Buying or Selling Latest Rumors 3 Days From 2026 NHL Trade Deadline
The NHL's annual trade deadline is Friday at 3 pm ET.
As usual at this time of year, the rumor mill is chattering away over which teams will be buyers or sellers, and which players could be on the move before the deadline.
Some of the speculation is focused on several notable stars. Several pundits wonder if the Florida Panthers will trade goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Others wonder if the Colorado Avalanche will attempt to reacquire center Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames.
It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. Follow along as we determine how much stock to put into the latest conjecture involving five notable NHL stars.
Will Nashville Predators Forward Steven Stamkos Waive His No-Movement Clause?
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Earlier this season, the Nashville Predators were struggling near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. That made Steven Stamkos the subject of trade rumors, despite management's denials that he might be available. The 36-year-old forward wound up on some of our NHL Trade Block Big Boards.
The rumors persisted despite the Predators' turnaround in December. Led by Stamkos, they've surged into contention for a wild-card berth. On Feb. 23, Joe Smith of The Athletic reported the veteran sniper wasn't concerned about the speculation, partly because of his full no-movement clause.
Three days later, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Stamkos was happy in Nashville and wasn't asking to be moved. However, he indicated that the winger and his representatives were preparing for the possibility that management would approach them about a trade before Friday's deadline.
LeBrun indicated he was told the Stamkos camp provided management with a short list of preferred destinations. His former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, was said to be on that list, along with the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild.
Buy or Sell: Sell
LeBrun is among the best-connected NHL reporters, but his sources appeared to be mistaken about Stamkos' intentions. Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean reported Stamkos claimed he hadn't spoken to management about a trade, adding there was "zero chance" he'd waive his clause.
Will Nazem Kadri Return to the Colorado Avalanche?
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The Colorado Avalanche made the first significant trade following the Olympics, shipping defenseman Samuel Girard and a second-round pick in 2028 to the Pittsburgh Penguins for blueliner Brett Kulak.
Moving out Girard's $5 million average annual salary through 2026-27 for Kulak's $2.75 million cap hit also provided the Avalanche with some much-needed salary-cap room. With a projected $10.8 million in trade-deadline cap space, they have room to make another addition before March 6.
The Avalanche require a reliable third-line center. On Feb. 24, TSN's Chris Johnston raised the possibility of reacquiring Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames.
Kadri, 35, helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022. However, their lack of salary-cap space resulted in his signing with the Flames later that summer. He has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million.
Buy or Sell: Sell
During a March 1 appearance on NHL on TNT, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the Avalanche must ensure they have sufficient salary-cap space to re-sign Cale Makar in 2027. He also noted the Flames don't want to retain part of Kadri's salary. As a result, he doubted that a reunion with the Avalanche was possible.
Will the St. Louis Blues Move Robert Thomas?
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Since November, the St. Louis Blues have been open for business in the trade market. General manager Doug Armstrong intends to shake up his struggling roster before handing over the management reins to assistant GM Alex Steen.
Armstrong has been willing to entertain offers for several of his core veterans, including Robert Thomas. The 26-year-old center carries an $8.13 million average annual value through 2030-31, and has a full no-trade clause. Nevertheless, he sat at No. 8 on our latest NHL Trade Block Big Board.
On Feb. 28, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he was initially skeptical that Thomas would be moved before the trade deadline, but he now believes it could happen. He thinks the Utah Mammoth are among the suitors, pointing out that GM Bill Armstrong drafted Thomas during his tenure with the Blues management.
Meanwhile, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco reported that Thomas was a player that the Boston Bruins really liked. He pointed out that they had two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts and are willing to part with prospects such as Matthew Poitras and Dean Letourneau.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Thomas has full control over this situation, but everything in the rumor mill suggests that he could get moved by the deadline. The Blues have reportedly set a high asking price for him, but a club with plenty of salary cap space and trade capital seeking a first-line center could step up for him.
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Could the Vancouver Canucks Ship Out Center Elias Pettersson?
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In January 2025, the Vancouver Canucks ended a feud between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson by trading Miller to the New York Rangers, leaving Pettersson as their top center. However, the 27-year-old continues to struggle offensively, prompting continuing trade speculation that carried over into this season.
On Feb. 24, TSN's Darren Dreger reported there was renewed trade interest in Pettersson. He added that the Canucks were hoping that it would develop into a worthwhile trade offer, but so far, that hasn't been the case.
Pettersson carries a full no-movement clause in his contract that has six more seasons left, with an average annual value of $11.6 million. Dreger indicated his representatives were aware of the trade chatter, but wouldn't bring him into it until there's a potential deal on the table.
Four days later, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported sources claiming the Detroit Red Wings were among the clubs interested in Pettersson. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said things were quiet in the trade market regarding Pettersson, adding that the Canucks aren't interested in retaining salary.
Buy or Sell: Sell
A suitor could emerge before the deadline with an acceptable offer for the Canucks that would also convince Pettersson to waive his no-movement clause. However, that scenario seems more likely in the offseason when teams have more salary-cap space to work with.
Could the Florida Panthers Trade Sergei Bobrovsky to the Montréal Canadiens?
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It's been a difficult season for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Injuries walloped their roster this season, with stars such as Alexander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk sidelined for lengthy periods. Barkov remains sidelined but hopes to return in time for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Panthers sat eight points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth by Mar. 2. On Feb. 25, general manager Bill Zito said his team was entering an important period leading up to the trade deadline, acknowledging that they must be prepared for any number of scenarios.
On Feb. 26, TSN's Pierre LeBrun suggested the Panthers could be sellers if they fail to gain ground in the standings by the deadline. He wondered if they might peddle goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The following day, TSN's Craig Button proposed the Montréal Canadiens make a serious bid for Bobrovsky to improve their goaltending. He cited the 37-year-old's impressive winning resume, suggesting they could benefit by adding him if he was willing to go there.
Buy or Sell: Sell
On Feb. 26, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reported Bobrovsky wanted to stay with the Panthers and was unconcerned about the lack of contract extension talks. Richards indicated the general feeling around the Panthers is that the Russian remains a big part of the club's future.
Stats and standings (as of March 2, 2026) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.
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