Notable prospects who could move at the NHL trade deadline

Trades involving prospects usually happen during the summer, not as much at the trade deadline, but we could see more of them this season.

The 2025 NHL Draft class is shaping up to be top-heavy, with four headliners and about a dozen more A-level talents. After that, there’s a steeper drop in talent than in previous classes. Most prospects selected in the late first round would have middle-of-the-second-round value in another class.

Some organisations could still value those picks, trusting their scouting staff to identify the real talents in the mass of B-level prospects. But other teams may ask for more certain pieces, such as more developed prospects, in exchange for their veterans.

The prospects who change homes at the trade deadline usually fit a certain profile. They have plateaued in t