1. New York Rangers
It’s impossible not to include the Rangers, currently in their own drama-filled season, on this list. Vince Mercogliano of lohud.com reported earlier this month that the Rangers are hot in pursuing a franchise-altering trade.
Deal: Braden Schneider (RHD), Filip Chytil (C), 2025 first-round pick (partially protected) and 2026 third-round pick
2. Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens will only tolerate the rebuild for so long. Team President Jeff Gorton was notoriously aggressive as the GM of the New York Rangers, trading for Jacob Trouba and signing big free-agent deals with Kevin Shattenkirk and Artemi Panarin.
Deal: Kaiden Guhle (LHD), Kirby Dach (C/W), Christian Dvorak (C), and a 2025 first-round pick (partially protected)
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Elias Pettersson screams Carolina. The Hurricanes let Jake Guentzel slip away, but trading for Pettersson would solve their biggest need and give them a Stanley Cup-caliber one-two punch down the middle with Sebastian Aho.
Deal: Martin Necas (W), Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C/W), Tyson Jost (C/W) and a 2025 first-round pick (partially protected)
4. Detroit Red Wings
Like the Canadiens, the Wings are a proud Original Six franchise battling significant adversity. They’re staring down the barrel of a ninth consecutive trip outside the playoffs, which would be the longest drought for an Original Six club in NHL history. This drought resulted in Derek Lalonde’s firing last month.
Deal: prospect Marco Kasper (C), Michael Rasmussen (C), 2025 first-round pick (Partially Protected) and a 2026 second-round pick
5. Buffalo Sabres
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams noted earlier this season that Buffalo isn’t the most attractive destination. This is a team in the midst of a potential 14th consecutive season outside the playoffs with a chance to do something they wouldn’t be able to do on the open market: acquire a top-flight center who can score 100 points.
Deal: Dylan Cozens (C), Ryan McLeod (C), Jack Quinn (RW), and a 2026 third-round pick
