B/R NHL Trade Targets Big Board List for November 2025

The calendar has flipped to November, and we're almost a month into the 2025-26 NHL regular-season schedule.

While it's early in this season, there was some activity in the trade market in October. Seven deals took place, with the most significant being the Chicago Blackhawks shipping struggling winger Lukas Reichel to the Vancouver Canucks for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick.

More notable names could be on the move as the American Thanksgiving long weekend approaches. By that point, teams in danger of falling further out of the playoff race could be seeking a quick fix, especially those near the bottom of the standings.

Several players from our October Trade Block Big Board, such as Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson and Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha, remain the subject of media trade chatter. Meanwhile, players like Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch surfaced in the rumor mill for the first time.

Follow along as we examine why Andersson, Zacha, Tuch, and others have earned spots among our November Trade Targets List.

10. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils

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Offseason speculation regarding Dougie Hamilton's future with the New Jersey Devils earned the 31-year-old defenseman the No. 11 spot on our October Trade Block Big Board. However, there was no indication the Devils were considering moving Hamilton, who dismissed the conjecture.

However, Luke Hughes' new contract with the Devils continued to raise questions about Hamilton's role and future in New Jersey. On Oct. 1, Peter Baugh and Chris Johnston of The Athletic suggested the time might come when the Devils might not want to carry two defensemen earning $9 million per season.

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald downplayed that concern during an Oct. 22 interview with The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. He pointed out that Hughes and Hamilton play different styles that suit their power-play strategy, adding that Hughes' contract did not affect any of the other Devils' defensemen.

The Devils' strong start to this season should silence the Hamilton speculation. However, it could resurface if they start to struggle and slip in the standings.

9. Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins

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Since July, Pittsburgh Penguins' forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have often surfaced in NHL trade rumors. With management having spent the past two seasons trading away veterans for younger talent, it seemed only a matter of time until one or both forwards would be on their way out.

An early injury sidelined Rust for the opening two games of the season, hampering his play upon his return. Meanwhile, Rakell was off to a terrific start with eight points in his first nine games, putting him near the top of the Penguins' scoring leaders.

On Oct. 12, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic suggested Rakell as a good option for the Buffalo Sabres to replace sidelined center Josh Norris. Eleven days later, Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now felt Rakell and Rust could interest the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Rakell is currently sidelined for six to eight weeks recovering from surgery on his left hand. Meanwhile, the Penguins are off to a better-than-expected start. Those factors stymie the possibility of an early-season trade involving Rakell, but he will remain a player worth monitoring throughout this season.

8. Owen Tippett, Philadelphia Flyers

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It's been a good start to this season for the Philadelphia Flyers. A rebuilding club projected to be more eligible for the draft lottery than playoff contention, they had a record of six wins, four losses, and one overtime loss in their first 11 games.

Owen Tippett played a role in that better-than-expected start, leading the Flyers with five goals. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old winger surfaced in the rumor mill during October, despite being in the second year of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.2 million.

On Oct. 7, Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff wondered whether the Flyers might revisit their interest in Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, suggesting a package offer that included Tippett. On Oct 22, William James of Philly Hockey Now cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman saying he didn't see the Flyers moving Tippett.

That should bring an end to the Tippett speculation for now. However, it could resurface if the Flyers struggle and start sliding down the standings. He could be a player worth monitoring as the season progresses.

7. Nick Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs

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Trade rumors have floated around Nick Robertson since the summer of 2024, when he requested a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has since re-signed with the Leafs, but speculation about his role and future with the team remains.

On Oct. 14, TSN's Darren Dreger said Robertson's difficulties in landing a larger role with the Maple Leafs were due to the club's depth at forward. He claimed that general manager Brad Treliving spoke with several teams that may have an interest in the 24-year-old forward.

The following day, Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston of The Athletic suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets as possible trade partners. On Oct. 25, Sportsnet's Luke Fox claimed that the return the Chicago Blackhawks received in the Lukas Reichel trade (fourth-round pick) set the market for players like Robertson.

Robertson has been given frequent opportunities to earn a top-six role with the Leafs since last season, but he's failed to capitalize. A change of scenery with another club may help, but, as Fox pointed out, they won't get a return that provides immediate help.

6. Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres

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A shaky start to the season by the Buffalo Sabres prompted some observers to wonder which players could be on the move if management became sellers. Alex Tuch became the most likely trade candidate, given his eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status next summer.

On Oct. 15, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal noted that some Oilers fans were hoping their club might swoop in and poach a scorer like Tuch from the Sabres. A week later, RG.Org's James Murphy reported that sources said the Oilers and the Boston Bruins had inquired about Tuch's availability.

Most of the speculation was prompted by a report that the Tuch camp had paused contract extension talks. Murphy indicated the Sabres were listening to offers but remained interested in signing the power forward. They also hope to make the playoffs, which would be more difficult to do by trading one of their best forwards.

The Sabres' play improved throughout October, which quieted the Tuch trade rumors. Nevertheless, that chatter won't go away as long as they continue to struggle with consistency.

5. Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins

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Trade rumors have swirled around Pavel Zacha since the offseason. The 28-year-old Boston Bruins forward sat at No. 9 on our October NHL Trade Block Big Board.

The speculation has carried over into the regular season. On Oct. 25, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Vancouver Canucks contacted the Bruins about Zacha. He believes their interest in the versatile forward goes back to the summer.

Zacha would address the Canucks' need for a second-line center, especially with Filip Chytil sidelined again by another suspected concussion. However, they're likely not the only team to look into his availability. The Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers have been linked to the Bruins center.

The Bruins are attempting to rebound from last season's poor performance, and they can't do that by trading one of their best forwards right now. RG.Org's James Murphy reported sources saying Bruins management is fielding calls and assessing options, but won't become sellers unless they fall further out of contention.

4. Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets

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Appearing at No. 4 on our October Trade Block Big Board, Yegor Chinakhov has been the frequent subject of media speculation since making a trade request in July. A month into this season, however, the Columbus Blue Jackets have yet to move the 24-year-old winger.

Chinakhov has seen limited action this season, netting four points in eight games while playing fourth-line minutes. He could benefit from a trade to a club that offers him more playing time.

On Oct. 23, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Blue Jackets were getting calls from clubs with an interest in Chinakhov. The interested parties include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames.

LeBrun said the Blue Jackets sought a player in return instead of draft picks and prospects. However, Sportsnet's Luke Fox believes the 2027 fourth-rounder the Chicago Blackhawks recently received for Lukas Reichel sets the market for players like Chinakhov.

3. Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames

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Since May, Rasmus Andersson has regularly appeared on each of our NHL Trade Boards. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July. Thus far, there is no indication that he and the Flames are any closer to a contract extension.

With the Flames mired near the bottom of the standings, Andersson remains the subject of frequent media trade conjecture. He carries an affordable $4.6 million cap hit and a six-team no-trade list, which still gives the Flames a wide field of possible trade partners.

On Oct. 25, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun called Andersson the Flames' biggest trade chip. The same day, Sportsnet's Luke Fox suggested Andersson and teammate Nazem Kadri were "two of hockey's most movable assets."

Andersson won't be available this early in the season because there remains plenty of time for the Flames to turn their fortunes around. However, they could soon start seriously fielding trade offers if they remain near the bottom of the standings.

2. Brennan Othmann, New York Rangers

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The New York Rangers have been among the busiest teams in the trade market since last December. Since mid-October, there's been speculation that Brennan Othmann could end up being the latest Ranger to hit the trade block.

Othmann was a first-round pick by the Rangers (16th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He was projected to become an all-around top-six winger, but the 22-year-old winger has struggled to crack the lineup on a full-time basis.

On Oct. 16, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Othmann was garnering interest in the trade market. Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic indicated the Rangers were open to moving the young winger, but weren't in a hurry to do so. He felt that both sides might benefit from a trade.

Eight days later, Mercogliano's colleague Pierre LeBrun noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs were trying to sort out Nick Robertson's role while Columbus Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov hadn't rescinded his trade request. He wondered if those three clubs could help each other out at some point.

1. Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames

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Trade speculation has dogged Nazem Kadri since the summer of 2024. With the Calgary Flames struggling through the opening month of this season, it's no surprise that the 35-year-old center has resurfaced in the rumor mill.

The latest round got rolling on Oct. 3, when TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger told the Barn Burner podcast that the Flames might move Kadri if they're out of playoff contention by the March 6 trade deadline. Three weeks later, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco made a similar prediction.

On Oct. 25, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said Kadri definitely wouldn't be moved before he played his 1,000th NHL game, which will happen in November. Three days later, Dreger said there was "tons of interest" in Kadri, but he won't be moved unless the Flames decide to reconstruct their roster.

Kadri is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list. If he becomes available, Friedman believes some teams will want to know whether they're on his no-trade list and what it might take to change his mind.

According to Dreger, Kadri and his family love living in Calgary, so there's no certainty he will be moved. Nevertheless, he was the frequent topic of trade chatter approaching November, which puts him at the top of our trade board for this month.