NHL trade board 4.0: New targets emerge in the calm before the storm

Miller is in possession of a full no-movement clause in his contract and likely will only waive it for U.S.-based teams in the East. That’s why a return to the New York Rangers, who drafted him 15th in 2011, makes so much sense. Miller is an all-situations forward who produces top-of-the-lineup offense while being counted on to kill penalties and log tough defensive minutes. His versatility is a major asset, as is his competitive nature, which is something he needs to rein in from time to time. Miller would immediately become a top-two or top-three forward on basically any team in the league.

Nelson is a big, sturdy forward who has scored at a 35-goal pace across the past three seasons. He can be slotted as a second-line center or slide into a wing spot on the top line. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he’s exactly the kind of difference-maker contending teams would be falling over themselves to get their hands on if — and it remains a massive if — the Islanders fade from the playoff picture and choose to move him before the deadline.

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 couned 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.

What he lacks in size, he makes up in tenacity and feistiness. Gourde is a strong skater and two-way player who owns a couple of Stanley Cup rings from his time with Tampa Bay. His offensive numbers and ice time are down this season, but he’ll draw attention if Seattle fades from the playoff picture in the run-up to the trade deadline. One thing worth monitoring is Gourde’s health as he’s missed a couple of different stretches already this season.

You can add his name to the long list of underperforming Bruins, but it’s worth noting Frederic is only months removed from an 18-goal, 40-point breakout campaign. He’s a big man who skates well and can effectively be deployed as a checker. With senior leadership in Boston acknowledging publicly that the team is considering becoming a seller ahead of the deadline, Frederic is a hot commodity.

With Laughton signed for one season beyond this one, the Flyers are under no pressure to trade him amid a campaign in which he’s scoring at nearly a 20-goal pace. But if a contender is willing to part with a first-round pick, they might do it. Laughton would be a bottom-six upgrade for a lot of contending teams. He’s a glue guy who kills penalties and plays with an edge.

A relentless high-motor player who is enjoying a career season in Chicago, Donato is starting to attract some attention on the trade market. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he profiles as an attractive deadline rental who can bring versatility and depth. Donato appears to have made some strides with his skating this year and has the hands to bury offensive chances when he gets them.

On the younger side of Pittsburgh’s pending unrestricted free agents, O’Connor profiles as a bottom-six forward who plays a power game. Big and stong, he’s unafraid to finish a bodycheck or engage in a battle for the puck. While he shouldn’t be looked at to produce much offensively, O’Connor can kill penalties and make life difficult on the opposition at five-on-five.

A rough-and-tumble winger who boasts an impressive fight card, Olivier has caught the attention of at least a couple of teams currently eyeing potential depth forward options. The 27-year-old pending UFA has even managed to chip in more than his share of expected goals early this season. But what makes him most attractive is his size, strength and willingness to embrace an energy role. Olivier is built for playoff hockey and will have suitors if Columbus can’t get him signed to an extension.

All signs point to the pending unrestricted free agent winger getting dealt ahead of the deadline if the Kraken aren’t in the playoff chase. Tanev is known for playing a grindy game that wears on opponents, and he’s an excellent penalty killer who leads Seattle 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 playoff experience, too.

Playing on an expiring contract, the depth center is having a career year at the perfect time. Evans appears poised to blow past previous career highs of 11 goals and 29 points. While the Canadiens like him, his surge in production may turn him into trade bait rather than someone they keep around with another contract. Evans isn’t overly big, but he’s a quick skater and effective penalty-killer. He’d be a quality fourth-line option for a contender.

The veteran right-shot winger remains a serious scoring threat into his 15th NHL season. He hit 30 goals in 2023-24 and is on pace to comfortably cruise past 20 this season. 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, even if the Islanders seem destined for the draft lottery rather than a playoff race.

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.

The alarm bells started to sound when Hall was scratched for a game this season. He’s struggled to regain form after missing most of last season due to a knee injury, but NHL Edge data shows that one of his strongest attributes — his powerful skating stride — remains. Hall’s top speed of 22.46 miles per hour is well above league average. With the Blackhawks on a trajectory for another spin in the draft lottery and with Hall being a pending unrestricted free agent in the later stages of his career, the veteran winger likely will be on the move again.

With Granlund producing at nearly a point per game across the past two seasons in San Jose, the biggest question for any potential suitor here is fit. As in: Where does Granlund fit on a deeper roster? He’s been the Sharks’ top-line center, and they may still make a pitch to lock him up to an extension. That appears to be a 50/50 proposition right now. If he ends up on the trade market instead, Granlund brings extensive playoff experience and versatility. Not only is he a forward with a strong track record of power-play production, but he also kills penalties.

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.

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 hard-working player who doesn’t hesitate to finish his checks.

Robertson has bit his lip since a summer trade request went unfulfilled by the Leafs, but the situation could still come to a head before the deadline. He has at least helped his trade value with some more productive outings since a brief string of scratches in December. However, in the big picture, Robertson hasn’t gained much traction under new head coach Craig Berube, and he may still get his desired fresh start once the Leafs begin looking at other acquisitions.

Nyquist has found a nice home in Nashville and might prefer a new contract to getting dealt away as a rental. That will leave the Predators with a decision in a season in which they appear destined to finish well outside the playoffs. Nyquist is coming off a 75-point season at age 34 and is one of the best chips they have to play at the deadline. He is a talented playmaker who remains a strong skater and isn’t showing any obvious signs of slowing down.

With the focus in Vancouver having shifted to finding a landing spot for J.T. Miller, it appears Pettersson is safe for the time being. Still, it’s notable that the Canucks engaged in discussions on him with other teams. An elite offensive play-driver in the prime of his career, Pettersson is in a tier of player that rarely gets traded in the NHL. But he’s also among the league’s highest-paid forwards, and his production has cratered since signing a $92.8 million, eight-year extension in March. Until the shoe drops on Miller, a Pettersson deal can’t be ruled out entirely.