B/R NHL Trade Targets Rankings for December 2025
As the calendar flips to the final month of 2025, there's been little activity in the NHL trade market. Only six deals have occurred since opening night on Oct. 7, with none of those moves involving noteworthy talent.
One reason is that there are few sellers because the standings are so tightly packed entering December. Another is that there are 20 teams with less than $5 million in cap space, most of whom prefer to wait until the March 6 trade deadline, when they'll accrue more cap room to work with.
Despite the limited movement in the trade market, there's been plenty of chatter in the media rumor mill. As more teams begin to fall by the wayside in the playoff race, the more sellers will appear in the trade market, and the more likely trade activity will increase.
The growing number of trade rumors means we have more trade targets for December. Of the 10 players on our November Trade Targets Big Board, Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames and Owen Tippett of the Philadelphia Flyers are the only ones remaining for this ranking.
Most of the rest didn't appear in many rumors in November. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames ownership indicated it has no intention of trading Nazem Kadri, who topped our previous ranking.
Andersson and Tippett join notable newcomers such as Flames winger Blake Coleman, Nashville Predators winger Steven Stamkos, and St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn on our 15-player December list. The rankings are based on skill, contracts, and most importantly, the likelihood that they'll be traded.
15. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
1 of 15
This season has been a repeat of the disappointing 2024-25 campaign for the Nashville Predators. They're stuck again near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, making them the subject of frequent trade speculation.
Juuse Saros is among the Predators being mentioned in the rumor mill. The 30-year-old goaltender is in the first season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.74 million and a full no-movement clause.
Saros' movement clause hasn't stopped some pundits from suggesting he might be a fit with the struggling Edmonton Oilers. On Nov. 6, Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek proposed that Saros would be a good trade target for the Oilers. The Athletic's Allan Mitchell subsequently examined the potential cost to the Oilers of acquiring him.
Mitchell noted the Oilers lack the cap space and suitable trade assets to acquire Saros. It's also unlikely he'll waive his no-movement clause so early in his new deal. Nevertheless, he could remain a trade candidate as the Predators continue to struggle.
14. Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes
2 of 15
The Carolina Hurricanes entered this season considered to be among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Power forward Andrei Svechnikov was expected to play a significant role in that quest. He's signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7.8 million.
Svechnikov got off to a slow start to this season, going scoreless in his first eight games and seeing his playing time reduced. On Nov. 22, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported hearing the 25-year-old left winger had been unhappy with his role, and would be open to a trade if the Hurricanes wanted to move him.
Friedman indicated that the situation had cooled as Svechnikov's performance improved, earning him a return to Carolina's top line. Still, he said several teams made inquiries into the winger's availability. However, the Hurricanes weren't keen to move him, and it would take a significant offer to tempt them.
Four days later, Svechnikov told Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer that there was no validity to Friedman's report. The Hurricanes are all-in this season and consider him to be one of their key players. Nevertheless, his situation is worth monitoring as the season progresses.
13. Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators
3 of 15
On July 1, 2024, Steven Stamkos signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators. He was the biggest name in that summer's free-agent market, and his addition was expected to help the Predators remain playoff-competitive while they transitioned toward younger talent.
However, the Predators missed the playoffs last season. Currently stuck at the bottom of the overall standings, they're in danger of falling out of contention again. That's prompted media speculation about whether management will ask the 35-year-old Stamkos to accept a trade to a contender.
TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Nov. 6 that the Predators haven't approached Stamkos about a trade, but he didn't rule out the possibility. During a guest appearance on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculated they could retain part of Stamkos' $8 million cap hit to facilitate a trade.
On Nov. 17, Montreal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont cited a report from Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek that claimed the Montreal Canadiens inquired into Stamkos' availability. Dumont didn't rule out the Canadiens exploring their options, but didn't see the aging, expensive Stamkos being a fit with the young Habs.
12. Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
4 of 15
On Nov. 26, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman cited a report by his colleague Nick Kypreos in which the latter suggested St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington could end up with the Edmonton Oilers. However, Friedman suspected the Oilers couldn't trade for Binnington without his permission.
Binnington, 32, is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6 million, which is too expensive for the cap-strapped Oilers to acquire. He also carries a 14-team no-trade list, which could include the Oilers.
Kypreos believes Binnington might not fit into the Blues' long-range plans if they decide to retool their roster this season. He backstopped them to the Stanley Cup in 2019 and helped Canada win gold in the 4 Nations Face Off in February, but his stats this season rank among the worst for NHL starters.
The Blues could listen to offers for Binnington if they go into sell mode later in the season, but there's no certainty they'll find any takers. Still, his situation could be worth following between now and the March 6 trade deadline.
11. Lukas Reichel, Vancouver Canucks
5 of 15
The Vancouver Canucks acquired Lukas Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 24. One month later, the 23-year-old winger was the subject of trade rumors.
On Nov. 21, Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province cited a report by CHEK-TV's Rick Dhaliwal, in which the latter claimed the 23-year-old winger was available if a rival club were interested in him. Reichel has only one point in 14 games with the Canucks, and has been a healthy scratch of late.
Reichel was chosen 17th overall by Chicago in the 2020 NHL Draft. He was projected to become a top-six scoring winger, but has struggled to meet that expectation. With sidelined forwards Teddy Blueger and Nils Hoglander returning to the lineup, Reichel could find himself in the press box or demoted to their AHL affiliate.
A versatile forward who can play center or left wing, Reichel is in the final season of a two-year contract with an affordable cap hit of $1.2 million. He could be an affordable gamble for a club seeking younger talent.
10. Owen Tippett, Philadelphia Flyers
6 of 15
Trade speculation over Owen Tippett's future with the Philadelphia Flyers earned the 26-year-old winger a spot on our November Trade Targets Big Board. The chatter continued earlier last month as his production cooled following a hot start to the season.
On Nov. 4, Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff wondered if Tippett's days with the Flyers were numbered. He cited team sources saying there were internal talks over where he fits within their long-range plans.
Two days later, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic acknowledged Tippett could become a trade chip, but felt it was too early in the season for that speculation. Despite the winger's inconsistent scoring, Kurz felt he still had 30-goal potential.
Tippett is in the second season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.2 million. He also lacks no-trade protection this season, but the Flyers are staying patient with him. Tippett's production improved during the second half of November. Still, his situation could be worth monitoring if his struggles persist.
9. Brandon Carlo, Toronto Maple Leafs
7 of 15
The Toronto Maple Leafs sent prospect Fraser Minten and their 2026 first-round pick to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Brandon Carlo at the March 7 trade deadline. By November, however, the 29-year-old defenseman was the subject of trade rumors.
On Nov. 16, Adam Proteau of The Hockey News included Carlo among his list of potential trade chips for the Maple Leafs to use to add an impact player. The following day, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic reviewed their notable trade candidates, concluding that Carlo would be the easiest to move.
Siegel acknowledged that Carlo was off to a slow start to this season before being sidelined by a lower-body injury. Nevertheless, he noted that the 6'5", 227-pounder is a right-shot defenseman. Those blueliners are currently coveted around the league.
Signed through 2026-27, Carlo wouldn't be a rental player, which could also be enticing for clubs seeking an experienced top-four defenseman. The Leafs also carry $3.5 million of his $4.1 million annual cap hit, which would make him a more affordable trade target.
8. Tristan Jarry, Pittsburgh Penguins
8 of 15
After missing the playoffs over the last three seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins are jockeying for a playoff berth entering December. Thanks to Tristan Jarry, Artūrs Šilovs, and the promising Sergei Murashov, the club's improved goaltending depth has been a key factor in its better-than-expected play thus far.
Jarry's performance has garnered some attention. The 30-year-old has struggled in recent seasons. He recently missed several weeks with a lower-body injury. Nevertheless, he's won seven of 10 games, with a 2.74 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and one shutout.
On Nov. 26, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported Jarry was among the goalies drawing interest as a potential option for the Edmonton Oilers. He pointed out that the netminder played his junior hockey with the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings.
Jarry is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $5.4 million and a 12-team no-trade list. The cap-strapped Oilers could have difficulty acquiring him if they're not on his no-trade list. Still, the Penguins' depth between the pipes could make Jarry a valuable trade chip this season.
7. Brad Lambert, Winnipeg Jets
9 of 15
During the 2022 NHL Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected Brad Lambert in the first round (30th overall). Over three years later, the 21-year-old center is looking to change teams.
Lambert was projected to be a scoring center but has yet to crack the Jets' roster on a full-time basis. He's in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract and remains exempt from waivers, enabling the Jets to move him to and from their AHL affiliate this season.
On Nov. 20, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported the Jets had given Lambert's agent permission to speak with other teams about a trade. He has one goal in four games with the Jets this season, totaling three points in 10 games since 2023-24.
Two days following Seravalli's report, Murat Ates of The Athletic reported the Jets aren't in any rush to move Lambert. If they do trade him, Ates believes it'll only be for a deal that benefits them, speculating he could be packaged with a draft pick at the March trade deadline for an impact player.
6. Pavel Mintyukov, Anaheim Ducks
10 of 15
On Nov. 20, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that Pavel Mintyukov of the Anaheim Ducks was unhappy over being scratched from back-to-back games. He stated that the 21-year-old defenseman would be open to a trade if he wasn't going to see more playing time.
The Ducks selected Mintyukov with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. A skilled and mobile defenseman, he had 28 points in 63 games during his NHL debut in 2023-24. However, Friedman noted that he's since fallen behind Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, and Ian Moore in their blue-line depth chart.
Mintyukov is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He is eligible to become a restricted free agent next July and will lack arbitration rights. Friedman pointed out that the Ducks aren't in any hurry to move him.
Since Friedman's report, Mintyukov was scratched from one more game before returning to action against the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 22. His situation could bear scrutiny in the coming weeks. If the Ducks peddle him, they'll likely want a comparable player in return.
5. Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues
11 of 15
After making a late-season run to qualify for the 2025 playoffs, the St. Louis Blues were hoping that effort would carry over into 2025-26. That hasn't been the case thus far, as they're stuck near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
On Nov. 7, NHL insider Frank Seravalli said Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was "open for business" in the trade market. Seravalli suggested keeping an eye on team captain Brayden Schenn, pointing out that the 34-year-old center's no-trade clause became a 15-team no-trade list on July 1.
Schenn first surfaced in the rumor mill before last season's trade deadline. On Nov. 11, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reported Schenn didn't want to be traded last season, but wondered if he might change his mind given the Blues' current struggles.
Signed through 2026-27, Schenn carries an average annual value of $6.5 million. That could act as a sticking point despite the reduction of his trade protection. His trade value will also depend on his performance as the season progresses.
4. Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators
12 of 15
With the Nashville Predators struggling in the Western Conference standings, goaltender Juuse Saros and forward Steven Stamkos have popped up in trade rumors. However, Ryan O'Reilly has generated more attention lately.
O'Reilly, 35, carries an affordable $4.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27 and lacks no-trade protection, though the Predators are treating him as though he does. Nevertheless, his disciplined two-way game and his Stanley Cup experience could make him a valuable trade chip for the Predators.
TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Nov. 25 that the Predators are expected to continue transitioning toward younger players. He said the Montreal Canadiens were among the teams interested in O'Reilly, but the Predators could set a high asking price, consisting of a first-round pick and a top prospect.
It remains to be seen if the Canadiens, or anyone else, is willing to pay that price. Nevertheless, the Predators' willingness to entertain offers will likely ensure O'Reilly pops up more frequently in the rumor mill between now and the March 6 trade deadline.
3. Blake Coleman, Calgary Flames
13 of 15
Stuck near the bottom of the NHL standings, the Calgary Flames are regularly mentioned as potential sellers in the trade market. Most of the speculation tends to focus on pending free agent defenseman Rasmus Andersson and veteran center Nazem Kadri, though the team's ownership doesn't want to move the latter.
Blake Coleman was the latest Flame to pop up in the rumor mill in November. The hard-working 34-year-old winger is signed through next season with an average annual value of $4.9 million. His two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning make him an attractive trade target for playoff contenders.
On Nov. 13, TSN's Pierre LeBrun said the Flames weren't shopping Coleman, but he wouldn't be surprised if the veteran winger drew interest in the trade market. He added that several teams had already contacted the Flames to express interest if the Flames decide to move him.
On Nov. 27, Coleman acknowledged he'd heard the rumors swirling about him but shrugged them off as part of the job. Nevertheless, he could be dealt by March 6 if the Flames get an enticing offer.
2. Kiefer Sherwood, Vancouver Canucks
14 of 15
On Nov. 25, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Vancouver Canucks were willing to entertain trade offers for their veteran players. Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford confirmed Friedman's report but stated they weren't trading all their veterans.
Friedman indicated that the focus was on their pending unrestricted free agents and those with less than two years left on their contracts, excluding superstar Quinn Hughes. Of those UFAs, Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre suggested Kiefer Sherwood could attract the most interest.
Sherwood, 30, is a speedy, physical winger. His team-leading 12 goals put him on pace for a career-high of 40, and his style of play is well-suited for the tough grind of postseason hockey. He carries a very affordable $1.5 million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection.
The Athletic's Arpon Basu floated the notion of the Montréal Canadiens pursuing Sherwood in the trade market. If he continues his current rate of production, his value to the Canucks as a trade chip will increase as he draws more interest from the Canadiens and other playoff contenders.
1. Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
15 of 15
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been a regular fixture in the rumor mill since May. He sat at No. 3 among our November NHL Trade Targets Big Board. The 29-year-old is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July, and there's no indication he and the Flames are any closer to a contract extension.
Andersson continued to feature in speculation throughout November. On Nov. 13, Jay Rosehill of the Leafs Morning Take podcast said a league source told him the Toronto Maple Leafs were trying to acquire the Flames blueliner.
Two days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Maple Leafs made a failed attempt to acquire Andersson last season. On Nov. 26, Friedman's colleague Luke Fox noted the Vegas Golden Knights have been linked to Andersson, but lack the cap space to acquire him.
Andersson remains the top defenseman among next summer's class of UFA-eligible players, making him the player on this list who is most likely to be traded. With the Flames floundering near the bottom of the league standings, he will continue to feature in the rumor mill between now and the March 6 trade deadline.
Stats and standings (as of Nov. 30, 2025) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
.jpg?w=600 "Could Leafs Trade for McDavid in 2027? 🤔")
