NHL trade deadline 2024: Which player (or pick) each team is most likely to deal

Who or what will your NHL team be saying goodbye to before the league’s March 8 trade deadline? This week, The Athletic asked its NHL staff for their expert picks and analysis on all 32 teams.

In response, we heard about veteran role players, expiring contracts, valuable picks and stars.

Here are our writers’ picks for the most likely assets to be dealt.

Adam Henrique: There might be bigger names that could fill a contender’s need for an upgrade on their second or third lines, but Henrique would be a solid option as a complementary forward with versatility who has the skating and skill to play with top offensive players. The 33-year-old is having another solid season with 15 goals and 30 points in 47 games, ranking third on the Ducks in scoring heading into Saturday. Henrique is in the last year of his five-year contract and would relish a chance to be in the playoffs again. He’s particularly hot now with 11 points in his last 10 games heading into Saturday. Anaheim would probably have to retain some of his $5.8 million cap hit but continued strong play could net them a quality asset at the deadline. — Eric Stephens

Matt Dumba: Arizona signed both Dumba ($3.9 million AAV) and Jason Zucker ($5.3 million) to one-year contracts last summer, where the general consensus was that one or both could be traded at the deadline as a rental if the Coyotes fell out of playoff contention. That hasn’t happened yet. Potentially, it still could between now and March 8. If they stay in the hunt, chances are neither moves. If one or the other does go, Dumba likely has the greater value, a defenseman capable of playing 20 minutes per night, delivering heavy hits, and consistent minutes — just the sort of depth piece any contender could use. Dumba left last Monday’s game with an upper-body injury, but the expectation is he could be back playing after the All-Star break. — Eric Duhatschek

Johnny Beecher: The Bruins do not pick until the fourth round in 2024. They would be wary of trading Mason Lohrei or Fabian Lysell, their top two prospects. Beecher started the season as the No. 4 center, but he’s since been assigned to the AHL. Another team could see the 22-year-old as having a higher offensive ceiling. There is no denying the 6-foot-3, 216-pounder’s size, speed or reach. — Fluto Shinzawa

Victor Olofsson: Veterans like Zemgus Girgensons, Kyle Okposo and Erik Johnson might be most attractive to buyers at the deadline, but the Sabres seem most willing to move Victor Olofsson. His salary was a roadblock in the offseason, but maybe a team looking for a little more scoring would be willing to part with a mid-round pick. — Matthew Fairburn

Elias Lindholm: The pending UFA is the top trade target on our in-house trade board. Should the Flames go down that road, Lindholm would be the Flames’ most attractive trade piece while commanding the largest return. — Julian McKenzie

Tony DeAngelo: The Hurricanes have had DeAngelo on the block for a while since Jalen Chatfield put a stranglehold on the sixth defenseman spot. While no other teams have made a good enough pitch yet to get Carolina to part ways with DeAngelo, it’s not hard to see a team desperate for help on the power play making a play for him. The Hurricanes would probably like to have some defensive depth as well, though the target may be a more defensive-minded player than DeAngelo. — Cory Lavalette

Colin Blackwell: In the past couple of weeks, the Blackhawks have given two-year extensions to their three most valuable trade chips — Petr Mrázek, Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno. Tyler Johnson would have been appealing to a contender looking for some veteran depth, but his foot injury likely takes him off the board. Blackwell might not be the most exciting name at the deadline, but he’s a high-motor player who could be a nice depth piece at a very low cost for a contender. — Mark Lazerus

Oskar Olausson: Sitting atop the division standings and amongst the favorites to win it all, you have to think Colorado will add at least one piece before the deadline. If that piece is an upgrade at 2C, it might take 2021 first-round pick Oskar Olausson to make it happen. The Avalanche are already without their second- and third-round picks in 2024, and their second-round pick in 2025, so moving a prospect rather than another draft pick might make more sense. Losing Olausson would hurt, but adding a dangerous second center to this already strong lineup may be worth it. — Jesse Granger

Jack Roslovic: Roslovic’s name has percolated in trade talks for the past couple of seasons, but it’s never made more sense. It would be tough for the Blue Jackets to trade a hometown kid, but Roslovic is a pending UFA this summer and the Blue Jackets have a swell of talented young forwards who have completely transformed the top-9 forwards. — Aaron Portzline

Evgenii Dadonov: The answer could be Dadonov or Radek Faksa, a couple of fourth-line forwards making north of $2 million for the next two seasons. Both have been solid players for the Stars but Dallas has a couple of talented forwards waiting their NHL turn in the AHL and while the Stars are content with the contributions from Dadonov and Faksa, especially the style of game they bring to the playoffs, the finances make them options to depart. Both have modified no-trade clauses but it’s nothing the Stars can’t work around. — Saad Yousuf

Jonatan Berggren: If the Red Wings fall out of the playoff race, then names like Shayne Gostisbehere and David Perron should draw interest from contenders looking for power-play help and/or playoff experience on expiring deals. But if Detroit can stay in it, their most likely path is to stand pat, chasing their first playoff berth since 2016 but likely without buying aggressively. Berggren, however, isn’t on the NHL roster, and has been in some trade rumors already this season. He’s a natural change-of-scenery candidate as a young winger who can bring offense, but has spent most of this season in the AHL despite putting up 15 goals for the Red Wings last season. That makes him the most logical to move if Detroit does stay in the playoff mix. — Max Bultman

Philip Broberg: Broberg wants to be an NHL player and that just doesn’t appear to be happening with the Oilers. A big reason for that is the Oilers have been healthy on the blue line and are content with their six regulars. Another factor is Broberg hasn’t done enough to supplant any of them, albeit in limited opportunity. He’s been in the minors since Dec. 7. Broberg was the first draft choice GM Ken Holland made for the Oilers, eighth in 2019, but Holland’s contract is ending in June. Though Broberg has value since he’s just 22 and he’s the next man up in the event of injury, it’s looking like a fresh start would be best for everyone. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Third-rounder in 2025: It’s tough to imagine Bill Zito staying put at the deadline, given his history and his team’s go-for-it status, but he doesn’t have a ton of assets to play with, either; Florida doesn’t have a first- or second-round pick in 2024, or a first-rounder in 2025. They’re short on cap space, too, and don’t need to add another big-money player to the books. Sounds like a situation where he’d swap a middle-round pick for some depth. — Sean Gentille

Arthur Kaliyev: With more than a few healthy scratches, Kaliyev has often found himself on the outs with Todd McLellan and his forward rotation. Kaliyev’s weapon is his shot — it is something that has helped him score eight power-play goals over the previous two seasons — but the lack of growth in his overall game has made it difficult for him to earn McLellan’s trust. Whether his lack of development is due to the coach or the player, it’s becoming harder to see Kaliyev having a long future in Los Angeles. There have been rumblings of the 22-year-old winger seeking a new NHL home. If given an everyday role, Kaliyev easily has double-digit goal capability. Maybe a change of scenery is necessary. — Eric Stephens

Pat Maroon: Yes, Marc-Andre Fleury is in the final year of his deal and could waive his no-move clause to keep his 17-year streak of being in the playoffs alive, but if the Wild decide to sell off pieces at the deadline, it would make sense that a playoff contender would want a three-time Cup champ like Maroon, who can still play up and down the lineup and is a good voice in the room. He wouldn’t garner a lot, but teams have poked around on him. One team was Edmonton, which may no longer have interest now that it has signed Corey Perry. — Michael Russo

Sean Monahan: When Monahan re-signed with the Canadiens for one year and just under $2 million, there was a gentleman’s agreement between him and GM Kent Hughes that if the Canadiens were out of the race at the deadline, he would find a trade to either a contending team or one where Monahan would prefer going. Monahan has held up his end of the bargain, playing solid hockey and staying in the lineup. Hughes will surely hold up his end of the bargain as well. — Arpon Basu

Tyson Barrie: This has been a sure thing since his displeasure with his ice time played out in public in December with a request for a trade — which may help explain why he hasn’t been dealt yet. When other general managers know of such a situation, they tend to offer less. But it will happen. Actually, Barrie heading out at this deadline was easy to predict when the Preds acquired him in their reboot last year. — Joe Rexrode

2024 third-round pick: The Devils have one of the brightest groups of prospects in the league and all their first-round picks, but is this the year to make an all-in trade? Given their injuries and inconsistent play, probably not. A mid-round pick (like their 2024 third, which they own) could probably get them some help in net (someone like Jake Allen) or a serviceable defenseman. Of course, Tom Fitzgerald could always make a more aggressive play for a long-term answer in goal like Jacob Markstrom or John Gibson. If he opts to do that, he’ll almost certainly have to part with a first-round pick. — Peter Baugh

Oliver Wahlstrom: Much like Kieffer Bellows, also a fairly recent first-rounder, Wahlstrom has had his moments in four-plus seasons but not enough of them. The torn ACL that ended his 2022-23 season last December turned the confident scorer into a hesitant player in training camp and the team’s awful defending didn’t allow him a shot to get some traction in the lineup under Lane Lambert. Even with the coaching change it doesn’t seem Wahlstrom is in the team’s plans. — Arthur Staple

2024 second-round pick: Can’t imagine that Chris Drury wants to deal a first-rounder given what’s available on the trade market at the moment — and, as has been the case the past couple seasons, his Rangers really have room only for rentals this season. So that second-round pick is in the sweet spot to move for a top-nine forward, preferably a high-level wing to slide in alongside Mika Zibanejad. — Arthur Staple

Vladimir Tarasenko: Earlier this week, general manager Steve Staios admitted that he has yet to have a conversation with Vladimir Tarasenko about his future in Ottawa. But we should expect that to happen at some point in the next couple of weeks, as Tarasenko is eligible to be a UFA this summer. The wrinkle here is that Tarasenko controls his own destiny thanks to a no-trade clause that he negotiated as part of his one-year contract with Ottawa last summer. But if Tarasenko wants to cash in with a big contract this summer, it’s hard not to imagine him wanting to go to a contender at the deadline so he can have a strong playoff push to boost his value. — Ian Mendes

Sean Walker: Flyers general manager Daniel Briere reiterated on Wednesday that he’s still focused primarily on the future. That means some players are likely on their way out, even with the team in the playoff race. Walker, a pending UFA, is at the top of that list. A coveted right-shot defenseman, Walker has emerged as a solid second-pair defenseman who can quickly transition the puck up the ice. The acquisition of Jamie Drysdale only makes him more expendable. — Kevin Kurz

Jake Guentzel: GM Kyle Dubas hasn’t talked with Guentzel’s agent, Ben Hankinson, since before the season. Dubas said they plan to meet after the break, but it’s more likely Guentzel — a pending UFA who has vastly outperformed his contract — tests the market than any other option. That would force Dubas to keep Guentzel for a playoff run that looks like a 50/50 proposition at best and potentially lose him for nothing or add future assets by moving him before the deadline. Tough spot? Not really. The Penguins need youth and depth, picks and prospects. Guentzel can probably command all three if Dubas creates a market for him. The guess here is he will. — Rob Rossi

Kaapo Kähkönen: The Sharks have a few players on expiring contracts and there is a good chance that a speedy winger like Anthony Duclair who can score will be attractive to a contending team seeking added forward depth. But the 27-year-old Kähkönen is emerging as one of their best assets. Playoff hopefuls that have had issues with their goaltending would be wise to kick the tires on the Finnish netminder who’s had a solid season while operating under the most challenging of circumstances. Per MoneyPuck, Kähkönen has saved 5.3 goals above expected while improving his save percentage from last year’s .883 to .902 heading into Saturday. With crease mate Mackenzie Blackwood signed for another season, the Sharks could dangle Kähkönen and his $2.75 million cap hit to a club desperate for someone who can give them more stops in net. — Eric Stephens

Justin Schultz: The veteran right-handed puck mover — a playoff hero for the Kraken during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs — has been his usual, steady productive self for the Kraken this season. He’s on an expiring contract, however, and at some point, the Kraken have to carve out a permanent role on their blue line for Ryker Evans. Schultz won’t be going anywhere if the Kraken are in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot and he has some modified no-trade protection. He has the ability to submit a 10-team no-trade list, but if the Kraken fall out of the race by the deadline, experienced playoff performers who play defense and are right-handed like Schultz tend to be highly desirable rentals. — Thomas Drance

Marco Scandella: A few years ago, Blues fans wanted to buy out the remainder of Scandella’s four-year, $13.1 million contract. Now, the defenseman could be someone who attracts attention as we head toward the deadline. The 33-year-old may not fetch a lot, but as a third-pair player who can play on the penalty kill, he could yield the Blues as high as a third-round draft pick. That said, with the way Scandella has played, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Blues tried to re-sign him. — Jeremy Rutherford

2025 second-round pick: The Lightning are already without their first-rounders this and next year. While they could jump to moving their 2026 first, that’s a pick management should want to retain considering the team’s long-term trajectory. If they move their third-rounder this year, Tampa Bay will be outside Rounds 1-4 completely. So next year’s second could be the asset to move if management can be active at the deadline. Any trade could require more than that, though, since the team will need salary retention on almost any deal. — Shayna Goldman

Nick Robertson: There’s a good case to be made that the Leafs shouldn’t trade Robertson at all. He’s only 22 and scoring at a 20-goal pace in his first full season (minus injuries) despite very limited minutes. He needs a new contract after this season, but will come cheap. The issue is tied to those minutes though. Sheldon Keefe has been reluctant (for good reason) to give Robertson a go in the top six and Robertson is an imperfect fit in the bottom six, especially since he has to be paired up with current 3C Max Domi, another player that Keefe doesn’t trust defensively. The question is tied to value: How much of it does Robertson, with such a limited track record, really have at this point? And is he simply more valuable, as a result, to the Leafs? — Jonas Siegel

Andrei Kuzmenko: Kuzmenko is a good player, but he’s struggled in his sophomore NHL campaign, is playing fourth-line minutes on the year (with his role falling significantly in high-leverage moments) and has a $5.5 million cap hit. It’s not a fait accompli, but if the Canucks go all in at the deadline, Kuzmenko is the most obvious candidate to serve as a salary matching (or salary reallocation) piece to facilitate a big addition. — Thomas Drance

2024 first- or second-round pick: The Golden Knights have nearly their full complement of picks for the upcoming draft, only missing a fourth-rounder. This front office has been aggressive at the deadline most years, so I expect nothing less for a team heading for yet another postseason. It likely won’t be a blockbuster move, considering the cap space, but another trade similar to the one to acquire Ivan Barbashev last season — which cost first-round pick Zach Dean — could certainly be in the cards for Vegas. — Jesse Granger

Nicolas Aube-Kubel: There are no Caps on Chris Johnston’s trade board, and that makes sense. They’re still in a buyer/seller gray area, and their biggest name on an expiring deal is Max Pacioretty, who’s still trying to find his footing after his Achilles tendon injury. Aube-Kubel is a cheap ($1.25 million), pending UFA forward with some defensive value. Contending GMs still love flipping low-round picks to add players like him. — Sean Gentille

First-round pick: Winnipeg has put itself in a position to go shopping. The Jets have the best points percentage in their division heading into the All-Star break. They also have cap space and the sense that they’ve built something special. In short, it’s difficult to imagine Winnipeg parting with a roster player in anything but the most substantial blockbuster. Meanwhile, top prospect Rutger McGroarty is probably untouchable while Elias Salomonsson, Brad Lambert, and others aren’t exactly expendable either. A first-round pick is tried and true currency and, even if one of Winnipeg’s prospects does move, it will almost certainly be alongside the pick. — Murat Ates

(Top photos of Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan: Derek Leung / Getty Images and Vincent Ethier / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)