NHL trade deadline tiers: Players on the move before March 6

The NHL trade deadline on March 6 looms large, with roughly eight teams out of the playoff picture and contenders hungry for upgrades. Recent shifts, like the New York Rangers’ retool signaled by trading Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings, have reshaped the landscape. Teams such as the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks face tough decisions amid disappointing seasons, while surging squads like the Columbus Blue Jackets under Rick Bowness reconsider selling stars like Boone Jenner.

Supply meets demand as executives weigh pending free agents, contract holdovers, and young talents. This rankings tiers list, drawn from league sources and media reports, highlights potential movers from shockers to bargain deals. Salary caps, no-trade clauses, and playoff odds complicate every discussion.

Shocking possibilities

Sergei Bobrovsky tops this unlikely tier as the Florida Panthers’ two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie teeters on an 18% playoff chance post-Olympic break. At 37, the pending UFA earns $10 million cap hit but just $6 million actual salary this year, with trade protection in place. ESPN’s Kevin Weekes flags him as a watchlist name, especially with Daniil Tarasov outplaying him. A contender could snag “Playoff Bob” for a postseason rental.[1][2]

Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas from the St. Louis Blues add intrigue during a dismal campaign. Kyrou, 27, carries an $8.125 million AAV through 2030-31 with a fresh no-trade clause. Thomas, a 26-year-old No. 1 center at the same AAV, holds trade protection but declining real salaries ahead. GM Doug Armstrong’s retool depth remains unclear.

Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson, locked in at $11.6 million through 2031-32 with a full no-move, has underperformed offensively. Toronto’s Morgan Rielly, 31 points in 54 games at 21:34 average ice time, has a full no-movement clause through 2029-30. Maple Leafs CEO Keith Pelley vowed to do “whatever is needed” for the next step.

Buffalo’s Alex Tuch, 22 goals and 26 assists in 56 games, fuels a playoff push but lacks extension progress under new GM Jarmo Kekalainen. His all-situations play makes him a Cup catalyst, yet pragmatism could prevail.

Elite pending free agents

Jordan Eberle leads Seattle’s UFA duo as Kraken captain and leading scorer with 20 goals in 54 games. At $4.75 million AAV with no-trade protection, he’s primed for contenders alongside Jaden Schwartz ($5.5 million, limited no-trade). Seattle’s 41.2% playoff odds prompt GM Jason Botterill’s roster stamp.

Evander Kane heads to his sixth team, with Vancouver retaining salary on his $5.125 million AAV and 16-team no-trade list. Dallas Stars often surface as fits. Patrik Laine, nearing IR return after five games, needs salary relief on $8.7 million AAV post his 20-goal 2024-25 bounce-back.

Nick Schmaltz anchors Utah Mammoth’s push with 53 points centering Clayton Keller, but extension talks stalled last summer. A “hockey trade” for roster upgrades makes sense at his $5.85 million AAV.

Elite forwards with term

Centers dominate here, starting with New York Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck, versatile at 0.76 points per game over two seasons and Olympic gold contributor. Minnesota Wild whispers persist via GM Bill Guerin. His 12-team no-trade aids a mutual split in the retool.

Nashville’s Steven Stamkos, 28 goals including 16 points pre-break, holds a full-move clause at $8 million through 2027-28. “I get to make a decision,” he told The Athletic. Jonathan Marchessault ($5.5 million through 2028-29, full no-move) and Ryan O’Reilly ($4.5 million, two years left) add Conn Smythe pedigree.

Calgary’s Nazem Kadri ($7 million through 2028-29, 13-team no-trade) offers two-way snarl like his 2022 Avalanche Cup. Blake Coleman ($4.9 million, two years, 10-team no-trade) kills penalties with two Cups. St. Louis’ Brayden Schenn ($6.5 million through 2027-28, 15-team no-trade) brings leadership despite minus-25.

Vancouver’s Conor Garland (25 points in 46 games) and Jake DeBrusk (full no-move, $5.5 million five years left) could move deep into selling. Philadelphia’s Owen Tippett (19 goals, three 20-goal seasons, $6.2 million through 2031-32) eyes hockey trades. Anaheim’s Ryan Strome sees ice time drop to 12:05 from 16:41.

Elite defensemen with term

New Jersey’s Dougie Hamilton ($9 million cap, 10-team list) resumes trade watch post-Luke Hughes injury, perhaps reuniting with Carolina. Calgary’s MacKenzie Weegar (20 points, 23:10 average, full no-trade through 2030-31) draws Ottawa interest.

Philadelphia’s Rasmus Ristolainen ($5.1 million, two years left) gains buzz from Olympic play. St. Louis’ Justin Faulk (30 points, 22:29 average, $6.5 million two years) appeals to Boston, Detroit, Dallas. Vancouver’s Tyler Myers ($3 million through next year, full no-move) eyes Flyers reunion.

Young talents under 25

Restricted and emerging names like Winnipeg’s Brad Lambert and Anaheim’s Pavel Mintyukov seek changes. New York’s Alexis Lafreniere ($7.45 million AAV seven-year extension, eight-team no-trade) and Braden Schneider (RFA summer) factor in Rangers’ retool, alongside Brennan Othmann.

Seattle’s Shane Wright, Boston’s Mason Lohrei, and Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt demand high returns. Toronto’s Nick Robertson remains tenuous.

For deeper dives on young assets, check our NHL trade tiers big board 2025-26.

Goalies in play

St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington, minus-24.9 goals saved above expected, shone Olympically despite Canada’s gold-medal loss. His $6 million AAV and one more year draw Carolina, Edmonton interest. Montreal’s Sam Montembeault (one year left), San Jose UFA Alex Nedeljkovic ($2.5 million), and Pittsburgh’s pending UFA Stuart Skinner (playoff experience) circulate.

Depth forwards and defenders

Frontline help includes Nashville’s Erik Haula (Olympic standout, six-team no-trade) and Los Angeles’ Warren Foegele (scratched vet, 10-team no-trade). Florida’s Evan Rodrigues ($3 million through next year) frees cap.

Blue-line options feature Toronto’s Brandon Carlo (eight-team no-trade), Utah’s Ian Cole, and Winnipeg’s Luke Schenn, perennial mover with two Cups. Calgary’s Zach Whitecloud ($2.75 million through 2027-28) holds value post-Andersson deal.

Early-season trade candidates like premium defensemen echoed trends in our premium defensemen analysis.

Bargains abound under $2 million: Toronto’s Bobby McMann (near 20 goals), Vancouver’s Teddy Blueger and David Kampf, Calgary’s Ryan Lomberg.

As contenders stock bottom-six and defense, sellers maximize returns. For official moves, see the NHL trade tracker.[3]

The deadline promises fireworks, balancing delusions of grandeur against pragmatic rebuilds. Playoff math will dictate if shockers like Bobrovsky materialize or depth deals dominate. Watch St. Louis, Calgary, and Vancouver for volume, while bubble teams pivot post-Olympics. Expect a supply-rich market to fuel Cup chases.