Way-Too-Early Predictions for the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline

Approaching late July and with August on the horizon, we have entered the dog days of the 2025 NHL offseason.

Most of the activity in this summer's trade market occurred in late June and early July, coinciding with the 2025 NHL Draft weekend (June 27-28) and the annual start of free agency on July 1.

The rise in the salary cap and the limited players remaining on the unrestricted free-agent market have some observers speculating that trade activity could pick up later this summer. For now, it appears most general managers are awaiting the results of the salary arbitration period (July 20-Aug. 4).

Given the recent limited movement, we thought it might be fun to dust off our crystal ball and make some way-too-early predictions for the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

The NHL is returning to the Winter Olympics next year (Feb. 6-22). Accounting for the break in the regular-season schedule, that means the annual trade deadline could fall sometime between March 7 and 15.

We've selected five players who are the most likely to become trade candidates, forecasting where we think they'll end up and the reasons why.

Petr Mrazek to the Edmonton Oilers

Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A goaltending change could be coming for the Edmonton Oilers. The current tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard backstopped them to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, but they fell short against the Florida Panthers, who received outstanding goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky.

Recent speculation linked the Oilers to Jake Allen and John Gibson. However, Allen re-signed with the New Jersey Devils, while the Anaheim Ducks traded Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings. With few decent goalies available, the Oilers could stick with their current tandem and wait for better options.

Petr Mrázek could be the best choice in a thin goalie market this season. The 33-year-old netminder was part of the return to the Ducks in the Gibson deal. He's bounced around the league in recent years, but has a career 2.43 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 29 playoff games.

Mrázek is a free agent next July and could become available if the Ducks are out of contention or if Ville Husso outplays him for the backup job behind Lukáš Dostál. He would likely only cost a draft pick to acquire, and the Ducks could retain part of his $4.3 million cap hit.

Mario Ferraro to the Colorado Avalanche

Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Over the past six seasons, Mario Ferraro has been a good defenseman on a bad San Jose Sharks team. With the club well into a roster rebuild, the underrated 26-year-old left-shot blueliner could become a trade chip by the March deadline.

Ferraro is completing a four-year contract with an annual cap hit of $3.25 million. A poised all-around defenseman, he'll draw considerable interest from contenders trying to shore up their defense for a Stanley Cup run next spring.

The Colorado Avalanche could be at the front of the line. They have a recent trade history with the Sharks, having shipped goalie Alexandar Georgiev to San Jose last season for current starting netminder Mackenzie Blackwood. They have the affordable Ferraro on their wish list.

It's been three years since the Avalanche last won the Stanley Cup. They can't risk wasting another year of the playing prime of superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. In “win now” mode, they could offer up their 2027 first-round pick, or one of their two 2027 second-rounders packaged with a prospect for Ferraro.

Rasmus Andersson to the Carolina Hurricanes

Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Sitting at No. 2 on our July NHL Trade Block Rankings, Rasmus Andersson is in the final season of his six-year contract with the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old defenseman will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July 1.

Flames management and Andersson's representatives discussed a contract extension in June, but reports indicate they failed to reach an agreement. General manager Craig Conroy has fielded trade calls for the right-shot blueliner, but has no issue with him being in the Flames' lineup when the season begins.

The Carolina Hurricanes could be among the suitors if Conroy attempts to move Andersson by the March trade deadline. They lack a reliable all-around right-shot rearguard among their top two defense pairings.

Andersson's ability to play big minutes and contribute offensively could make him a good fit alongside Jaccob Slavin on the Hurricanes' top pairing. The asking price could be the Hurricanes' first-round pick in 2026 and a prospect such as forward Bradly Nadeau or right-shot defenseman Dominik Badinka.

Anders Lee to the Toronto Maple Leafs

Ben Jackson/Getty Images

Since trading Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights on June 30, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly been in the market for a top-six winger. They acquired right wing Matias Maccelli but remain thin on reliable offense at left wing beyond Matthew Knies.

Meanwhile, New York Islanders captain Anders Lee is in the final season of his eight-year contract with a cap hit of $7 million. If the Isles are out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline, they could peddle the 35-year-old left wing.

The 6'3”, 231-pound Lee is a big net-front presence. In his 13-season NHL career, he's reached or exceeded 20 goals nine times, including a 29-goal performance in 2024-25 on an offensively anaemic Islanders team. He could become a player of interest for the Leafs as they attempt to end their long Stanley Cup drought.

With currently $5.33 million in cap space, the Leafs could afford to acquire Lee if they maintain that cap space throughout the season, and if they're on his list of trade destinations. They don't have many tradable assets, but they could dangle a 2026 second-rounder and perhaps a player like Max Domi.

Erik Karlsson to the Vegas Golden Knights

Candice Ward/Getty Images

On Aug. 6, 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks. Two years later, trade rumors are again dogging the three-time Norris Trophy winner.

The Penguins are rebuilding and are no longer a playoff contender. Karlsson is 35 and hasn't played well in Pittsburgh, but he elevated his game for his native Sweden during the 4 Nations Face Off Tournament in February. He could waive his no-movement clause to go to a contender.

The Vegas Golden Knights have a reputation for making bold moves, especially at the trade deadline (hello there, Tomáš Hertl). With Alex Pietrangelo's career likely over, they need an experienced right-shot defenseman on their top pairing.

Karlsson plays a more offensive style than Pietrangelo, which could bolster their scoring punch. The Penguins would have to retain half of their $10 million share of Karlsson's cap hit, and the Golden Knights might have to include a roster player along with a draft pick in the return, but they could find a way to make it happen.

Salary info via PuckPedia.