As the NHL trade deadline approaches in about a month, several notable trades have already occurred, including J.T. Miller moving to the New York Rangers, Marcus Pettersson joining the Vancouver Canucks, and Mikael Granlund heading to the Dallas Stars. These trades often involve first-round picks, which are crucial assets for teams aiming to enhance their rosters for a playoff run. The significance of first-round picks is underscored by their ability to attract attention from general managers across the league. Indeed, one first-round pick has even changed teams twice this season. With many franchises looking to improve their chances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, nine teams have been identified as potential candidates to trade their first-round picks in order to strengthen their playoff aspirations.

The Montreal Canadiens last appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs during the 2021 season, where they were ultimately defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the finals. Since that remarkable run, the team has faced challenges in rebuilding their roster. However, with emerging talents such as Cole Caufield, Patrik Laine, and rookie Lane Hutson, the Canadiens are vying for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Montreal possesses two first-round picks for the 2025 Draft: their own and one from Calgary, resulting from the Sean Monahan trade in 2022. Should either team fall short of the playoffs, these picks could be lottery selections. Given the Canadiens' desire to re-enter the playoff conversation, utilizing the Calgary pick—characterized as found money—could be a strategy to acquire a player that reinforces their postseason ambitions.

In the Eastern Conference playoff race, several teams face significant pressure to secure a postseason berth, with the Detroit Red Wings arguably shouldering the heaviest burden. No longer in a rebuilding phase, general manager Steve Yzerman aims to lead the Red Wings back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Their 2025 first-round pick is projected to fall in the middle of the round, potentially yielding a prospect who may not contribute to the roster for several years. Consequently, trading that pick could provide immediate assistance to ensure a competitive roster necessary for playoff contention. The Red Wings must contend with numerous rival teams for a coveted wild-card spot, making every asset, including their first-round pick, available in trade negotiations.

Utah's new NHL team has captured the attention of fans in Salt Lake City, and management is eager to dispel any lingering associations with their previous affiliation with the Coyotes. The franchise aims to break into the Western Conference playoffs, currently sitting just six points shy of Calgary and five points behind Vancouver in the wild-card standings. The team has a wealth of promising prospects but indicated that the rebuilding phase is behind them after acquiring defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. While an additional first-round pick would bolster their prospect pool, achieving early playoff success would invigorate the fanbase and demonstrate the team's competitive intent.

The Calgary Flames were last seen in the playoffs in 2022, where they boasted a formidable roster that included Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk, Elias Lindholm, and Jacob Markström. Presently, the Flames find themselves in a wild-card position, and to hold off the Vancouver Canucks, trading one of their two first-round picks could be advantageous. Although Calgary does not possess its own first-round selection—having traded it to Montreal—it holds two additional picks obtained from deals with Florida and New Jersey. As both Florida and New Jersey are likely playoff-bound, the value of those picks may not be particularly high, yet first-round picks remain a significant currency in trade discussions. The Flames, enjoying a playoff contention they did not anticipate, have an opportunity to capitalize on their current standing under general manager Craig Conroy.

The Carolina Hurricanes are credited with igniting the trade frenzy by acquiring Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall in a significant deal involving Colorado and Chicago. The Hurricanes have been in a win-now mentality for several years, and the urgency to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006 is palpable. The addition of high-profile players bolsters their commitment to championship contention, and should they require further reinforcements, leveraging their first-round pick as trade bait could facilitate that goal. Although Carolina's pick may not independently secure the caliber of player they seek, pairing it with existing assets would increase the likelihood of executing impactful trades. General manager Eric Tulsky's astute decision-making will be key in determining the best course of action.

The Vancouver Canucks have been particularly active in the trading market, recently sending J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers and receiving a conditional first-round pick in return. They subsequently traded that pick to acquire defenseman Marcus Pettersson from Pittsburgh, marking their third acquisition of a player with the last name Pettersson. The Canucks have demonstrated a willingness to part with first-round selections, yet to regain a playoff slot this season, trading their own first could be an effective strategy. The team faces competition from the likes of Calgary, Utah, and St. Louis, necessitating both roster additions and the potential sacrifice of their first-round pick. With Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford steering the franchise, further significant trades may be on the horizon.

For teams positioned well in the standings and eyeing a Stanley Cup run, leveraging a first-round pick to facilitate trades is often a viable tactic. This holds true for the Winnipeg Jets, who find themselves in a comfortable place with a 10-point lead over the Dallas Stars in the Central Division and a nine-point advantage over both Vegas and Edmonton for the top record in the West. While the Jets face the potential unpredictability of injuries or performance slumps, the option to trade their first-round pick can be beneficial for securing immediate support. As the current season shapes up to be one of Winnipeg's best opportunities to make a deep postseason run, utilizing that pick for a critical acquisition is a decision that appears favorable.

The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in a complex position, simultaneously rebuilding and competing in the playoff race. After falling short last season due to fatigue during the final stretch, the Flyers have taken steps to reinforce their lineup, recently trading Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost to Calgary for Andrei Kuzmenko. Philadelphia possesses three first-round picks in the 2025 draft: their own, Colorado's from the Sean Walker trade, and Edmonton's resulting from a previous pick swap. The two picks acquired from Colorado and Edmonton are projected to be lower in the round, while their own first-round pick’s value hinges on performance in the latter half of the season. Given their ambition to enhance their playoff positioning, the Flyers' depth in picks allows the potential for strategic trades that can expedite their postseason aspirations.

The story of the Columbus Blue Jackets reaching the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 bubble would resonate deeply across the league. Following the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau, the Jackets have a compelling narrative surrounding their playoff aspirations. Currently situated in a wild-card spot, they are engaged in a highly competitive race for postseason berths. Competing with teams like the New Jersey Devils in the Metropolitan Division for playoff positioning is paramount. Columbus holds two first-round picks for the 2025 draft—its own and Minnesota's from the David Jiricek trade. Utilizing these assets can enable Columbus to acquire necessary support, strengthening their chances of extending their season and providing a rewarding experience for one of the league's most dedicated fanbases.