental, 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 didn’t just disappear. 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!
NHL Trade Candidates
The NHL hits pause today at 3:00 p.m. ET for the Olympic roster freeze, but the trade chatter isn't slowing down.

With rosters locked until February 22, contenders have a shrinking window to upgrade their lineups before the final push to the March 6 deadline. From pending UFAs to blockbuster candidates, here are 10 players most likely to be on the move →

NHL Trade Deadline: 10 Stars Likely On The Move To Track Now

The Answer: Elias Pettersson

The Answer: Elias Pettersson

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