Casey Mittelstadt, Seth Jones join latest Trade Targets board

Credit: Casey Mittelstadt and Seth Jones (Imagn Images)

Paying attention yet? With a flurry of activity prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off break, seven players were traded off our Trade Targets board in a 10-day stretch. That makes 11 players overall moved off the board this season. Some attempt to imitate, but Trade Targets cannot be duplicated.

With just over a month until the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline, and trade talks aren’t slowing down. They’re picking up. And we’ve got an updated board with seven new candidates.

2025 NHL Trade Deadline Countdown: 32 days

Here are 30 players in play on the Trade Targets board, which always seeks to blend a player’s prominence with his likelihood of a trade:

Trade Targets 🎯

1. Brock Nelson
Center, New York Islanders
Age: 33
Stats: 52 GP, 15 G, 17 A, 32 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $6 million AAV
Scoop: Even with a gaudy winning streak, the Islanders can’t twist themselves into a pretzel and keep Nelson as an ‘own rental’ on a hope and a prayer to make the playoffs. Nelson is a lifelong Islander, part of the fold since he was picked in the first round the year following John Tavares. But he’s a pending UFA and the Islanders don’t appear to be going anywhere fast. There is solid interest, most notably from his home state of Minnesota, whose GM Bill Guerin selected Nelson for Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off entry. Nelson is the most impactful retal center available, even if Nelson’s on track for his fewest goals and points in a non-shortened season since 2017-18. (For more on Nelson, read his Trade Deadline Player Profile.)

2. Brandon Tanev
Left Wing, Seattle Kraken
Age: 33
Stats: 51 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.5 million AAV
Scoop: Speed kills and even at 33, Tanev still has it. He’s a fierce forechecker with speed and competitive juice that teams crave. That makes him an ideal trade deadline target once the Kraken begin to make decisions, but nothing is imminent quite yet.

3. Rasmus Ristolainen
Right Defense, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 30
Stats: 54 GP, 2 G, 13 A, 15 Pts
Contract: 2 years remaining, $5.1 million AAV
Scoop: The defense market has thinned already this season with the Cam Fowler trade and a few extensions. Ristolainen’s name has circulated through the rumor mill and the Flyers are hoping he will generate enough buzz between now and March to net a solid return. Teams are still drawn to his size, though his ability to defend is still a question mark and his point production has slid. Staying healthy and on the ice will help everyone’s cause.

4. Bowen Byram
Left Defense, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 23
Stats: 48 GP, 5 G, 20 A, 25 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $3.85 million AAV
Scoop: It’s been a bit of an odd tenure for Byram in Buffalo. He arrived at last year’s deadline in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt and seemed genuinely excited to be part of the solution. Byram has played well. And yet, he has been eligible to sign a contract extension since July 1 and is still on track to be a restricted free agent. There’s been no shortage of teams calling as a result.

5. Casey Mittelstadt
Center, Colorado Avalanche
Age: 26
Stats: 54 GP, 9 G, 23 A, 32 Pts
Contract: 2 years remaining, $5.75 million AAV
Scoop: Given that both Mittelstadt and Bowen Byram are on our Targets board, it’s fair to say that neither side has been enthralled with the one-for-one swap that was one of the true surprises of Deadline 2024. Unlike Byram, Mittelstadt is at least under contract for two seasons beyond this one, so he would provide a little cost certainty moving forward. He just hasn’t quite been a fit, or as productive, in Jared Bednar’s lineup and we’re told the Avalanche are willing to shake things up if they can find the right deal.

6. Ryan Lindgren
Left Defense, New York Rangers
Age: 26
Stats: 47 GP, 2 G, 11 A, 13 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $4.5 million AAV
Scoop: Feels like the writing was on the wall for Lindgren when he hit RFA status last summer after a few solid seasons and the Rangers decided to not commit long-term. The one-year deal walks him to free agency. Lindgren has been one of the frequent victims for New York’s issues in their own end this year, which opens the door for him to move on. To me, Lindgren certainly seems like the kind of heart-and-soul competitor that helps teams win in May and June.

7. Dylan Cozens
Center, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 23
Stats: 52 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 Pts
Contract: 5 years remaining, $7.1 million AAV
Scoop: No player player in Buffalo has received more trade attention this season than Cozens – and given the state of the Sabres, the organization hasn’t been in a position to do anything but consider everything. The Workhorse from Whitehorse has experienced a steady drop in production year-over-year from that 31-goal, 68-point season that earned him this $49.7 million contract and seemed to put him on the precipice of stardom. Now what?

8. Seth Jones
Right Defense, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 30
Stats: 35 GP, 5 G, 19 A, 24 Pts
Contract: 5 years remaining, $9.5 million AAV
Scoop: Do the massive salary cap increases agreed upon between the NHL and NHLPA make it easier for the Hawks to move Jones? Maybe. At $9.5 million, Jones will count for just 8 percent of the cap three seasons from now. Yes, he will be 33 then, but he is such a gifted and effortless skater there shouldn’t be any concern on the age curve chart. Jones has averaged 25:18 over four seasons in Chicago. He is a fine defenseman, just an overpaid one, and the Blackhawks are willing to be creative to move a player who doesn’t necessarily line up with their timeline. Sounds like talks are picking up on that front.

9. Oliver Bjorkstrand
Right Wing, Seattle Kraken
Age: 29
Stats: 52 GP, 15 G, 19 A, 34 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $5.4 million AAV
Scoop: We’re all waiting for ultra-conservative GM Ron Francis to do something, to be pushed into a move that he doesn’t necessarily ‘have’ to make. Moving Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev doesn’t count – that is expected and obvious. Bjorkstrand seems like as good a bet as any on that front. He’s been productive relative to pay and he has actual value for the Kraken, as an acquiring team would get two playoff runs out of Bjorkstrand. The short-term pain of Bjorkstrand’s absence moving forward is largely irrelevant – because the Kraken are going nowhere fast.

10. Jamie Oleksiak
Left Defense, Seattle Kraken
Age: 32
Stats: 53 GP, 4 G, 9 A, 13 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.6 million AAV
Scoop: Another candidate in the Kraken Should Move category is Oleksiak. His minutes have slid a bit since Brandon Montour arrived in Seattle last summer, but Oleksiak is a near perfect No. 4 defenseman for a playoff-bound team. He moves pretty well for his 6-foot-7 frame, he competes, and he’s a low-maintenance player. Given the dwindling number of defensemen available, there aren’t many left who will check as many boxes as Oleksiak.

11. Kyle Palmieri
Right Wing, New York Islanders
Age: 34
Stats: 52 GP, 14 G, 20 A, 34 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $5 million AAV
Scoop: Yes, the Islanders operate under the category of “Only God and Lou Know” – so you never truly have line of sight on the GM’s decision-making process. But Palmieri is in a very similar position to teammate Nelson, and equally productive, but plays a position teeming with other candidates. Both players have limited no-trade clauses that could help/hinder discussions.

12. Joel Armia
Right Wing, Montréal Canadiens
Age: 31
Stats: 52 GP, 9 G, 14 A, 23 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.4 million AAV
Scoop: Maybe it’s because he’s previously passed through waivers that Armia has been overlooked, but he shouldn’t be as a bottom-six addition at this deadline. Armia has an absolute cannon of a shot, which is a valuable asset. He also has a decently-sized frame at 6-foot-3 and he’s played well in a shutdown role this season on a line with Jake Evans and Emil Heineman. They’ve been among coach Marty St. Louis’ most trusted players. Sounds like a sneaky good add to a contender.

13. Gustav Nyquist
Right Wing, Nashville Predators
Age: 35
Stats: 50 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.185 million AAV
Scoop: There hasn’t been much buzz about Nyquist during this deadline period, but as one of the pieces that GM Barry Trotz will almost definitely be moving, someone is going to get a quality addition for a bargain price. Nyquist had 23 goals and 75 (!) points last season in Nashville. Yes, his production is way down this season, but he has experience as a deadline acquisition – so it won’t be a shock – and he’s been pretty consistently productive in the playoffs with 22 points in his last 42 postseason games.

14. Connor Murphy
Right Defense, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 31
Stats: 39 GP, 1 G, 12 A, 13 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.40 million AAV
Scoop: Remember when the Blackhawks retained half on defenseman Jake McCabe’s deal and knocked him down to just $2 million to send him to Toronto? That deal worked out great for the Leafs. Chicago could do it again with Murphy. There is a reason the Blackhawks preserved their final salary retention slot in the Taylor Hall / Mikko Rantanen trade. It could be to potentially retain on Seth Jones, though that isn’t preferred, or it could be to get creative on a deal like one for Murphy – who is a perfectly serviceable if not flashy No. 4 defenseman. The youth movement is on the way in Chicago.

15. Yanni Gourde
Center, Seattle Kraken
Age: 33
Stats: 35 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 16 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $5,166,667 AAV
Scoop: The Kraken announced Gourde will miss five to seven weeks after hernia surgery, which means we likely won’t see him on the ice again prior to the deadline. Will that stop a team from pulling the trigger on a deal? It will definitely hurt the return for Seattle. Gourde is hitting free agency as a 33-year-old with numbers on a steep decline this season. He has struggled to produce and his ice time in Seattle has taken a hit as a result, down almost two full minutes per game. What’s most surprising is he’s struggled to get puck on net with just 38 shots in 35 games played. He’s banged up now but teams see the two-time Stanley Cup winner as an ideal 3C candidate. (For more on Gourde, read his Trade Deadline Player Profile.)

16. Jack Quinn
Right Wing, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 23
Stats: 45 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $863,334 AAV
Scoop: At the start of this season, we picked Quinn as one of our breakout stars. We were wrong. It’s been a really tough year for Quinn, who sat for a stretch of time as a healthy scratch. It still feels like there is something there. He’s still on his entry-level contract, still two seasons removed from a 14-goal, 37-point year. It doesn’t make much sense for the Sabres to sell low on Quinn, but that’s why teams have been calling.

17. Ryan Donato
Center, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 28
Stats: 50 GP, 15 G, 15 A, 30 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2 million AAV
Scoop: Of all the Blackhawks veterans, it’s Donato and Jason Dickinson that have lived up to their billing this season. Donato has been a model of consistency in Chicago. He’s been impactful and competitive and someone both coaching staffs in Chicago have relied upon in the midst of a career year. Donato is also relatively inexpensive and could be a quality under-the-radar addition.

18. Trent Frederic
Center, Boston Bruins
Age: 26
Stats: 52 GP, 7 G, 7 A, 14 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.3 million AAV
Scoop: Frederic is a guy who has drawn lots of interest from around the league. He’s a pain in the ass to play against. He competes. And he scores – 18 goals last season, 17 the year prior. Frederic is the perfect bottom-six forward and the Bruins have proven they can mine those guys better than any other team.

19. Jake Evans
Center, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 28
Stats: 52 GP, 11 G, 15 A, 26 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $1.7 million AAV
Scoop: Year after year, it feels like Evans has to prove himself, and he’s saved his best season for a contract year. We’re not sold the Canadiens are going to pay a premium to keep him, but his production has been noteworthy. He’s played his most confident hockey over the last few weeks as the Canadiens have come to life again. If they’re in the playoff chase, they’re likely keeping him. (For more on Evans, read his Trade Deadline player profile).

20. Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Center, New York Islanders
Age: 32
Stats: 49 GP, 10 G, 16 A, 26 Pts
Contract: 1 year remaining, $5 million AAV
Scoop: Over the past six months, Pageau has gone from salary cap casualty candidate to legitimately in-demand as the center market is so thin. Unlike a rental, he has one year left at a manageable $5 million. And with the salary cap increasing (potentially by a sizable amount), if you could trade the same assets and also get to use him for one extra year, wouldn’t he be a smart add?

21. Justin Brazeau
Right Wing, Boston Bruins
Age: 27
Stats: 51 GP, 10 G, 10 A, 20 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $775,000 AAV
Scoop: It’s been a wild season for Brazeau, who won himself a roster spot during last year’s playoffs. He’s already collected 10 goals this season – and he’s still playing on a two-way contract, making the league minimum this season. The Bruins are up and down, and they likely won’t be paying him, so he’s a solid bet to move. No matter what, he has playoff experience, and his next contract this summer will be life-changing either way.

22. Brian Dumoulin
Left Defense, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 33
Stats: 52 GP, 0 G, 12 A, 12 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.15 million AAV
Scoop: There would undoubtedly be a handful of teams interested in Dumoulin’s services as a steady defender and solid contributor to two Stanley Cup squads in Pittsburgh. He’s got this ability to get the puck out, flipping it out, that is tried and true. He’s moving pretty well for 33 and has taken on a role mentoring the Ducks’ young guys. Anaheim sent a 4th to Seattle on July 2 for him; no reason to think they can’t do better this time around.

23. Ivan Provorov
Defense, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 28
Stats: 53 GP, 4 G, 18 A, 22 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $6.75 million AAV
Scoop: It’s far from a slam dunk that Provorov is on the move. For one, the Blue Jackets have surprised everyone and are squarely in the mix for a playoff spot. Two, he’s expressed an interest in staying, as his younger brother has committed to Ohio State. That said, Provorov may be in demand as a defenseman who has mobility and commitment to defend, so if Columbus falls out of the race they could trade him and re-sign him in the summer.

24. David Savard
Right Defense, Montréal Canadiens
Age: 34
Stats: 46 GP, 1 G, 9 A, 10 Pts
Contract: Pending UFA, $3.5 million AAV
Scoop: Savard’s best days are behind him. Period. Full stop. Whenever pressed into overuse this season, and his minutes have ratcheted up, his warts have become more transparent. That said, he would fit for one of the handful of teams looking to improve on a replacement level player on their third pair. He has experience. He will compete. But you’re going to have to offer something relatively decent (third-round pick?) because Montréal will just keep him through his contract rather than inserting a young player into their lineup who isn’t ready.

25. Zac Jones
Left Defense, New York Rangers
Age: 24
Stats: 26 GP, 1 G, 7 A, 8 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $812,500 AAV
Scoop: Jones has sat since December as a healthy scratch and the Rangers have given him permission to speak with other teams to seek a trade. His frustration was apparent in his comments last month, a well-liked competitor who is looking for opportunity. Jones can move well and has offensive instincts, but his undersized frame has created some limitation in the market.

26. Nick Robertson
Right Wing, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 23
Stats: 44 GP, 8 G, 4 A, 12 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $875,000 AAV
Scoop: Robertson is no stranger to the trade board, having requested a trade over the summer that went unfulfilled by the Leafs. He hasn’t followed up with a season that would give the Leafs pause in moving him. Robertson has been healthy scratched by coach Craig Berube on occasion as an NHL-caliber shot alone isn’t enough to keep him in the lineup. He’d be a solid piece that the Leafs could use in a deal to both create roster space and a little salary cap flexibility in a larger deal.

27. Dan Vladar
Goaltender, Calgary Flames
Age: 27
Stats: 21 GP, 3.12 GAA, .886 SV%, 2 SO
Contract: Pending UFA, $2.2 million AAV
Scoop: There isn’t a big goalie market this season mostly because so few teams (outside of Carolina) seem to be interested in a netminder. Colorado already did their shopping, and Carolina has checked in to understand the price. But the Flames are looking to get back at the very least what they spent to get Vladar from Boston, which was a third-round pick. Vladar has taken on the tougher workload this season in Calgary, but Devin Cooley is waiting patiently with the Wranglers as the owner of truly eye-popping AHL numbers.

28. Josh Anderson
Wing, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 30
Stats: 52 GP, 8 G, 10 A, 18 Pts
Contract: 2 years remaining, $5.5 million AAV
Scoop: Eighteen months ago, the Canadiens’ phones were ringing off the hook with teams willing to give up a haul for Anderson. In retrospect, it seems like the Habs probably should’ve taken them up on it. But there is still interest in Anderson, his massive frame is appealing to so many front offices. He could be an absolute menace in a playoff series. But the Canadiens have to get there first.

29. K’Andre Miller
Left Defense, New York Rangers
Age: 25
Stats: 46 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 Pts
Contract: Pending RFA, $3.872 million AAV
Scoop: With the entire defense corps in-flux outside of Adam Fox and Braden Schneider, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Miller is moved before March 7. Given his rare combination of size and athleticism, lots of teams would love to get their hands on the insanely gifted Miller. The flashes of brilliance are there but he just hasn’t been able to put it all together on a consistent enough basis. So much of what GM Chris Drury is willing to consider will hinge on how the Rangers perform over the next few weeks.

30. Elias Pettersson
Center, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 26
Stats: 45 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 Pts
Contract: 7 years remaining, $11.6 million AAV
Scoop: Pettersson is on the clock. With J.T. Miller traded, GM Patrik Allvin made it clear in no uncertain terms that Pettersson needs to be better – and that expectations have not been met. There are no excuses left. His production ticked up in the weeks that Miller was absent from Vancouver’s lineup, but even that wasn’t necessarily at the level of an $11.6 million player. If ‘Petey’ doesn’t play like ‘Petey’ again, prepare for him to be traded prior to his full ‘no-trade’ clause kicking in on July 1 – and before this deadline isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Traded: No. 1 J.T. Miller; No. 1 David Jiricek; No. 4 Taylor Hall; No. 5 Marcus Pettersson; No. 6 Jacob Trouba; No. 8 Joel Farabee; No. 15 Cam Fowler; No. 18 Alexandre Carrier; No. 22 Cody Ceci; No. 24 Morgan Frost; No. 28 Andrei Kuzmenko.
Re-Signed: No. 5 Frank Vatrano.

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Casey Mittelstadt, Seth Jones join latest Trade Targets board

2025 NHL Trade Deadline Countdown: 32 days

Trade Targets 🎯

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