B/R 2026 NHL Trade Block Big Board 1 Week From the Trade Deadline
The NHL's trade deadline is only one week away. General managers have limited time to implement their trade plans before the 3 p.m. ET deadline on Friday, March 6.
Some teams have already started. On Feb. 24, the Colorado Avalanche traded defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in the 2028 draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins for defenseman Brett Kulak.
It's been three weeks since our February NHL Trade Block Big Board. With one week to go, we're taking another look at some of the notable players who've been mentioned in recent trade rumors.
Several players from our previous listing remain the subject of speculation. They include New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck and Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou and Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland are among the new additions.
As with our previous trade boards, this one features the 15 players we consider the most likely trade candidates. It's based on skills, contracts, and the likelihood of being traded. We've also included an honorable mention of players who we consider worth monitoring as deadline day approaches.
Honorable Mention
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Tyler Myers, Vancouver Canucks
Scarcely a peep was made in the rumor mill in recent weeks about the 36-year-old defenseman, who is signed through next season with a full no-movement clause. However, on Feb. 25, the Canucks held him out of their game against the Winnipeg Jets as they attempted to trade him.
As of publication, Myers remains with the Canucks, but the Detroit Red Wings have reportedly made an offer for him. He'll move up in our next ranking if he hasn't been dealt by then.
For now, here's a look at the other players (in alphabetical order) who have also popped up on occasion in the rumor mill.
Warren Foegele, Los Angeles Kings
Following the Kings' acquisition of Artemi Panarin, Kings general manager Ken Holland indicated he might have to move the struggling Foegele. Holland noted that he has a glut of wingers, though that was before Kevin Fiala suffered a season-ending leg injury in the Olympics.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes
Reports in January that the Hurricanes were considering trade offers for Kotkaniemi had the 25-year-old center sitting at No. 8 on our previous trade board. There was no further speculation about his trade status throughout February, but we can't rule out the possibility that he'll become a trade chip for the Hurricanes.
Alexis LafreniĆØre, New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are in sell mode, having already shipped out superstar winger Artemi Panarin. LafreniĆØre earned his share of trade speculation in January to sit at No. 11 on our previous board, but there hasn't been much media chatter regarding the 24-year-old winger throughout February.
Patrik Laine, Montreal Canadiens
Sidelined since October by abdominal surgery, Laine is close to rejoining the Canadiens. On Feb. 5, Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported they might be willing to retain half of his $8.7 million cap hit to facilitate a trade.
Dawson Mercer, New Jersey Devils
On Feb. 14, RG.Org's James Murphy reported Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald wanted to shake up his struggling roster. Murphy claimed multiple teams have inquired about Mercer. The Devils aren't actively shopping the 24-year-old center, but he has value in the trade market.
Connor Murphy, Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago continues to rebuild and will likely peddle their pending unrestricted free agents such as Murphy. On Feb. 21, Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reported that TSN's Craig Button suggested Murphy would be a good fit with the Oilers.
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
The possibility of the Wild using the 23-year-old goaltender as a trade chip for a center earned him the No. 13 spot on our previous trade board. However, that speculation has since quieted, though we won't fully dismiss that possibility.
Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken
Wright landed at the No. 7 spot on our previous trade board following reports in January that the Kraken were considering trading him in a deal for an established scorer. The 22-year-old center hasn't resurfaced in the rumor mill, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's not available.
15. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
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Sitting at the bottom of the standings, the Vancouver Canucks have already been significant sellers in this season's trade market. They shipped defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in December and last month sent winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks.
That activity has ensured Elias Pettersson remains in the rumor mill. He's in the second year of an eight-year contract with an expensive $11.6 million annual average value and a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, he's been a recent fixture in our Trade Block Big Boards.
The Los Angeles Kings are the latest club to be linked to Pettersson. On Feb. 16, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province suggested the Kings' recent acquisition of Artemi Panarin put them in "win-now" mode. With winger Kevin Fiala sidelined for the season, Kuzma wonders if the Kings might look into Pettersson's availability.
That move seems unlikely because the Kings lack enough tradeable assets to pull it off. Six days later, Kuzma suggested the Detroit Red Wings could be a suitor for Pettersson, citing their need for a second-line center. He noted they have the salary-cap space and tradeable assets to acquire him.
14. MacKenzie Weegar, Calgary Flames
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After trading Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in January, the Calgary Flames are expected to remain sellers in the trade market leading up to the March 6 deadline. That raised speculation about MacKenzie Weegar, earning the 32-year-old defenseman the No. 14 spot on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board.
Weegar carries an average annual value of $6.3 million through 2030-31 and has a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, there was some chatter suggesting the Ottawa Senators might be interested in Weegar, who is an Ottawa native.
On Feb. 4, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported the Senators had spoken to the Flames about Weegar, claiming the asking price was a second-round draft pick and a top prospect. He also indicated that the Detroit Red Wings could be interested in the puck-moving, right-shot defenseman.
Two weeks later, Garrioch again linked Weegar to the Senators and Red Wings. However, he also claimed that the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, and Utah Mammoth may have inquired about the blueliner's availability.
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13. Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues
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St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn was a frequent subject of trade conjecture before last year's trade deadline and into the offseason. While the rumors died away by the start of the season, the 34-year-old center has once again surfaced as a trade candidate ahead of this year's deadline.
On Feb. 3, TSN's Darren Dreger listed Schenn among the Blues trade candidates. However, he indicated they are proving difficult to trade because of the club's asking prices and the salary-cap management that some interested teams would need to make before acquiring one of them.
Six days later, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic included Schenn on his list of players that the Blues could move before March 6. Like Dreger, he cited the club's high asking prices. He also noted that Schenn was among several of those veterans carrying some form of no-trade protection.
Schenn was a highly valued trade target last season. However, the decline in his production, combined with his $6.5 million cap hit for the next two seasons, could make suitors cautious. Still, with the Blues in sell mode, Schenn could draw interest from teams seeking an experienced two-way center.
12. Connor Garland, Vancouver Canucks
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On July 1, 2025, the Vancouver Canucks signed winger Conor Garland to a six-year, $36 million contract extension, with a full no-movement clause in the first three seasons. The 29-year-old winger is now in the final season of his current deal with a $4.9 million cap hit. He also lacks no-trade protection.
Recent speculation suggests the Canucks could be open to trading Garland before his new contract begins on July 1. On Feb. 3, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province reported management had to decide to trade or retain the energetic two-way forward.
The following day, Thomas Drance of The Athletic indicated that he felt Garland was among the most likely of the Canucks with long-term contracts to be moved by the trade deadline. However, he pointed out that they weren't actively pursuing deals to move those players.
On Feb. 22, Kuzma stated that there were teams that liked Garland's style of play, but not his new contract. Nevertheless, he wondered if a club like the Ottawa Senators might be interested.
11. Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues
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Trade rumors hung over Jordan Kyrou last summer until his eight-year contract (with a full no-trade clause) with the St. Louis Blues went into effect on July 1. The 27-year-old winger only occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill after that, but it seemed unlikely that he would be available.
However, with the Blues apparently open for business and willing to entertain offers for most of their veterans, Kyrou has surfaced again in the trade rumors. On Feb. 3, TSN's Darren Dreger included him on his list of Blues' trade candidates.
Six days later, Dreger's colleague Travis Yost suggested Kyrou's speed and offensive skills made him an alluring trade target for a club seeking some scoring punch at right wing. He considered the decline in the winger's production this season as reflective of the team he's playing for.
Dreger noted that the Blues have set high asking prices for skilled veterans such as Kyrou. His contract is also a sticking point, and it could take until the offseason to find a suitable trade partner. However, he could surface again in the rumor mill leading up to the trade deadline.
10. Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators
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Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced he intends to step down once a suitable replacement for his job is found. Until then, he will continue with his duties, which includes deciding if he'll become a seller by the March 6 trade deadline.
The Predators sat four points out of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference as of Feb. 26. Veteran forwards such as Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O'Reilly have been mentioned as trade candidates if Trotz decides to sell.
On Feb. 4, Sportsnet's Josh Beneteau reported his colleague Elliotte Friedman indicated the Predators were getting calls from other teams about O'Reilly and Stamkos. Two days later, Friedman said he felt Marchessault could be a trade candidate. He also believed the Montreal Canadiens could be interested in O'Reilly.
What makes O'Reilly the most likely of the three to be moved is his lack of a no-trade clause, though the Predators are treating him as though he has one. Nevertheless, the lack of no-trade protection, his skills as a two-way center, and his plentiful playoff experience make him more likely to move.
9. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
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Entering February, it seemed Dougie Hamilton and the New Jersey Devils were close to parting ways. Reports emerged in January that he rejected a trade to the San Jose Sharks last summer. He was also believed to be willing to be flexible with his 10-team trade list to faciliate a trade.
That earned Hamilton the No. 3 spot on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board. The speculation has died down somewhat since then, but not enough to keep him off this board. His contract remains a sticking point. Along with his trade list, he carries an annual salary cap hit of $9 million through 2027-28.
On Feb. 10, Chris Johnston and James Mirtle of The Athletic played trade matchmaker, with Johnston having him go to the Carolina Hurricanes and Mirtle to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mirtle cited a league source claiming that this was unlikely in mid-January, but Mirtle stubbornly believed Hamilton is a fit with the Leafs.
Four days later, RG.Org's James Murphy reported the Devils pulled Hamilton from the trade market when fellow blueliner Luke Hughes was placed on long-term injury reserve. With Hughes close to returning to action, Hamilton could be available again.
8. Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
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A thin market for quality centers has made Robert Thomas the subject of increasing trade speculation. With the Blues open for business, the skillful 26-year-old center continues to draw interest in the trade market. He sat at No. 12 on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board.
On Feb. 3, TSN's Darren Dreger had Thomas among his list of several Blues players believed to be available. However, he noted that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has set high asking prices. He indicated that some of the interested clubs have cap management issues to sort out first.
Four days later, Marco D'Amico of RG Media reported the Utah Mammoth could be among the clubs interested in Thomas. They could afford his $8.13 million average annual value through 2030-31, but he also has full no-trade protection and might not be keen to waive it.
Trading Thomas could prove too complicated to pull off before the trade deadline, and could carry over into the offseason. Nevertheless, he should remain a fixture in the rumor mill as the trade deadline approaches.
7. Andrew Mangiapane, Edmonton Oilers
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The Edmonton Oilers' efforts to trade struggling Andrew Mangiapane earned him the third spot on our January NHL Trade Block Big Board. However, the subsequent lack of any speculation about a trade forced us to drop the 29-year-old winger from our previous trade board.
However, the Oilers' limited salary-cap space and their need to add a top-four defenseman and a third-line center resurrected the Mangiapane trade chatter. On Feb. 6, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman stated that the Oilers needed to move him. David Staples of the Edmonton Journal echoed that point the following day.
Two days later, Staples suggested shipping Mangiapane to the Los Angeles Kings for former Oilers winger Warren Foegele. On Feb. 23, he reported that NHL insider Frank Seravalli had claimed that the struggling winger could be moved within days.
Mangiapane is signed through next season with a $3.6 million annual average value and a full no-trade clause for this season, though he'll likely waive it to go to a team where he'll get more playing time. The Oilers might have to add a draft pick or prospect to find a taker.
6. Blake Coleman, Calgary Flames
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On Feb. 20, the Calgary Flames activated winger Blake Coleman from injured reserve. With the club in sell mode after shipping out Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in January, the 34-year-old Coleman could be the next to go.
Coleman's two-way game and playoff experience earned him the No. 5 spot on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board. He has another season left on his contract with an affordable cap hit of $4.9 million and a 10-team no-trade list. The Flames aren't in a hurry to move him, but could be tempted by a significant offer.
On Feb. 6, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Coleman had been linked to the Montreal Canadiens, but he didn't think that was feasible. Meanwhile, the veteran winger has shrugged off the speculation. On Feb 18, he told the Calgary Sun's Daniel Austin that he's spoken with management about his future.
Coleman didn't say that he expects to get traded, but Flames management has probably informed him that it's a possibility. Now that he's off IR, the speculation swirling about him will increase in the coming days.
5. Evander Kane, Vancouver Canucks
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After trading away Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood earlier this season, the Vancouver Canucks are expected to move out more players by the March 6 trade deadline. On Feb. 3, Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province reported that they will be open to offers for pending unrestricted free agents such as Evander Kane.
The Canucks acquired Kane last summer from the Edmonton Oilers, hoping the 34-year-old winger would perform well in his hometown. However, it's been a difficult season for Kane, with just 10 goals and 26 points in 57 games.
On Feb. 17, Thomas Drance of The Athletic suggested moving Kane should be among the Canucks' priorities at the trade deadline. He noted they had permitted his agent to speak with other teams about a trade. Perhaps a club seeking experienced playoff depth will take a chance.
Kane carries a cap hit of $5.13 million, but the Canucks could retain salary to facilitate a trade. He also has a 16-team trade list. On Feb. 24, TSN's Chris Johnston suggested Kane could be moved soon, listing the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars as possible suitors.
4. Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames
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The Calgary Flames' trading defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights last month has ensured Nazem Kadri remains the topic of trade speculation. He sat at No. 10 on our February NHL Trade Block Big Board.
Kadri has been a fixture in the rumor mill for the past two seasons as the Flames continue to rebuild their roster. The 35-year-old center's age and his contract could make it difficult to move him. He's signed through 2028-29 with an annual salary-cap hit of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list.
On Feb. 6, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported there was a slight concern about the remainder of Kadri's contract. However, the Flames were willing to be flexible, meaning they could retain part of his salary. He also indicated that the presence of other centers in the trade market may have slowed interest in Kadri.
3. Bobby McMann, Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Toronto Maple Leafs' struggles this season have put them at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years. That could turn them into sellers if they fail to improve between the end of the Olympic break and the March trade deadline.
Bobby McMann is considered the Leafs' best trade chip if they sell by the trade deadline. The 29-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He's on pace to exceed his previous career highs of 20 goals and 34 points, lacks no-trade protection, and has an affordable $1.4 milion cap hit.
On Feb. 3, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun suggested McMann could fetch the Leafs two second-round picks. Three days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported they're seeking a first-rounder for him.
We had McMann sitting at No. 4 on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board. Regardless of what he could fetch for the Leafs, he remains high on our current list of likely trade candidates.
2. Justin Faulk, St. Louis Blues
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Sitting at No. 2 on our previous Trade Block Big Board, Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues is a skilled puck-moving defenseman with a right-handed shot. The 33-year-old is on pace to reach the 40-point plateau for the first time since 2022-23. He's signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.5 million.
On Feb. 3, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Faulk was among several Blues believed to be in play in the trade market. Eight days later, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic had him on his list of possible trade options for the Buffalo Sabres.
Faulk has also been linked to the Detroit Red Wings to bring experienced depth to the right side of their second defenseman pairing. Max Bultman of The Athletic included him on his Feb. 5 list of potential Red Wings trade targets, while RG. Org's James Murphy has the Boston Bruins interested in him.
What could complicate things is Faulk's 15-team no-trade list, especially if the Sabres and Red Wings are on it. We also noted in our previous trade board that the Blues seek a return comparable to what the Calgary Flames received in the Rasmus Andersson deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.
1. Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
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The New York Rangers' plans to quickly rebuild their roster earned Vincent Trocheck the top spot on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board. After they traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings, the 32-year-old center remains our most likely trade candidate.
Trocheck has three more years left on his contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.6 million and a 12-team no-trade list. His two-way skills as a center and his playoff experience will continue to make him a highly valued asset in the trade market leading up to March 6.
On Feb. 6, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Kings wanted Trocheck included in the Panarin deal, but he prefers to remain in the Eastern Conference. He also mentioned the Detroit Red Wings attempted to sign Trocheck when he was an unrestricted free agent in 2022.
Four days later, Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic suggested the Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Utah Mammoth, and New York Islanders as potential trade destinations for Trocheck.
Stats (as of Feb. 26, 2026) via NHL.com. Contract and salary-cap info via PuckPedia.
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