Big names in play? Analyzing 5 intriguing NHL trade chips
There's been just one NHL trade finalized since July (Lukas Reichel from Chicago to Vancouver), yet it feels like at least a few high-profile NHLers could be moved ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. Here's what five intriguing trade chips offer on the ice and the potential landing spots for each guy.
Quinn Hughes, Canucks
The player: Hughes is a bona fide superstar - inarguably the second-best defenseman on the planet and arguably a top-10 player regardless of position. He's a franchise cornerstone who's banked countless MVP-level performances for the Canucks since his dazzling rookie season in 2019-20.
Consider this: During Hughes' tenure, Vancouver has outscored the opposition 414-356 with him on the ice while getting outscored 616-546 with him off the ice. That's a swing from 54% of the goals (Hughes on) to 47% (off).
Hughes is under contract this season and next at a completely reasonable cap hit of $7.9 million. Given where the Canucks are headed (see: nowhere promising) and the possibilities elsewhere, Hughes is likely to be flipped to another team this year, in the offseason, or during the 2026-27 campaign.
Potential landing spots: Players of Hughes' caliber very rarely become available. The juiciest part of the equation: He has zero trade protection in his contract, so theoretically, 31 teams can approach the Canucks with an offer.
New Jersey, which employs Quinn's brothers, Jack and Luke, is the no-brainer landing spot and is surely high on Quinn's list of preferred destinations.
However, Vancouver is after the best possible return (ideally addressing its need for centers), and it's the Red Wings, not the Devils, who seem to be the early front-runners. Detroit is on the rise. General manager Steve Yzerman has a bounty of young NHLers and A-to-B prospects to include in what's expected to be a three-to-five-piece package. Quinn played at the University of Michigan and spends time in the state during the offseasons.
That said, don't sleep on the Capitals, Hurricanes, Rangers, or Flyers.
Sensing a theme? That's five Metropolitan Division teams and one from the Atlantic. The chances of the Canucks sending Quinn to a Western Conference rival are slim - unless, of course, a West team offers something truly special.
Steven Stamkos, Predators
The player: The first thing to know about Stamkos is that he's well past his prime. His mobility has shifted from a plus trait to questionable late in his career. His shot attempt and shot on goal rates have dropped over his two seasons in Nashville, and he isn't beating goalies cleanly on a consistent basis anymore. He's recorded eight goals and three assists in 29 games.
Put another way, if you think Stamkos is going to single-handedly solve your favorite team's goal-scoring problems, think again. That said, under the right circumstances, the soon-to-be 36-year-old is a highly intriguing option.
If the Predators retain 50% of Stamkos' salary to bring his cap hit down to $4 million this year and next, he's suddenly attractive as the missing ingredient in a Stanley Cup-contending top nine. The future Hall of Famer's finishing chops haven't completely eroded, and his leadership abilities would help any dressing room.
Potential landing spots: Stamkos can pick his spot. He's in control with a full no-move clause. It's safe to assume he's focused on winning a third Cup, and staying with the 11-14-4 Predators simply won't help him achieve that.
New Jersey has reportedly discussed a Stamkos trade internally. The interest adds up, considering the Devils should be bringing in multiple top-nine forwards.
Other playoff-quality teams that could use an injection of depth scoring include Winnipeg, Ottawa, Utah, Los Angeles, and Minnesota. Among those five, the Senators jump off the page. There's a spot waiting for Stamkos - left wing, behind Brady Tkachuk - if he waives and the stars align on a fair trade.
Jordan Kyrou, Blues
The player: Kyrou is in only Year 3 of an eight-year, $65-million contract that includes a full no-trade clause. But the crafty two-way winger could probably use a change of scenery, and the underperforming Blues could use a shake-up.
Kyrou, who's out week-to-week with a lower-body injury, has recorded eight goals and eight assists in 28 games, putting him on pace for 49 points in 82 games. The 27-year-old butted heads with his former coach Craig Berube in late 2023, and he was scratched by current coach Jim Montgomery in November. Unsurprisingly, Kyrou's ice time has dwindled over the past two seasons.
He's a three-time 30-goal scorer and three-time 70-point getter. Kyrou can indeed produce, especially off the rush, and he owns the best five-on-five expected goals rate of all Blues players this year. As for the cap hit, $8.1 million is digestible in the new economic reality ($95.5 million upper limit and rising).
Potential landing spots: The Kraken and Canadiens are the teams most often linked to Kyrou, who's been rumored to be on the block since June. The Seattle fit is obvious: It desperately needs game-breaking forwards. The Montreal fit is less obvious following offseason trades for Noah Dobson and Zack Bolduc; would they really want Kyrou's contract on the books at this point?
The Sharks and Blackhawks are fun landing spots. Both are on an upward trajectory, thanks to the emergence of superstars Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard. Yet both clubs could use an infusion of speed and skill in the top six and have enough cap space and desirable assets to entice St. Louis. It wouldn't be surprising if Kyrou waived his clause for a team on the rise.
Alex Tuch, Sabres
The player: Tuch shouldn't be featured in any kind of "trade chips" story. He grew up a Sabres fan, arrived with a smile on his face following a 2021 trade, and has since put up 269 points in 311 games (trailing only Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin). The winger also said in September that he loves living in Buffalo, loves being a Sabre, and would love to sign a long-term extension.
Yet here we are in December, and Tuch, who's been eligible for an extension since July, remains unsigned past this season. The Sabres, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a 12-14-4 record and minus-14 goal differential, seem destined to miss the playoffs for an NHL-record 15th straight season.
It's not hard to connect the dots: Either the Sabres haven't offered Tuch a reasonable contract, or the 29-year-old's had a change of heart and would prefer to test free agency. Can you blame him? Buffalo's spinning its wheels, and Tuch can basically call his shot as a top unrestricted free agent.
Potential landing spots: Tuch's on track for a third 30-goal season. He can be used in all situations and is better at stripping pucks from opponents' sticks than about 99% of NHL forwards. His $4.8 million cap hit is a certified bargain, and the only trade protection in his deal is a five-team no-trade list.
Virtually every playoff team will make a pitch if Sabres GM Kevyn Adams declares Tuch officially on the market. Two clubs come to mind immediately.
The Oilers are desperate for a top-six winger - especially one who shoots right and can skate and create alongside Connor McDavid. Tuch showcased his utility Tuesday by scoring an overtime goal on the road against Edmonton.
He would also fit in nicely on the Hurricanes with that aggressive defensive stick and finishing ability. Carolina, a franchise unafraid of making a big splash, has the cap space and assets to make the trade work for both sides.
Kiefer Sherwood, Canucks
The player: Sherwood, a late bloomer who didn't achieve full-time NHLer status until his late 20s, is the type of forward half the league would love to acquire.
With 12 goals in 30 games following a career-high 19 last year, Sherwood's proven himself to be a fairly reliable finisher. The quick and edgy right-winger is a threat off the rush and relentless on the forecheck. He's extremely physical and disciplined, taking only 23 minor penalties since the start of 2024-25 despite delivering a league-leading 596 hits. Sherwood's nightly usage has risen from 12:10 in 2023-24 to 14:53 last season to 17:32 in 2025-26, largely because he's shown coaches he can contribute in all situations.
Each of those data points screams "ultimate playoff warrior."
Sherwood, who turns 31 in March, is a pending unrestricted free agent. His current $1.5 million cap hit can be easily absorbed by most buying teams.
Potential landing spots: Minnesota, Columbus, Dallas, and Montreal are all reportedly interested in him. Vancouver will almost certainly push for a package centered around a first-round pick and a promising young skater.
The Wild might be the best fit among the reported suitors. GM Bill Guerin loves big, physical forwards who can pitch in offensively, and his current right-wing options beyond Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello are lackluster. Minnesota is one of the NHL's top draft-and-develop teams, which means it can part ways with a solid prospect and not miss a beat.
Consider Colorado a dark horse. The 21-2-7 Avalanche may be the last team that needs to make a splash, and the front office should be turning over every stone to ensure the roster's as deep as possible. Sherwood, a former Av, would have no issue keeping up in coach Jared Bednar's high-paced system.
John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter/X (@MatiszJohn) or contact him via email ([email protected]).