The official two-month countdown to the 3 p.m. ET March 8 NHL trade deadline got off to a great start with a Philadelphia Flyers-Anaheim Ducks deal early in the week.
Are more trades coming soon?
The Flyers sent prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick. The Flyers moved the forward because he said he wouldn’t sign with the team and his value was high after helping the United States win gold at the world junior championship. They get a young though often-injured defenseman who can help their struggling power play.
Because many contending teams are up against a tight salary cap, they likely will wait until closer until that day to build up the cap space to make their acquisitions. But recent years show that many moves are made before the final day.
Though things can change between now and then, here are some teams that could provide the talent that is moved for draft picks and prospects:
Calgary Flames
They lost Johnny Gaudreau for nothing when he went to the Columbus Blue Jackets in free agency in 2022, and traded Matthew Tkachuk that summer when it was clear he wouldn’t re-sign. Their pending unrestricted free agents include Elias Lindholm, a two-way center who was Selke Trophy runner-up in 2020-21, and defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. If it’s clear they won’t sign, they could be moved. But the team is in the playoff hunt, so that decision could come closer to the deadline.
Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard (broken jaw) is one of nine players on the injured list and Corey Perry had his contract terminated. This team isn’t going anywhere and is still rebuilding. Pending UFAs include Tyler Johnson, a two-time Stanley Cup winner. But the Blackhawks signed Nick Foligno to a two-year extension.
Montreal Canadiens
With Sam Montembeault signed to an extension, could goalie Jake Allen be available in a trade? He has another year in his contract after this season. Pending UFA Sean Monahan could also draw interest.
San Jose Sharks
They started terribly and are sliding again after a decent stretch. GM Mike Grier has moved Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier in the last year, so he’s aggressive. The Sharks’ pending UFAs include forward Anthony Duclair and goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. Grier has shown with the Karlsson deal that he’s willing to deal players with term remaining.
Anaheim Ducks
They started strong, then faded and Trevor Zegras and Pavel Mintyukov are out long-term. GM Pat Verbeek has dealt his pending UFAs before. This year’s group includes forwards Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg. Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, a penalty killer, was dealt last season at the deadline and could move again. The Drysdale deal showed Verbeek is willing to move a player with years left on his contract. Goalie John Gibson always seems to be in trade rumors, but he has a modified no-trade clause, and he has three years left after this season with a $6.4 million cap hit.
Nashville Predators
They’re in the playoff hunt, but defenseman Tyson Barrie has requested a trade. The pending UFA is out with an injury.
Philadelphia Flyers
They’re an interesting case because they’re in the playoff mix, but they’re also still in a rebuild. If they move out pending UFAs, defensemen Nick Seeler and Sean Walker could draw interest. Walker is a right-shot defenseman like Drysdale.
Carolina Hurricanes
They’ll be a buyer because they always could use more scoring. But they’re loaded on defense, and Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Tony DeAngelo and Jalen Chatfield are pending UFAs. One could be moved in a deal. DeAngelo has been a healthy scratch and can help a power play, so it might be him.
Ottawa Senators
They made a coaching change but haven’t received the usual bump. Plus, they need to clear out cap space to sign Shane Pinto when he finishes serving his 41-game gambling suspension. Vladimir Tarasenko, who moved before last season’s deadline, and Dominik Kubalik are among the team’s pending UFAs. Does the emergence of Jake Sanderson leave them room to move a defenseman?
Columbus Blue Jackets
The injuries are piling up again and they are near the bottom of the league. They don’t have a lot of pending UFAs (Columbus native Jack Roslovic is the only one among regulars), but moving out players with years left on their deals could help them long-term. A player to watch: Goalie Elvis Merzlikins expressed frustration Friday with his recent lack of playing time – ‘I believe that I am No. 1,’ he said – though he said he has not requested a trade.
