The NHL’s trade deadline is on March 6. While several organizations will look to trade impact players for future assets, others will be in pursuit of impact players who could propel their franchise to a Stanley Cup championship.

Navigating the trade deadline can be a challenging task for general managers. They have to determine if they will be buyers or sellers, prior to tinkering with their respective rosters.

This is also a day in which GMs can get overzealous, and severely overpay for “rental” players, while mortgaging their franchises future.

Numerous factors have to be taken into consideration prior to commencing a transaction, including compliance within the salary cap.

Deadline day is often one of the most exciting days on the NHL calendar for hockey fans. Let’s not forget how thrilled Florida Panthers fans were last year, when GM Bill Zito acquired Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins.

Here is a list of players that I anticipate will find a new home before 3 p.m. on March 6:

The Minnesota Wild netminder has been in the conversation for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. While it seems unusual to trade away a potential franchise goalie, Wild GM Bill Guerin recognizes the time may be now for the club to make a deep playoff run. The Wild have a reliable starting goaltender in Filip Gustavsson, but they lack depth at the centre position behind Joel Eriksson Ek. If I’m a GM in rebuild mode with a veteran centre at my disposal, I’d be very intrigued at the possibility of acquiring the 23-year-old Swedish netminder.

Potential suitors: Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.

After notching a career-high 34 points last season, the 29-year-old Toronto Maple Leaf forward has continued his reliable play this season. McMann is on an expiring contract, which has a very attractive cap hit of $1.35 million dollars (US) this season. At 6’2, and 217 pounds, and accompanied by his extremely low cap hit, McMann should garner plenty of attention throughout the league. Could Leafs GM Brad Treliving fetch a first-rounder in return for McMann? Let’s hope so, as the Leafs cupboards are empty, and they are in dire need of being restocked.

Potential suitor: Edmonton Oilers.

Ex Toronto Maple Leaf and current Calgary Flames player Nazem Kadri yells for the puck as Max Domi of the Leafs gives chase (11 blue) in NHL action in 2023.

The 35-year-old Calgary Flames centre is still a productive player who can provide offence and tenacity. With the Flames in rebuild mode, they would be ecstatic to shed Kadri’s $7 million (US) cap hit, which does not expire until 2029. The Flames would more than likely have to retain salary in a deal; GM Craig Conroy could fetch a top prospect if he showed a willingness to do so. Could the Montreal Canadiens look to add the veteran centre to join a youthful core including Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov?

Potential suitor: Montreal Canadiens.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos (91) handles the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during third period NHL first round Stanley Cup playoff action in Toronto, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. 

The former two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning has the championship pedigree that GMs highly covet. The Nashville Predators centre is just two seasons removed from a 40-goal campaign. If the Preds are willing to retain a portion of Stamkos US$8 million annual salary, there should be no shortage of interest throughout the league. Could Stamkos reunite with Steve Yzerman in Detroit?

Potential suitors: Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) looks as the puck bounces off the post as the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Vegas Golden Knights at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Photo taken on Jan. 23, 2026. 

After a career season in 2024-25 in which he posted a sizzling 2.14 GAA and sparkling .926 save percentage in 34 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender has struggled mightily. The biggest question mark remains the New Jersey-born netminder’s health. Stolarz had never played more than 28 games in an NHL season prior to last year. Stolarz could be a reasonable addition as a backup for a contender. Due to his nagging injuries, the asking price should be very fair. A trade is worth exploring for Leafs GM Brad Treliving, as it appears as though Dennis Hildeby is ready for a full-time NHL role.

Potential Suitor: Philadelphia Flyers.

Other players who could be moved include: Brayden Schenn, Dougie Hamilton, Vincent Trocheck, Blake Coleman, Elias Pettersson, Luke Schenn, Jake DeBrusk, Jordan Binnington, Ryan O’Reilly, Jonathan Marchessault and Conor Garland.

The rumour mill is churning throughout the NHL. Let the trading begin.

© Peterborough Examiner