Way-Too-Early 2026 NHL Offseason Trade Big Board
The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline is history. Fans and pundits are now focused on the final stretch of the regular season as teams jockey for playoff positioning.
However, the rumor mill never stops, and while there won't be any trade activity until the offseason, there is already speculation about potential deals once the playoffs end.
Most of that chatter concerns several players who were on our NHL Trade Block Big Board before the March 6 deadline. They include Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues and Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers.
Some other names also popped up that might be worth monitoring once the offseason begins. One of them is a core player for the Nashville Predators, while the other is a Pittsburgh Penguins player who has been no stranger to trade speculation in recent years.
We realize that it's way too early to start speculating about which players could be on the move in the offseason. Nevertheless, we're going there anyway by listing eight players worth monitoring who are already being mentioned in media trade conjecture. We've also included a brief list of honorable mentions.
The ranking is based on several factors such as skills, contract, and experience. However, the most important factor is the possibility of getting traded this summer.
Honorable Mention
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Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Binnington's solid performance for Canada in the Winter Olympics didn't entice teams in need of goaltending to make a suitable trade offer. Nevertheless, we can't rule out the possibility of an offseason trade.
Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues
Kyrou has occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill since last summer. With the Blues rebuilding, the 27-year-old winger could draw attention this summer from teams seeking scoring punch, provided he's willing to waive his no-trade clause.
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Pettersson continued to surface in the rumor mill despite his expensive contract, no-movement clause, and declining production. The 27-year-old center might benefit from a trade, so it's possible that the Canucks can get creative and find a suitable trade partner.
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
The Wild's search for a first-line center raised rumors that Wallstedt could become a trade chip. With that need still unaddressed, the 23-year-old goaltenders could surface in the offseason rumor mill.
Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken
Heading into February, it was rumored the Kraken could use Wright in a trade package to acquire a game-breaking forward. The 22-year-old's production is down from his promising 44-point last season, but he could regain his scoring touch with a different club.
8. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
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Roman Josi never surfaced in any media-driven NHL trade rumors this season. However, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic raised the possibility of the 35-year-old Nashville Predators defenseman ending up with another team this summer.
Josi has spent his entire 15-season NHL career with the Predators. Team captain since September 2017, he's among the greatest players in franchise history, becoming the first Predators defenseman to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Josi is their all-time leader in games played (1,013), assists (566), and points (767).
Nevertheless, LeBrun's source felt Josi could be worth watching if the Predators decide to go further with rebuilding their roster and move on from veterans such as Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, and Jonathan Marchessault. Barry Trotz is stepping down as general manager, and his successor could shake things up.
Josi is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $9.06 million and a full no-movement clause until the end of next season. LeBrun admits he's likely to remain with the Predators, but a shift toward a full rebuild could prompt him to reconsider his future in Nashville.
7. Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
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Erik Karlsson frequently appeared in the rumor mill during the previous two seasons. The Pittsburgh Penguins were no longer a playoff club, prompting conjecture that the puck-moving defenseman could get traded. However, his expensive contract and no-movement clause ensured he remained in Pittsburgh.
Karlsson, 35, last surfaced on our NHL Trade Block Big Board back in October after being dogged by another offseason of rumors about his future in Pittsburgh. However, the conjecture disappeared as the Penguins became a surprising playoff contender, in part thanks to Karlsson's improved performance.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic noted that this summer would be the last in which Karlsson could be traded. Once his $6 million signing bonus is paid on July 1, he'll only be owed $1.5 million in actual salary for next season, which is the last on his contract.
The Penguins carry $10 million of Karlsson's $11.5 million cap hit, with the San Jose Sharks carrying the rest. LeBrun suggested there could be plenty of interest if the Penguins agree to retain half of their share of his cap hit. He thinks GM Kyle Dubas could try to move him if there's a chance to recoup some assets.
6. Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
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In January, reports emerged suggesting Dougie Hamilton could be on the move. The 32-year-old New Jersey Devils defenseman was unhappy over being scratched from a mid-month game, followed by news that he was willing to be flexible with his 10-team trade list to facilitate a trade.
Those reports earned Hamilton the No. 3 spot on our NHL Trade Block Big Board one month before the March 6 deadline. However, the speculation faded, dropping Hamilton in our subsequent rankings. The deadline passed with the veteran puck-moving blueliner still a member of the Devils.
James Nicholls of New Jersey Hockey Now indicated that Hamilton's contract was difficult for the Devils to move. He's through 2027-28 with a $9 million cap hit and slated to receive a $7.4 million signing bonus on July 1. Interested clubs could wait to pursue a deal after that date.
The Devils could push to move Hamilton this summer to free up salary-cap space to re-sign defenseman Šimon Nemec. He's a restricted free agent this summer and could seek a contract comparable to teammate Luke Hughes' seven-year, $63 million deal, which would be easier to pay with Hamilton off the books.
5. Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers
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For the second straight season, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was the subject of rumors leading up to the March trade deadline, earning the No. 6 spot on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board. And for the second straight year, the Flyers decided not to move him.
Following the trade deadline, William James of Philly Hockey Now reported Flyers general manager Daniel Brière remained firm on his asking price. It was rumored that Briere sought a first-round pick and a prospect for the 31-year-old defenseman.
James noted that Ristolainen has one more year left on his contract, so he wasn't someone the Flyers had to move by the trade deadline. Brière said he wasn't actively shopping the veteran blueliner, but he did get calls about him from other clubs.
Kevin Kurz of The Athletic observed that the Flyers have a logjam on their blue line and will have to make room at some point for younger defensemen such as Oliver Bonk and the recently acquired David Jiříček. It raises the possibility that he could be moved in the offseason.
4. Šimon Nemec, New Jersey Devils
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Chosen second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, Šimon Nemec is considered to be an up-and-coming first-pairing defenseman. However, reports emerged before the March 6 trade deadline indicating that the Devils were taking calls about the 22-year-old blueliner.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported the Devils sought a young, impact top-six forward for Nemec. One reason why they were willing to move him is that he's completing his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent on July 1.
LeBrun speculated that Nemec could seek a deal comparable to the seven-year, $63 million contract that fellow Devils blueliner Luke Hughes signed last October. They could be forced to move him if they can't free up sufficient cap space by trading veteran Dougie Hamilton and his $9 million AAV.
Nemec still has a high ceiling to reach his potential as a top-pairing blueliner. He would be enticing for clubs with forward depth searching for a good young rearguard. Given the Devils' disappointing performance this season, a roster shakeup could be in order with Nemec as a trade chip.
3. Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Following the trade deadline, Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes told reporters that his club had the framework for a potential deal, but it fell through. He indicated that they might revisit those negotiations this summer, hinting it would've been "a significant trade" had it gone through.
On March 9, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos claimed that the Canadiens' attempted trade involved their long-time rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He didn't know which player Hughes had targeted, but speculated it could be winger Matthew Knies, who is in his first season of a six-year contract.
Knies surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to the March 6 deadline. Kypreos' colleague, Elliotte Friedman, wondered if the Maple Leafs would dangle the 23-year-old power forward in the trade market to see what type of return he might fetch. Kypreos believes the Canadiens had the assets to tempt the retooling Maple Leafs.
Kypreos' report will have fans in Montreal and Toronto buzzing for months. Whether Knies remains with the Leafs or is acquired by the Canadiens or another club this summer remains to be seen. His style of play, upside, affordable contract, and lack of no-trade protection earn him a spot on this board as a player to watch.
2. Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
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The rumor mill was buzzing over potential trade destinations for Robert Thomas. The 26-year-old St. Louis Blues center sat at No. 3 on our final NHL Trade Block Big Board before the March 6 deadline. He was linked to the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Utah Mammoth.
Thomas wound up staying with the Blues, largely because of their high asking price. They were reportedly seeking "three first-half-of-the-first-round" assets, which could mean a player, a prospect, and a draft pick all selected or to be chosen within the top-15 picks.
A talented playmaking center, Thomas is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.13 million and a full no-trade clause. On March 9, he told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski that the Blues never asked him to waive his clause, adding that he remains committed to the Blues and loves living in St. Louis.
Nevertheless, the Blues are expected to entertain offers for Thomas this summer. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic speculated the Bruins, Canadiens, Sabres, and Mammoth could revisit their interest. He also wondered if the Detroit Red Wings might join the suitors.
1. Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
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When the New York Rangers traded superstar winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings last month, Vincent Trocheck was expected to be the next notable Ranger to be moved. The 32-year-old center sat at No. 1 on our NHL Trade Block Big Board one day before the deadline.
However, the deadline passed with Trocheck still in New York. Mollie Walker of the New York Post reported that Rangers general manager Chris Drury refused to lower his high asking price. It's expected that Drury will attempt to find better offers for Trocheck in the summer trade market.
A 13-season NHL veteran, Trocheck is a reliable two-way center with 43 points in 48 games this season, putting him on pace to reach the 50-point plateau for the eighth time. He's signed through 2028-29 with an annual cap hit of $5.63 million and a 10-team no-trade list.
The Athletic's Vincent Z. Mercogliano claimed the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins were believed among the suitors for Trocheck before the trade deadline. Some of these clubs could revisit their interest in the offseason.
Stats (as of March 10, 2026) via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com. Salary and contract info via PuckPedia.
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