Cam Robinson's 2024-25 Trade Bait Big Board 3.0

VANCOUVER, British Columbia—Trade Deadline week is officially upon us. With seven days remaining on the countdown clock, we're starting to hear that teams are moving past the tire-kicking phase and are beginning to put together tangible offers. While we’ve seen some of the bigger fish come off the market early, there is still a smorgasbord of potential movers and a fistful more that have yet to be exposed to the public sphere. 

Some things we know: There are plenty of buyers this year. We can thank league parity for that. Buyers in secure playoff spots are far more open to moving 2025 first-round picks, while sellers are trying for 2026 picks – especially unprotected versions. 

“It’s a top-heavy class this year. Everyone knows it,” one NHL executive told Elite Prospects. “The value of a later first-round pick isn’t what is was last year or for the next prior.”

The centre rental market is unusually thin. Teams will be forced to explore trade options on players with term. With the rising salary cap, this has become a more palatable route for some contenders. It also increases the value of those centres that are on expiring contracts.

Mikko Rantanen, RW - Carolina Hurricanes

Remember those big fish we mentioned that had already moved? Well, Mikko Rantanen is the Derby winner. But that hasn’t stopped rumours from swirling that the superstar winger has no interest in talking extension with Carolina. 

From my understanding, the team is not concerned... yet. They’re in the part of a contender’s life cycle where rolling the dice on a long playoff run with a high-profile UFA-to-be is palatable. They would prefer to have him locked up before March 7th, but as of today, they appear set to take the chance that they either win the Stanley Cup and/or he signs before July 1st. 

It's unlikely they could flip in and regain the same value they moved out. So, why not take the shot? As the adage goes, “You've got to risk it to get the biscuit.”

Brock Nelson, C - New York Islanders

Brock Nelson is the prototypical deadline buy. A 33-year-old pivot on an expiring contract with a very palatable $4 million cap hit. It doesn’t hurt that he scored at a 37-goal pace in the three seasons before this one. Winning nearly 54 percent of his faceoffs and being a capable penalty killer make him an ideal fit for the many teams searching for another top-nine pivot.

Speaking to some sources around the league, the general consensus is that this player should command a late first-round pick and a mid-level player or prospect. Or a second-round pick and a more quality player asset. But the fact that Nelson is the top centre trade option could increase that range. 

Watch out for the Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Columbus Blue Jackets. There will be many interested parties.

Brock Boeser, RW - Vancouver Canucks

Brock Boeser is the Canucks longest-tenured player. He scored 40 goals last season and consistently hangs around the 30-goal pace. At 28 years old, he’s a fairly known quantity. But that didn’t stop Canucks’ GM Patrik Allvin from saying the club is “still evaluating him.”

While the American winger remains steadfast in his desire to maximize term length, information indicates he may be amenable to a slightly shorter length if the dollar amount made up for it. 

Meanwhile the Canucks have been firm in their desire to keep this to a four or five year contract length. Either one side needs to move substantially, or Boeser’s remaining time in Vancouver will be short.

“He’ll have his pick of destinations in the summer if he gets there,” one source shared with Elite Prospects.

The team is currently in a playoff spot, and with ownership greatly valuing playoff revenue, they may elect to keep him as their own rental is a deal that cannot be made now, take another crack at signing him before July 1st, or let him walk to market.

Last year, Jake Guentzel – a more proven producer in a similar situation collected a roster player in Michael Bunting, a conditional 1st round pick, and three quality prospects. Something in the same realm, but slightly less, could be the expected ask from Vancouver if they decide to move him. 

Teams linked to Boeser include the Los Angeles Kings, the New Jersey Devils, and the Ottawa Senators. Would anyone be all that surprised if his hometown Minnesota Wild tried to find a way to bring him in? Cap space will be the main issue there, though.

Brad Marchand, RW - Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand has never wavered in his desire to remain a Bruin for life. The organization has made a habit of allowing their legends to do just that in recent years. But the team was in a different position then. Now, they’re in danger of becoming stuck in the mushy middle. Yet, moving their captain is no easy decision, even if the return could ultimately help them long term. 

the injury Marchand will likely keep him sidelined until after the deadline on March 7th. It's not believed to be a long-term issue so trading him could still be in the cards. But as of now, it appears more likely than not that Boston decides to retain him. 

Scott Laughton, C – Philadelphia Flyers

With the lack of pure rental centres available, a player like Scott Laughton has been garnering a lot of interest. With one year remaining on his deal at a cap hit of just 3M, he’s easily stomached by contenders lacking much wiggle room on the cap. The 30-year-old is currently playing at just below a 40-point pace while providing the hard-nosed style that teams covet in a third-line centre role. 

Toronto, New Jersey, and Winnipeg appear to be the clubs most interested. 

Jake Evans, C - Montreal Canadiens

The industry chatter is that Jake Evans knows his value, and the Canadiens are not willing to pay it. This leaves the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent as a strong option for teams in the market for a rental centre. Especially with a paltry 1.7M cap hit. 

Look for the Jets, Maple Leafs, Devils and Wild to have strong interest in the 28-year-old.

Trevor Zegras, C/W - Anaheim Ducks

The writing has been on the wall for some time regarding Trevor Zegras's time in Anaheim. The 23-year-old has watched his production and usage dip year over year. What once looked like a superstar in the making has produced just 13 goals and 31 points in 65 games over the past two seasons. 

He remains an absolute cheat code in the shootout, though. For his career, the American has converted on 65 percent of his attempts. The league average is under 34 percent. 

“He's absolutely out on the market,” one source told Elite Prospects. “We'll see if teams still believe they can fix him. He's still so young.”

The Ducks are in the market for a needle-mover on the blueline, but so are about 15 other clubs. With another year under contract before RFA status, teams outside of the playoff picture could be involved.

Could Chicago be interested? We know they're looking for a Connor Bedard running mate.

Dylan Cozens, C - Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo is in desperate need of a shake-up to their core. Dylan Cozens has struggled to live up to the seven-year, 49M extension he signed a year ago. Teams are interested in the reclamation of the 24-year-old, but it doesn't appear they are lining up to take on his full contract or provide a substantial return. 

Sources indicate that he's been out there for a while, but the offers haven't motivated the Sabres enough. Not yet, at least. A change of scenery could provide a boost to the former seventh-overall pick. But don't expect Buffalo to just give him away. 

Carson Soucy, D - Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks sent a fax to the other 31 clubs that Carson Soucy was available. The 30-year-old left-side defender has failed to live up to the level he had been at in recent seasons with the Canucks and Kraken. 

However, with just one more season remaining on his deal at a palatable 3.25M against the cap, there should be a market for this player. However, sources indicate that both the Canucks and Soucy’s representation have been hard at work to find a new landing spot but with no traction thus far. 

The Calgary Flames could make some sense here, but perhaps in a player-for-player move. 

Ryan Donato, C - Chicago Blackhawks

With unrestricted free agency looming and amid a career season, Ryan Donato should be able to bring back something tangible for the Blackhawks. The 28-year-old is cost-effective and produces extremely well on a per-60 basis. 

Teams looking for depth scoring without much wiggle room against the cap or those who miss out on bigger fish should have a strong interest. 

One source did indicate that Chicago may be considering an extension with him, though. 

Noah Dobson, D - New York Islanders

Reports came out earlier this month that Noah Dobson's name was out on the market. It was unclear if the club was shopping the 25-year-old defender or if he was brought up in a specific deal to land a major piece. 

However, around the same time that his name came up in rumours, Dobson moved on from his long-time agent, Andrew Maloney and has signed with the super group, Wasserman Agency. Players don't swap agents on a whim. Clearly, Dobson has been uninspired with his representation as he heads into a very important contract negotiation. 

Now, does this mean that he'll request a trade? That the Islanders will shop him heavily before the deadline? It seems unlikely. As an impending restricted free agent, this remains an asset that is under team control even after his contract expires. There shouldn't be a lot of rush to make a move. 

However, if the right piece becomes available to the Islanders, it appears they would be open to moving the soon-to-be restricted free agent who just returned from an 11-game absence. 

Ryan O’Reilly, C - Nashville Predators

Despite opening up the budget and spending big in free agency, things just haven’t worked out in Nashville this season. The team sits comfortably among the bottom five and will be eyeing the draft lottery. Moving out assets is inevitable.

That said, they don’t need to move Ryan O’Reilly. He has two more years remaining at $4.5 million. But the 33-year-old represents their most obvious trade chip, one that could yield significant value. O’Reilly remains one of the league’s top faceoff specialists, has a well-documented history of playoff excellence, and is a respected presence in the dressing room.

Sources indicate Nashville will be looking for a return similar to that of Nelson—a first-round pick as the core asset.

Brandon Tanev, LW - Seattle Kraken

Brandon Tanev is more than just a fun opening night headshot. The 33-year-old also brings speed, forechecking presence, and penalty-killing acumen to a bottom-six role. With just 3.5M against the cap, he’ll be a nice depth addition to a team looking to bargain shop. 

Rickard Rakell, LW - Pittsburgh Penguins

Rickard Rakelll is playing some of the best hockey of his career. Already sitting at the 25-goal mark through 60 games, the 31-year-old carries intriguing value to a team in the market for a responsible, scoring winger. Having three years left on his deal at a 5M tag might even boost his value. 

“With the (cap) ceiling rising, players like him (Rakell) with term at a decent number will become more sought-after,” an NHL executive told Elite Prospects. 

John Gibson, G - Anaheim Ducks

Could this finally be the year that John Gibson is liberated from Anaheim? It’s been the worst-kept secret in hockey that both player and team have been open and ready for a change, but circumstances haven’t allowed for it.

With two more seasons at $6.4 million per season, the 31-year-old’s contract is slowly becoming less prohibitive. Sources have indicated that the Ducks are willing to retain some of that salary – especially if it means a more impactful return. The bigger issue is finding a team that believes the American stopper can represent an upgrade – even at, say, $4 million per season.

Gibson has let it be known that he prefers Carolina or Edmonton as a destination. However, the biggest desire is to be the No. 1 netminder in his new locale.

Bowen Byram, D - Buffalo Sabres

Another upcoming RFA defender hits the list in Bowen Byram. The 23-year-old has been productive this season, but more importantly, he's been healthy. He’s already set a new career-high in games played, having suited up in all 57 contests thus far. 

The problem is that Buffalo has a lot of cap and term locked up to left-handed defenders. Rasmus Dahlin isn't going anywhere. Owen Power is in the first year of a seven-year pact that pays him a heft 8.35M per. Sources indicate that Byram is looking for a contact in the similar stratosphere as Power. 

That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Byram has produced at a comparable rate. Plays more minutes at even-strength and the penalty kill. Has more goals, hits, and blocks. He wants the chance to be the guy, and Buffalo can't offer that. 

This is another situation that doesn't have a real clock on it. The Sabres can take their time and move him at the draft if need be. 

Nick Bjugstad, C - Utah Hockey Club

After a tidy 22-goal, 45-point season in 2023-24, Nick Bjugstad has struggled to match the level of play this season. However, he's a big body with a palatable cap hit and plays the middle of the ice. 

Teams who miss out on some of the bigger-name pivots will check in on the 32-year-old Bjugstad to add depth. However, with Utah charging up the standings, they may decide to hold onto him. 

Yanni Gourde, C - Seattle Kraken

With a lack of rental centres on the market, Seattle Kraken pivot Yanni Gourde brings an interesting array of qualities to the table – even while on injured reserve. The 33-year-old is in the final year of his six-season pact that pays him 5.17M. 

Gourde continues to rehab from an injury that has kept him out of action for the last month, but his return to action appears close. If a team is confident in his health, he could be had for a lower price tag.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion brings impeccable experience and strong defensive abilities. His days of scoring 20 goals are behind him, but several clubs would love to slide him into a third-line role for the post-season.

Elias Pettersson, C - Vancouver Canucks

We’ve kept Elias Pettersson on this list as a safeguard in case something changes. However, sources have indicated to Elite Prospects that the Canucks officially pulled the 26-year-old off of the market after trading J.T. Miller earlier this month. 

However, Pettersson’s uninspired play since that move has not ingratiated him well with management or fans. Checking with teams around the league, there is still an appetite to trade for and rehabilitate the Swedish centre, but as one source said, “This would be the worst time to try and get value for him.”

The best and current course of action for the Canucks is to do nothing and hope he finds his game down the stretch. Barring that, watch for his name to pop up in talks again as the NHL Draft draws near.