NHL trade deadline 2025: Making one bold prediction for each team

Could Bruins captain Brad Marchand be headed to Colorado to add some veteran leadership to the Avalanche? Will we see a surprise Lightning reunion in Tampa Bay?

This week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff for their bold predictions ahead of the March 7 trade deadline that’s less than a week away, and those were just a couple of the enticing (and sometimes contradictory) scenarios we heard about in response.

Here’s one pick for each team.

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Anaheim Ducks

Prediction: They will finally trade John Gibson.

The keywords with this are “prediction” and “bold.” Is it a guarantee that it will happen? No. The Ducks have made it clear that they’ll trade Gibson on their terms and that means teams meeting a high asking price. Anaheim can increase the interest level if it retains a sizable portion of Gibson’s $6.4 million cap hit, if not half of that. What helps the Ducks is Stanley Cup-contending teams such as Edmonton and Carolina have legitimate questions in goal. Gibson’s upper-body injury isn’t expected to keep him out long. He’s having a bounce-back season and might be open to a change where he’d be the clear No. 1 again. — Eric Stephens

Boston Bruins

Prediction: They will trade Brad Marchand.

Marchand is the team captain. He is the only remaining member from the 2011 championship team. Marchand remains an important player. However, he is unsigned after this season. The organization might consider future returns they could receive for Marchand as being worth trading their captain. If they are not interested in bringing Marchand back beyond this season, the Bruins could move him for assets. — Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

Prediction: They will trade Jason Zucker.

Zucker has been an excellent free-agent pickup for the Sabres. He has 44 points in 54 games while playing on a one-year deal. That the Sabres haven’t extended him yet puts him on the trade radar in the next week. His value is as high as it has been in years, so the Sabres should get a good asset if they can’t get him under contract. — Matthew Fairburn

Calgary Flames

Prediction: They will emerge as the biggest trade broker at the deadline, and they’ll buy.

The Flames are in an interesting situation. They’re competing for a playoff spot thanks to their rookie goaltender but don’t have a potent offense. And they have tons of cap space to play with (nearly $18 million in projected cap space, according to PuckPedia). The Flames are willing to buy, judging by the acquisitions of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost (especially if they can land another young forward between 18 and 25). But if they can weaponize their cap space to land assets for the future, too? That’s as good of a trade deadline as the Flames can have. — Julian McKenzie

Carolina Hurricanes

Prediction: They will extend Mikko Rantanen.

So much of the noise surrounding Rantanen is that Carolina is already exploring ways to flip the star forward, worried that he will not sign a contract extension with the Hurricanes. Carolina, however, remains confident it can get a deal done with Rantanen, and I think an eight-year, $106 million contract — which would work out to a $13.25 million AAV — is the sweet spot. — Cory Lavalette

Chicago Blackhawks

Prediction: They will trade Seth Jones.

There are a lot of hurdles for the Blackhawks to clear to trade Jones. Odds are they won’t before the deadline, but there is a slim chance they might. What it would take is finding a Cup-contending team that wants Jones, doesn’t require the Blackhawks to retain too much of his cap space and for the Blackhawks to get something in exchange. — Scott Powers

Colorado Avalanche

Prediction: They will trade for Brad Marchand.

These are supposed to be bold. Marchand has said his plan is to play his entire career in Boston, but he only has an eight-team no trade list in the final year of his deal, and it’s unlikely Colorado is on that list. The Avalanche need depth scoring and some veteran leadership, and Marchand would provide both in a big way. — Jesse Granger

Columbus Blue Jackets

Prediction: They will acquire a top-nine forward.

When this season started, nobody could have expected Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell to be a buyer at the deadline, but here we are. The Blue Jackets have been one of the NHL’s pleasant surprises this season and Waddell wants to reward them with a roster boost down the stretch. Don’t expect him to move a first-round pick or a top prospect for a rental. He’s more cagey than that. But a mid-round pick makes sense. Keep former Blue Jackets forward Gustav Nyquist, currently a pending UFA with Nashville, in mind. — Aaron Portzline

Dallas Stars

Prediction: They will stand pat.

It’s not terribly bold, and the Stars could use another top-four defenseman, with Miro Heiskanen’s future murky. But Dallas already made its big move, acquiring Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from San Jose. And the fact is, the Stars don’t have a whole lot left to give up other than a third-round pick in the 2025 draft. To land a true impact player at this point, a trade partner would probably want Mavrik Bourque or Lian Bichsel included in the deal, and that’s almost certainly a nonstarter for GM Jim Nill. — Mark Lazerus

Detroit Red Wings

Prediction: They will add a defenseman.

The attention in Detroit has been on the center position, especially after Andrew Copp was ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery on his left pectoral tendon. And they could look to do something there. But the Red Wings have more internal options available at center than they do on the blue line, which is already thinned out after Jeff Petry’s injury. We’ll see if the Red Wings do anything major at the deadline (in a similar position last year, they stood pat), but if they do, defense seems like the better bet. — Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

Prediction: They will acquire a top-nine winger.

There’s been a ton of angst about the need to replace Stuart Skinner in net, but GM Stan Bowman has been steadfast in his view that goaltending isn’t a big problem. Here’s betting he turns his attention toward another issue. Zach Hyman is the only high-end scoring winger the Oilers have based on the combination of performance and usage, and his production is way down compared to last season. The Oilers need more options there. The quality of player they acquire could depend on if Evander Kane will remain on LTIR through the end of the regular season. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Florida Panthers

Prediction: They will send Matthew Tkachuk to LTIR.

Paul Maurice said Tkachuk will play again for the Panthers this season. Fair enough. But if what’s believed to be a groin injury he sustained in the 4 Nations Face-Off is indeed a several-week affair, there’s no reason for Florida not to shut him down until Round 1 and use the resultant cap space to meaningfully improve, particularly on the blue line. Seth Jones? Erik Karlsson? Why not? The Panthers are chasing glory, and they’re not afraid. — Sean Gentille

Los Angeles Kings

Prediction: They will add a scoring winger.

The NHL’s best home team is in good shape with 16 of their final 23 games at Crypto.com Arena and can use that to try chasing down either Vegas or Edmonton to gain home ice advantage in the first round. But the deadline can be about better positioning themselves for a matchup against either the Oilers (again) or the Golden Knights. Even though they’ve perked back up during a surge, the Kings aren’t immune to a scoring drought. That’s where another winger who can put the puck in the net is an ideal add. Especially one who can play with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. — Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

Prediction: They will trade for Brock Nelson.

The Wild didn’t appear to be buyers a week ago due to a lack of cap space. But the injury to Joel Eriksson Ek and uncertainty over Kirill Kaprizov’s return date suddenly give them potential room to be players at the deadline. If Minnesota determines that Eriksson Ek will be out for the rest of the regular season, it can use his $5.25 million cap hit to go shopping for a center. Nelson fits the bill. The pending unrestricted free agent (and native Minnesotan) has the ability to help up the middle and on the PK. He’ll likely have a lot of suitors if the Islanders decide to move him, though, which could drive the price up. — Joe Smith

Montreal Canadiens

Prediction: They will acquire a roster player with term.

The Canadiens are open to doing a lot of things. They have long-term needs at center, right defense and perhaps even a top-six winger. They also have a ton of draft picks and prospects they would be willing to move. Hockey trades at deadline time are rare, but the Canadiens are in a spot where they are willing to be creative and bold. They recognize they need to improve and wouldn’t be afraid to make a big splash closer to the draft, but if that opportunity arises now, I see no reason why they wouldn’t pull the trigger. — Arpon Basu

Nashville Predators

Prediction: They will recall Joakim Kemell and he will be a big story by season’s end.

Is this wishful thinking bordering on fantasy? Perhaps, and especially because the 20-year-old forward has not been lighting it up in the AHL (30 points in 47 games for the Milwaukee Admirals entering the week). But the dreadful last few weeks of this lost season need something, and it stands to reason he’ll get called up and get an opportunity to show he’s part of this team’s future core. — Joe Rexrode

New Jersey Devils

Prediction: They will acquire a top-six forward.

The Devils have a strong collection of forwards, but one more legitimate one in the top six would buoy one of the first two lines and have a trickle-down effect on the lineup. Someone such as Ondrej Palat or Tomas Tatar could move down to a bottom-six role. Obviously, top-six forwards aren’t cheap, but the Devils have a strong collection of picks and prospects they can work with to get a deal done. — Peter Baugh

New York Islanders

Prediction: They will trade Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

He’s still got a year left on his deal and he’s a useful No. 3 center, as he’s been since Lou Lamoriello acquired Pageau ahead of the 2019-20 deadline and signed him to a six-year extension on the spot. But those qualities, plus the meager center market, make Pageau a perfect deadline chip — especially if the Isles retain half of Pageau’s $5 million cap hit. — Arthur Staple

New York Rangers

Prediction: They will be sellers.

This prediction isn’t as bold nowadays, but it would’ve been in the preseason. The Rangers are still within striking distance of a playoff spot, but they have not shown much reason for the front office to believe they can make a deep playoff run. Selling off pending UFAs for future assets makes sense. — Peter Baugh

Ottawa Senators

Prediction: They won’t do anything because they can’t.

The Senators desperately need to make some kind of move at the deadline to keep pace with fellow teams. But with a crippling salary cap structure and very few assets to make a significant move, there is a world where GM Steve Staios remains quiet at the deadline. Instead, he looks at his players getting healthy (Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Shane Pinto) and thinks of them as “additions.” — Julian McKenzie

Philadelphia Flyers

Prediction: They won’t make a trade.

Teams that are in the midst of rebuilds don’t often stand pat at the trade deadline. But the Flyers don’t have any pending unrestricted free agents other than newcomer Andrei Kuzmenko, who they seem to want to give a real chance to make an impact, and veteran defenseman Erik Johnson, who wouldn’t return much anyway. The Flyers could very well hang onto defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forward Scott Laughton — the two players most often in trade rumors — if their asking prices aren’t met, and then reevaluate the status of both this summer. — Kevin Kurz

Pittsburgh Penguins

Prediction: They will keep Rickard Rakell.

Clearly rebuilding, despite what GM Kyle Dubas says publicly, the Penguins are in asset acquisition mode. Rakell, 31, is having one of his best seasons and should help any contender. But he has a reputation of being streaky, has cooled a bit when it comes to goal scoring and has a lot of years left on his contract. For all of those reasons, not to mention the unlikelihood of him commanding a first-round pick, he’ll remain a Penguin after the deadline. — Rob Rossi

San Jose Sharks

Prediction: They will shop Mario Ferraro, but won’t move him.

The specter of Ferraro getting dealt goes back to last spring and this is another Sharks season that’s gone down the drain. This could be a deal that’s more likely to occur next year when his contract expires but the 26-year-old defenseman is attractive for his age, affordable contract ($3.25 million cap hit) and ability to soak up minutes with his skating and willingness to put his body in front of shots. The Sharks should take calls and maybe even kick tires on their own, but can hang onto Ferraro if they don’t like what’s being offered. — Eric Stephens

Seattle Kraken

Prediction: They will trade Yanni Gourde despite his injury.

Gourde hasn’t played since Jan. 2 as a result of surgery to repair a sports hernia, and time is getting short on him to return to the lineup before the trade deadline. Gourde has been skating, but won’t be able to play many games prior to the deadline — if he makes it back at all. While this uncertainty will make trading Gourde somewhat complicated, the lack of center options on the market and Gourde’s reputation as a playoff performer will still permit the Kraken to net good value in a trade deadline deal as a classic seller team. — Thomas Drance

St. Louis Blues

Prediction: They will trade captain Brayden Schenn.

Schenn’s name has been involved in trade conversations, but the question is: Are the Blues dangling their captain or are teams simply calling about him? It’s likely the latter. Either way, you can’t rule out the possibility of him moving, as general manager Doug Armstrong continues to search for ways to maximize the team’s retool. Schenn does have a no-trade clause and would have to be talked into accepting a deal. But if there’s a team willing to unite him with brother Luke (Predators) somewhere, that might be of interest. — Jeremy Rutherford

Tampa Bay Lightning

Prediction: They will reunite with Yanni Gourde.

The Lightning only have so many assets to spend at the deadline, but need reinforcements up front. While they could try to swing big for Brad Marchand, who fits their needs on the wing, Tampa Bay probably needs to look a tier lower. While centers generally are pricey at the deadline, his injury status could make this more feasible for the Lightning. Tampa Bay doesn’t need a center, but it wouldn’t hurt to have options. Plus, the Lightning know exactly what they would be getting from the disruptive forward. — Shayna Goldman

Toronto Maple Leafs

Prediction: They will make a big splash.

It’s bold because it’s never really been GM Brad Treliving’s thing to make major trades in-season. We saw a rather safe deadline from Treliving in his first year with the team. The end result was another first-round loss. I have to believe the organizational pressure to do more will be higher this time around, what with Keith Pelley now running the show atop MLSE and team president Brendan Shanahan in the last year of his contract (or so we think). The East is also wide open, and with an impactful addition or two, the Leafs could jump to the front of the pack. — Jonas Siegel

Utah Hockey Club

Prediction: They will acquire a top-six forward.

It may be a vague answer, but that’s because Utah has options. The organization stockpiled picks and prospects over the years, and now management should feel ready to start using their pipeline to add more NHL-caliber talent. Utah also has rental defensemen to send to others in the playoff mix, if it helps thread the needle up front. The key is that this is a new ownership group that has already shown a willingness to swing big via trade — so their name will be in the mix for all of the top centers and wingers available over the next week. — Shayna Goldman

Vancouver Canucks

Prediction: They will both buy and sell.

The Canucks are locked into a tooth-and-nail fight for the second wild-card spot in the West. Across the board, though, all of their best players are dealing with either nagging injuries or baffling underperformance. They already sold J.T. Miller, entering a transitional phase of their team-building cycle. My prediction, then, is that they’ll both buy and sell. Whether it’s Brock Boeser or Pius Suter or Carson Soucy, the club will make at least a seller trade before the deadline. However, like with the Miller return, the Canucks will turn around and use that asset to make sure they don’t take a step back in the short term. — Thomas Drance

Vegas Golden Knights

Prediction: They will trade two second-round picks for Brandon Tanev.

It certainly wouldn’t be the boldest move the Golden Knights have made at a deadline, but after trading two first-round picks and a first-round prospect last season, Vegas will likely be looking for fit over flash at this deadline. Tanev checks a lot of boxes with physicality, playoff experience and strong skating. He would immediately plug into the Golden Knights penalty kill and help balance the lineup. — Jesse Granger

Washington Capitals

Prediction: They will get their third-liner.

The Caps don’t have to do anything, really; they’ve turned the Eastern Conference into a race for second place. We’re not talking about a team with glaring holes. Still, even with Sonny Milano and (presumably) prospect Ryan Leonard on the way, they could use a medium-term answer at 3C. Acquiring Jake Evans — a young, solid player who fits their timeline and makes just $1.7 million against the cap — would make them better for the playoffs and down the line, assuming they work out a contract extension. — Sean Gentille

Winnipeg Jets

Prediction: They will acquire both Rasmus Ristolainen and Scott Laughton from the Flyers.

Ristolainen checks off a lot of boxes as a big, strong and physical defenseman who helps Philadelphia eliminate scoring chances in front of the net. Laughton is a versatile Flyer on the ice and glue guy off of it. Acquiring both top Flyers would be bold because it would take a big package, forcing the Jets to part with a first-round pick or prospect that they otherwise would prefer to keep, while filling two of the only holes on a deep Jets team. It could also relegate 6-foot-7 defenseman Logan Stanley to the press box come playoff time; he offers some physicality but leaks scoring chances to an extent that Ristolainen does not. — Murat Ates

(Top photos of Yanni Gourde and Brad Marchand: Trinity Machan / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images and Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images)