Don’t do it: Which players should teams reconsider dealing before 2026 NHL Trade Deadline?
We’re days away from the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. The first 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, that is. The real one remains March 6, but all trading halts for the Olympic break beginning Feb. 4 at 3:00 p.m. ET. That might create a mini-deadline environment in which we see a flurry of deals this coming week.
Of the prominent names bandied about as trade candidates this season – feel free to use my Trade Board as a reference point – whom do you think it would be a big mistake to move?
MATT LARKIN: The Robert Thomas talk befuddles me. Whether they’re contending, retooling or rebuilding…the St. Louis Blues should trade their 26-year-old No. 1 center why, exactly? Over the past three seasons, only two centers average more assists per 60 at 5-on-5 than Thomas. Their names are Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. I don’t see many scenarios in which the Blues win a trade involving Thomas. You work through a rebuild in hopes of getting a player like Thomas.
SCOTT MAXWELL: I feel like this topic was made for Alex Tuch. When we spoke about how we’d fix the Buffalo Sabres last month, I was adamant that Tuch should not be a player they move, because he wants to be in Buffalo, which is the type of player the Sabres should be prioritizing. And that was when the team was bad! Now they’re doing great, gearing up for a run to the playoffs and what lies beyond, and it would make absolutely no sense to deal Tuch. If a team comes along with an offer you can’t refuse, then take it, but otherwise, Tuch should be treated like an own rental. This is the Sabres’ best chance to make the playoffs in 15 years, and while they shouldn’t throw caution to the wind just to secure this one playoff spot, hanging onto Tuch would give them their best opportunity to get there. Besides, it’s not like there’s zero chance he stays in Buffalo. He clearly wants to be there, so take the risk of keeping him around.
MIKE GOULD: I’m going to start off by disagreeing with Scott. Buffalo is a very strong team this year and I think they have a real chance to make noise in the playoffs, but I don’t think it’d handcuff them all that much to move Tuch for a longer-term piece. Tuch is a well-regarded veteran, but if you talk to enough Sabres fans, you’ll come away with the strong impression that his reputation surpasses his on-ice impacts. Anyway, onto the question: I’m going to take a different approach to this and say the Montreal Canadiens should not move Michael Hage. Yes, they could use another NHL-level center, but Hage — a 2024 first-round pick — isn’t far away from becoming one of those himself, and there aren’t too many appealing targets for Montreal on the trade block. The Habs have a bunch of other assets they could use to land a big fish, including fellow top prospect David Reinbacher, but Hage should be strictly off-limits.
PAUL PIDUTTI: Our friends Tyler and Hutts discussed the curious Jesper Wallstedt rumor on DFO Live this week. I’d consider such a move to be a big mistake if it goes down. I understand the Minnesota Wild have two dragons to slay in their own division in Colorado and Dallas — just to get halfway to a Stanley Cup. I also get that they don’t have a lot of assets to move and have Filip Gustavsson, a very capable starter, under contract long-term. But it’s become extremely rare to get through a full season (and postseason) without seeing No. 1 goaltenders injured, struggling or in need of relief. Using a 23-year-old goaltending talent to potentially rent a player in-season feels reckless, if that were the case. If Bill Guerin truly deems two good goaltenders a luxury and not a need, then it would be easier to win a Wallstedt swap in the offseason with more suitors and league-wide cap space for creativity.
STEVEN ELLIS: All excellent choices. I’m going to take this in a slightly different route and say Seattle’s first-round pick. The Kraken have a real chance of making the playoffs, but I think they should still lean more toward seller than buyer, no matter what. Shane Wright has the potential to be the team’s most valuable trade asset, which should be enough to bring in veteran help for a playoff push. But don’t sacrifice the future – this team is still a long way from being a true contender, and moving any future pieces would be a colossal mistake. It’s great they’re still in the hunt, but there’s no need to be aggressive, especially if a good draft pick is still in the cards.
ANTHONY TRUDEAU: I’m glad Steven mentioned Shane Wright, whom I’d already considered as my answer. Wright had the most name value of anyone in what turned out to be a solid 2022 class and fell to the team that, as the NHL’s youngest franchise, could most use a signature player. That makes Seattle’s disinterest (13:48 ATOI) in the former OHL standout confounding, especially after he showed legit offensive pop (19 G, 44P in 79 GP) as a rookie. While it makes sense that top center Matty Beniers is held in higher esteem internally, what about Wright’s game is so unappealing that he needs to sit behind Chandler Stephenson, who’s simply drowning (32.74% expected-goal share) in huge minutes (19:45 ATOI), or career depth guy Freddy Gaudreau (16:12)? The Kraken need young, dangerous players if they ever want to shake their image as the league’s least interesting club. Wright, a good finisher who just turned 22, could be that guy. Instead of selling low, play the kid.
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