Ranking the top candidates to be dealt before the NHL trade deadline

The start of the 4 Nations Face-Off break served as an early NHL trade deadline, with Mikko Rantanen and J.T. Miller among the impact players who were dealt leading up to it.

However, plenty of names on the market could be shipped out before 3 p.m. ET March 7, the actual final day to make swaps for players who will still be eligible for the playoffs.

This list weighs the chances of a player being traded more heavily than simply highlighting talent alone, so an impact player might be lower on the list if he's less likely to be dealt for one reason or another.

Here are the best players who are most likely to be sent packing ahead of the deadline.

1. Brock Nelson

*Has 16-team no-trade list

Nelson is the hottest commodity by virtue of being a consistently potent scorer on an expiring contract. The New York Islanders forward is coming off three consecutive seasons of 30-plus goals, and he's on pace for his eighth 20-goal campaign in 12 years.

2. Rickard Rakell

*Has eight-team no-trade list

Rakell isn't a rental, but the Pittsburgh Penguins would be wise to shop the Swedish winger, considering their place in the standings. He's been streaky in the past, but the forward is piling up goals on a lackluster team. That production has significantly bolstered his trade value.

3. Carson Soucy

*Has full no-trade clause that modifies to 12-team no-trade list in 2025-26

Soucy is a proven shutdown defenseman who became expendable when the Vancouver Canucks acquired and extended Marcus Pettersson for six more years. Soucy's NTC could be a hurdle, but he can always waive it for the right opportunity.

4. Rasmus Ristolainen

Ristolainen has taken a lot of heat in his career. But the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Philadelphia Flyers blue-liner could still garner interest because of his size, his ability to log more than 20 minutes per night, and his improved defensive play of late.

5. Seth Jones

*Has no-movement clause

Jones is still a relatively productive defenseman who consistently ranks among the league leaders in average ice time. The Chicago Blackhawks might have difficulty moving his contract, especially with the NMC. But giving Jones a chance to play for a contender might convince him to waive it.

6. Brayden Schenn

*Has full no-trade clause that modifies to 15-team no-trade list in 2025-26

The St. Louis Blues reportedly evaluated the market on Schenn in early February, and general manager Doug Armstrong has never been shy about making big moves. Schenn, the Blues' captain, brings a championship pedigree and can still contribute at both ends.

7. Dylan Cozens

Cozens has underachieved since he collected 31 goals and 37 assists in 2022-23, but teams have reportedly expressed interest in him amid the Buffalo Sabres' disappointing season. The Yukon product is still relatively young, and a change of scenery could help him rediscover his form.

8. Ryan Donato

Donato is in the midst of a career year, and it comes at a perfect time for the Blackhawks, who'll be looking to capitalize on that in combination with his expiring contract. The versatile forward has done nearly all of his scoring at even strength in 2024-25.

9. David Savard

Savard is a defensive defenseman whose palatable cap hit and experience make him a prime candidate to be shipped out. The Montreal Canadiens blue-liner won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a rental in the abbreviated 2021 season.

10. Trent Frederic

Frederic isn't producing at the rates he established over the previous two campaigns, but the Boston Bruins forward would be coveted for his ability to play a physical game with some offensive abilities. A team-friendly contract and Boston's questionable playoff hopes make Frederic a logical trade candidate.

11. John Gibson

*Has 10-team no-trade list

Gibson has been on the block for ages, but he'll remain there as long as the Anaheim Ducks are rebuilding. The American netminder still has term on his contract, but he's enjoying a resurgent campaign and could provide stability in the crease for a team with postseason aspirations.

12. Brandon Tanev

*Has 10-team no-trade list

Tanev is a bottom-six grinder, but he plays with high energy and doesn't shy away from blocking shots. Competitive teams looking for a glue guy could do far worse than the Seattle Kraken winger, who has 46 playoff games on his resume.

13. Ryan O'Reilly

O'Reilly's playoff experience and responsible two-way game should inspire contenders to inquire about his services. The Nashville Predators would be wise to shop the 2019 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, who's still playing well despite his age and his team's struggles.

14. Kyle Palmieri

*Has 16-team no-trade list

Palmieri has buried at least 24 goals in a season six times. He has two 30-goal campaigns under his belt, having done so as recently as 2023-24. The Islanders forward has slowed down this season but is still producing at a decent clip.

15. Ivan Provorov

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been surprisingly competitive, but they might be tempted to get what they can for Provorov rather than risking losing him for nothing this summer. The Russian, who plays on the right side for the Jackets despite shooting left, doesn't appear to be close to inking an extension.

16. Ryan Strome

Strome's contract isn't ideal, nor has his play been particularly inspiring of late. But much of that can be attributed to playing for the lackluster Ducks. Strome has proven he can make plays and serve as a middle-six center at this stage of his career.

17. Casey Mittelstadt

Mittelstadt is underperforming for the Colorado Avalanche, but they will surely look to upgrade their top six after trading Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. The relatively young pivot still has some value and has been centering Colorado's second line.

18. Yanni Gourde

*Has 23-team trade list

Gourde isn't likely to play before the deadline because he's still out with a sports hernia. However, he should be back later in March, so that shouldn't significantly impact his trade value. Gourde plays a strong 200-foot game and helped the Lightning with back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021.

19. Jake Evans

Evans would likely have some appeal as a depth rental. The Canadiens forward can skate, effectively kills penalties, and wouldn't be a financial burden for cap-constrained clubs.

20. Connor Murphy

*Has 10-team no-trade list

Murphy returned to the lineup Feb. 1 after missing 13 games with a groin injury. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound blue-liner plays well defensively, especially considering how porous his Blackhawks are.

21. Mario Ferraro

Ferraro blocked 195 shots last season, and he's averaging more than one per night in 2024-25. The San Jose Sharks defenseman plays top-four minutes, kills penalties, and can move the puck, too.

22. Nick Bjugstad

Bjugstad has been dealt at the deadline before - by the same franchise he plays for. It could happen again, given there's always interest in veteran centers for whom teams won't need to break the bank to acquire.

23. Jordan Greenway

*Has eight-team no-trade list

Greenway has been significantly limited by injuries this season and hasn't played since mid-December. However, the Sabres said back then that they don't expect him to be out all season. The 6-foot-6, 231-pound winger has played up and down the lineup and would provide a contender with some figurative sandpaper.

24. Gustav Nyquist

Nyquist is the oldest player on this list, but the wily vet remains an effective rental option as a depth forward. He's posted favorable underlying numbers this season despite the Predators' woes as a team, and having 77 playoff games under his belt doesn't hurt, either.

25. Nick Robertson

Remember when Robertson asked for a trade last summer, didn't get his wish, and then re-signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs? That seemed to resolve the situation, but the winger still hasn't carved out a regular role under head coach Craig Berube. So it stands to reason the club could dangle Robertson to address its needs.

(Salary source: PuckPedia)