NHL trade board 9.0: A new top target with one day until the deadline

The goals and points haven’t been coming at his usual rate since joining Carolina, but everything under the hood looks really good for Rantanen. It’s no mystery why other teams would be intrigued here. The Hurricanes have the ability to lower Rantanen’s cap hit below $2.5 million with double retention, and he’s produced 1.25 points per playoff game across his career. Placed in the right environment, he could be a big-time difference-maker. Of course, there’s still a chance that ends up being in Raleigh.

Even in these waning hours before the deadline, the Islanders still haven’t fully committed to trading the top rental center on the market. Lou Lamoriello would probably prefer to keep him, but that may not be the prudent move with the 33-year-old all-situations forward — 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 for a contender. They’ll be lining up when (if?) Lamoriello is ready to listen.

With no extension in sight for the longest-tenured Canuck, the team is gauging the market on what he might bring back via trade. One complication is the fact that fellow goal-scoring wingers Mikko Rantanen and Rickard Rakell are also available. That muddies the waters somewhat. Boeser has experienced a decline following a 40-goal campaign — not only in production, but also in the number of shots and shot attempts he’s generating. Still, he’s got good puck skills and a strong history as a power-play contributor.

No one on the Big Board has scored more than Rakell’s 29 goals (and counting) this season. That offensive explosion from a reliable play-driver may be enough to ease concerns about his age and remaining term. The right-shot winger is an above-average finisher who has a history of holding his own when playing with highly skilled linemates. There’s plenty of interest in him. What the Penguins need to determine in a rising cap environment is whether it’s more prudent to move him now or at a later date.

At least the veteran Flyers center hasn’t lost his sense of humor amid another season of having his name churn through the rumor mill: Laughton recreated “The Last Supper” in a photo he shared over the weekend during a team meal in Winnipeg. There’s a good reason for the speculation. The Flyers have received a fair amount of interest in Laughton and are seeking a first-round pick (or equivalent) in exchange for a player with one season beyond this one remaining on his contract. Not only is Laughton producing at a 40-point pace, but he’s also a glue guy who kills penalties and plays with an edge to his game.

The Rangers held Smith out of games Sunday, Monday and Wednesday for “roster management purposes,” which is a pretty good indication of where things go next. The 33-year-old forward has seen a slight dip in production the past two years but remains a strong two-way player with Stanley Cup pedigree. As a bonus, Smith’s cap hit has already been chopped down to $3.75 million in last summer’s trade from Pittsburgh and could be further reduced. Interested teams will note that he’s produced 79 points in 106 career playoff games.

A relentless high-motor player who is enjoying a career season in Chicago, Donato is attracting serious attention on the trade market. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he profiles as a rental who can add to a team’s depth while playing basically anywhere in the lineup. Donato appears to have made some strides with his skating this season and has the hands to bury offensive chances when he gets them. Of his career-best 22 goals through Tuesday, an impressive 19 were scored at even strength.

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 grindy 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 and the Kraken are willing to retain up to 50 percent of his remaining contract.

The veteran right-shot winger remains a serious scoring threat into his 15th NHL season. He hit 30 goals in 2023-24 and has 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.

There remains interest in Schenn, but the Blues have established a high price in trade talks involving their captain. They’ve also started winning games, which reduces the chances he’s moved. It’s worth noting that Schenn possesses a full no-trade clause and has considerable control of the situation as a result. Still, it’s little wonder why his presence on the trade market has caused a stir. The veteran center is having a good season and brings value at both ends of the ice, plus all kinds of playoff experience. Toronto is still among the teams with significant interest.

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.

The well-traveled winger is having another sneaky effective season, which is why Buffalo has shown interest in getting his signature on a contract extension. If that doesn’t happen, he’s likely on the move for the second straight trade deadline. Two years removed from a 27-goal season in Pittsburgh, Zucker has 18 this season. He’s a strong skater who can help a power play and boost a middle-six group at even strength.

There is an abundance of outside interest in Cozens. Two-thirds of NHL teams have at least checked in on his availability at some point this season. Even amid a down year, the 6-foot-3 center holds plenty of appeal because of his speed, skill, size and a 30-goal campaign already on his resume. 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 nice all-around center who can kill penalties, man the flank on the power play and contribute some even-strength offense, Suter is in the midst of a career season. His 16 goals through 60 games is the best total of his five-year NHL career. The Canucks are gauging the trade market on the 28-year-old Swiss pending unrestricted free agent.

A prototypical fourth-line center, there is nothing flashy about Sturm’s game. But the veteran is a smart two-way player who excels away from the puck, and he’s already got a Stanley Cup ring in his collection from his time with the 2022 Colorado Avalanche. Sturm is also elite in the faceoff dot, which makes him an affordable specialist target for teams looking to improve around the margins.

A pending unrestricted free agent in Pittsburgh who has contributed some offense this season, Beauvillier could be on the move yet again. He’s bounced from Long Island to Vancouver to Chicago to Nashville to the Penguins in the past three seasons. Still, Beauvillier is a skilled winger with decent puck-handling skills. He’s a pretty good skater, too, and teams looking for a value buy will note that 12 of his 13 goals this season have been scored at even strength.

A big, strong winger who skates well and kills penalties, Tuch’s appeal to contending teams is no mystery. He’s signed through next season, too, which is a bonus since anyone trading for him now could count on two playoff runs. Buffalo will need to be compelled to part ways with one of the big pieces it received back from Vegas in the Jack Eichel trade, though.

A mountain of a man at 6-foot-6 and 232 pounds, McCarron may be the next man out of the revolving door in Nashville. He’s playing on an affordable cap hit for one more season and is 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.

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 counted 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.

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 hardworking player who doesn’t hesitate to finish his checks.

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 March. The pending unrestricted free agent is available, but a team is likely going to need to offer a second-round pick to get him out of Montreal.

A bottom-six forward option who plays hard at both ends of the ice, what you see is what you get from Kunin. He can chip in a bit offensively and has plenty of experience as a penalty killer. The right shot has made strides in the faceoff dot this season as well.

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. For now, though, Utah seems inclined to hang onto its potential rentals with a playoff push still on.

Injuries have kept Zegras from building any positive momentum the past two seasons. A fresh start could help that along. The Ducks are demanding more attention to detail from the offensive specialist and getting it, but Zegras is still searching for a way to hang on to the parts of his game that once separated him. Remember that he already has two 60-point campaigns under his belt at age 23. The production has dried up, as has some of the player’s enthusiasm.

Robertson seems to have reversed course on his summer trade request, but that doesn’t mean he won’t still be moved in the coming days. The Leafs are in need of cap space to make other upgrades and Robertson’s stock is trending in the right direction with a recent stretch of good play. He’s produced 11 goals this season while seeing fairly limited minutes. His release continues to be a serious weapon.

A contract throw-in as part of the Flames-Flyers deal at the end of January, it would not be a surprise to see Kuzmenko flipped. The talented scorer has seen the goals disappear entirely this season and is on an expiring contract. But he remains a threat on the power play and could be due for a bounce-back if deployed in the right way.

Marchand says he wants to spend his entire career in Boston, and the Bruins say they’re trying to sign their captain to an extension. But … talk is cheap. Marchand remains a pending UFA. Can a retooling franchise risk walking him to free agency? Fresh off helping Canada win the 4 Nations Face-Off, Marchand remains a high-end winger who can contribute offensively, kill penalties and, yes, get under an opponent’s skin. He was injured over the weekend, but it’s not believed to be too serious.