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The NHL offseason is here, which means we get to put together an NHL trade targets 2025 list. General managers are once again engaging in their favourite summer hobby: giving fans anxiety. To get a sense of who’s sweating through their no-trade clauses, we combed through all the top trade boards, including Daily Faceoff, insider scoops, and even that one guy on Reddit who’s definitely just guessing.
The results? A mix of big names, rising stars, aging contracts, and a few “Wait, they might actually trade him?” surprises. Here’s a deep dive into the juiciest NHL trade targets of the 2025 offseason.
Top NHL Trade Targets 2025: Full List
JJ Peterka – Breakout Star Tops NHL Trade Targets 2025
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Left Wing
Age: 23
Contract: Pending RFA
Stats: 77 GP, 27 G, 41 A, 68 Pts
Peterka has emerged as a top-line force in Buffalo, but internal uncertainty and external interest make him one of the top NHL trade targets for 2025. With multiple teams reportedly offering significant packages and a possible offer sheet looming, the Sabres may be forced to act.
Chris Kreider – Rangers Veteran Among Top NHL Trade Targets 2025 – TRADED TO ANAHEIM
Team: New York Rangers
Position: Left Wing
Age: 34
Contract: 2 years, $6.5M AAV
Stats: 68 GP, 22 G, 8 A, 30 Pts
Despite injuries and inconsistency, Kreider remains a productive veteran. His name has surfaced repeatedly in trade talks as the Rangers look to retool their roster.
Marco Rossi – Center Market Gets Thin on NHL Trade Targets 2025
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: Center
Age: 23
Contract: Pending RFA
Stats: 82 GP, 24 G, 36 A, 60 Pts
The Wild face a tricky decision with Rossi, who is due for a raise. His playoff usage raised questions, and a trade may mirror past RFA moves like Kevin Fiala.
Bowen Byram – Blueline Talent Heating Up NHL Trade Market 2025
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Position: Left Defense
Age: 24
Contract: Pending RFA
Stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 31 A, 38 Pts
Acquired from Colorado, Byram just completed his first full season. While there’s no trade request, the lack of a contract extension and questions around his role keep him in the rumor mill.
Jonathan Marchessault – Scoring Winger Enters NHL Trade Targets 2025 Radar
Team: Nashville Predators
Position: Right Wing
Age: 34
Contract: 4 years, $5.5M AAV
Stats: 78 GP, 21 G, 35 A, 56 Pts
Marchessault may be open to moving on from Nashville after a disappointing team season. He could offer great value as a middle-six scorer.
Rasmus Andersson – Right-Shot Defenseman with Value
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Right Defense
Age: 28
Contract: 1 year, $4.55M AAV
Stats: 81 GP, 11 G, 20 A, 31 Pts
A solid right-handed defenseman with offense and grit, Andersson is drawing interest as Calgary looks to reset.
Erik Karlsson – Former Norris Winner on the Block Again
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Right Defense
Age: 34
Contract: 2 years, $10M AAV
Stats: 82 GP, 11 G, 42 A, 53 Pts
Still productive but expensive, Karlsson could be a bold pickup for a contending team needing offensive help from the back end.
Connor Murphy – Veteran Blue Liner Available in Chicago
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Right Defense
Age: 32
Contract: 1 year, $4.4M AAV
Stats: 68 GP, 2 G, 17 A, 19 Pts
With a logjam on defense and prospects coming up, Murphy is a dependable, physical defender who could boost a contender’s third pair.
John Gibson – Goalie Market Heats Up with Veteran Option
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: Goaltender
Age: 31
Contract: 2 years, $6.4M AAV
Stats: 29 GP, 2.77 GAA, .912 SV%
It might finally be time for Gibson to move on. He remains a proven goalie and the market is thin on quality starters.
K’Andre Miller – Rangers Defense Puzzle Piece
Team: New York Rangers
Position: Left Defense
Age: 25
Contract: Pending RFA
Stats: 74 GP, 7 G, 20 A, 27 Pts
The Rangers have big decisions on their blue line. Miller’s skill and youth make him valuable, but his next contract won’t be cheap.
Based on the latest intel from Daily Faceoff and league insiders, here are 21 notable names to keep an eye on this summer:
JJ Peterka – LW, Buffalo Sabres
Chris Kreider – LW, New York Rangers
Marco Rossi – C, Minnesota Wild
Bowen Byram – LD, Buffalo Sabres
Jonathan Marchessault – RW, Nashville Predators
Rasmus Andersson – RD, Calgary Flames
Erik Karlsson – RD, Pittsburgh Penguins
Connor Murphy – RD, Chicago Blackhawks
John Gibson – G, Anaheim Ducks
K’Andre Miller – LD, New York Rangers
Vladimir Tarasenko – W, Detroit Red Wings
Elvis Merzlikins – G, Columbus Blue Jackets
Lukas Reichel – F, Chicago Blackhawks
Erik Haula – C/LW, New Jersey Devils
Morgan Rielly – LD, Toronto Maple Leafs
Pavel Zacha – C/LW, Boston Bruins
Morgan Geekie – C, Boston Bruins
David Kampf – C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Thatcher Demko – G, Vancouver Canucks
Jamie Oleksiak – D, Seattle Kraken
Elias Pettersson – C, Vancouver Canucks
