Check out some of the notable names considered to be early-season trade candidates in today’s NHL Rumor Mill
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli published his first Trade Targets board for 2024-25.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson, Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde, and Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen hold the top three positions, with Columbus Blue Jackets rearguard Ivan Provorov and Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano rounding out the top five.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen is the only one not slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. All but Vatrano have frequently surfaced in the rumor mill recently. Vatrano did pop up in media speculation leading up to last season’s trade deadline.
All these players are skating for clubs that aren’t considered playoff contenders, making them among the most likely to be moved by the March 7 trade deadline.
It’s rumored the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are interested in Pettersson. There is no word as to which clubs are calling about the others.
Flyers winger Joel Farabee, Kraken winger Brandon Tanev, Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek, Montreal Canadiens blueliner Mike Matheson and Ducks winger Trevor Zegras fill slots six through 10 on Seravalli’s list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev is a pending UFA while Farabee has three seasons left on his contract. Jiricek, Matheson, and Zegras each have a year left on their deals. Jiricek is on an entry-level contract, Matheson will be UFA-eligible in July 2026 and Zegras is on a bridge deal and will have arbitration rights.
Farabee was occasionally mentioned as a trade candidate during the offseason. His contract (with an average annual value of $5 million) remains a sticking point.
It was thought Tanev might become available because the Kraken had a surplus of forwards. So far, however, they don’t seem to be in any rush to move one.
The emergence of promising defenseman Lane Hutson has some in Montreal suggesting Matheson could become expendable. However, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could be reluctant to rush the 20-year-old Hutson into the No. 1 defense role this early in his career.
Jiricek was sent to the minors yesterday, sparking rumors that he could become a trade candidate. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell admitted other teams are calling about the 20-year-old defenseman and he’s willing to listen to trade offers.
However, it doesn’t appear Waddell’s in a hurry to ship out Jiricek, who still projects as a top-four, all-around defenseman. He and head coach Dean Evason want the youngster to treat the demotion as an opportunity to work his way back into the Blue Jackets lineup.
Zegras has constantly popped up in trade chatter since January. He’s offensively off to a slow start this season but his production has picked up recently. Nevertheless, his $5.75 million cap hit and one-dimensional offensive game are stumbling blocks in the path toward a trade.
Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar, Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, San Jose Sharks blueliner Mario Ferraro, Nashville Predators rearguard Alexandre Carrier, and Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier round out the remainder of Seravalli’s list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vladar and Olivier are the pending UFAs in that group. Seravalli suggested the play of rookie goalie Dustin Wolf and promising Devin Cooley in their system could make Vladar expendable. He could hit the trade block if the Flames are out of playoff contention by March 7.
Fowler spoke with Ducks management in September about his future with the club, including a trade if he helps him and the Ducks. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $6.5 million and carries a three-team trade list, though he’s said to be willing to expand it to double digits. Playoff contenders seeking more than a rental blueliner could come calling about Fowler by the trade deadline.
Ferraro and Carrier popped up at times in the rumor mill last season. With the Sharks rebuilding, Ferraro might become a trade candidate this season. Like Fowler, he’s got a year left on his contract but at a more affordable $3.25 million.
Carrier is in the first season of a three-year contract but the Predators’ stumbling performance has raised questions about the club’s direction. General manager Barry Trotz remains a buyer but that could change if his club doesn’t improve soon.