The NHL trade deadline is approaching in less than a week, and we can expect a surge of transactions leading up to Friday afternoon. Teams vying for playoff spots will aim to enhance their lineups for the final stretch, and there are numerous key players on the market.
We’ve already witnessed several stars switch teams during the 2025-26 season. Quinn Hughes transitioned from the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild, while the New York Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. Although these prominent players may have been dealt, the trade market remains filled with athletes who could be pivotal in determining whether a team clinches the Stanley Cup or faces an early playoff exit.
Key Players on the Market
As the Rangers continue their sales, anticipate Vincent Trocheck’s name surfacing in trade discussions. The recently crowned Olympic gold medalist is a solid middle-six center capable of penalty killing and winning faceoffs. This is highly valued by general managers focused on the postseason. Trocheck is merely one of several centers to monitor, as few aspects are as crucial in the playoffs as having depth down the middle.
As the NHL trade deadline approaches in 2026, teams seeking to boost their scoring options have several avenues to explore. The St. Louis Blues have been considering trading Jordan Kyrou for a significant part of the season, while Elias Pettersson, despite his current struggles, still possesses the potential of a superstar.
With the 2026 NHL trade deadline nearing, here are eight athletes who could significantly influence the playoff landscape.
Recent High-Profile Trades
Vincent Trocheck | Center | New York Rangers
Vincent Trocheck NYR • Center • #16 Goals 12 Assists 26 Points 38 Check Profile
Having just secured a gold medal at the Olympics, Trocheck finds himself on the trading block. The Rangers are embarking on yet another rebuild, and Trocheck stands out as one of their most appealing assets. He excels in faceoffs and penalty killing—two attributes that NHL general managers highly value during the postseason—and has managed to tally 38 points in 45 games for a struggling Rangers squad. Ideally, Trocheck would serve as a solid second or third-line center for a championship contender.
Impact of Trades on Playoff Race
That being said, there could be a cautionary aspect regarding Trocheck. At 32 years of age, he has three years remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5.625 million, and his underlying statistics present some concerns. Since the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Trocheck has recorded a 46.7% expected goals share at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick. This may be influenced by his time on a struggling team in New York, and he could potentially excel in a more favorable setting.
Nazem Kadri | Center | Calgary Flames
Nazem Kadri CGY • Center • #91 Goals 12 Assists 29 Total Points 41 View Profile
Teams to Watch Before Deadline
Kadri’s tenure in Calgary hasn’t unfolded as anticipated, and it may be in the best interest of both sides to seek a trade. As a seasoned center with a Stanley Cup title, Kadri would attract interest from teams with serious championship goals. Although his output has declined this season, he netted 35 goals in 2024-25, indicating he still possesses his scoring ability. Kadri is likely to contribute offensive firepower and a gritty edge to the middle six of any roster.
Similar to Trocheck, Kadri’s concerns revolve around his age and the extent to which his statistical decline is influenced by a struggling team. At 35 years old, he has three years remaining on his contract, valued at $7 million annually. The Flames might consider absorbing part of that salary to facilitate a trade, but this would likely increase the overall acquisition cost.
Jordan Kyrou | Right Wing | St. Louis Blues
Jordan Kyrou STL • Center • #25 Goals 14 Assists 19 Total Points 33 View Profile
I believe Kyrou could emerge as one of the most significant bargains during the 2026 NHL trade deadline. He is on pace for 56 points over an 82-game season, which would mark a decline of 11 points from his previous full-season total. Nonetheless, Kyrou’s shooting percentage of 11.0% is 2.3 points below his career norm, yet he is excelling in his five-on-five playtime.
With Kyrou on the ice during five-on-five play, St. Louis holds a remarkable 62.5% share of the expected goals, significantly outpacing the rest of the team. Additionally, Kyrou has demonstrated his capability to consistently achieve 70 points per season, and at just 27 years old, he has plenty of potential ahead. Although he is a winger with a hefty cap hit of $8.125 million for the next five years, Kyrou has the potential to be a top-line player if placed in the right environment. The encouraging aspect for interested teams is that his market value may never be more favorable.
Elias Pettersson | Center | Vancouver Canucks
MacKenzie Weegar CGY • D • #52 Goals 3 Assists 18 Points 21 View Profile
The Flames are fully embracing a sell-off strategy, and although trading Weegar isn’t a necessity, he would likely yield a significant return. Despite his unflattering minus-26 goal differential at five-on-five, Weegar’s poor on-ice PDO doesn’t overshadow his status as a solid top-four defenseman. Notably, he recorded 47 points while achieving a plus-17 goal differential at even strength. At 32 years old, he has five years left on his contract at $6.25 million annually, which is a reasonable figure for a defenseman of his quality, especially with the salary cap on the rise.
One of the major concerns for Calgary is that they have already traded Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this season, so losing Weegar would significantly weaken their defensive lineup. The Flames might consider holding off and pursuing a trade in the offseason — or during the 2026-27 season — if they do not receive a satisfactory offer.
Robert Thomas | Center | St. Louis Blues
Robert Thomas STL • Center • #18 Goals 11 Assists 22 Points 33 View Profile
The acquisition cost for Thomas, 26, could be steep. However, he may prove to be a valuable asset. Thomas is a top-tier playmaking center who recorded 60 assists in consecutive seasons from 2023 to 2025. Although he faced injuries during the 2025-26 season, his true potential was evident last year. In the 2024-25 season, Thomas achieved 81 points and maintained a plus-21 goal differential at even strength. He is set to earn $8.125 million annually for the next five years, which should be manageable for any team in search of a strong No. 1 center or an exceptional No. 2 center.
Thomas possesses a no-trade clause, granting him some influence over where he might go. That said, I can only assume that several Cup contenders will be interested in acquiring Thomas, making those teams attractive options for a player who is clearly in his prime.
