A scouting report on every notable prospect moved at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline
The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline might not have been high in quantity, but it was high in quality. We also saw some notable prospects on the move, as well.
Cal Ritchie was by far the most prominent, but there were plenty of young prospects that swapped homes who could end up becoming NHLers over the next couple of seasons. We often don’t see many big-name prospects on the move at the deadline, but a few teams, in particular, really shook up their pipelines in just a matter of days – both positively, and negatively.
Here’s a breakdown of all the prospects moved in the week leading up to the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline:
Herman Träff, RW, 19 (Anaheim Ducks)
Previous Team: New Jersey Devils
Trade Details
The Ducks have some good, skilled forwards who could play big roles down the line – but they were missing a player with true, effective fourth-line potential. That’s why I like the Träff pickup as part of the Brian Dumoulin deal. Träff is a big, physical forward who backchecks well. He’s having a solid season in Sweden, and played a decent depth role for Sweden at the World Juniors, as well. he has a good shot, battles hard and makes you pay if you hold onto the puck too long. There’s some good power-forward energy here, but Träff does enough in his own zone to be intriguing.
Fraser Minten, C, 20 (Boston Bruins)
Previous Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Trade Details
It probably was tough for Toronto to move on from him, but Minten was one of the team’s most notable prospects and now he’s off to a rival. Minten is at his best when he’s chasing after guys. He’s not a game-breaker by any means. But he’s a multifaceted forward who can play whatever role asked of him. He should be capable of stepping up higher occasionally if paired with a lethal shooter, too. Minten likely tops out as a second-liner, but he could be better suited as a matchup killer on the third line.
Max Wanner, RHD, 21 (Boston Bruins)
Previous Team: Edmonton Oilers
Trade Details
Wanner went from being a seventh-round pick to panning out as a legit prospect for the Oilers. The 6-foot-3, right-shot defenseman played some key minutes as an AHL rookie in Bakersfield last year. He had some good opportunities in Bakersfield this year, but his offense was quite limited and he missed some time with an injury. From talking to scouts, the sense is that he just hasn’t progressed enough as a prospect. That being said, he’s good in his own zone, hard to play against and is quite competitive. At the very least, he’s a good AHLer, and that’s what you love to see out of a seventh-rounder. Anything else is just gravy.
Will Zellers, C, 18 (Boston Bruins)
Previous Team: Colorado Avalanche
Trade Details
Zellers loves to play with speed, beating opponents with quick hands and swift footwork. He’s been one of the best USHLers this year, which is great. Sometimes, it felt like he was too fast for his teammates, with plays dying because he outpaced everyone and painted himself into a corner. Zellers has good hands and the skill to become an NHLer, but he’s not physical and you need to be if you’re not going to be a key offensive contributor.
Aku Räty, RW, 23 (Chicago Blackhawks)
Previous Team: Utah Hockey Club
Trade Details
Räty is a 23-year-old having a down year in the AHL. He had 15 goals and 44 points with Tuscon last year, and even made his NHL debut with Arizona. This season, he’s on pace for just 25 while not showing a ton of confidence with the puck. It just doesn’t feel like he’s as engaged as he was earlier in his North American career.
William Dufour, RW, 23 (Colorado Avalanche)
Previous Team: New York Islanders
Trade Details
At one point, Dufour looked like a real diamond in the rough. He had a career-best 21 goals and 48 points in his first pro hockey season back in 2022-23. Since then, though, he has seen his game regress in Bridgeport. But a change of scenery could help him get his production back on track. Back in the QMJHL, Dufour was able to overpower players with brute force. In the AHL, he’s still working on his speed. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been enough improvement to his puck play to suggest he’ll be more than an AHLer moving forward. But at the very least, he can shoot better than most on this list.
Hank Kempf, LHD, 22 (Colorado Avalanche)
Previous Team: New York Rangers
Trade Details
Kempf is a senior at Cornell University, where he mostly plays a defensive role. He has just 25 points over his four years, with his career-best goal output being the two he has this year. He doesn’t play a ton of heavy minutes, but he can handle the penalty kill and block shots. He’s also decently physically, too. At this point, though, there isn’t much to suggest he’ll be an NHLer.
Petr Hauser, RW, 21 (Edmonton Oilers)
Previous Team: Boston Bruins
Trade Details
You might remember Hauser from his solid showing at the 2023 World Juniors, helping Czechia win silver. He scored three goals and was generally dangerous around the net, often using his big, 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage. He isn’t a goon, but he isn’t afraid to use his size. Hauser is smart, but doesn’t have the speed or pure skill to be anything more than a bottom-line forward. He’s a longshot to make the NHL, like many others on this list, but his Czech-league deal is over this spring and he could make the move to Bakersfield. The Oilers hold his rights until June 1, 2026, according to PuckPedia.
Shane Lachance, LW, 21 (New Jersey Devils)
Previous Team: Edmonton Oilers
Trade Details
Lachance became the Devils’ property for their role in facilitating the Trent Frederic deal. And, realistically, there’s quite a bit to like about Lachance as a potential fourth-liner. Lachance is a 6-foot-5 winger in the midst of a strong season at Boston University. Taken 186th overall in 2021, the BU captain has never been an explosive offensive threat, but he’s going to finish with about 30 points this season. You can always count on him to get a couple good looks a game and has become more dangerous as a shot generator. He’s physically dominant, great around the net, and can play alongside just about anyone. I can see him having an NHL career.
Calum Ritchie, C, 19 (New York Islanders)
Previous Team: Colorado Avalanche
Trade Details
This is the big fish right here. Ritchie is a top 20 NHL prospect, and easily one of the best, smartest two-way threats you’ll find. He started the year in the NHL with the Avs, and it seemed like training and playing with quality players helped boost his game in a way we hadn’t seen before. Ritchie has done a better job at making quick decisions with the puck, and he loves to shoot the puck. I think he’s good on the power play, mostly as a passer. Ritchie’s stock fell a bit in his 2023 NHL Draft year, which I felt to be a bit unfair. That’s mostly because scouts wanted to see him become a better point-producer. But it became clear he was prioritizing becoming valuable at both ends, and his workhorse ethic should take him far in the NHL.
Brendan Brisson, LW/RW, 23 (New York Rangers)
Previous Team: Vegas Golden Knights
Trade Details
Brisson needed a change of scenery because things just simply weren’t working out in Vegas. On the surface, there’s a lot to like: he’s a good skater, thinks the game at a high level and can play both wings quite effectively. Production has been hard to come by, but he did finish his Henderson Silver Knights tenure with three assists on March 2. But beyond that, his physical game has been lacking and his playmaking just hasn’t evolved since going in the first round in 2020. And, yes, that means another Vegas first-rounder was traded. For now, Brisson gives the Rangers some decent wing depth, but he’ll be 24 a month into the 2025-26 season – time is ticking.
Nikita Grebenkin, RW, 21 (Philadelphia Flyers)
Previous Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Trade Details
Grebenkin loves having the puck on his stick. He can be creative in 1-on-1 situations, doing his best to deke guys out and create a chance. He’s better as a setup guy, especially when paired with a speedy, skilled shooter. Grebenkin does an excellent job of cycling the puck. He’s able to shrug off shoves from bigger players, keep the play alive and then generate a scoring chance. Grebenkin has also figured out how to use his size to push opponents around. Grebenkin will be a popular figure in Philadelphia.
Kyle Aucoin, LHD, 22 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Previous Team: Detroit Red Wings
Trade Details
The son of former NHLer Adrian Aucoin, Kyle is unlikely to become an NHLer. The fourth-year Harvard University defenseman is mostly a depth defensive blueliner who focuses on keeping the puck away from scoring lanes. Beyond that, Aucoin isn’t big and doesn’t do much with the puck.
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