NHL trade board 6.0: Latest on the top targets heading into the 4 Nations break

The Islanders are one of the hottest teams in hockey and find themselves still in the playoff chase due to that solid run of results. And while it’s fair to point out that general manager Lou Lamoriello has a history of holding on to players on expiring deals, two important facts remain: An extension with Nelson doesn’t appear likely, and the 33-year-old all-situations forward would have tremendous value on the trade market. Nelson 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. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he’s exactly the kind of difference-maker that contending teams would be falling over themselves to get their hands on, which is why plenty of contenders are monitoring this situation closely.

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.

With the Sabres languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and in need of some kind of shakeup, there have been plenty of outside inquiries about Cozens. Two-thirds of NHL teams have at least checked in on his availability. Even amid a down season, the 6-foot-3 center holds plenty of appeal. He’s got great speed and skill for a player his size and already has a 30-goal NHL campaign under his belt at age 23. 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.

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 gritty 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.

After a brief appearance on the Big Board earlier this season, the Bruins captain returns with his team currently on the wrong side of the playoff cut-off line and featuring an ugly goal differential. While it’s still not clear if Boston would actually move Marchand, his name is circulating in the rumor mill. The pending unrestricted free agent has bounced back after a slow start to the season following multiple offseason surgeries and is now producing at a 28-goal, 63-point pace. He remains a high-end winger who can contribute offensively, kill penalties and, yes, get under an opponent’s skin.

It has been an up-and-down campaign in St. Louis, with a coaching change and a few notable moves made already made with an eye toward shaking up the group. It also didn’t go without notice recently when general manager Doug Armstrong spoke publicly about the possibility of making changes to his core. Enter Schenn, the Blues captain, who the team is believed to at least be gauging interest on. That doesn’t guarantee a move, especially with Schenn in possession of a full no-trade clause, but it’s enough to land him on the Big Board. The veteran center is having a good season and brings value at both ends of the ice, plus all kinds of playoff experience.

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 while it’s still hanging around the playoff race.

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. With senior leadership in Boston acknowledging publicly that the organization is considering becoming a seller ahead of the deadline, Frederic is a hot commodity.

A relentless high-motor player who is enjoying a career season in Chicago, Donato is starting to attract serious 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 season and has the hands to bury offensive chances when he gets them.

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 February. A pending unrestricted free agent, he’s available as a bottom-six rental.

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.

Gourde isn’t expected to return to the Kraken’s lineup before the trade deadline after recently undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia. However, he should be ready to play games again at some point in March. So while his health situation may slightly diminish his trade value, it hasn’t completely submarined it. Gourde is a strong skater and two-way player who owns a couple of Stanley Cup rings from his time in Tampa — which means that he’s exactly the kind of player a team gearing up for the playoffs will be looking at closely.

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’re going 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.

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.

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 13 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 an effective penalty-killer. He’d be a quality fourth-line option for a contender.

A right-shot center with good offensive instincts, Strome profiles as a decent middle-six option on a competitive team. More of a playmaker than a shooter, he’s seen a bump in production this season compared to his previous two in Anaheim. He isn’t strong in the faceoff dot and doesn’t typically kill penalties, so an acquiring team would need to be chasing a specific need. On the positive side of the ledger, he’s signed a fair cap number for two more years.

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.

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.

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.