NHL Trade Deadline Approaches: Team Strategies and Player Movements

The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline is set for March 7 at 3 PM ET, and with just five weeks remaining, the trade market is poised for potential activity. Since the start of the regular season in October, notable players have already been traded, including defensemen Jacob Trouba and Cam Fowler, as well as goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Alexandar Georgiev. The most significant trade to date occurred on January 24, when the Carolina Hurricanes acquired scoring star Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, alongside 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy winner Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks as part of a three-team deal. This early movement may signal a flurry of activity leading up to the trade deadline.

Further transactions have continued in the trade market, as evidenced by the January 30 trade where the Philadelphia Flyers sent forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to the Calgary Flames in exchange for forwards Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier, along with two draft picks. The Flyers may not be finished making moves as defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen's improved performance has sparked trade discussions. The 30-year-old blue-liner ranked No. 5 on Moneyline's December NHL Trade Block, largely due to media speculation regarding teams reaching out to inquire about his availability. Ristolainen, who stands at 6'4" and weighs 220 pounds, has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.1 million and does not possess no-trade protection. His right-handed shot is a valuable asset in a league that seeks skilled defensemen, enticing teams looking for more than a simple playoff rental. Although Flyers general manager Daniel Briere has indicated he is not actively shopping Ristolainen, the landscape could shift if a substantial offer arises.

Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are contending to secure their place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. As of the start of February, they sit four points out of the final wild-card berth. General manager Lou Lamoriello stated on January 9 that he is not preoccupied with the trade deadline, suggesting that the team's performance will dictate his strategy. Nevertheless, if the Islanders remain stagnant, speculation around center Brock Nelson's future may intensify. In the final season of his six-year contract, Nelson, who has a cap hit of $6 million and a 16-team no-trade list, has already attracted interest from teams such as the Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals. Lamoriello could consider parting with Nelson if the Islanders continue to struggle, as an overhaul may be necessary to rejuvenate the roster.

The Boston Bruins have also found themselves under speculation as the trade deadline approaches. On January 24, an NHL executive suggested that the Bruins could entertain trading winger Brad Marchand. Having served as a pivotal figure for the franchise over his 16-season career, Marchand's position as team captain adds an additional layer of intrigue. However, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 upon completing his eight-year contract. Trading Marchand could signal a shift in direction for the Bruins, potentially yielding significant assets that could assist in a long-term retooling process. Nevertheless, Marchand's eight-team no-trade list could complicate any potential offers. Potentially appealing to Marchand, a union with longtime friend Nathan MacKinnon on the Colorado Avalanche could be a factor if discussions arise.

As February began, the Pittsburgh Penguins faced a challenging situation, sitting seven points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with seven teams ahead of them. This circumstance heightened expectations that general manager Kyle Dubas might act as a seller before the trade deadline. Dubas confirmed those assumptions on January 31, completing a trade that sent defenseman Marcus Pettersson and winger Drew O'Connor to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for blueliner Vincent Desharnais, forward Danton Heinen, a prospect, and a conditional 2025 first-round pick originally belonging to the New York Rangers. Speculation prior to this trade suggested that Dubas may have larger moves in mind, with reports indicating he was contemplating a widespread sale of veteran players, allowing only a select few to remain untouchable. In the wake of their recent trade activity, Dubas has reiterated that while additional moves may occur, his intent is not aimed at dismantling the roster fundamentally.