NHL Trade Deadline Predictions 2026

Who Are the Most Likely Trade Targets?

The names showing up most frequently on trade bait boards give you a clear picture of where the market expects deals to happen.

• Shane Wright, Seattle Kraken: A former first-overall pick who hasn't fully lived up to his draft position in Seattle's system. His name keeps appearing on contender wish lists as a center with upside that a winning environment might unlock.
• Tyler Myers, Vancouver Canucks: Veteran defenseman on a team that may be moving toward a rebuild. His size and experience make him attractive to playoff teams looking to add blue-line depth.
• Bobby McMann, Toronto Maple Leafs: Physical winger with proven production who fits the profile of a depth piece contenders target. Toronto's roster decisions make him a realistic trade chip.
• Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes: Carolina's depth at center means Kotkaniemi could be available if the right offer comes in. Contenders needing a capable two-way center would find him attractive.
• Braden Schneider, New York Rangers: Mobile defenseman who could fetch real return in a market where blue-line depth is always at a premium around the deadline.
• Patrik Laine, Montreal Canadiens: Health permitting, Laine is one of the most intriguing rental targets in the league. A pure goal-scorer at his price point is always in demand for contenders.
• Vincent Trocheck: Highlighted specifically as a key center who could be moved, with still-useful two-way play and a cap-friendly contract that makes him attractive to buyers.

Read more: All 32 NHL Teams Ranked for the 2025/2026 Season

Who Are the Most Likely Buyers and Sellers?

The deadline narrative splits cleanly into two groups this year.

Most likely buyers:

• Colorado Avalanche: Identified as needing more center depth for a true Cup push. Their goal differential and roster quality make them legitimate buyers who can afford to pay up in assets for the right piece.
• Minnesota Wild: Similar profile to Colorado — competitive team with a specific depth need that a deadline acquisition could address. Centers and versatile top-nine forwards are their most likely targets.
• Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights: All three are deep enough in the playoff picture to justify paying for a rental if the right player becomes available. Their cap situations determine how aggressive they can be.

Most likely sellers:

• Montreal Canadiens: With Laine's contract situation and a young core that doesn't need veteran presence to develop, flipping him for futures makes sense if his health holds.
• Seattle Kraken: Wright, Schwartz, and potentially others fit the profile of players a rebuilding team trades for picks and prospects rather than holding through a miss.
• Mid-tier stuck teams: The deadline narrative this year revolves around teams that are too good to sell aggressively but not good enough to be genuine buyers. Those teams end up making the most interesting and unpredictable moves.

Want to see how the latest predictions stack up against the market? Check the Live Odds on Shurzy to track real-time lines, futures, and betting movement across the biggest leagues.

How Trade Deadline Moves Affect Your Bets

Roster changes at the deadline create immediate betting implications that the market doesn't always price efficiently.

• Futures prices shift fast: When a contender adds a top-six center or a proven playoff defenseman, their Cup odds compress within hours. Getting ahead of confirmed deals — or backing teams most likely to add — before the move happens is where the edge lives.
• Prop markets lag behind: Player prop lines sometimes take 24 to 48 hours to fully adjust after a trade. A player moving from a rebuilding team to a contender with power play time is an immediate prop value play before the books catch up.
• Seller team fades: Teams that move key players at the deadline often fade down the stretch even if they're still technically in the playoff race. Their odds to make the playoffs and their moneyline prices both deserve a discount after significant subtractions.
• The "overpay" narrative: The question of which contender overpays for the last top-six center is worth tracking closely. Teams that mortgage future assets for a rental and then miss the playoffs or exit early are exactly the kind of situation that creates futures value on their competitors.

Read more: NHL Futures Betting Explained

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