When the media discusses the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the names leading the discussion are Nazem Kadri, Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, Alex Tuch, Nick Schmaltz and Artemi Panarin.

When NHL general managers actually discuss moving bodies, they usually are discussing players with a lot fewer career goals and making much less money. 

Here some less heralded players drawing interest from multiple teams:

St. Louis defenseman Justin Faulk

Rasmus Andersson is the defenseman with the media hype, but Faulk has his own fan club among team executives. He’s what makes him attractive: 1023 NHL games played, an effective two-way defender with 11 goals this season, minus-4 on a team with a goal disparity of minus-39, averaging 23:29 minutes per game, has one season on his contract after this season and the Blues are willing to retain some salary.

Here are the negatives for those looking to acquire him: He has a 15-team no-trade clause, his contract has a $6.5 salary cap hit and GM Doug Armstrong isn’t holding a fire sale.

Teams that are either interested or should be interested are the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings. 

San Jose defenseman Mario Ferraro 

We are hearing the line is long for Mario Ferraro. He’s a physical top four defenseman on a pace for 152 hits. If gets there, it will mark the seventh consecutive season with 120 more hits.

He doesn’t offer much offense, but he logs 21 minutes per game. He understands how he needs to play to be effective.

The one problem: The San Jose Sharks are surprisingly on the edge of being in a playoff position. Would they move him if they have a chance to qualify for the postseason.

Seattle left wing Jaden Schwartz

While currently injured, Schwartz is projected to be ready to play in January. If a team is looking for secondary scoring, he might be the answer.

Over his last 104 games, Schwartz, 33, boasts 34 goals and 30 assists for 64 points. He is on an expiring contract, but he has a limited no-trade clause.

It has to be noted that Seattle is sitting in a playoff spot, and that may discourage the Kraken from moving him. 

Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Erik Gustafsson

Yes, he’s in the American Hockey League. But he’s playing very well there, and the Red Wings respect the fact that he has gone down there and tried to help their farm team.

He has helped in a big way, with 20 points in 19 games. He’s plus-20 and the Griffins are 27-1-1-1.

Gustafsson has played 516 NHL games and can handle the puck. The Red Wings appreciate his attitude to the point that they undoubtedly would give him an opportunity to play elsewhere. He will end up with another NHL team as a No. 7 defenseman. Count on it.