NHL Trade Frenzy Heats Up as Deadline Looms

The NHL trade period is in full swing. Major deals have been happening since the autumn, but the excitement truly escalated in late January when the Colorado Avalanche surprised everyone by sending Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a blockbuster move. Here’s a rundown of the latest exchanges, with more expected before the deadline at 3 p.m. ET on March 7.

Blackhawks fulfill a defenseman’s trade request as Panthers bolster their roster

Florida Panthers receive: Seth Jones (Blackhawks cover $2.5 million of Seth Jones’ $9.5 million annual deal).

Chicago Blackhawks receive: Spencer Knight and a 2027 first-round pick.

This trade has the potential to benefit both teams. What could have turned into a messy situation was quickly resolved by Chicago, who secured some interesting assets in return. Spencer Knight is having a standout year, and adding a future draft pick shows smart planning by the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Panthers needed reinforcement on defense, especially with their lower pairings struggling after losing Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Seth Jones brings experience, even if his role has been debated in the past due to lofty expectations on a weaker team.

Comment: A balanced move for both sides.

Wild take a chance on a veteran forward from Nashville

Minnesota Wild receive: Gustav Nyquist.

Nashville Predators receive: A 2026 second-round draft pick.

Can a stronger Minnesota squad reignite Gustav Nyquist’s past form? The Wild are banking on it. If they’re serious about escaping their mid-tier status and winning a playoff round for the first time in years, they’ll need more than just a depth contributor.

Comment: An intriguing gamble for Minnesota.

Rangers make a practical move by sending a pending free agent to Colorado

Colorado Avalanche receive: Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey, and Hank Kempf.

New York Rangers receive: Juuso Parssinen, Calvin de Haan, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick (Rangers retain half of Ryan Lindgren’s salary).

This deal strikes a balance for both teams, albeit with different goals. The Rangers could’ve pushed for the playoffs, relying on their goaltending, but an injury to Adam Fox might have tipped the scales toward planning for the future. The Avalanche, meanwhile, gain Ryan Lindgren, a tough defenseman whose style fits their needs, especially at a reduced salary cost, making him a step up from Calvin de Haan, along with Jimmy Vesey and prospect Hank Kempf.

Comment: A sensible trade for both parties.

Carolina pulls off a jaw-dropping deal with Colorado

Carolina Hurricanes receive: Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall.

Colorado Avalanche receive: Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.

Chicago Blackhawks receive: A 2025 third-round pick (retaining half of Mikko Rantanen’s salary).

Colorado parts with Mikko Rantanen, the trade’s top talent, which traditionally signals a loss, but rumors of contract disputes made this move inevitable. Losing a core leader hurts, though the return includes Martin Necas, a rising offensive talent—albeit one who doesn’t match Mikko Rantanen’s all-around impact—along with Jack Drury and draft picks.

Comment: A bold and impactful exchange.

Dallas adds a forward and defenseman from San Jose

Dallas Stars receive: Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci.

San Jose Sharks receive: A 2025 first-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick (upgraded to a third if Dallas reaches the Stanley Cup Final).

If Dallas gets the version of Mikael Granlund who’s excelled despite playing for a struggling Sharks team, they’ve added a versatile piece who can move the puck effectively. However, Cody Ceci’s limited skill set might not address their current injury concerns with Miro Heiskanen. San Jose, meanwhile, scores big with a first-round pick and no salary retained.

Comment: A solid haul for the Sharks.

Vancouver goes all-in with Pittsburgh for defensive help

Vancouver Canucks receive: Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor.

Pittsburgh Penguins receive: Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernström, and a 2025 first-round pick (top-13 protected via New York Rangers).

After appearing to scale back earlier with J.T. Miller, Vancouver flipped a draft pick to land Marcus Pettersson, a top-four defenseman who can ease the load on Quinn Hughes, along with Drew O’Connor. It’s a hefty price for two short-term pieces, but the Canucks’ defensive needs were dire. Pittsburgh gets Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, Melvin Fernström, and a valuable pick in return.

Comment: A steep but necessary move for Vancouver.

Rangers and Canucks swing big in a blockbuster swap

New York Rangers receive: J.T. Miller, Erik Brännström, and Jackson Dorrington.

Vancouver Canucks receive: Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a 2025 first-round pick (top-13 protected).

This trade is a gamble with big potential for both sides. The Rangers hope J.T. Miller rediscovers his peak form, offering a major boost without sacrificing too much, alongside Erik Brännström and Jackson Dorrington. For Vancouver, the return of Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a pick feels light for J.T. Miller’s stature.

Comment: A high-stakes play for both teams.

Calgary and Philadelphia swap forwards with upside

Calgary Flames receive: Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost.

Philadelphia Flyers receive: Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2028 seventh-round pick.

Calgary’s offense has been lackluster, and Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost could provide a lift, though they’re not game-changers. The Flyers take a chance on Andrei Kuzmenko, a creative player with a history of scoring despite his defensive flaws, along with Jakob Pelletier and picks.

Comment: A trade banking on potential.