https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6741234/2025/10/23/nhl-trade-board-andersson-rakell-tuch/
The NHL’s trade market has basically been jammed up since mid-July.
Transactions completed in the past three months have been limited to cap-motivated salary maneuvers or those involving minor-league players, save for two: Goaltender Pheonix Copley was sent from the Tampa Bay Lightning to Los Angeles Kings for future considerations on Oct. 15, essentially reversing a waiver claim made earlier in the month; and the New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators swapped hard-nosed forwards with the Kurtis MacDermid for Zack MacEwen deal at the end of training camp.
Beyond that, it’s proven to be a tough environment for general managers to either acquire upgrades or garner a meaningful return for those in need of a fresh start.
The rules of engagement are changing with an extension to the collective bargaining agreement taking effect. New limitations on salary retention, plus the creation of a playoff salary cap, may wind up reducing the amount of player movement we see before the March 6 trade deadline.
What hasn’t changed is the pressure on front offices to win.
While it’s still early to roll out a full-blown Big Board, it’s not too soon to start identifying some of the names that could play a role in the upcoming trading season.
Let’s start with 10 players to watch.
Read for free here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6741234/2025/10/23/nhl-trade-board-andersson-rakell-tuch/