I will go over five NHL trades that should happen during the 2025-2026 season based on rumors that are percolating currently throughout the league.
- Artemi Panarin to Ottawa. This trade will likely follow a similar package as the Brock Nelson to Colorado deal from last year. It’s no secret that the Sens are ready to contend and that they are searching for wingers. Panarin fits the bill, and Ottawa could elect to resign him if everything goes well. The Senators could offer up their 2026 3rd (they have three), 2027 1st, Carter Yakemchuk, and Jordan Spence. The Rangers have one lone D-man in the current top 100 prospects, Scott Morrow, who failed to make the team out of camp this season. Yakemchuk would bring an instant boost to their pipeline, and maybe immediately to the big club itself. It’s certainly possible the Rags turn things around this season but this team just does not have the looks of a Stanley Cup contender, let alone winner, and if Panarin doesn’t want to sign this would be a sharp “re-tool” type of trade.
2. Jordan Kyrou traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. This would be a very difficult trade to pull off but everyone knows how aggressive GM Eric Tulsky can be (see Rantanen last year). The Hurricanes are in a unique position, they are good, they are relatively young, and they still have prospects/picks. Looking at the Hurricanes roster, you may be more inclined to look for centers, but I don’t think Nazem Kadri and/or Ryan O’Rielly is what this Hurricanes team would be looking for at the moment. Acquiring Kyrou allows them to become deeper, moving Jackson Blake down to the third line and significantly helps their biggest post-season weakness, goalscoring. The Hurricanes could consider a hockey trade, shipping out Svechnikov who’s had a rough start to the year but trading Svech plus draft capital/prospects. I would look at trading their 2026 1st, 2028 1st (worse of the two), Kotkaniemi (25% retained), Kurban Limatov. While Kotkaniemi isn’t a valuable trade piece, he’s 25 years old, cost controlled, and possibly with more opportunity in St. Louis could come closer to the 40/50 point scorer he was in 2023. The Blues would receive the sixth best prospect on the Hurricanes to help their aging blue line, and those picks would obviously be very important to help expedite a rebuild.
3. Rasmus Andersson to the Knights and Nazem Kadri to the Canadiens. The Flames would be best to do as close to a full strip down as possible. Andersson seemingly wants to be moved to two teams, Vegas or Dallas. Vegas would be wise to jump all over Andersson, they are always looking to add new toys, and this season they are one of the most legit cup contenders in the league. Vegas has also shown a that they don’t have a care in the world for prospects because they stay so aggressive on the trade and free agency market. The team is constantly being replenished with established players, and when those players begin to fade, they find a way to ship them away. Bring in Andersson, trade Trevor Connelly or a 1st, plus Zach Whitecloud. Get Andersson signed. Calgary needs to be competitive by the time their new barn opens in two years so I would assume they are going to be looking for already drafted prospects or young NHL ready players hence the suggestion of Connelly.
As for Kadri, everyone knows the Canadiens are looking for a center. Kadri would fill that need while also coming over with quite the playoff pedigree. His experience in the playoffs might be the largest reason why this makes sense. The Canadiens are not only one of the best teams in the league right now but they’re also one of the most fun to watch. However, a large portion of this team’s playoff experience comes solely from last season. Kadri brings in a playoff veteran voice that is only currently available via their head coach Marin St. Louis. Montreal is officially out of the realm of hoarding picks and prospects; it’s time to go all-in and start becoming serious about bringing a cup back to Canada. Calgary would likely look at the Giroux trade a few years ago as a comparable, which included a 1st, a 3rd, and Owen Tippett. I could see a scenario when Montreal gives up Oliver Kapanen, and two seconds. They could also look to move one of their top prospects, Hage, but Hage could be the center they’re hoping would come up and replace Kadri after this season.
4. Alex Tuch to Edmonton. The Oilers need a goaltender. No team needs something more than Edmonton needs a goaltender. I suspect they will trade for one but unless they get one worth a shit like Saros or Sorokin, they will also look to give the sport’s biggest loser an upgrade on his wing. I honestly have no clue what Edmonton would have to give up considering they are so bereft of picks/prospects, and they’d be acquiring him almost certainly as a pure rental so you’re selling off a mid-prospect, Beau Akey and a couple of picks most likely. Not that any of this matters because their captain is destined to lose. It is all he has ever done. Lost in the OHL, lost in the NHL, hell he even lost the faster skater competition in 2022 to Jordan Kyrou. Hey, at least Crosby and Mackinnon will drag their padawan to win gold Milan much like they did in the four nations last year.
5. Rickard Rakell to Toronto. Rakell is surprisingly the least likely player on this list to be traded. Obviously, he still has about a month until he returns to action and then he would also need to play well. Beyond that, the Penguins are off to a great start and may not look to offboard as many players as the general public initially thought. However, there is an opportunity with Rakell specifically… if the Penguins continue their good start during his absence and rookie sensation Ben Kindel continues to look the part, is Rakell necessary for this team? Now, Dubas has stated that his asking price is going to be very high for Rakell and/or Bryan Rust, and I don’t think that’s going to change so you’re banking on Toronto getting desperate. Toronto never properly addressed Marner leaving. The trio of middle of the lineup guys just isn’t going to work. While Rakell isn’t a superstar, he sure knows how to play with one due to his great vision, shot, and hockey IQ. Matthews would love, just like Crosby loves, to have a guy like Rakell off to his left. There is certainly a scenario where Toronto continues to be Toronto, and they call up their old GM to trade for Rakell giving up Nick Robertson, Ben Danford, and a 2028 1st. Pittsburgh in this scenario wouldn’t really get any worse and would further expedite the rebuild process. Honestly, I don’t expect Rakell to be traded but this is just one idea that may make sense.
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