NHL Trade Rumors: Top Buzz on Scott Laughton and More As 2025 Deadline Approaches

As the 2025 NHL trade deadline approaches, the rumor mill is heating up with insider reports and speculation surrounding top stars and prospects.

Philadelphia's Scott Laughton leads the way as the most valuable center available to a bevy of teams in need at that position.

Which teams are most interested in acquiring him and who are the other stars making headlines ahead of Friday's deadline?

Find out with this latest collection of rumors.

1st-Round Picks on the Table for Laughton

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Scott Laughton is the most coveted center available at the trade deadline and, according to TSN's Darren Dreger, any team looking to add him to their roster may have to pony up a first-round draft pick:

With eight teams already in on the talented 30-year-old and the expectation that there is "room for improvement" in offers for him, it is increasingly likely only teams with that sort of capital will be able to afford the Flyers' alternate captain.

Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco revealed the Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs are among the eight teams that checked in on the center and that he would be surprised if the latter was not pushing hardest of the bunch:

Philadelphia general manager Daniel Briere is right to wait and get the best deal for his team. He is still a relatively young general manager and how he handles a player with Laughton's profile and experience, with so many teams seeking to acquire him, will be intriguing to watch.

That the Devils and Leafs are in the same conference only intensifies the significance of getting the deal right, especially since the Flyers will be seeing plenty of Laughton if he ends up with either of those clubs.

Is Brock Nelson Actually Available for Trade?

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Despite trade buzz around Islanders center and alternate captain Brock Nelson, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported there remains no clear indication that he is actually available.

It is not difficult to see why some may expect New York to deal the 33-year-old, with the Islanders sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference at 28-26-7 and the player entering unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.

Naturally, the Islanders would want to try to get something in return for the veteran before he potentially walks away during the offseason.

However, LeBrun noted the team is still actively trying to sign him and general manager Lou Lamoriello told him that Nelson is "certainly an integral part of our team."

That could be the GM saying all the right things in an attempt to keep a star player from seeking wins elsewhere, but one look at the Islanders' roster shows how much Nelson and his 20 goals, 23 assists, and 19:21 of ice time mean to the organization.

Mikko Rantanen Unlikely to Sign Extension Before Trade Deadline

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Carolina's trade for Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in January is still fresh enough that the left winger is unlikely to sign a contract extension with his new team before the trade deadline, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported.

He added that it has as much to do with the 28-year-old still feeling out the Hurricanes organization so early in his time there.

Still, Carolina's eagerness to get the Finn under contract is understandable.

Rantanen has 70 points on the season and is averaging 21 minutes of ice time this season. He is an elite player and someone any team should jump at the opportunity to acquire.

Perhaps that is why the Hurricanes have yet to decide if they will deal him and hope to get something in return amid an expiring contract or if they will hold onto him in the hopes they can convince him to stay.

If they do decide to deal Rantanen, there will be any number of contending teams looking to add the Stanley Cup champion to their roster.