NHL · 1 hour ago

Ranking the Top 40 Premium NHL Trade Targets Likely to be Moved

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Which NHL Players are a Lock to be Dealt this Offseason?
Step into the Offseason Trade Debate Room

Our 40-man trade block is officially live, but in today's hard-cap reality, all it takes is one blockbuster phone call between general managers to completely rewrite the league's competitive hierarchy. Now it's your turn to step into the executive chair and call the shots.

The Maple Leafs Mega-Deal: Is trading Auston Matthews a complete fantasy, or should Toronto actually pull the trigger on a landscape-shifting move following their major front-office overhaul?

The Vancouver Crossroads: Is shipping out Elias Pettersson an absolute necessity for the Canucks to survive their cap crunch, or would trading a superstar-tier center haunt the franchise for the next decade?

The Blues' Liquidation Strategy: Should St. Louis flip Jordan Binnington immediately to maximize their draft capital return, or hold onto the veteran netminder until winter to spark a deadline bidding war?

The Ultimate Internet Meltdown: Which star on our 40-man master board would trigger the single biggest internet meltdown if they actually pack their bags before training camp opens?

Sound off in the comments with your hot takes! Which player did we rank way too high, who did we miss, and who is your dark-horse pick to get traded before the summer wraps up?
NHL Trade Target Rankings
Blockbuster Bait: Power Ranking the Top 40 NHL Trade Candidates

NHL general managers are officially locked in a high-stakes staring contest with their salary cap ledgers. Welcome to the dog days of the hard-cap offseason, where sentimentality gets thrown out the window, and front-office executives are forced to execute ruthless roster arithmetic before training camp doors swing open. In today's hyper-competitive league, allowing high-value stars to slide into unrestricted free agency for zero return isn't just a misstep; it's organizational suicide.

With opening night of the 2026-27 season rapidly approaching, front-office war rooms across North America are actively exploring major roster surgery. To deliver the definitive snapshot of the rumor mill, we’ve expanded and re-engineered our master tracker to feature 40 game-changing trade targets currently driving trade wire noise. From franchise pillars sitting at contract crossroads and 40-goal snipers hitting the block to former top-five picks desperately hunting for a fresh sheet of ice, the marketplace is bursting with blockbuster potential.

We filtered out the agent spin, audited every contract structure, and ran a full diagnostic sweep of the league's trade landscape. Cross-referencing real-time cap space, pressing lineup voids, and active front-office chatter, we’ve isolated the exact players most likely to swap sweaters before the first puck drops this autumn.

Boot up your cap spreadsheets, and let's dive straight into the 40 biggest NHL trade chips on the market right now.
40. Owen Tippett
Owen Tippett Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Philadelphia Flyers
The rumor mill is spinning fast around Philadelphia Flyers power winger Owen Tippett, with heavyweights like the Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Utah all showing interest. The 27-year-old is locked in long-term with a very digestible $6.2 million cap hit, making him a hot commodity across the league. While Philly is under no pressure to move their young forward without receiving an optimal return, any potential trade would require Tippett to clear his 10-team no-trade list.

2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 28 G, 23 A, 51 PTS, -6, 32 PIM, 16:50 TOI/G
39. Alex DeBrincat | Right Wing
Alex DeBrincat Player Profile
- Height: 5’8”
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Detroit Red Wings
Coming off an absolute monster season where he sniped 41 goals and racked up 85 points, Alex DeBrincat might seem like an untouchable core piece on paper. However, Steve Yzerman is never afraid to make bold moves if the price is right. With Detroit keeping its long-term options open, "The Cat" has surfaced as one of the most dynamic offensive trade chips on the market. The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils have reportedly reached out to gauge his availability, and the Red Wings appear very open to listening if a blockbuster offer hits the table.

2025-26 Stats: 82 GP, 41 G, 44 A, 85 PTS, +8, 19 PIM, 18:30 TOI/G
38. Brock Boeser
Brock Boeser Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Vancouver Canucks
After a decade of service in Vancouver, the Brock Boeser era with the Canucks looks like it might finally be reaching its conclusion. The veteran sniper holds a no-movement clause on the extension he inked last summer, meaning he’d have to green-light any deal, but Vancouver is eager to trim payroll and shedding his $7.3 million AAV is a top priority. Trade chatter has been building since last season's deadline, with the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets all surfacing as potential new homes for the gritty winger.

2025-26 Stats: 75 GP, 22 G, 26 A, 48 PTS, -48, 8 PIM, 19:03 TOI/G
37. Kent Johnson
Kent Johnson Player Profile
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
The honeymoon phase between the Columbus Blue Jackets and former 5th overall pick Kent Johnson appears to be hitting major turbulence after a frustrating 2025-26 campaign. Just one season removed from a breakout 24-goal, 57-point performance, the 23-year-old managed just 22 points this year. With both the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens reportedly circling around to gauge his availability, a change of scenery could be the exact reset both Johnson and the Jackets need.

2025-26 Stats: 76 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 PTS, -8, 20 PIM, 13:14 TOI/G
36. Danila Yurov | Right Wing
Danila Yurov Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Minnesota Wild
Minnesota has a very bright young talent in Danila Yurov, but Wild GM Bill Guerin has shown he’s more than willing to dangle high-upside youth if it means landing a proven, elite center. Yurov was previously linked to trade talks with St. Louis for Robert Thomas, and now his name is surfacing in blockbuster rumors with Detroit involving Dylan Larkin. At just 22 years old, Yurov possesses real top-six upside, making him a primary bargaining chip for Minnesota as they hunt for an established top-line pivot.

2025-26 Stats: 73 GP, 12 G, 15 A, 27 PTS, -7, 28 PIM, 13:17 TOI/G
35. Rickard Rakell
Rickard Rakell Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 191 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
As the Pittsburgh Penguins look to pivot toward a younger core, Rickard Rakell stands out as a prime candidate to be moved in their youth movement. The plucky forward is coming off a solidly productive campaign, and with two years remaining on his deal at a very stomachable $5 million cap hit, he’s an attractive option for potential suitors. Front offices in Ottawa, Montreal, and Tampa Bay have all emerged as logical landing spots to acquire his middle-six scoring punch.

2025-26 Stats: 60 GP, 24 G, 24 A, 48 PTS, -2, 8 PIM, 18:56 TOI/G
34. Jonathan Marchessault
Jonathan Marchessault Player Profile
- Height: 5’9”
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Nashville Predators
Despite holding a full no-movement clause, Jonathan Marchessault could be on the move as the Nashville Predators lean heavily into a full-scale youth movement. The veteran winger still brings plenty of competitive fire, but Music City is pivoting toward the future, meaning any trade package coming back for the former Conn Smythe winner would be built around draft picks and prospect capital to retool the roster.

2025-26 Stats: 62 GP, 12 G, 19 A, 31 PTS, -18, 30 PIM, 16:42 TOI/G
33. Arber Xhekaj | Defenseman
Arber Xhekaj Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 240 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Montreal Canadiens
The relationship between the Canadiens and fan-favorite enforcer Arber Xhekaj appears to be hitting a rough patch. "Wifi" remains an unsigned RFA, and seeing his ice time dip down to 11:25 per game under head coach Martin St. Louis suggests underlying tactical friction. While Montreal would prefer to retain their physical blue-liner, the ongoing contract stalemate is opening the door for rival clubs. The Philadelphia Flyers have already checked under the hood and would love to add Xhekaj's heavy-hitting presence to their backline.

2025-26 Stats: 65 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 PTS, -8, 116 PIM, 11:25 TOI/G
32. Frank Vatrano | Right Wing
Frank Vatrano Player Profile
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 206 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are looking to clear out cap space and streamline their forward group, which makes veteran Frank Vatrano a prime candidate for a change of scenery. While he’s coming off a quieter 9-point campaign, the 32-year-old winger’s track record as a physical, high-volume shooter makes him a very attractive target for teams seeking middle-six scoring depth. The New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks have both reportedly kicked the tires on acquiring the gritty veteran.

2025-26 Stats: 50 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS, -15, 40 PIM, 11:49 TOI/G
31. Braden Schneider | Defenseman
Braden Schneider Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 213 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: New York Rangers
New York's blue line got very crowded very fast after the front office brought in Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson. That sudden logjam makes Braden Schneider an obvious piece to move. The 24-year-old defenseman avoided arbitration by signing a tidy one-year deal, the exact type of contract that general managers love to acquire. With the Rangers desperately needing to bolster their middle-six forward punch, Schneider serves as a high-value trade chip to address their offensive needs.

2025-26 Stats: 82 GP, 2 G, 16 A, 18 PTS, -5, 26 PIM, 20:26 TOI/G
30. Matvei Michkov | Right Wing
Matvei Michkov Player Profile
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 172 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Here is where the trade tracker gets completely unhinged. Just one year after taking Philly by storm, Matvei Michkov hit a bit of a sophomore wall, seeing both his ice time and production slide downward while reportedly clashing with head coach Rick Tocchet. Trading a 21-year-old former 7th overall pick with game-breaking potential sounds crazy on paper, but the Flyers are officially open to listening to potential offers while the relationship remains rocky. If Philadelphia actually dangles him on the open market, expect an absolute feeding frenzy led by the Blackhawks, Red Wings, Blues, and Capitals.

2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 20 G, 31 A, 51 PTS, 0, 71 PIM, 14:50 TOI/G
29. Pavel Zacha | Center
Pavel Zacha Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 211 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Boston Bruins
Sell high, sell fast. Pavel Zacha is coming off an absolute dream season in Boston, smashing career highs with 30 goals and 65 points while proving he can hold his own as a top-six focal point. But with the 29-year-old center entering the final year of his contract next season, the Bruins know his trade value will simply never be higher than right now. Don Sweeney is dangling Zacha to the highest bidder, reportedly asking for a haul that includes a first-round pick. Keep an eye on Buffalo and the LA Kings as prime landing spots looking to add instant top-six firepower.

2025-26 Stats: 78 GP, 30 G, 35 A, 65 PTS, +4, 28 PIM, 16:50 TOI/G
28. Tomas Hertl | Center
Tomas Hertl Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Vegas Golden Knights
Fresh off another deep run to the Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights find themselves facing their annual offseason ritual: figuring out how to squeeze under the salary cap. That makes Tomas Hertl one of the most intriguing trade chips on the market. The 32-year-old veteran remains a highly productive middle-six presence, but carrying a $6 million AAV on a team tightening its financial belt makes him a prime candidate to be moved. If Vegas pulls the trigger, expect teams starving for proven, physical playoff center depth, like the Rangers, Wild, and Red Wings, to aggressively enter the mix.

2025-26 Stats: 82 GP, 24 G, 34 A, 58 PTS, -17, 39 PIM, 17:02 TOI/G
27. Jesperi Kotkaniemi | Center
Jesperi Kotkaniemi Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 203 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Remember when Carolina poached KK with that wild offer sheet back in the day? Yeah, those vibes have completely evaporated in Raleigh. The former 3rd overall pick has essentially become the forgotten man for the Canes, coming off a brutal 9-point campaign in just 42 games before spending the entire postseason watching from the press box. With four years still left on Jesperi Kotkaniemi's contract, a parting of the ways feels less like a rumor and more like an absolute guarantee. His trade value is at rock bottom, but a rebuilding club looking for a cheap buy-low reclamation project could gamble on his lingering draft pedigree.

2025-26 Stats: 42 GP, 2 G, 7 A, 9 PTS, +3, 8 PIM, 11:21 TOI/G
26. Mason Lohrei | Defenseman
Mason Lohrei Player Profile
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 218 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Boston Bruins
Boston's blue line is suddenly feeling pretty crowded, and that makes Mason Lohrei the odd man out in Beantown. The 25-year-old blueliner put together a rock-solid season, but with restricted free agency right around the corner next year, the Bruins are actively listening to trade offers. At 6'5" with real puck-moving chops, he’s a dream target for teams looking to add young, controllable defensive upside. The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers have all been reported to be looking under the hood to see what it would cost to land him.

2025-26 Stats: 73 GP, 7 G, 19 A, 26 PTS, +17, 20 PIM, 16:54 TOI/G
25. Adin Hill | Goaltender
Adin Hill Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 222 lbs
- Position: Goalie
- Team: Vegas Golden Knights
Adin Hill fell out of favor in Sin City last winter, watching other netminders slide past him on the Golden Knights' depth chart. That said, starting goalies with Stanley Cup rings on their resume don't stay on the shelf for long in a league desperate for netminding stability. While his contract cap hit is a bit chunkier than potential suitors would prefer after a bumpy .871 save percentage campaign, a change of scenery could easily get the 30-year-old stopper back to his championship form.

2025-26 Stats: 27 GP, 10-9-6, 3.04 GAA, .871 SV%, 1 SO
24. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | Goaltender
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Player Profile
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 223 lbs
- Position: Goalie
- Team: Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo’s netminder reportedly already exercised his trade clause to nix a potential mega-deal involving Connor Hellebuyck, but the Sabres remain eager to shop their primary starter for an upgrade. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen maintains a five-team no-trade list, but if Buffalo can navigate a deal with another club, the Finnish stopper will be packing his bags. Coming off a clean 22-win campaign with a .910 save percentage and a 2.52 GAA, there is plenty of market demand for a proven 27-year-old starter.

2025-26 Stats: 35 GP, 22-9-3, 2.52 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO
23. Erik Karlsson | Defenseman
Erik Karlsson Player Profile
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 186 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Outside of Sidney Crosby continuously laughing in the face of Father Time, Pittsburgh is aggressively leaning into a full-blown youth movement. That leaves Erik Karlsson as the ultimate veteran casualty in Steel City. Even at 36 years old, the multi-time Norris winner proved he can still orchestrate an offense, logging over 23 minutes a night while piling up 66 points. With Karlsson entering the final year of his contract and falling outside Pittsburgh's long-term timeline, a win-now contender like Dallas looks like a seamless fit for a postseason push.

2025-26 Stats: 75 GP, 15 G, 51 A, 66 PTS, +8, 22 PIM, 23:36 TOI/G
22. Connor Zary | Center
Connor Zary Player Profile
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 178 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Calgary Flames
Calgary has officially placed Connor Zary on the trade block as they systematically strip down their roster for a complete structural remodel. The Flames are aggressively hunting for a premium second-round draft pick in exchange for the young center, looking to accumulate asset volume rather than focus on individual players. While the open market hasn't triggered a massive, high-stakes bidding war just yet, steady franchises like the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs have actively kicked the tires on his contractual control to solidify their interior depth before training camp limits options.

2025-26 Stats: 74 GP, 12 G, 13 A, 25 PTS, -9, 22 PIM, 14:22 TOI/G
21. Auston Matthews | Center
Auston Matthews Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 217 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumors sent absolute shockwaves through the scouting combine in Buffalo that Auston Matthews could actually be dangled on the block. Following a massive overhaul in Toronto's front office, the superstar sniper reportedly has serious questions about the franchise's long-term direction. If the Maple Leafs ever pull the trigger on a deal involving #34, it will instantly become the biggest trade of the offseason. Pure 60-goal goal scorers don't grow on trees, and even after a year where he battled injuries and posted 53 points, every single contender in the league would be blowing up Toronto's phone lines.

2025-26 Stats: 60 GP, 27 G, 26 A, 53 PTS, -4, 18 PIM, 20:48 TOI/G
20. Ryan O'Reilly | Center
Ryan O'Reilly Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 207 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Nashville Predators
Ryan O'Reilly just turned in a massive rebound campaign in Smashville, pumping out 74 points across 81 games for his highest scoring output since 2018-19. His trade value is at an all-time high, making him the ideal asset for Nashville to flip as they continue their roster rebuild. With the 35-year-old Cup winner entering a contract year, sending an elite two-way floor general to a legitimate contender makes all the sense in the world for both sides.

2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 25 G, 49 A, 74 PTS, +8, 22 PIM, 20:23 TOI/G
19. Jack Quinn | Right Wing
Jack Quinn Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Buffalo Sabres
Jack Quinn’s market value is sitting at an absolute lifetime peak after he detonated for a career-best 51-point breakout campaign in Buffalo. Yet, despite his high-velocity production, the Sabres are actively shopping the dynamic young forward. Quinn was originally earmarked as the premier asset headed to Winnipeg in the failed Connor Hellebuyck mega-deal, and now that the cat is out of the bag, Buffalo continues to explore the open market. The Calgary Flames and Seattle Kraken are treating him as a high-priority target, eager to slide his precise offensive spatial awareness directly into their top-six forward matrix.

2025-26 Stats: 82 GP, 20 G, 31 A, 51 PTS, +4, 18 PIM, 15:39 TOI/G
18. Jake DeBrusk | Left Wing
Jake DeBrusk Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Vancouver Canucks
With the Canucks front office pivoting hard toward a calculated, youth-movement rebuild, Jake DeBrusk has instantly become a highly lucrative trade chip. The veteran forward brings a reliable, high-tempo scoring pedigree and heavy net-front utility that top-tier contenders crave for postseason depth. The Ottawa Senators and his hometown Edmonton Oilers are reportedly working the phones with immense velocity to inspect the acquisition cost. Vancouver is completely comfortable cashing out on its veteran equity to stock up on draft capital and young roster players.

2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 23 G, 19 A, 42 PTS, -31, 12 PIM, 16:51 TOI/G
17. Shane Wright | Center
Shane Wright Player Profile
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 192 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Seattle Kraken
Roster patience has officially worn thin in the Pacific Northwest. Rumors are swirling across the league that the Kraken front office is profoundly displeased with Shane Wright’s erratic NHL developmental arc and is actively willing to cut ties with the former 4th overall draft selection. Wright still possesses tantalizing, blue-chip offensive utility and elite pre-snap vision, but Seattle seems eager to convert his remaining market pedigree into immediate, win-now depth. A change of scenery is practically screaming to happen here, and a rebuilding franchise with extended top-six minutes available will gladly weaponize asset capital to hijack his upside.

2025-26 Stats: 74 GP, 12 G, 15 A, 27 PTS, +6, 10 PIM, 13:48 TOI/G
16. Connor Hellebuyck | Goaltender
Connor Hellebuyck Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 207 lbs
- Position: Goalie
- Team: Winnipeg Jets
The goaltending market has officially hit a nuclear tipping point. Connor Hellebuyck, a certified Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist, has reportedly grown thoroughly frustrated with the overall trajectory in Winnipeg and is looking to force a high-stakes flight out of "the Peg." He prefers a definitive move south to an insulated American market, sparking an absolute heavyweight bidding war. The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres have immediately emerged as the alpha contenders to inherit his elite, game-saving low-block geometry, as both franchises recognize that landing a generational netminder is the final piece to solidifying a championship portfolio.

2025-26 Stats: 57 GP, 23-23-11, 2.86 GAA, .895 SV%, 0 SO
15. Alexander Nikishin | Defense
Alexander Nikishin Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 216 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Alexander Nikishin arrived with immense fanfare, but his rookie campaign in Raleigh concluded on a highly complicated note. The towering Russian blueliner was conspicuously not entrusted with high-leverage minutes during Carolina’s Stanley Cup run, and Hurricanes management has done absolutely nothing to shut down the resulting trade chatter. The New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues are already lurking as highly aggressive suitors, eager to leverage Carolina's tight cap geometry to poach an elite, physically dominant defensive asset before his price tag completely prices them out of the market.

2025-26 Stats: 81 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 PTS, +18, 33 PIM, 18:11 TOI/G
14. Jason Robertson | Left Wing
Jason Robertson Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 207 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Dallas Stars
We have official, five-star transactional drama brewing in Texas. A massive, seemingly irreparable divide is growing between Jason Robertson and Stars management, making this a highly volatile situation. The superstar restricted free agent took the extreme measure of electing for salary arbitration, a calculated chess move that effectively blocks rival offer sheets until at least August 1st. This isn't the first time contract negotiations between these two parties have soured, and it appears to be the definitive straw that broke the camel's back. A massive blockbuster deal with the Kraken reportedly collapsed at the goal line because Robertson refused to commit long-term to Seattle, confirming this marriage is completely dead in the water.

2025-26 Stats: 82 GP, 45 G, 51 A, 96 PTS, +22, 32 PIM, 20:15 TOI/G
13. Sam Montembeault | Goaltender
Sam Montembeault Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 218 lbs
- Position: Goalie
- Team: Montreal Canadiens
The goaltending depth chart in Montreal has officially reached a point of zero-sum liquidation. After slipping entirely behind high-flying youngsters Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler in the organizational hierarchy, the Canadiens have officially hoisted Sam Montembeault onto the trade block. Despite a tough statistical run on a porous defensive roster, his reliable veteran insurance makes him an incredibly attractive target for contenders starved for netminder stability. Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Ottawa are all lurking as highly realistic trade partners ready to fortify their crease.

2025-26 Stats: 25 GP, 10-8-0, 3.43 GAA, .872 SV%, 0 SO
12. Zach Werenski | Defense
Zach Werenski Player Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 211 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski remains one of the premier, high-volume offensive defensemen in the game, but he is currently caught directly in the crosshairs of a total organizational reset. The Blue Jackets are reportedly prepared to completely clean house in a scorched-earth roster overhaul, meaning even an elite point-of-attack general carrying a massive structural profile is no longer untouchable. For an ambitious contender looking to immediately supercharge their transition speed and power-play geometry, caching out on Columbus' transition panic is the ultimate leverage play to secure a legitimate top-pairing anchor in his physical prime.

2025-26 Stats: 75 GP, 22 G, 59 A, 81 PTS, +7, 18 PIM, 26:36 TOI/G
11. Bryan Rust | Right Wing
Bryan Rust Player Profile
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 198 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
There is a massive lineup of serious buyers forming for Bryan Rust's signature three-level scoring pedigree, with the Oilers, Sabres, Red Wings, and Canadiens all actively entrenched in the sweepstakes. The veteran winger is coming off back-to-back, highly clinical 65-point campaigns, but his contractual structure makes a swap an intricate financial puzzle. Rust commands a heavy $5.125 million cap hit through the 2027–28 season, meaning Pittsburgh will likely have to retain salary or absorb a bad asset to execute the move. Once the math squares up, expect Kyle Dubas to pull the trigger immediately to transition the Penguins into a definitive youth-movement build.

2025-26 Stats: 72 GP, 29 G, 36 A, 65 PTS, 0 +/-, 26 PIM, 19:56 TOI/G
10. Kirill Marchenko
Kirill Marchenko Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 197 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Kirill Marchenko has been an absolute human flamethrower in Columbus, lighting up opposing goalies to the tune of back-to-back massive statistical seasons. Here is the kicker: he is currently locked into a remarkably team-friendly contract structure, making him the single most attractive cost-controlled asset on the entire trade block. The Blue Jackets are staring down a massive organizational overhaul, and because Marchenko’s trade stock will quite literally never be higher than it is right now, the front office is primed to strike while the market is melting hot.

2025-26 Stats: 27 goals, 40 assists, 67 points, +7 rating, 6 power-play goals
9. Mathew Barzal
Mathew Barzal Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 186 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: New York Islanders
Mathew Barzal remains one of the single most visually electric transition skaters in the sport, but his elite spatial manipulation skills are currently being suffocated inside a highly rigid, defensive Islanders framework. Despite the structural drag, he still casually logged a stellar 72-point campaign. The Isles might finally be ready to pull the trigger on a blockbuster reset, and Barzal is the one blue-chip asset capable of resetting New York's entire draft capital pantry.

2025-26 Stats: 19 goals, 53 assists, 72 points, +10 rating, 81 games played
8. Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Ristolainen Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 208 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Contending general managers have a notorious, unquenchable thirst for rugged, right-shot veteran defensemen when the postseason trench warfare approaches. Rasmus Ristolainen is officially entering the final year of his current contract, making him an absolute premier target for asset liquidation. He logged a highly stable +10 rating in limited duty for Philly this past season, proving he can play a disciplined, heavy game. Expect a contender to happily pay the classic "deadline premium" to add his snarl to their bottom pair.

2025-26 Stats: 1 goal, 13 assists, 14 points, +10 rating, 44 games played
7. Matthew Knies
Matthew Knies Player Profile
- Height: 6’3”
- Weight: 227 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs' front office is facing a massive existential crisis, and young, dynamic wingers with elite physical traits are the exact currency required to fetch a premier defensive anchor. Matthew Knies took a massive step forward in his offensive progression this year, flashing top-line power-forward potential. Because his trade value is at an all-time peak, he represents the exact high-value chip Toronto needs to sacrifice if they want to fundamentally rewire their roster geometry.

2025-26 Stats: 23 goals, 43 assists, 66 points, -30 rating, 79 games played
6. Elias Pettersson
Elias Pettersson Player Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 176 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Vancouver Canucks
It is officially time to get this man a fresh zip or postal code. Elias Pettersson possesses an elite, superstar-tier offensive toolkit, but the Canucks are staring down an absolute salary-cap crunch and have historically struggled to retain and pay elite talent at a premium. Pettersson choked under a horrifying -30 rating during a highly volatile campaign in Vancouver, proving his current operational environment is completely broken. He desperately needs a scenic recalibration to rediscover his game-breaking form.

2025-26 Stats: 15 goals, 36 assists, 51 points, -30 rating, 74 games played
5. Jordan Binnington
Jordan Binnington Player Profile
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 172 lbs
- Position: Goalie
- Team: St. Louis Blues
The writing is officially on the wall in St. Louis, and it's time for the Blues to cash in their ultimate insurance policy. Jordan Binnington is slated to hit unrestricted free agency in 2027, and with the franchise clearly shifting toward a younger competitive timeline, the front office is highly unlikely to cut him a massive, long-term check. Dealing him this offseason allows St. Louis to extract maximum liquidation value from a desperate, goaltender-starved contender who needs a battle-tested, Stanley Cup-winning alpha between the pipes.

2025-26 Stats: 13-20-7 record, 3.33 GAA, .873 save percentage, 1 shutout
4. Darnell Nurse
Darnell Nurse Player Profile
- Height: 6’4”
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- 2025-26 Team: Edmonton Oilers
- Team: San Jose Sharks
Edmonton’s high-octane championship window is locked wide open, but its current financial geometry is starting to pinch. Darnell Nurse is a massive, heavy-minutes physical presence who can anchor a second-pair assignment and chew up defensive-zone starts like clockwork. However, carrying his heavy cap hit through an up-and-down statistical campaign has the Oilers' front office heavily weighing a structural defense recalibration to free up premium financial runway.

2025-26 Stats: 7 goals, 17 assists, 24 points, -12 rating, 104 PIM

Traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 1
3. Vincent Trocheck
Vincent Trocheck Player Profile
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 188 lbs
- Position: Forward
- 2025-26 Team: New York Rangers
- Team: Utah Mammoth
Vincent Trocheck is the exact type of abrasive, high-utility middle-six center that Stanley Cup contenders lose their minds over at the trade table. He wins critical draws, agitates opposing stars, and can still casually drop a 50-plus point season ledger into your lap. With the Rangers looking to aggressively optimize their cap space for a younger core, selling high on a veteran pivot with significant competitive utility is a classic, savvy asset-management play.

2025-26 Stats: 16 goals, 37 assists, 53 points, -16 rating, 64 PIM

Traded to the Utah Mammoth on July 1
2. Morgan Rielly
Morgan Rielly Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 225 lbs
- Position: Defenseman
- Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
The ultimate puck-moving transition engine in Toronto might finally be reaching the expiration date of his local lifecycle. Morgan Rielly has been an absolute warrior along the blue line for a decade, but a frustrating -18 campaign inside a highly scrutinized Leafs defensive structure has critics wondering if a clean break is best for both parties. If a contending roster is hunting for a high-IQ quarterback to ignite their top power-play unit, Rielly remains a premier target.

2025-26 Stats: 11 goals, 25 assists, 36 points, -18 rating, 78 games played
1. Dylan Larkin
Dylan Larkin Player Profile
- Height: 6’1”
- Weight: 199 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Team: Detroit Red Wings
This one would absolutely send shockwaves through Hockeytown, but the cold, analytical math cannot be ignored. Dylan Larkin had another stellar year, and as Steve Yzerman continues his calculated, long-term rebuild matrix, trading a highly productive 29-year-old center for an absolute king's ransom of unprotected first-round assets might be the ultimate chess move. He is a premier, point-per-game alpha who would instantly turn any bubble team into a certified powerhouse.

2025-26 Stats: 34 goals, 33 assists, 67 points, +3 rating, 14 power-play goals
You Tell Us! Which NHL Players are a Lock to be Dealt this Offseason?
Step into the Offseason Trade Debate Room

Our 40-man trade block is officially live, but in today's hard-cap reality, all it takes is one blockbuster phone call between general managers to completely rewrite the league's competitive hierarchy. Now it's your turn to step into the executive chair and call the shots.

The Maple Leafs Mega-Deal: Is trading Auston Matthews a complete fantasy, or should Toronto actually pull the trigger on a landscape-shifting move following their major front-office overhaul?

The Vancouver Crossroads: Is shipping out Elias Pettersson an absolute necessity for the Canucks to survive their cap crunch, or would trading a superstar-tier center haunt the franchise for the next decade?

The Blues' Liquidation Strategy: Should St. Louis flip Jordan Binnington immediately to maximize their draft capital return, or hold onto the veteran netminder until winter to spark a deadline bidding war?

The Ultimate Internet Meltdown: Which star on our 40-man master board would trigger the single biggest internet meltdown if they actually pack their bags before training camp opens?

Sound off in the comments with your hot takes! Which player did we rank way too high, who did we miss, and who is your dark-horse pick to get traded before the summer wraps up?
NHL Trade Target Rankings
Blockbuster Bait: Power Ranking the Top 40 NHL Trade Candidates

NHL general managers are officially locked in a high-stakes staring contest with their salary cap ledgers. Welcome to the dog days of the hard-cap offseason, where sentimentality gets thrown out the window, and front-office executives are forced to execute ruthless roster arithmetic before training camp doors swing open. In today's hyper-competitive league, allowing high-value stars to slide into unrestricted free agency for zero return isn't just a misstep; it's organizational suicide.

With opening night of the 2026-27 season rapidly approaching, front-office war rooms across North America are actively exploring major roster surgery. To deliver the definitive snapshot of the rumor mill, we’ve expanded and re-engineered our master tracker to feature 40 game-changing trade targets currently driving trade wire noise. From franchise pillars sitting at contract crossroads and 40-goal snipers hitting the block to former top-five picks desperately hunting for a fresh sheet of ice, the marketplace is bursting with blockbuster potential.

We filtered out the agent spin, audited every contract structure, and ran a full diagnostic sweep of the league's trade landscape. Cross-referencing real-time cap space, pressing lineup voids, and active front-office chatter, we’ve isolated the exact players most likely to swap sweaters before the first puck drops this autumn.

Boot up your cap spreadsheets, and let's dive straight into the 40 biggest NHL trade chips on the market right now.

Step into the Offseason Trade Debate Room

Blockbuster Bait: Power Ranking the Top 40 NHL Trade Candidates

Owen Tippett Player Profile

Alex DeBrincat Player Profile

Brock Boeser Player Profile

Kent Johnson Player Profile

Danila Yurov Player Profile

Rickard Rakell Player Profile

Jonathan Marchessault Player Profile

Arber Xhekaj Player Profile

Frank Vatrano Player Profile

Braden Schneider Player Profile

Matvei Michkov Player Profile

Pavel Zacha Player Profile

Tomas Hertl Player Profile

Jesperi Kotkaniemi Player Profile

Mason Lohrei Player Profile

Adin Hill Player Profile

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Player Profile

Erik Karlsson Player Profile

Connor Zary Player Profile

Auston Matthews Player Profile

Ryan O'Reilly Player Profile

Jack Quinn Player Profile

Jake DeBrusk Player Profile

Shane Wright Player Profile

Connor Hellebuyck Player Profile

Alexander Nikishin Player Profile

Jason Robertson Player Profile

Sam Montembeault Player Profile

Zach Werenski Player Profile

Bryan Rust Player Profile

Kirill Marchenko Player Profile

Mathew Barzal Player Profile

Rasmus Ristolainen Player Profile

Matthew Knies Player Profile

Elias Pettersson Player Profile

Jordan Binnington Player Profile

Darnell Nurse Player Profile

Vincent Trocheck Player Profile

Morgan Rielly Player Profile

Dylan Larkin Player Profile

Step into the Offseason Trade Debate Room

Blockbuster Bait: Power Ranking the Top 40 NHL Trade Candidates

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