The NHL trade deadline is coming up on March 7, and the 4 Nations Face-Off from February 12 to 20 will likely kick off the trade season, with all NHL general managers expected to attend.
In January, teams hold their midterm scouting meetings, where they plan for the trade deadline. They discuss which players they’re willing to trade and which ones they want to acquire. It’s also a chance for development staff to update the team on their prospects, and for scouts to share information on players from other teams. Once these meetings are over and scouts are sent out to monitor players, trade talks start to heat up.
With this in mind, it’s time to look at the prospects of the teams that are likely to compete for a playoff spot. Who are the untouchable players? Is it the right time to go all-in for a Stanley Cup run? Which prospects are other teams interested in? How close are these prospects to being NHL regulars, and what impact could they have?
These are some of the questions teams and their fans will be thinking about over the next two months. Not every playoff team is a serious Stanley Cup contender, and not all the teams we will look at are on the same level. Four teams have strong prospects that can be used to improve their rosters: the Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals.
Here’s a look at the prospect situation for 13 likely playoff teams, focusing on players who might be part of trade talks in the coming weeks:
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes
Team overview: The Hurricanes are always considered strong contenders and are one of the few teams with a lot of prospects. This is due to their success in the draft. Carolina consistently gets great value from its picks and is seen as a draft winner. It is known that owner Tom Dundon is hesitant to trade first-round picks or top prospects, which makes it hard for Carolina to acquire big-name stars. However, this could change if a superstar with a long-term contract becomes available.
Prospect pool: Alexander Nikishin is the top defenseman outside the NHL and has been considered untouchable for a long time. He is expected to be an impact player for the Hurricanes soon. Scott Morrow and Aleksi Heimosalmi are also strong defensemen that other teams would want in trades. While Carolina is unlikely to trade Morrow, Heimosalmi could be moved to bring in a player who could help the team win now, especially with Dominik Badinka coming up.
Other NHL teams have shown interest in several of Carolina’s forward prospects, but the Hurricanes have been unwilling to trade them. Bradly Nadeau, Felix Unger Sorum, and Nikita Artamonov are under 20 and playing well in the AHL and KHL, and are seen as untouchables. Jayden Perron, Noel Gunler, Ryan Suzuki, and Justin Robidas have seen their trade value rise due to strong performances this season, and will attract attention from potential trade partners. All of them are skilled players with potential to play in the NHL as middle-six forwards.
Gunler, Suzuki, and Robidas are in their early 20s and could play in the NHL as soon as next season. They have been well developed and would be valuable for a team looking for young players who skate well. Gunler is a scorer, Suzuki is a playmaker, and Robidas is a reliable two-way player. Each of them brings a different skill set, making them valuable assets in potential trades.
Florida Panthers
Team overview: The Panthers, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions, have proven in the past two seasons that their success was not a fluke. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart are both contenders for the Selke Trophy, Matthew Tkachuk is on pace for 85 points, and Sam Bennett is always strong in the playoffs. Florida is one of the few teams that doesn’t have a major weakness in its lineup. When healthy, the Panthers are one of the deepest teams in the NHL. Although Florida is unlikely to make a big move at the deadline, it might look to add depth on defense.
Prospect pool: Justin Sourdif and Gracyn Sawchyn are two forward prospects that other teams are showing interest in. Sourdif may not get a real chance with Florida due to its depth, and his development has stalled because of it. He could be a good addition for a team looking to trade players who are about to become free agents, like San Jose, Seattle, Nashville, or Pittsburgh.
Sawchyn is a player that coaches love because of his speed, ability to win puck battles, and how he helps his teammates. He’s on track for 100 points in the WHL and has been improving his offense every year. Sawchyn is a right-handed center who is expected to be a middle-six player and can contribute on special teams. If Florida decides to make a major move at the deadline, Sawchyn would be a player other teams want because of his hard skills.
Marek Alscher is a defenseman who has been gaining attention after rising up draft lists in 2022. The physical defenseman is tough to play against and controls the area in front of the net. He’s been performing well in the AHL this season and could be ready for a regular NHL role as soon as next season.
Alscher is solid defensively and doesn’t try to be too physical when transitioning the puck. Teams around the league have shown interest in the 6-foot-3 defender, and he could bring a strong player in return if Florida decides to trade him.
New Jersey Devils
Team overview: With Sheldon Keefe as head coach and Jacob Markstrom in goal, the Devils are back in the race for the Metropolitan Division title and are winning the Hudson River Rivalry. The Devils are a young, fast, and exciting team, one of the most entertaining contenders. With Nico Hischier having a Selke-worthy season and a strong defensive pairing of Jonas Siegenthaler and Jonathan Kovacevic, the Devils have many of the key elements for long-term success.
Prospect pool: Due to their fluctuating performances in recent years, the Devils have had the chance to draft higher than many other teams. This has allowed them to build a strong defense with players like Seamus Casey, Simon Nemec, and Anton Silayev, including two top-10 picks. Both Nemec and Silayev would bring a big return for the Devils if they decided to trade them for a top-line winger. The Devils are in a unique position where they could trade one of these top defensive prospects because they have a surplus of them.
Though it’s not a typical move, trading one of their defensemen for a top scorer (such as Brock Boeser or J.T. Miller) would help fill a need without creating another. If Boeser would agree to a contract extension in New Jersey, using one of their talented defense prospects to get him might be a move the Devils consider.
If the Devils want to add more depth in the forward position, they also have other options. Arseni Gritsyuk, Cam Squires, Max Graham, and Lenni Hameenaho are all forward prospects that other teams are interested in. Gritsyuk is ready for the NHL and has been playing well in the KHL. If an NHL team can bring him to North America, he would be ready to join the lineup. Squires, Graham, and Hameenaho are all producing well and have value similar to that of rental players.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Team overview: The Tampa Bay Lightning are once again Stanley Cup contenders. They are one of the best examples of how to extend a Cup window by moving on from veterans at the right time, even when it’s tough, like with Steven Stamkos. The Lightning have been led by key players such as Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, and Norris Trophy contender Victor Hedman. Anthony Cirelli is a Selke contender and nearly has a point per game. Tampa Bay is tough to beat because its top players are performing at elite levels, and they have the necessary playoff experience to succeed.
Prospect pool: The Lightning don’t have a deep prospect pool, but GM Julien BriseBois isn’t afraid to trade players and picks to extend the team’s championship window.
They likely want to keep players like Conor Geekie, Ethan Gauthier, Gage Goncalves, and Jack Finley because they will need younger players on cheaper contracts to fill out their roster and keep their window open. The question is whether adding a player like Mikael Granlund or Jason Zucker for one playoff run is worth more than what these prospects can offer in the long term.
Tampa Bay could use more depth on defense and in goal. They might be able to acquire Jonathan Quick if the Rangers don’t make the playoffs. Kevin Lankinen could also be available if Vancouver falls short and doesn’t re-sign him. Both goalies are affordable, and Quick brings Stanley Cup experience. These options would provide a more reliable backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy and help keep him fresh for the playoffs. With two first-round picks and two fourth-round picks in the upcoming draft, it’s more likely that BriseBois will use draft picks to acquire players instead of trading away prospects.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Team overview: The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of fans, but they can’t be considered a true contender until they perform well in the spring. However, their defense, goaltending, and style of play under coach Craig Berube have earned many believers. The Leafs’ prospect pool is small after missing out on second- and third-round picks in 2023 and 2024. While their prospects don’t have elite potential, they do have some solid players and two good goaltending prospects.
Prospect pool: Leafs GM Brad Treliving has said the team is looking at the trade market for a center, and Yanni Gourde has been mentioned as a possible fit since December. Easton Cowan is considered too valuable to trade for Gourde. Neither Cowan nor Fraser Minten are likely to be moved as rental players, especially with Minten’s good performance earlier this season. Although neither Cowan nor Minten is expected to be a top-line player, Cowan brings a physical, gritty style to his game, which is valuable in the Atlantic Division, where players like the Tkachuk brothers and Brad Marchand also play. Minten is likely to have a career as a solid third-line player, and trading him for Gourde, who would play the same role, would not be a smart move.
If the Leafs decide to go after a big rental, Cowan would likely be the player they trade. But since Mitch Marner is their “own rental” (a free agent soon), it’s hard to see them making such a move.
On defense, Ben Danford and Topi Niemela are attracting interest from other teams. Niemela might not fit with the new management or coaching system, but he is still expected to be an NHL player. He is good at moving the puck, attacking space, and playing a calm game. Because he might not fit into the team’s current plans but has the skills to be an effective NHL defenseman, Niemela is most likely to be traded in a deal before the deadline.
Washington Capitals
Team overview: One of the biggest surprises this season is Washington’s rise in the standings. With Spencer Carbery being a top candidate for Coach of the Year, Alex Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jakob Chychrun playing well, and continued success from Dylan Strome and Logan Thompson, the Capitals are now at the top of the Metropolitan Division.
Prospect pool: Washington’s recent average performances have allowed them to draft higher than many other contenders, and they have gotten great value from their picks.
Ryan Leonard is likely to sign with the team after his NCAA season ends, and the Capitals are not expected to trade him since he’s expected to step into the lineup right away. He would be a big “addition” in April. Andrew Cristall and Terik Parascak are two forwards who add quality to their prospects.
Ivan Miroshnichenko is doing well in the AHL and is unlikely to be traded for a player without a contract beyond this season. If the Capitals want to add depth, Eriks Mateiko’s stock went up at the World Juniors, and Henrik Rybinski could be a good addition for a team looking for NHL-ready offense.
On defense, Cole Hutson impressed at the World Juniors and has become untouchable. Cam Allen was close to making Canada’s World Junior team and has been great in the OHL, showing improvement in all areas of his game.
The Capitals have several young defensemen and could trade one of Ryan Chesley, Leon Muggli, or Vincent Iorio to bring in more forward depth for a playoff run. If they don’t want to trade their first-round pick or their second-round picks for 2025, they may use one of these defensemen to improve their bottom six.
