NHL Trade Deadline Predictions: Most-Likely Players to be Traded

February 16, 2026

The most likely players to be traded ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline of the 2025-26 NHL Season. Read the top players on the trade block in the 2025-26 trade deadline including Robert Thomas, Jesper Wallstedt, Vincent Trocheck, more

While the NHL season is currently on pause due to the 2026 Milan Winter Olympic Games, the trade deadline is right around the corner and will be a major talking point once the league resumes. In fact, the trade deadline is March 6, just nearly a week after the regular season picks back up on February 22.

As a result, teams are likely taking the break to reassess their rosters and decide whether to make a playoff push or focus on the 2026-27 campaign.

Let’s take a look at some of the top names that could be moved ahead of the league’s trade deadline.

NHL Trade Deadline Candidates - Forwards

Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames

With the Flames sitting as the league’s fourth-worst club (in terms of points), expect them to shop several of their top pieces ahead of the deadline. While top defender Rasmus Andersson was already shopped to Vegas before the break, their top center, Nazem Kadri, figures to be one of the top centers on the market.

The 35-year-old turned in an impressive 2024 season despite playing one of the sport’s worst offensive attacks. With the Flames, Kadri found the back of the net 35 times, which set a career high. Unfortunately, his resurgent season was not enough to push the team into the postseason, as they just missed the final Wild Card spot.

In 2025, the former longtime Leaf took a step back, scoring only 10 goals and recording 29 assists across 56 games. However, his 39 points remain the most on the league’s lowest-scoring offense. While the Flames may look to keep the former Stanley Cup winner around during a rebuild, he could easily fill a No. 2 center role on a competing club in the spring.

🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥

Nazem Kadri gets the Flames on the board with a nice shot 🎯

🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames pic.twitter.com/WYba9XsdWq

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) February 3, 2026

Michael Bunting, Nashville Predators

The pending free agent is highly likely to be playing for a new club in March, even though the Predators remain on the bubble of the playoff picture. Bunting has hit the 19-goal mark in each of his last four seasons and should be in contention to reach this plateau once again in 2025, as he has scored 12 goals across 57 games.

In 2024, Bunting showcased his ability to score on the power play, netting an impressive 11 goals on the man-advantage, setting a career high.

The forward also brings some intensity to his game. From 2021 through 2024, Bunting averaged 72.3 hits per season with 19.8 blocked shots. With the Predators this season, the 30-year-old has already tallied 21 blocked shots with 31 hits. He would likely slide into a top-9 role on most clubs, but has the skill set to be a viable second-line winger.

Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis forward is currently on the IR with a leg injury, but figures to be the top-scoring option available at the deadline. With the Blues sitting with only 49 points, the second-lowest in the sport (only trailing the Canucks), expect them to ship off many key players in the coming weeks.

While the forward has not been as dominant this season, a change of scenery could do him well. In 2023 and 2024, Thomas averaged over a point per game in each season, including a career-high 86 points in 2023. In 2025, the former 20th overall pick has scored just 11 goals and added 22 helpers across 42 games, but has continued to produce at the face-off dot, posting a 52.3% conversion rate.

Thomas would immediately take on a top-6 role in a competing club and would likely fit in on the top forward line.

Robert Thomas scores an absolute beauty to give the Blues a 2-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/u30puqkNv2

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 3, 2026

Evander Kane, Vancouver Canucks

Kane is a near-lock to be moved to a contender ahead of the trade deadline. Kane spent time with the Oilers over the past three seasons and brings a high level of recent postseason experience, having played in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.

However, with the Canucks, Kane has struggled to find his footing, scoring just nine goals across 56 games. However, he was a 24-goal scorer last season and tallied 12 points (six goals) across 21 postseason games.

Kane would not find much trouble earning a bottom-6 role on a competing club. While his physical traits are often his calling card, his ability to contribute to the scoresheet will make him a coveted asset in the postseason.

Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are in the heat of the Wild Card race in the Western Conference, but reports suggest they could be shopping the former fourth-overall selection from the 2022 NHL Draft. In 2024, Wright was deployed as a full-time starter (after brief stints in 2022 and 2023) and did not disappoint, tallying 19 goals and 25 assists.

In 2025, Wright did not look as comfortable, scoring only 11 goals with 11 helpers over a 56-game stint. However, his 58.7% On-Ice Expected Goals% is currently the second-highest on the team, trailing only Jared McCann, suggesting he could take a step forward in the second half.

With the Kraken already having two reliable centers, Wright would allow them to acquire a high-end winger. They were interested in Artemi Panarin before his trade to Los Angeles, and Wright has the trade value to make a push for a top-scoring forward, like the previously noted Thomas or his teammate Jordan Kyrou.

Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks

With the Canucks sitting at the bottom of the standings, their top center, Elias Pettersson, is sure to have his name circled in trade discussions in the coming weeks. Pettersson has yet to return to his point-per-game level of play he showed earlier in his career, but is already enjoying a solid bounce-back season.

After tallying just 45 points over 64 games last season, the Swedish forward is on pace to smash those totals, having scored 13 goals with 21 helpers over 49 games. While teams should not expect him to return to the 102-point level of play, he showcased back in 2022, Pettersson could benefit greatly from a change of scenery.

The only factor that may keep him in Vancouver is the hefty $92.8 million contract he inked back in 2024, which keeps him under contract until 2032 free agency.

Blake Coleman, Calgary Flames

Another Flame that will likely be moved ahead of the deadline is Blake Coleman. Coleman is currently second on the team in goals, trailing only young winger Matthew Coronato.

Coleman brings the much-desired playoff experience to the table as he was a part of Tampa Bay’s back-to-back Cup teams. The bottom-6 forward has logged 100 hits in each of his last nine seasons, including this current season. Despite being a two-way forward, Coleman has scored at least 15 goals in each season (2021-2024) and is on pace to hit this mark once again in 2025, given that he has 13 goals through 44 games.

On a rebuilding squad, expect the Flames to heavily shop Coleman following the break. Given his postseason experience, they could net a solid prospect in return.

Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers

The best all-around forward likely to be dealt is Vincent Trocheck of the Rangers. With the Rangers entering a re-tool phase, Trocheck will likely be playing for a contender in the coming weeks, as the team already moved star winger Panarin to the Kings shortly before the Olympic Break.

Through 43 games in his fourth season as a Blue Shirt, Trocheck has scored 12 goals and added 24 helpers. He has hit the 22-goal mark in each of his first three seasons in New York and tallied a career-high 77 points back in 2023, during their President’s Trophy campaign.

The 32-year-old is capable of playing in all aspects of the game, logging top-6 minutes alongside a key role on the team’s top power-play and penalty-kill units. Trocheck would net the Rangers a high-end prospect with solid draft capital, similar to the Islanders receiving Calum Ritchie and a first-round pick from the Avalanche last winter when they moved off forward Brock Nelson.

Other Forwards - 

• Steven Stamkos, NSH
• Jordan Kyrou, STL
• Jonathan Marchessault, NSH

NHL Trade Deadline Candidates - Defensemen

Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils

Likely the best defender available is Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils. Hamilton will not be a free agent until the 2028 offseason, but he is one of the few top-pairing caliber blueliners available for trade.

Through 52 games this season, Hamilton has seen his offensive upside dip, scoring only seven goals with 14 assists. Last season, he was far more productive, tallying 40 points across 61 games. A change of scenery can do him well as the 32-year-old has generated a strong 56% Corsi%, suggesting positive regression could be on the way in the second half.

Connor Murphy, Chicago Blackhawks

Another pending UFA, Connor Murphy, appears all but certain to be moved ahead of the deadline. Murphy has played in a top-4 role on a rebuilding Chicago team for some time and would be a valuable asset on most contending clubs as a bottom-pairing option. While he could find a role in Chicago in the long term, given his ability to play a physical game, the Blackhawks would likely not re-sign him in the summer to provide more roster flexibility.

Through 57 games, Murphy has logged 55 hits with 84 blocked shots. Over his last three seasons (2021 through 2024), Murphy averaged 132 hits and an eye-catching 145.8 blocked shots per season. While he possesses minimal offensive upside, Murphy will fit right in on a bottom pairing eyeing a lengthy postseason run.

Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues

The pending 2027 UFA will hold the next spot on our list. Faulk has enjoyed a nice bounce-back season in the scoring department despite playing on a bottom club. Across 57 games, the 33-year-old has scored 11 goals and added 19 helpers. 

Even in his 15th NHL season, Faulk has logged a hefty 37.1% of the team’s ice time while holding a solid 48% Corsi, despite playing on a St. Louis club that has the league’s second-worst -56 GD. The veteran is capable of playing in a top-4 role while logging time on the power-play.

Luke Schenn, Winnipeg Jets

While he may not be the flashiest, Luke Schenn brings a strong presence to his game and would slide in as a capable bottom-pairing defender on a competing team. Playing for a bottom Winnipeg Jets team, Schenn has logged 132 hits with 53 blocked shots.

From 2021 through 2024, Schenn has exceeded the 300-hit mark in three of the four seasons and logged more than 95 blocked shots in three seasons as well. Additionally, the pending 2026 UFA has two Stanley Cups under his name, giving him a strong resume ahead of the deadline. The Jets will not have much trouble finding a suitor, as he would not cost much compared to other options at the position.

Other Defensemen - 

• Logan Stanley, WPG
• Mario Ferraro, SJ

NHL Trade Deadline Candidates - Goaltenders

Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild

The breakout goalie is a surprising name to see on the trade market, but since Minnesota already has a No. 1 netminder in Filip Gustavsson, the ability to package the young netminder for an impact skater can push this team into the top tier of contenders.

Wallstedt enjoyed a record-breaking start to the season, posting an elite 11-2-2 record over his first 15 games with a 2.16 GAA and a .931% SV%. However, over his last eight games, the young Swedish netminder has posted a 3.79 GAA and a .880 SV%, pushing Gustavsson back into the lead role.

Wallstedt has the talent to become a franchise goalie and would net the Wild an elite skater with additional prospects in a trade. They have already taken a swing to acquire Quinn Hughes earlier this season; do not be surprised if Bill Guerin works the phone lines once again for another blockbuster.

Come for the save, stay for the iconic Jesper Wallstedt celly 👏 pic.twitter.com/QrXNqOZxWr

— NHL (@NHL) January 28, 2026

Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues

While Wallstedt is the clear No. 1 netminder on the block, the Blues could consider shopping their top goalie ahead of the March deadline. Binnington has had a disastrous season playing in front of the struggling St. Louis Blues.

Through 32 games, Binnginton posted a rough 3.65 GAA with an .864% SV%. Since the start of the New Year, the former Stanley Cup Champion has taken an even further step back, holding an .850 SV%. Last season, Binnington was much stronger, posting a 2.69 GAA with a .900% SV%.

While he has struggled mightily this season, the former third-round pick has not been afraid of the big moments throughout his career, as evident in his 2019 Stanley Cup Championship, and is on pace to take home a gold medal with Team Canada at the Olympics, just one year after winning the Four Nations Face-Off with Canada.

The Blues will likely hold onto Binnington, but if Minnesota's asking price for Wallstedt is too high, teams may pivot to the 32-year-old instead.

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