The NHL's annual trade deadline is set for 3 PM ET on Friday, March 7, 2025. With the trade deadline now less than two months away, analysts and pundits within the hockey community are engaged in speculation regarding which players may be on the move. Thus far, a total of 20 trades have been executed since the start of the 2024-25 NHL season on October 6. Notable players involved in trades include Jacob Trouba, Cam Fowler, MacKenzie Blackwood, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexandre Carrier. A recent analysis by Moneyline outlined 15 players featured prominently in trade discussions, including Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, both of whom continue to attract significant media attention as potential trade candidates as the deadline approaches. It remains possible that some of these players could be moved well before March 7.

In the wake of their struggles at the bottom of the NHL standings, the Chicago Blackhawks are poised to become sellers ahead of the trade deadline. With several players slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, Chicago is likely evaluating their long-term plans. Key players such as Ryan Donato, Pat Maroon, Craig Smith, Alec Martinez, and Taylor Hall are all potential trade pieces. Scott Powers of The Athletic suggested that Hall, in particular, is a prime candidate for a trade. The 33-year-old left winger's production this season mirrors that of his performances with the Boston Bruins two years ago, and despite carrying a cap hit of $6 million, most of these costs will be absorbed by the trade deadline. Powers indicated that Hall could potentially fetch a third-round draft pick in a trade, considering his experience and ongoing value to a championship-contending team.

Another player drawing attention is Ryan O'Reilly of the Nashville Predators, who has entered trade discussions following a tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the previous season. Since his acquisition from the St. Louis Blues, O'Reilly has battled to find consistency. TSN's Darren Dreger noted that the Maple Leafs might consider a reunion with the 33-year-old two-way center, while Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that interest from various teams inquired about O'Reilly's availability. Although he has seen his production decline since winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019 with the Blues, his status as a respected veteran remains unchanged. However, Friedman emphasized that the Predators would only be willing to move O'Reilly if he is amenable to a trade, noting that it would likely take a compelling offer to prompt any movement, particularly as general manager Barry Trotz aims to bolster the roster with young talent.

Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres has also become a regular feature in trade discussions amidst the team's ongoing challenges. Following a strong performance that earned him a seven-year contract with an annual average value of $7.1 million, Cozens' production has regressed, with 47 points last season and a current total of 22 points in 44 games. Nevertheless, some teams believe Cozens could find success elsewhere, akin to former Sabres Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Ryan O'Reilly. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on January 8 that the Detroit Red Wings were scouting Cozens, and there were indications that discussions between the two teams might have occurred. However, sources from the Sabres indicated that they are not actively shopping the young center, especially given the likelihood that they would not receive equal value in a trade considering his current performance.

The Vancouver Canucks have also been linked to trade rumors, particularly surrounding centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, amid reports suggesting internal discord between the two. Although both players have publicly denied any issues, speculation has continued. On January 7, TSN's Chris Johnston reported that the Carolina Hurricanes had renewed their interest in Pettersson following previous discussions before he signed his recent contract. Additionally, reports indicated that the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets are also monitoring Pettersson's situation, with trade talks speculated. It should be noted that discussions involving the Blue Jackets have not been substantiated by reliable sources, with concerns about the asking price for Pettersson potentially posing hurdles to any transaction.

Amid these trade discussions, Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche continues to shine, currently ranking fifth in the NHL scoring race with 62 points in 46 games. Rantanen's consistent performance has placed him on a trajectory for his third consecutive 100-point season. Despite often being overshadowed by teammates like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Rantanen stands out as a scoring leader in his own right. With the prospect of becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1, Rantanen is poised for a significant salary increase over his current average annual value of $9.3 million. There has been speculation regarding a trade should he not be signed by the March 7 deadline; however, insiders believe the Avalanche would be reluctant to part with him given his substantial value to the team and the likelihood of exploring contract negotiations to keep him in Colorado.