Way-Too-Early Predictions for the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline

The date for the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline has not been revealed yet. However, with the league's 4 Nations Face Off tournament running from Feb. 12-20, the deadline could fall between March 6 and 13, within five-to-six weeks of the end of the regular season on Apr. 17.

With the NHL offseason having reached the dog days with little significant recent activity in the trade market involving notable veterans, we've decided to make our way-too-early prediction for the 2025 trade deadline.

It's uncertain what the trade market will look like by the 2025 deadline and which players could be available. However, the most likely trade candidates are those eligible to become unrestricted free agents skating with clubs considered non-playoff contenders.

Here are five players we predict will be notable trade bait by next year's deadline and which clubs could target them. Feel free to give your thoughts on this topic in the app comments below.

Adam Larsson to the Dallas Stars

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DALLAS, TX - APRIL 13: Adam Larsson #6 of the Seattle Kraken handles the puck against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on April 13, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

Experienced right-shot defensemen tend to be valuable in the NHL trade market. Adam Larsson of the Seattle Kraken could draw plenty of interest by the March trade deadline. The 31-year-old blueliner is in the final season of his contract with an affordable cap hit of $4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

The Kraken could peddle Larsson if they're out of playoff contention by the trade deadline. He might draw the interest of the Dallas Stars if they're not on his no-trade list.

Dallas has free-agent additions Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba on the right side of their second and third defense pairings. Larsson would bolster their second pairing and ease the burden of top-pairing right-side blueliner Miro Heiskanen.

The Stars could be squeezed for cap space, requiring them to dump some salary to make room for Larsson. They could also request the Kraken retain part of his salary, which will require a sweetener like an additional draft pick or a prospect. Nevertheless, adding Larsson could improve the Stars' chances for a Stanley Cup run next spring.

Frank Vatrano to the New York Rangers

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 18: Frank Vatrano #77 of the Anaheim Ducks skates during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on April 18, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New York Rangers acquired winger Frank Vatrano from the Florida Panthers five days before the March 21, 2022 trade deadline. He played well for the Blueshirts, netting eight goals and 13 points in 22 regular-season games, and also collected 13 points in 20 playoff contests.

Departing the Rangers as an unrestricted free agent, Vatrano joined the Anaheim Ducks, signing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $3.7 million. He's become an invaluable member of the rebuilding Ducks, netting a career-high 37 goals and 60 points in 82 games last season.

Vatrano will become a UFA next July unless he signs a contract extension with Anaheim. Given his age and the Ducks' ongoing transition toward younger talent, the 30-year-old winger will likely end up on the trade block.

That could set the stage for a reunion with the Rangers, especially if they continue to struggle at the right-wing position. The Blueshirts could offer up young winger Kaapo Kakko, who could be ready for a change of scenery after several inconsistent seasons on Broadway.

Claude Giroux to the Boston Bruins

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OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 13: Claude Giroux #28 of the Ottawa Senators skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Canadian Tire Centre on April 13, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Time is becoming a factor for Claude Giroux's chances of playing for a Stanley Cup champion. The versatile 36-year-old forward is in the final season of his contract with the Ottawa Senators, carrying a $6.5 million cap hit and a full no-movement clause.

The Senators could consider shopping Giroux if they once again find themselves out of the playoff picture approaching the trade deadline. If he's willing to accept a trade to a contender, he could become an option for the Boston Bruins to bolster their roster for a Cup run.

Morgan Geekie and Justin Brazeau seem the likely candidates this season as the Bruins second and third-line wingers with Charlie Coyle and Mathieu Poitras as their second and third-line centers. Giroux can play wing or center and would bring some experienced skill to those positions heading into the playoffs.

The Senators might have to retain some of Giroux's salary in such a swap, which could cost the Bruins a promising young player or prospect as part of the return. Nevertheless, Boston general manager Don Sweeney has been willing to make such moves in the past near the trade deadline.

Taylor Hall to the Vegas Golden Knights

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 05: Taylor Hall #71 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at the United Center on November 05, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

It's been seven seasons since Taylor Hall enjoyed his career-best 93-point performance with the New Jersey Devils, earning the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2017-18 for his efforts. Injuries have since hampered his performance, sending him from the Devils to the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.

Hall is entering the final season of his four-year contract with a cap hit of $6 million and a 10-team no-trade list. The 32-year-old winger played only 10 games in 2023-24 with Chicago before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

It's unlikely Hall fits into Chicago's rebuilding plans. He could become a trade candidate in the lead-up to the March deadline, especially if he shows no lingering effects from his knee surgery. Hall has proven he performs well in the postseason, netting 14 goals and 29 points in 39 playoff games.

That could make Hall enticing to the Vegas Golden Knights. They have a reputation for making significant additions before the trade deadline and could attempt to bolster their depth at left wing before the 2025 playoffs.

Brock Nelson to the Carolina Hurricanes

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 04: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders skates with the puck during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 04, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

The sudden departure of Evgeny Kuznetsov last week to Russia could leave the Carolina Hurricanes scrambling to fill their second-line center position for 2024-25. They could employ Jesperi Kotkaniemi in that role, slide winger Martin Necas into that spot, or move up Jack Drury or Jordan Staal into that job.

If those four aren't up to the task, the Hurricanes could be in the market for a center by the trade deadline. Brock Nelson could be available if the New York Islanders are out of contention and become sellers.

Nelson, 32, fills the second-line center position for the Islanders. The 32-year-old is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6 million and a 16-team no-trade list. He could be a perfect fit for the Hurricanes if they're not on his no-trade list.

The Hurricanes have $13.9 million in cap space right now but that will shrink once they re-sign restricted free agents Necas, Drury, and Seth Jarvis. Assuming they don't make a significant addition throughout the season, they'd have enough room for Nelson's cap hit. They could draw on their prospect depth to pitch an intriguing offer to the Isles.

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