Players to watch ahead of NHL Trade Deadline

Predators forwards, Canucks defenseman among those potentially available

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The NHL Trade Deadline is this Friday at 3 p.m. ET, and there is a lot of uncertainty around the league as teams look to buy and sell players. Some notable players who could be on the move include Predators forwards and a Canucks defenseman.

Why it matters

The NHL Trade Deadline is a critical time for teams to make roster moves that can impact their playoff chances or future outlook. With a surplus of impact players potentially available, this year's deadline could see significant activity as teams look to improve their rosters.

The details

Some of the key players who could be traded before the deadline include Predators forwards and a Canucks defenseman. Teams are still trying to determine if they are buyers or sellers, leading to a logjam that is expected to clear by Friday's deadline.

  • The NHL Trade Deadline is this Friday, March 4, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET.

The players

Artemi Panarin

The Rangers forward was recently traded to the Los Angeles Kings on February 4.

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What they’re saying

“There's just so much uncertainty around this week around the whole league. We understand it. It's what we sign up for, but it doesn't make it any easier. We're all human beings. These times are uneasy for players, families, etc. It affects people's lives. It's just part of it.”

— Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers Coach (nhl.com)

What’s next

Teams will continue negotiating trades up until the Friday, March 4th deadline at 3 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

This year's NHL Trade Deadline features a surplus of impact players who could be on the move, leading to a lot of uncertainty and activity as teams look to improve their rosters for the playoff push.