Daylight saving time is close to ending, the weather is warmer, and there’s a nice smell of spring. You know what that means? The NHL trade deadline! The 2026 NHL trade deadline is approaching, and many players are on the table to be traded. This could be one of the most insane trade deadlines the league has seen in a while, as teams that no one thought would be buying this season are looking to contend for the Stanley Cup.
Rumors are spreading that some NHL stars are being moved ahead of this year’s trade deadline, and many of them have terms on their current contracts. With the NHL trade deadline coming in two days, here are some predictions on where some of the big-name players will end up.
Robert Thomas→ Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are on a roll this year. Set to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Sabres are creeping up on first place in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning. After firing former general manager Kevyn Adams on December 15, 2025, the Sabres’ current record is 22-5-2.
A team desperate to make the playoffs and having tons of assets to offload—why not go big and make a splash by acquiring Thomas? Thomas carries an $8.1 million AAV, on which the St. Louis Blues would most likely retain some salary. Thomas currently has 35 points in 43 games this season. This would be a great fit for the Sabres, adding another great center.
The Sabres just made a deal with the Blues, acquiring longtime teammate Colton Parayko to add to their already great blue line. General manager Doug Armstrong may give Buffalo another great piece.
Nazem Kadri→ Colorado Avalanche or Montreal Canadiens
Nazem Kadri’s name has been in trade talks for a while now, and these are the two teams believed to be the front-runners. The Habs have been eyeing a second-line center all season, showing interest in the Flames forward for months on end. The Habs have a lot of assets they can use to get Kadri and bolster their center depth.
The Avalanche is another team kicking the tires on Kadri. A reunion with the team he won the Stanley Cup for is ideal for both teams. Kadri would fit in the Avalanche’s top six forward group like a glove, just like when they won the Stanley Cup back in 2022.
Kadri, so far this season, has posted 41 points in 60 games with the rebuilding Calgary Flames. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’ll get traded this deadline. Whichever team he goes to, they will get a reliable top-six center who can distribute and shoot the puck.
Vincent Trocheck—> Detroit Red Wings
The New York Rangers have been awful all season; it’s a shock, as loaded with superstar forwards, a top 10 defenseman in the league, and arguably the best goalie in the league, they were looking to get back into the playoff picture. Considering Trocheck is on this list, the team is going in the opposite direction.
Already trading forward Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings, the Rangers are willing to trade a guy like Trocheck. Second in scoring, with 39 points in 46 games, Trocheck is a great center whom many teams would love to add to their roster for a playoff push.
The Red Wings would be a great fit for him, as the reports suggest Trocheck isn’t entertaining offers from Western Conference teams, a young Original Six team looking to make it into the postseason for the first time in 11 seasons. Trocheck is definitely on their radar. He would slide into the second-line center position and likely play on the second power play unit. The Red Wings would add to their center depth, making it hard to compete against them in the grueling playoffs.
Bottom Line
Rumors are rumors; nothing is official until it happens, but to say this year’s deadline won’t be wild is crazy to say. Many players with expiring terms are on the block, as many well-established teams are heading into an unpredictable retooling/rebuilding period.
It all has to happen before the deadline, Friday, March 3, at 3 PM EST.
