I don’t know about you, but the NHL trade deadline is one of my favourite times of the year. Even though some years are quiet, other years have seen big-name players get moved. This is one of the years I could see some star players getting moved. Whether it’s because of their contracts or their teams not performing, I think we’ll see a ton of action before the March 7th trade deadline. So, who do I think gets moved? Let’s see.
Trevor Zegras
The ninth overall pick in 2019 has struggled the past few years after putting up 65 points two seasons ago. Zegras has been battling injuries while struggling to put up points. He has a cap hit of $5.75 million until the end of next season. However, he is only 23 and could be a great buy-low option for a team if the price is right.
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1893463254573138236
Jordan Kyrou
Kyrou has been a very solid player for the St. Louis Blues for the last couple of seasons, putting up back-to-back 30-goal campaigns in 2023 and 2022. However, the Blues haven’t been able to get over the hump, and Kyrou is making $8.125 million for another six years. This year’s deadline could be a great time to move salary and get a solid return for the Blues.
Jordan Kyrou is really really good at hockey. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/cE0OFhTlec
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 24, 2025
Pavel Buchnevich
Buchnevich may be a more realistic option for the Blues to move at this year’s deadline. Buchnevich will enter the first year of a six-year, $48 million contract next year, and the Blues are looking to shed salary. A team in need of a top-six forward may be licking their chops at Buchnevich on the trade block.
Mikko Rantanen
Rantanen was a part of a huge deal last month, sending him from Colorado to Carolina. It has nothing to do with him as a player. We all know Rantanen is elite, which means he is going to have a big payday, and that’s the problem. Colorado couldn’t afford to pay him, so they shipped him off. Do you think Carolina does the same thing? If Rantanen’s price tag is too high for Carolina as well, I could see him being moved for a second time this year.
https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1884417527863787671
John Gibson
The Ducks have a young goalie in Lukas Dostal, making John Gibson see fewer starts. He has a cap hit of $6.4 million until the end of next year. Could we see a team get desperate and try to trade for Gibson at the deadline? (Cough, cough Edmonton.) He may not be elite as he once was, but he is still a very solid goaltender in the NHL.