5 Prospects Who Could Be Traded at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline

Have you ever stayed too long at one job? The work environment is dragging you down, you don't like your coworkers and you find yourself just going through the motions.

This happens in the NHL too, though the players often have little agency when it comes to how they'll leave that negative work environment and when.

Some of the prospects we'll look at here are in that situation. They could use a fresh start somewhere else to try to become the NHL player they believe they're capable of becoming, while others are just good trade bait for teams that want to lock down their shot at the Stanley Cup.

Regardless of the why, there's a chance we'll see these five names on the block this NHL trade deadline on March 7.

1. Brad Lambert, Winnipeg Jets

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Earlier in the season, we discussed why this year was a make-or-break season for Brad Lambert. It's looking more like break.

He's only got 22 points in 36 AHL games this year, and while that's not entirely on him—offense is down for the Manitoba Moose in general—it's not ideal, either. He also only has one assist in the five NHL games he's played in this season.

Don't let any of this fool you, though. Lambert still has value to bring to the table. And if he gets a change of scenery, it's possible the acquiring team could even see it this season.

The Winnipeg Jets are well-primed for a solid run at the Cup this season. If they're looking for a piece to put them over the top, including Lambert in whatever trade package they put together should help them get the guy they want.

If their trade target team happens to have far less depth than the Jets at forward, well, so much the better.

At this point, it feels like Lambert needs a team where he can slide into the lineup and get consistent NHL minutes.

2. Brandt Clarke, Los Angeles Kings

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Brandt Clarke technically isn't a prospect, since he's spent this entire season in the NHL (playing 52 games so far). But he just turned 22 years old, and that's close enough.

He's had a good first season, netting 25 points and filling in for the injured Drew Doughty.

Here's the thing about Clarke, though: He filled in for Doughty because he effectively plays the same role as the 35-year-old, including quarterbacking the power play.

And there just isn't enough room on the Kings roster for two guys who do almost the same thing, especially when the one who has been around longer and does it better is Doughty.

Word is Clarke is not available via trade, and who knows? Maybe the Kings do plan to keep him. But if keeping him means scratching him for some games and giving him a total of seven shifts in others (as happened in Saturday's game against the Utah Hockey Club), is that the best situation for the youngster?

Clarke is a highly skilled offensive defenseman who has put significant effort into improving his off-puck play. If the Kings don't have room for him on their roster—and aren't going to make room—they are better off sending him to a team that will and getting something of value in return before they tank his.

3. Easton Cowan, Toronto Maple Leafs

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I can't imagine that the Toronto Maple Leafs want to trade Easton Cowan, but they do want to be the Canadian team that breaks the Stanley Cup drought, and he is quite a valuable prospect to use as trade bait.

Even leaving aside his absurd, unofficial regular-season point streak that dated back to last season and finally ended on February 8, the 19-year-old has many qualities that rebuilding teams desire in their core prospects. Especially that elusively defined "compete level"—Cowan and his relentless motor have it in spades.

He is on the smaller side (under 6'0"), but that isn't an issue for a lot of teams. The jury is still out on whether that's true for the Leafs. He was one of the few players who looked good for Canada at this year's World Juniors. He's at better-than-a-point-per-game pace with the London Knights.

When you combine all that with the knowledge he's more likely to tempt the Leafs' hypothetical trade partner for a high-value return than many of their other prospects, the idea Cowan could be the one dealt at this deadline starts to make sense.

4. Simon Nemec, New Jersey Devils

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Per Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerland is looking for a winger to play with Jack Hughes and a bottom-six forward at this trade deadline.

Any deal for a longer-term solution for the spot on Hughes' wing will have to include a higher-level prospect. Simon Nemec seems one of the most likely options to fill that role in any deal, especially after he recently told Tomas Prokop of Dennik Sport in Slovakia (h/t Daniel Amoia of The Hockey Writers) he wasn't happy about being in the AHL.

We can debate all day about whether Nemec is right to be upset about his perceived demotion to the AHL after spending much of last season in the NHL with the Devils. What isn't up for debate is that when the relationship sours between player and team, it's hard to get that back on track.

And with the 21-year-old being a valuable trade piece, including him in a deadline deal could work out for both parties, bringing the Devils the top-six winger they want and giving Nemec a fresh start with a team that could have NHL room for him immediately.

5. Brendan Brisson, Vegas Golden Knights

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It's time to get this kid another shot somewhere that isn't in Nevada.

Right now, Brendan Brisson is projected to finish the AHL season with 23 points. While he has never been a world-burner on offense, he has a lot more to offer than a 23-point outing (and zero points in his nine NHL appearances this season).

Throughout his entire AHL career, he has not looked like the player we saw at the University of Michigan who was selected 29th overall in the 2020 draft.

But he's still just 23 years old. Get him a change of scenery and a good development environment, and there's plenty of time for him to regain both confidence and form.

A team like the Washington Capitals comes to mind, although I'm not sure that's a fit at this trade deadline for Brisson—it's hard to envisage a scenario where the Golden Knights and the Capitals make a trade that would involve him.

However, the Capitals have built a good system where their NHL club works closely with their AHL club to ensure players get good experience and have a smooth transition from one level to the next. And that feels like the sort of environment Brisson needs at this point in his career.