St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn surfaced as a trade candidate in recent weeks amid rumors that GM Doug Armstrong might shake up his roster core.
The 33-year-old center’s contract runs through 2027-28 with an annual cap hit of $6.5 million and a full no-trade clause for this season.
Schenn was linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs, given their need for more depth at center. Over the weekend, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated the Maple Leafs weren’t the only club interested in the Blues star, suggesting the Vegas Golden Knights could also be a suitor.
However, the Blues have risen in the standings of late, sitting one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. As a result, TSN’s Darren Dreger considers it unlikely the Blues will move Schenn by the March 7 NHL trade deadline.
Speaking of the Leafs, GM Brad Treliving attempted to downplay expectations that he might take a big swing in the trade market.
“It’s where do you think you can help your team the most,” Treliving told reporters. “Historically, these headline-grabbing deadline deals, look back at how many really pay dividends.”
Report: Maple Leafs Likely Seeking Salary Retention When Making Moves Before NHL Trade Deadline Toronto has just over $2.2 million in cap space entering the final week before the deadline.
Schenn isn’t the only notable name in the rumor mill who could remain with their current club after the deadline.
Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen have been mentioned frequently as trade candidates. Nevertheless, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic wouldn’t be surprised if both players are still on the Flyers roster after March 7.
Kurz stated the Flyers aren’t in a rush to part with two players they consider integral to their roster. Their asking price of a first-round pick for Laughton could be too expensive for most suitors, while Ristolainen hasn’t generated much interest in the trade market.
The Flyers can be patient because both players are under contract beyond this season. Laughton has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $3 million, while Ristolainen is signed through 2026-27 with a $5.1-million cap hit.
Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen Is Focused On The Present, Unbothered by the Noise
Turning to the Pittsburgh Penguins, there were recent rumors regarding forward Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believed Rakell to be the Penguins’ most valuable trade chip. The 31-year-old right winger is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million. He leads the Penguins with 28 goals and is second in points with 52.
Vensel believes Rakell’s trade value is at its peak. The Penguins aren’t in a hurry to trade him but are open to offers. They could move him if they get a pitch that exceeds the return they received from Vancouver in the Marcus Pettersson trade.
NHL Trade Deadline 2025: 10 Defensemen Who Could Move The NHL trade deadline arrives Friday, and experienced defensemen could be valuable trade chips.
As for Karlsson, he told reporters on Sunday that management hasn’t approached him about waiving his no-movement clause.
“I’ll deal with that if it, and when it, comes. Until then, I’m not,” he said.
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