NHL trade board 8.0: The latest on all the top targets on deadline week

Not only have the Islanders cooled off a bit, but they also appear no closer to an extension with the pending UFA. And Nelson arguably has the highest trade value of any “rental” player who might be moved at this deadline. The 33-year-old all-situations forward is a big, sturdy man with a strong track record of scoring goals. He can be slotted as a second-line center or slide into a wing spot on the top line. Basically, he’s exactly the kind of difference-maker that contending teams would be falling over themselves to get their hands on.

Contract talks haven’t produced any traction, which leaves the Canucks facing a decision while trying to hang tough in the playoff race: keep Boeser as an own rental or cash in on him as an asset? At this point, it doesn’t even sound like a $40-million, five-year offer made earlier in the season remains on the table. The sniper has experienced a decline following a 40-goal campaign — not only in production, but also in the number of shots and shot attempts he’s generating. Still, he’s got good puck skills and a strong history as a power-play contributor.

A relentless high-motor player who is enjoying a career season in Chicago, Donato is attracting serious attention on the trade market. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he profiles as a rental who can add to a team’s depth while playing basically anywhere in the lineup. Donato appears to have made some strides with his skating this season and has the hands to bury offensive chances when he gets them. Of his career-best 21 goals through Sunday, an impressive 18 have been scored at even strength.

At least the veteran Flyers center hasn’t lost his sense of humor amid another season of having his name churn through the rumor mill: Laughton recreated “The Last Supper” in a photo he shared over the weekend during a team meal in Winnipeg. There’s a good reason for the speculation. The Flyers have received a fair amount of interest in Laughton and are seeking a first-round pick (or equivalent) in exchange for a player with one season beyond this one remaining on his contract. Not only is Laughton producing at a 40-point pace, but he’s also a glue guy who kills penalties and plays with an edge to his game.

Well on his way to topping 30 goals and 60 points this season, Rakell may be the most productive offensive player available ahead of this deadline. The right-shot winger is an above-average finisher who has a history of holding his own when playing alongside highly skilled linemates. With three years remaining on his contract after this one, the usual caveats apply: The Penguins do not have to move Rakell now, but they’d be willing to do it if the return helped them push along their organizational goal of getting younger. He’s signed to an extremely reasonable contract in a rising cap environment.

The Rangers held Smith out of games Sunday and Monday for “roster management purposes,” which is a pretty good indication of where things go next. The 33-year-old forward has seen a slight dip in production the past two years but remains a strong two-way player with Stanley Cup pedigree. As a bonus, Smith’s cap hit has already been chopped down to $3.75 million in last summer’s trade from Pittsburgh and could be further reduced. Interested teams will note that he’s produced 79 points in 106 career playoff games.

Evans is a high-end penalty killer in tandem with Joel Armia, who is also featured on the Big Board. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see those players moved as a package deal by the Canadiens. Evans has gone cold offensively after a red-hot start but brings a fair amount of value as a right-shot center who is well above average on faceoffs. He isn’t overly big, but he’s a quick skater who is an affordable rental option playing on an expiring contract.

A high-energy player who brings it on the forecheck and recklessly throws himself in front of pucks on the penalty kill, Tanev has a lot of the qualities contenders are looking for. Known for playing a grindy game that wears on opponents, he leads all Seattle forwards in short-handed ice time. He certainly doesn’t back down when faced with a contested piece of ice. As a bonus, he also comes with 46 games of Stanley Cup playoff experience.

Mittelstadt’s name started surfacing in trade discussions after the Avalanche dealt away Mikko Rantanen in a late-January blockbuster. Colorado is willing to get creative in an effort to upgrade its top-six forward group. Mittelstadt has good hands and is known as a puck distributor and playmaker rather than a goal scorer. While still young enough at age 26 to carry some upside, his play on the defensive side of the puck can leave something to be desired.

There is an abundance of outside interest in Cozens. Two-thirds of NHL teams have at least checked in on his availability at some point this season. Even amid a down year, the 6-foot-3 center holds plenty of appeal because of his speed, skill, size and a 30-goal campaign already on his resume. Here’s the rub, though: It’s going to take a meaningful offer to pry him out of Buffalo — something built around an established player, not just prospects — and so far that hasn’t materialized.

The veteran right-shot winger remains a serious scoring threat into his 15th NHL season. He hit 30 goals in 2023-24 and was one goal shy of 20 through Sunday. As a pending unrestricted free agent, Palmieri is an attractive rental option, especially with his willingness to battle his way to the hard areas of the ice. Not unlike the situation with teammate Brock Nelson, the only real question is if general manager Lou Lamoriello will willingly part with a valued member of his team while it’s still hanging around the playoff race.

An effective skater for a man of his size, Armia is known for his defensive instincts and consistent 200-foot play. He’s also a solid penalty killer who has chipped in with three short-handed goals for Montreal this season — third most among all NHL players through early March. A pending unrestricted free agent, he’s available as a bottom-six rental.

While Frederic has seen a decline after posting career bests with an 18-goal, 40-point campaign last season, he still brings intangibles teams appreciate. He’s a big man who skates well and can effectively be deployed as a checker. One fly in the ointment here is the lower-body injury Frederic suffered last week, but all indications are that Boston still intends to move him at the deadline.

Gourde is on the verge of a return to the Kraken’s lineup after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia in January. That’s convenient timing for those interested in the rental center. Gourde is a strong skater and two-way player who owns a couple of Stanley Cup rings from his time with Tampa Bay — which means that he’s exactly the kind of player a team gearing up for the playoffs will be looking at closely.

The Hurricanes continue to listen on calls about the big winger, but they don’t seem inclined to actually trade him. Word is it would take something foolishly generous for them to act. Carolina shocked the hockey world by acquiring Rantanen in late January and hasn’t ruled out trying to sign him to an extension even though that won’t happen before Friday’s deadline. So, why is he still on the Big Board? Players who have produced 1.25 points per game in their playoff careers are basically never a trade option at this time of year, so Rantanen’s availability could still compel someone to seize the rarest of opportunities.

A big, strong winger who skates well and kills penalties, Tuch’s appeal to contending teams is no mystery. He’s signed through next season, too, which is a bonus since anyone trading for him now could count on two playoff runs. Buffalo will need to be compelled to part ways with one of the big pieces it received back from Vegas in the Jack Eichel trade, though.

A huge winger at 6-foot-6 and 230-plus pounds, Greenway is on the radar for contenders seeking a bottom-six upgrade. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he can be acquired as a rental ahead of the deadline and the cost shouldn’t be too prohibitive given his limited offensive output this season. Consistency is a bit of a question mark here. While the Sabres have made an overture about possibly signing him to an extension, it doesn’t seem to be heading in that direction.

A strong forechecker with excellent offensive instincts, Bjorkstrand is a reliable 50-plus-point winger. Signed through next season at a manageable cap number, there’s added value to be found for teams looking for someone with term. The Kraken can afford to be patient given some of the other rental forwards they’ll be peddling, but Bjorkstrand could deliver a decent return at this deadline.

Marchand says he wants to spend his entire career in Boston, and the Bruins say they’re trying to sign their captain to an extension. But … talk is cheap. Marchand remains a pending UFA. Can a retooling franchise risk walking him to free agency? Fresh off helping Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off, Marchand remains a high-end winger who can contribute offensively, kill penalties and, yes, get under an opponent’s skin. He was injured over the weekend, but it’s not believed to be too serious.

A pending unrestricted free agent in Pittsburgh who has contributed some offense this season, Beauvillier could be on the move yet again. He’s bounced from Long Island to Vancouver to Chicago to Nashville to the Penguins in the past three seasons. Still, Beauvillier is a skilled winger with decent puck-handling skills. He’s a pretty good skater, too, and teams looking for a value buy will note that 12 of his 13 goals this season have been scored at even strength.

There remains interest in Schenn, but the Blues have established a high price in trade talks involving their captain. They’ve also started winning games, which greatly reduces the chances he’s moved. It’s worth noting that Schenn possesses a full no-trade clause and has considerable control of the situation as a result. Still, it’s little wonder why his presence on the trade market has caused a stir. The veteran center is having a good season and brings value at both ends of the ice, plus all kinds of playoff experience.

The 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has two more seasons remaining on his contract and has already indicated a desire to stay in Nashville. However, it might not ultimately be his call. The organization wants to do right by O’Reilly, but general manager Barry Trotz will be forced to make a decision if he gets a strong trade offer amid a disappointing season for the team. O’Reilly is an excellent two-way center who can be counted on to chip in offensively and has the ability to be a true difference-maker for a contender. As an added bonus, he’s a menace in the faceoff circle, too.

A mountain of a man at 6-foot-6 and 232 pounds, McCarron may find himself in demand since he’s playing on an affordable cap hit for one more season. He’s a right shot who can kill penalties and win some draws. Even if he’s limited offensively, there’s value to be found in a fourth-liner who plays his style of game.

A bottom-six forward option who plays hard at both ends of the ice, what you see is what you get from Kunin. He can chip in a bit offensively and has plenty of experience as a penalty killer. The right shot has made strides in the faceoff dot this season as well.

Reliable right-shot centers who can fill a depth role always have currency come deadline time. Bjugstad has shown that before — getting traded in 2022 from Arizona to Edmonton in a deal that brought back a third-round pick and defenseman Michael Kesselring — and he’s trending toward being that kind of asset again for Utah HC. He’s a reliable play-driver who profiles as an ideal bottom-six utility man. For now, though, Utah seems inclined to hang onto its potential rentals with a playoff push still on.

Another giant depth forward at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Brazeau traveled the long road to the NHL and has earned a raise on his league-minimum $775,000 contract. He’s already hit the 10-goal mark for the first time in his career this season. Brazeau is a hardworking player who doesn’t hesitate to finish his checks.

Injuries have kept Zegras from building any positive momentum the past two seasons. A fresh start could help that along. The Ducks are demanding more attention to detail from the offensive specialist, and getting it, but Zegras is still searching for a way to hang on to the parts of his game that once separated him. Remember that he already has two 60-point campaigns under his belt at age 23. The production has dried up, as has some of the player’s enthusiasm.

Robertson seems to have reversed course on his summer trade request, but that doesn’t mean he won’t still be moved in the coming days. The Leafs are in need of cap space to make other upgrades and Robertson’s stock is trending in the right direction with a recent stretch of good play. He’s produced 11 goals this season while seeing fairly limited minutes. His release continues to be a serious weapon.

A contract throw-in as part of the Flames-Flyers deal at the end of January, it would not be a surprise to see Kuzmenko flipped. The talented scorer has seen the goals disappear entirely this season and is on an expiring contract. But he remains a threat on the power play and could be due for a bounce-back if deployed in the right way.