Right now, the 2025 NHL playoff race feels wide open, and the league’s GMs have two more days to try to put their teams in the best position to contend for a title.
That should create the kind of eagerness that deadline sellers can feast on.
Here’s a look at five NHL teams that will definitely be working to identify the highest bidders, and some others who could be tempted by the opportunity to do some big business.
The Sure Things
These five clubs are out of playoff contention and have assets that can net healthy returns.
Philadelphia Flyers
We’ve been hearing that the St. Louis Blues had set a high price for Brayden Schenn. Now, with their renewed push for a playoff spot, Schenn might be off the table altogether.
If that’s the case, the Flyers’ Scott Laughton becomes one of the top centers available. There’s a long list of contenders looking to shore up that roster spot, so he could fetch a fine return. Andrei Kuzmenko and Erik Johnson could also be on the move as rentals, and bruising Rasmus Ristolainen could be coveted as a right-shot defenseman with another year on his deal — and no trade protection.
Seattle Kraken
After a coaching change and a couple of big free-agent signings didn’t get the Kraken back on track this season, the clock may be ticking for Ron Francis to make the kind of big moves that could change the team’s fortunes — and save his job.
Seattle O.G.s Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev have some trade protection, but they’re on expiring deals and could help a contending team on a playoff run. Would Francis cut deeper and move players with term, maybe a Jamie Oleksiak or Oliver Bjorkstrand?
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Buffalo Sabres
The rumors have swirled for months around Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram, but GM Kevyn Adams may prioritize taking smaller swings rather than risk gritting his teeth again as former Sabres level up with new teams.
Pending UFAs Henri Jokiharju and Jason Zucker sat out Tuesday against San Jose, suggesting deals could be imminent. Jordan Greenway has an eight-team no-trade list but could also be moved as a rental.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks traded UFA goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Forwards Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm are also rental options, and don’t have trade protection.
Teams might sniff around Mario Ferraro as a solid blueline option. Mike Grier has already moved out Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci. He’ll likely want to keep some quality veterans around to support his young talents, so an offer for Ferraro would need to knock his socks off.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Don’t expect Sidney Crosby to join Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado. But do expect interest in a hockey trade for Penguins right winger Rickard Rakell, who’s had a bounce-back year with 29 goals. The 31-year-old has three more years remaining at a $5-million cap hit that will get less onerous each season as the cap shoots up. His no-trade list spans just eight teams.
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The Possibles
No matter what their playoff prospects, these enigmatic squads seem most likely to make or break deadline day. Their GMs have high-stakes decisions to make, and the results will resonate whether they get bold or stand pat.
New York Islanders
The Islanders’ win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday keeps them within three points of a playoff spot, and that status will keep observers guessing about what’s going on under Lou Lamoriello’s cone of silence. The Islanders have been spinning their wheels for a while and could collect some valuable assets if they move on from impending UFAs Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
Will Lou’s loyalty ultimately outweigh the benefits of moving two useful vets to contenders?
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are open to moving Carson Soucy, but the big blueliner has a full no-trade for the rest of this season. That could limit a potential return. Pius Suter and Derek Forbort are both impending UFAs, but they will likely be needed as the Canucks try to reel in a playoff berth.
The bigger questions are whether franchise cornerstones Brock Boeser and/or Elias Pettersson might have new addresses by Friday. GM Patrik Allvin has downplayed expectations of big moves, but both have struggled to put up points lately and their reputations could attract serious interest.
Pettersson’s cap hit is rich, no doubt. But with no trade protection until July 1, could a team with a deep prospect pool, perhaps Columbus or Utah, step up and make a splash?
Nashville Predators
It got late early in Music City, and Predators GM Barry Trotz has been making tweaks to his roster for most of the season. That could continue this week, but don’t expect Ryan O’Reilly or Luke Schenn get moved unless they give their blessing, even though they don’t have formal trade protection.
Boston Bruins
Despite Trent Frederic’s injury, Don Sweeney dealt his impending UFA to Edmonton on Tuesday. With Brad Marchand listed as week-to-week, could he be next? The captain has only an eight-team no-trade list, but it seems unlikely that Sweeney would make a deal without Marchand’s blessing. He has been unequivocal about his desire to stay with the Bruins, and GMs who have long relationships with players often struggle to cut ties, even when contract challenges are looming.
It’s more likely that we’ll see Justin Brazeau move as a rental. Andrew Peeke could draw interest as a big, young depth defenseman with term.
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Carolina Hurricanes
If the Hurricanes flip Mikko Rantanen by Friday, the deal will go down as one of the most memorable in trade deadline history. And even if rookie GM Eric Tulsky decides that he can’t afford the risk of Rantanen walking away on July 1, can another team extract a long-term commitment that would elicit a substantial return payment?
If that doesn’t happen and Rantanen remains a rental, Carolina might decide that the better plan is to roll the dice. They’re a good team, and winning solves a lot. A big playoff run could get the newcomer excited about a long-term future in the Tar Heel State.
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