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

The Athletic has stay protection of the 2025 NHL commerce deadline.

Might Bruins captain Brad Marchand be headed to Colorado so as to add some veteran management to the Avalanche? Will we see a shock Lightning reunion in Tampa Bay?

This week, The Athletic requested its NHL workers for his or her daring predictions forward of the March 7 commerce deadline that’s lower than every week away, and people had been simply a few the attractive (and typically contradictory) situations we heard about in response.

Right here’s one decide for every crew.

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Anaheim Geese

Prediction: They are going to lastly commerce John Gibson.

The key phrases with this are “prediction” and “daring.” Is it a assure that it’s going to occur? No. The Geese have made it clear that they’ll commerce Gibson on their phrases and which means groups assembly a excessive asking worth. Anaheim can enhance the curiosity stage if it retains a large portion of Gibson’s $6.4 million cap hit, if not half of that. What helps the Geese is Stanley Cup-contending groups corresponding to Edmonton and Carolina have reputable questions in aim. Gibson’s upper-body harm isn’t anticipated to maintain him out lengthy. He’s having a bounce-back season and could be open to a change the place he’d be the clear No. 1 once more. — Eric Stephens

Boston Bruins

Prediction: They are going to commerce Brad Marchand.

Marchand is the crew captain. He’s the one remaining member from the 2011 championship crew. Marchand stays an necessary participant. Nevertheless, he’s unsigned after this season. The group may take into account future returns they may obtain for Marchand as being price buying and selling their captain. If they don’t seem to be focused on bringing Marchand again past this season, the Bruins may transfer him for belongings. — Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

Prediction: They are going to commerce Jason Zucker.

Zucker has been a wonderful free-agent pickup for the Sabres. He has 44 factors in 54 video games whereas enjoying on a one-year deal. That the Sabres haven’t prolonged him but places him on the commerce radar within the subsequent week. His worth is as excessive because it has been in years, so the Sabres ought to get asset if they will’t get him beneath contract. — Matthew Fairburn

Calgary Flames

Prediction: They are going to emerge as the largest commerce dealer on the deadline, and so they’ll purchase.

The Flames are in an attention-grabbing state of affairs. They’re competing for a playoff spot due to their rookie goaltender however don’t have a potent offense. They usually have tons of cap house to play with (almost $18 million in projected cap house, in keeping with PuckPedia). The Flames are prepared to purchase, judging by the acquisitions of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost (particularly if they will land one other younger ahead between 18 and 25). But when they will weaponize their cap house to land belongings for the longer term, too? That’s pretty much as good of a commerce deadline because the Flames can have. — Julian McKenzie

Carolina Hurricanes

Prediction: They are going to prolong Mikko Rantanen.

A lot of the noise surrounding Rantanen is that Carolina is already exploring methods to flip the star ahead, frightened that he won’t signal a contract extension with the Hurricanes. Carolina, nonetheless, stays assured it may possibly get a deal finished with Rantanen, and I believe an eight-year, $106 million contract — which might work out to a $13.25 million AAV — is the candy spot. — Cory Lavalette

Chicago Blackhawks

Prediction: They are going to commerce Seth Jones.

There are a whole lot of hurdles for the Blackhawks to clear to commerce Jones. Odds are they received’t earlier than the deadline, however there’s a slim probability they could. What it will take is discovering a Cup-contending crew that wishes Jones, doesn’t require the Blackhawks to retain an excessive amount of of his cap house and for the Blackhawks to get one thing in alternate. — Scott Powers

Colorado Avalanche

Prediction: They are going to commerce for Brad Marchand.

These are speculated to be daring. Marchand has stated his plan is to play his total profession in Boston, however he solely has an eight-team no commerce record within the last 12 months of his deal, and it’s unlikely Colorado is on that record. The Avalanche want depth scoring and a few veteran management, and Marchand would supply each in a giant means. — Jesse Granger

Columbus Blue Jackets

Prediction: They are going to purchase a top-nine ahead.

When this season began, no one may have anticipated Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell to be a purchaser on the deadline, however right here we’re. The Blue Jackets have been one of many NHL’s nice surprises this season and Waddell desires to reward them with a roster enhance down the stretch. Don’t anticipate him to maneuver a first-round decide or a high prospect for a rental. He’s extra cagey than that. However a mid-round decide is sensible. Hold former Blue Jackets ahead Gustav Nyquist, presently a pending UFA with Nashville, in thoughts. — Aaron Portzline

Dallas Stars

Prediction: They are going to stand pat.

It’s not terribly daring, and the Stars may use one other top-four defenseman, with Miro Heiskanen’s future murky. However Dallas already made its large transfer, buying Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from San Jose. And the very fact is, the Stars don’t have a complete lot left to surrender aside from a third-round decide within the 2025 draft. To land a real affect participant at this level, a commerce accomplice would in all probability need Mavrik Bourque or Lian Bichsel included within the deal, and that’s nearly definitely a nonstarter for GM Jim Nill. — Mark Lazerus

Detroit Pink Wings

Prediction: They are going to add a defenseman.

The eye in Detroit has been on the middle place, particularly after Andrew Copp was dominated out for the season after present process surgical procedure on his left pectoral tendon. They usually may look to do one thing there. However the Pink Wings have extra inside choices obtainable at middle than they do on the blue line, which is already thinned out after Jeff Petry’s harm. We’ll see if the Pink Wings do something main on the deadline (in an identical place final 12 months, they stood pat), but when they do, protection looks like the higher guess. — Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

Prediction: They are going to purchase a top-nine winger.

There’s been a ton of angst about the necessity to change Stuart Skinner in internet, however GM Stan Bowman has been steadfast in his view that goaltending isn’t a giant drawback. Right here’s betting he turns his consideration towards one other difficulty. Zach Hyman is the one high-end scoring winger the Oilers have based mostly on the mixture of efficiency and utilization, and his manufacturing is means down in comparison with final season. The Oilers want extra choices there. The standard of participant they purchase may rely upon if Evander Kane will stay on LTIR by the top of the common season. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Florida Panthers

Prediction: They are going to ship Matthew Tkachuk to LTIR.

Paul Maurice stated Tkachuk will play once more for the Panthers this season. Honest sufficient. But when what’s believed to be a groin harm he sustained within the 4 Nations Face-Off is certainly a several-week affair, there’s no purpose for Florida to not shut him down till Spherical 1 and use the resultant cap house to meaningfully enhance, significantly on the blue line. Seth Jones? Erik Karlsson? Why not? The Panthers are chasing glory, and so they’re not afraid. — Sean Gentille

Los Angeles Kings

Prediction: They are going to add a scoring winger.

The NHL’s finest house crew is in good condition with 16 of their last 23 video games at Crypto.com Area and may use that to attempt chasing down both Vegas or Edmonton to achieve house ice benefit within the first spherical. However the deadline will be about higher positioning themselves for a matchup towards both the Oilers (once more) or the Golden Knights. Regardless that they’ve perked again up throughout a surge, the Kings aren’t resistant to a scoring drought. That’s the place one other winger who can put the puck within the internet is a perfect add. Particularly one who can play with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. — Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

Prediction: They are going to commerce for Brock Nelson.

The Wild didn’t seem like consumers every week in the past attributable to a scarcity of cap house. However the harm to Joel Eriksson Ek and uncertainty over Kirill Kaprizov’s return date immediately give them potential room to be gamers on the deadline. If Minnesota determines that Eriksson Ek shall be out for the remainder of the common season, it may possibly use his $5.25 million cap hit to go searching for a middle. Nelson suits the invoice. The pending unrestricted free agent (and native Minnesotan) has the power to assist up the center and on the PK. He’ll doubtless have a whole lot of suitors if the Islanders determine to maneuver him, although, which may drive the value up. — Joe Smith

Montreal Canadiens

Prediction: They are going to purchase a roster participant with time period.

The Canadiens are open to doing a whole lot of issues. They’ve long-term wants at middle, proper protection and even perhaps a top-six winger. In addition they have a ton of draft picks and prospects they might be prepared to maneuver. Hockey trades at deadline time are uncommon, however the Canadiens are in a spot the place they’re prepared to be inventive and daring. They acknowledge they should enhance and wouldn’t be afraid to make a giant splash nearer to the draft, but when that chance arises now, I see no purpose why they wouldn’t pull the set off. — Arpon Basu

Nashville Predators

Prediction: They are going to recall Joakim Kemell and he shall be a giant story by season’s finish.

Is that this wishful pondering bordering on fantasy? Maybe, and particularly as a result of the 20-year-old ahead has not been lighting it up within the AHL (30 factors in 47 video games for the Milwaukee Admirals coming into the week). However the dreadful previous couple of weeks of this misplaced season want one thing, and it stands to purpose he’ll get known as up and get a chance to indicate he’s a part of this crew’s future core. — Joe Rexrode

New Jersey Devils

Prediction: They are going to purchase a top-six ahead.

The Devils have a robust assortment of forwards, however yet another reputable one within the high six would buoy one of many first two traces and have a trickle-down impact on the lineup. Somebody corresponding to Ondrej Palat or Tomas Tatar may transfer right down to a bottom-six function. Clearly, top-six forwards aren’t low-cost, however the Devils have a robust assortment of picks and prospects they will work with to get a deal finished. — Peter Baugh

New York Islanders

Prediction: They are going to commerce Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

He’s nonetheless acquired a 12 months left on his deal and he’s a helpful No. 3 middle, as he’s been since Lou Lamoriello acquired Pageau forward of the 2019-20 deadline and signed him to a six-year extension on the spot. However these qualities, plus the meager middle market, make Pageau an ideal deadline chip — particularly if the Isles retain half of Pageau’s $5 million cap hit. — Arthur Staple

New York Rangers

Prediction: They are going to be sellers.

This prediction isn’t as daring these days, however it will’ve been within the preseason. The Rangers are nonetheless inside hanging distance of a playoff spot, however they haven’t proven a lot purpose for the entrance workplace to imagine they will make a deep playoff run. Promoting off pending UFAs for future belongings is sensible. — Peter Baugh

Ottawa Senators

Prediction: They received’t do something as a result of they will’t.

The Senators desperately have to make some sort of transfer on the deadline to maintain tempo with fellow groups. However with a crippling wage cap construction and only a few belongings to make a major transfer, there’s a world the place GM Steve Staios stays quiet on the deadline. As a substitute, he seems at his gamers getting wholesome (Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Shane Pinto) and thinks of them as “additions.” — Julian McKenzie

Philadelphia Flyers

Prediction: They received’t make a commerce.

Groups which might be within the midst of rebuilds don’t typically stand pat on the commerce deadline. However the Flyers don’t have any pending unrestricted free brokers aside from newcomer Andrei Kuzmenko, who they appear to need to give an actual probability to make an affect, and veteran defenseman Erik Johnson, who wouldn’t return a lot anyway. The Flyers may very properly grasp onto defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and ahead Scott Laughton — the 2 gamers most frequently in commerce rumors — if their asking costs aren’t met, after which reevaluate the standing of each this summer season. — Kevin Kurz

Pittsburgh Penguins

Prediction: They are going to maintain Rickard Rakell.

Clearly rebuilding, regardless of what GM Kyle Dubas says publicly, the Penguins are in asset acquisition mode. Rakell, 31, is having considered one of his finest seasons and may assist any contender. However he has a status of being streaky, has cooled a bit with regards to aim scoring and has a whole lot of years left on his contract. For all of these causes, to not point out the unlikelihood of him commanding a first-round decide, he’ll stay a Penguin after the deadline. — Rob Rossi

San Jose Sharks

Prediction: They are going to store Mario Ferraro, however received’t transfer him.

The specter of Ferraro getting dealt goes again to final spring and that is one other Sharks season that’s gone down the drain. This may very well be a deal that’s extra prone to happen subsequent 12 months when his contract expires however the 26-year-old defenseman is enticing for his age, reasonably priced contract ($3.25 million cap hit) and talent to absorb minutes along with his skating and willingness to place his physique in entrance of pictures. The Sharks ought to take calls and perhaps even kick tires on their very own, however can grasp onto Ferraro in the event that they don’t like what’s being supplied. — Eric Stephens

Seattle Kraken

Prediction: They are going to commerce Yanni Gourde regardless of his harm.

Gourde hasn’t performed since Jan. 2 on account of surgical procedure to restore a sports activities hernia, and time is getting quick on him to return to the lineup earlier than the commerce deadline. Gourde has been skating, however received’t be capable of play many video games previous to the deadline — if he makes it again in any respect. Whereas this uncertainty will make buying and selling Gourde considerably difficult, the dearth of middle choices in the marketplace and Gourde’s status as a playoff performer will nonetheless allow the Kraken to internet good worth in a commerce deadline deal as a basic vendor crew. — Thomas Drance

St. Louis Blues

Prediction: They are going to commerce captain Brayden Schenn.

Schenn’s title has been concerned in commerce conversations, however the query is: Are the Blues dangling their captain or are groups merely calling about him? It’s doubtless the latter. Both means, you may’t rule out the opportunity of him transferring, as basic supervisor Doug Armstrong continues to seek for methods to maximise the crew’s retool. Schenn does have a no-trade clause and must be talked into accepting a deal. But when there’s a crew prepared to unite him with brother Luke (Predators) someplace, that could be of curiosity. — Jeremy Rutherford

Tampa Bay Lightning

Prediction: They are going to reunite with Yanni Gourde.

The Lightning solely have so many belongings to spend on the deadline, however want reinforcements up entrance. Whereas they may attempt to swing large for Brad Marchand, who suits their wants on the wing, Tampa Bay in all probability must look a tier decrease. Whereas facilities usually are dear on the deadline, his harm standing may make this extra possible for the Lightning. Tampa Bay doesn’t want a middle, but it surely wouldn’t harm to have choices. Plus, the Lightning know precisely what they might be getting from the disruptive ahead. — Shayna Goldman

Toronto Maple Leafs

Prediction: They are going to make a giant splash.

It’s daring as a result of it’s by no means actually been GM Brad Treliving’s factor to make main trades in-season. We noticed a quite secure deadline from Treliving in his first 12 months with the crew. The tip outcome was one other first-round loss. I’ve to imagine the organizational strain to do extra shall be increased this time round, what with Keith Pelley now working the present atop MLSE and crew president Brendan Shanahan within the final 12 months of his contract (or so we predict). The East can be huge open, and with an impactful addition or two, the Leafs may bounce to the entrance of the pack. — Jonas Siegel

Utah Hockey Membership

Prediction: They are going to purchase a top-six ahead.

It could be a obscure reply, however that’s as a result of Utah has choices. The group stockpiled picks and prospects through the years, and now administration ought to really feel prepared to start out utilizing their pipeline so as to add extra NHL-caliber expertise. Utah additionally has rental defensemen to ship to others within the playoff combine, if it helps thread the needle up entrance. The secret is that this can be a new possession group that has already proven a willingness to swing large through commerce — so their title shall be within the combine for the entire high facilities and wingers obtainable over the subsequent week. — Shayna Goldman

Vancouver Canucks

Prediction: They are going to each purchase and promote.

The Canucks are locked right into a tooth-and-nail battle for the second wild-card spot within the West. Throughout the board, although, all of their finest gamers are coping with both nagging accidents or baffling underperformance. They already offered J.T. Miller, coming into a transitional section of their team-building cycle. My prediction, then, is that they’ll each purchase and promote. Whether or not it’s Brock Boeser or Pius Suter or Carson Soucy, the membership will make at the least a vendor commerce earlier than the deadline. Nevertheless, like with the Miller return, the Canucks will flip round and use that asset to ensure they don’t take a step again within the quick time period. — Thomas Drance

Vegas Golden Knights

Prediction: They are going to commerce two second-round picks for Brandon Tanev.

It definitely wouldn’t be the boldest transfer the Golden Knights have made at a deadline, however after buying and selling two first-round picks and a first-round prospect final season, Vegas will doubtless be searching for match over flash at this deadline. Tanev checks a whole lot of bins with physicality, playoff expertise and powerful skating. He would instantly plug into the Golden Knights penalty kill and assist stability the lineup. — Jesse Granger

Washington Capitals

Prediction: They are going to get their third-liner.

The Caps don’t should do something, actually; they’ve turned the Japanese Convention right into a race for second place. We’re not speaking a couple of crew with obtrusive holes. Nonetheless, even with Sonny Milano and (presumably) prospect Ryan Leonard on the best way, they may use a medium-term reply at 3C. Buying Jake Evans — a younger, strong participant who suits their timeline and makes simply $1.7 million towards the cap — would make them higher for the playoffs and down the road, assuming they work out a contract extension. — Sean Gentille

Winnipeg Jets

Prediction: They are going to purchase each Rasmus Ristolainen and Scott Laughton from the Flyers.

Ristolainen checks off a whole lot of bins as a giant, sturdy and bodily defenseman who helps Philadelphia eradicate scoring probabilities in entrance of the online. Laughton is a flexible Flyer on the ice and glue man off of it. Buying each high Flyers could be daring as a result of it will take a giant bundle, forcing the Jets to half with a first-round decide or prospect that they in any other case would favor to maintain, whereas filling two of the one holes on a deep Jets crew. It may additionally relegate 6-foot-7 defenseman Logan Stanley to the press field come playoff time; he provides some physicality however leaks scoring probabilities to an extent that Ristolainen doesn’t. — Murat Ates

(High images of Yanni Gourde and Brad Marchand: Trinity Machan / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos and Bob DeChiara / Imagn Photos)