Vincent Trocheck, Sergei Bobrovsky and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are among the top names on the Big Board. Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic, with photos by Sam Navarro / Imagn Images and Jamie Sabau / Getty Images
March 6, 2026Updated 9:21 am EST
The Athletic has live coverage of the NHL trade deadline.
Deadline day is here, and the difference-makers are on the move.
To kick off what could be a splashy deadline, the Anaheim Ducks announced a stunner at 1:11 a.m. ET on Friday, acquiring veteran, Stanley Cup-winning defenseman John Carlson from the Washington Capitals.
Another name off the Big Board. But plenty of impact players remain, including a number with term remaining on their contracts, meaning we could see more “hockey moves” than usual.
As of 9 a.m. ET on Friday, six hours until the deadline, here are the top 50 players to watch.
As always, players are listed by how closely they demand watching, based on their potential impact and the current amount of buzz around them.
Note: Net Ratings and market values are via Dom Luszczyszyn’s model and are projected for the full season based on statistics through March 4. Goals saved above expected (GSAx) are via Evolving-Hockey, also through March 4. Contract info is via PuckPedia.
The trade chatter has really started to pick up around Thomas, and why not? Centers signed to positive-value contracts for several more years don’t come available too often. Especially those with multiple 80-point seasons on their resumes. Thomas is an ideal fit for teams just entering their windows to win, such as the Mammoth and Sabres, who have each taken a run at getting something done already. He possesses strong puck skills and vision, and he can handle the challenge of facing tough competition every night. Any trade involving him will be considered a blockbuster.
The biggest question is whether the Rangers will get a big enough offer to act now. Trocheck recently demonstrated the kind of role he can play on a winning team while capturing gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics — dominating in the faceoff dot for Team USA while playing a key role on a penalty-killing unit that didn’t allow a single goal in the tournament. Known for exuding grit and determination, he’s got the tools to play in all situations and can handle heavy, difficult minutes. Trocheck looks like an ideal fit for the Minnesota Wild, but they’re balking at the asking price.
Kadri represents another interesting option for teams chasing a center. A fierce competitor with a Stanley Cup ring already in his collection, he possesses a rare combination of offensive ability and fearlessness. He never backs down from a challenge and seems to elevate his play when the game’s emotions are highest. The biggest potential deterrent to a move at this deadline is the three years remaining on Kadri’s contract beyond this season. Montreal makes sense here if the Flames elect to retain salary.
A skilled puck-mover and former No. 2 pick, Nemec will be in line for a raise when his entry-level contract expires this summer. With the Devils enduring a difficult season and already having plenty of money committed elsewhere on their blue line, they’re listening to offers on the young right-shot defenseman. It will likely take an attractive forward being offered to pry Nemec out of New Jersey.
Parayko used his no-trade clause to block a potential trade to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday but indicated a willingness to consider another move elsewhere. Now it’s up to the Blues to cook up another deal. Parayko is a minute-muching defensive defenseman coming off a silver medal with Team Canada at the Milan Olympics. He moves well for a man of his size and plays a premium position as a top-pairing right-shot D.
O’Reilly would shoot up the board if the Predators made a firm decision to trade him. So far that hasn’t happened, but multiple teams are keeping tabs here because O’Reilly is defying the aging curve with strong two-way results, including a bounce-back offensive performance that has already seen him eclipse last season's point total. The 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner remains a beast in the faceoff circle and has the ability to be a true difference-maker for a contender.
The future Hall of Famer has been on a heater after a slow start and just hit the 30-goal mark for the 10th time in his career. That's difficult to ignore. Stamkos recently told reporters he wasn’t looking to expedite his way out of Nashville, but The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported there are multiple destinations he might consider attractive enough to waive his no-movement clause: Minnesota, Dallas, New Jersey and Tampa Bay. A trade involving Stamkos might not materialize until the summer, but given how he’s turned back the clock and filled the net this season, his name is worthy of a long look in the days ahead, too.
The Leafs are seriously gauging the market on “OEL” and have garnered enough interest to justify scratching him for roster-management purposes this week. He’s enjoying a renaissance season. One of the reasons Sweden elected to bring Ekman-Larsson to the Milan Cortina Olympics was because decision-makers noted he played like an “angry old man.” That was a compliment. There’s a welcome edge to the veteran defenseman’s game and he’s currently producing offense at a rate not seen since his days with the Coyotes.
There’s been plenty of interest in the low-maintenance veteran, who is still logging more than 22 minutes per night in his 15th NHL season. Known as a stout five-on-five defender who chips in a bit offensively, he generally keeps things steady. Faulk is also a right shot capable of playing both sides of the ice. As an added bonus, his contract was front-loaded, which means that he’s owed less in actual cash than his actual cap hit now that he’s down to the final year and a half remaining.
With the “For Sale” now hanging on all expiring players in South Florida, the future Hall of Fame goaltender is available to rent. The Panthers would have preferred to sign Bobrovsky to an extension but didn’t make much headway on a new contract. Even though he’s having a down season by his standards, it’s tough to ignore Bobrovsky’s starring role in Florida reaching the Stanley Cup Final the past three years. While he carries a monster $10 million cap hit, the actual money still owing on it isn’t significant.
The writing is on the wall for Coleman, who spoke openly with reporters in Calgary about the likelihood of being dealt after returning from the Olympic break. The interest in him is described as “significant.” An excellent skater and defensively sound winger, the puck is usually headed in a positive direction when Coleman is on the ice. He’s a 20-goal scorer who has been dangerous on the penalty kill over the years and ideally slots in on the third line of a top team — as he did for the Tampa Bay Lightning while winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. He’s the kind of deadline upgrade who can raise the bar for a contender.
The door isn’t closed on McMann remaining in Toronto with a contract extension in place, but it’s currently an either/or situation with the pending unrestricted free agent. McMann skates extremely well for a man of his size, is unafraid to take the body and get in on the forecheck, and has authored a great story of perseverance — going undrafted before working his way up from the ECHL. He also carries the unofficial distinction of having the most team-friendly contract among players available at this deadline, which will be important to contenders as the NHL institutes a playoff salary cap for the first time.
Kyrou’s name circled through the rumor mill before his no-movement clause officially took effect on July 1, and it resurfaced abruptly in November when he was made a healthy scratch by the scuffling Blues. While his production is a shade off its usual level, Kyrou remains a highly skilled winger who possesses an enviable toolkit: blinding speed, high-end vision and creativity to spare. There are multiple teams that would love to graft his skillset onto their cores because Kyrou is signed through 2031.
Coming off a strong Olympic tournament for Finland, his first national team assignment in nearly a decade, Ristolainen is once again available on the trade market. The Flyers can stick to their guns in terms of an ask due to the fact that he’s under contract for another season beyond this one. A big right-shot defensemen who plays with some edge, Ristolainen has taken steps toward being more reliable on the defensive side of the puck since arriving in Philadelphia. Some scouts believe he could be a reliable second-pair option if slotted into the right system.
The Flames would have to be blown away with an offer on Whitecloud after already shipping MacKenzie Weegar to Utah, but they’re open to listening. Whitecloud is a big, solid right-shot defenseman with a Stanley Cup on his resume. He’s signed through the 2027-28 season, which is appealing for teams looking to upgrade their blue lines.
The Leafs won’t be able to recoup the package they gave up to acquire Laughton at last year’s deadline, when they sent a first-round pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to Philadelphia, but the high-character center still has value. Not only is he a heart-and-soul player who helps set the dressing room culture, he’s also incredibly reliable in the faceoff dot. The Flyers already chopped his cap hit in half, which means Toronto can make him a $750,000 player for any interested team.
Blueger is fresh off an appearance at the Milan Olympics for Latvia and has been filling the net in Vancouver since returning from a three-month absence due to a lower-body injury. While he’s more typically known for his speed and ability to take care of his own end as a defensive-minded center, the scoring surge won’t hurt his trade value. Neither will the fact that Blueger won a Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights in 2023 and is playing on an expiring contract.
A rejuvenated season for the veteran center included a strong showing at the recent Milan Cortina Olympics with Finland. Haula has tremendous speed and penalty-killing chops, and can chip in a bit offensively. He's a pending unrestricted free agent who the Predators are taking calls on.
A depth winger with plenty of size, Greer has already established career bests this season with 11 goals and 22 points. He represents a natural piece for the Panthers to flip since he’s due to hit free agency this summer. Greer is a good skater who plays with an edge and carries some added shine after lifting the Stanley Cup in Florida last June.
Trade talk has cooled off since Hamilton returned to the Devils lineup following a healthy scratch in January, but he’s still very much available. New Jersey would like to clear up cap space for other moves, and Hamilton no longer has a full no-trade clause in his contract. He’s a mobile right-shot defenseman who is logging more than 21 minutes per night this season. His offensive prowess isn’t what it once was, but the puck still tends to be moving in the right direction when he’s on the ice. As a bonus, the actual dollars owed on Hamilton’s contract are less than the cap hit attached to the deal.
A knee injury kept the big right-shot defenseman on the sidelines until January, and playing time has been tough to come by since. Kovacevic is receiving three minutes less per game compared to last season. Unafraid to engage physically around his net, he’s at his best when keeping the game simple. Kovacevic is under contract for four more seasons.
A big winger capable of playing up and down the lineup, Mikheyev brings a fair amount of versatility with his game. He’s been deployed as a penalty-killer throughout his NHL career and is a threat to score short-handed. Not only is Mikheyev a pending UFA, 15 percent of his contract was retained by the Vancouver Canucks in a previous trade, so the cap hit on his deal is eligible to be reduced further.
The Canucks are trying to sell Kane’s track record rather than what he’s accomplished this season. A move to his hometown team last summer hasn’t worked out as hoped. Still, multiple playoff-bound teams have interest in Kane’s physical brand of play and are weighing the merits of taking on the perceived baggage that comes with him. He remains an intimidating presence who is unafraid to go to the hard areas of the ice, and he played in the past two Stanley Cup Finals with the Edmonton Oilers. Vancouver is willing to sweeten the deal by retaining salary.
Kotkaniemi has seen a significant decline in his role with the Hurricanes, which makes him an interesting trade candidate given his age and the position he plays. The biggest red flag is that a player once prized for his 200-foot game has seen a big dip in his ability to drive play this season. Kotkaniemi’s typically inconsistent offensive numbers have trended hard in the wrong direction as well. He still has four seasons remaining on his contract beyond this one, albeit at a reasonable cap number, and only has limited control of the situation courtesy of a 10-team no-trade list.
The well-traveled perennial 20-goal man has a penchant for getting under the skin of opponents with a high-energy game. Bunting is unafraid to engage in puck battles and is well-suited to playing alongside high-end teammates because he can help win it back for them. He’s also a pending unrestricted free agent who is having a reasonably productive season. Expect Nashville to shop him even if it remains in the playoff hunt.
The pending unrestricted free agent has put up solid numbers in Pittsburgh since coming over from Edmonton in a December trade, producing 16.91 saves above expected in the span, per Evolving-Hockey. Skinner is a positionally sound goaltender who excels at remaining square to the shooter. He’s also got plenty of big-game experience from consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers.
Claimed off waivers from Edmonton in November, the veteran right-shot defenseman became a key contributor for the Leafs. While undersized, he’s a strong skater with decent puck skills who plays with determination. Stecher represents a low-cost depth option for playoff teams and has played the most minutes of his NHL career since arriving in Toronto.
Working his way back from core muscle surgery that’s limited him to just five games this season, Laine's future lies somewhere other than Montreal. The Canadiens don’t have an obvious spot for him in the lineup and seem inclined to move off his contract in order to clear cap room needed for other moves. While Laine is no longer the game-breaking talent who took the NHL by storm a decade ago, he still possesses a wicked shot and remains a serious power-play threat. The Canadiens have the ability to retain salary on his expiring contract in order to help facilitate a move.
Even though he’s more associated with being a playmaker than a goal scorer, it’s hard to ignore the fact Nyquist still hasn’t scored a goal this season. He signed in Winnipeg last summer, and it hasn’t worked out well for either side. Nyquist was traded for a second-round pick at last year’s deadline, going from Nashville to Minnesota, but the price won’t be nearly so steep this time around. He remains a strong skater with offensive flair and may be worth taking a flier on.
A tough customer who will never hesitate to drop the gloves to defend a teammate, Deslauriers is one of the few remaining fighters left in the NHL. A high-energy player with 700 games of NHL experience on his resume, he’s the kind of depth forward counted on to help shift momentum in his team’s favor. A pending unrestricted free agent, Deslauriers won’t come at a high price.
There was plenty of interest in Schenn ahead of last year’s deadline, and the Blues now appear more inclined to move the veteran center amid a disappointing season. What was once a full no-trade clause in Schenn’s contract is now a 15-team no-trade list, giving him less control of the process. He’s had a difficult season that mirrors what his team has endured, as evidenced by some concerning defensive metrics, but Schenn should still carry value as a reliable center capable of impacting the game at both ends of the ice. He’s scored at a 22-goal, 54-point pace across a 17-year NHL career.
