The NHL Trade Deadline 2025 has arrived, and today, March 7, at 3 p.m. ET, marks the final buzzer for teams to bolster their rosters or pivot toward the future. This year’s deadline has already delivered seismic shifts—Mikko Rantanen’s journey from Colorado to Carolina and then to Dallas, J.T. Miller landing with the Rangers, and a flurry of other trades shaking up the league. But with hours still left, the hockey world is buzzing: What’s next? Who’s moving? Here’s your definitive guide to the NHL Trade Deadline 2025, packed with the latest trades, rumors, and analysis as the clock ticks down.
Deadline Day Dawns: A Recap of the Madness So Far
The 2024-25 NHL season has been a rollercoaster, and the trade market has matched that intensity. As of this morning, March 7, 2025, the league has seen over 30 trades since October, with several blockbuster deals stealing headlines. The Dallas Stars stunned fans late last night by acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes for prospect Logan Stankoven and two first-round picks. Rantanen, who started the season with the Avalanche before a January trade to Carolina, now joins a Stars squad hungry for a Cup run, boasting 27 goals and 43 assists in 62 games.
Elsewhere, the Colorado Avalanche didn’t sit idle after losing Rantanen earlier this year. On Thursday, they snagged Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders, adding a coveted No. 2 center alongside prospects Calum Ritchie and Oliver Kylington (later flipped to Anaheim). The Winnipeg Jets, atop the standings, made waves too, adding Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev in separate deals, though some question if the cost—two second-round picks and a fourth—matches the value for a team already dominant.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, under GM Kyle Dubas, have been deadline darlings, flipping Michael Bunting to Nashville for Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn (who then went to Winnipeg), and moving Vincent Desharnais to San Jose. With the most draft picks in the NHL over the next three drafts, Pittsburgh’s retooling is in full swing. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning pulled off a heist, landing Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from Seattle, bolstering their playoff push.
Top Trade Targets Still in Play
With hours to go, several big names remain in the rumor mill. Here’s who could move before 3 p.m. ET:
- John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks): The veteran goalie, with a $6.4 million cap hit, has been linked to Edmonton and Carolina all season. Despite Anaheim’s reluctance to retain salary, a Cup contender might bite if the Ducks sweeten the deal. Gibson’s injury history—he left a game this week—adds intrigue, but his .915 save percentage this year screams value.
- Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins): At 36, the Bruins’ captain is a pending UFA with 47 points in 61 games. Boston’s middling season has fueled speculation, though Marchand’s desire to stay complicates matters. Could a contender like Colorado or Dallas swoop in?
- Kyle Palmieri (New York Islanders): After trading Nelson, the Islanders might not stop. Palmieri, another pending UFA, has drawn interest from playoff hopefuls like Los Angeles, who need scoring depth.
- Ivan Provorov (Columbus Blue Jackets): The Blue Jackets are shockingly in a wild-card spot, but Provorov’s UFA status makes him a prime rental. Will Columbus buy or sell? That’s the deadline’s burning question.
Winners and Losers (So Far)
Winners
- Dallas Stars: Landing Rantanen transforms their top-six, pairing him with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. If goaltending holds, Dallas is a Western Conference juggernaut.
- Tampa Bay Lightning: Gourde and Bjorkstrand add grit and skill, keeping Tampa relevant post-dynasty.
- Pittsburgh Penguins: Dubas has turned chaos into assets, setting up a bright future while staying competitive now.
Losers
- Carolina Hurricanes: Trading Rantanen after acquiring him in January feels like a missed opportunity. Recouping picks is smart, but losing a star mid-run stings.
- New York Islanders: Losing Nelson without a clear Cup path signals another year in limbo. Fans deserve better.
- Winnipeg Jets: Schenn and Tanev are solid, but the price tag feels steep for depth pieces on a roster that didn’t need much tinkering.
What to Watch Before 3 p.m. ET
As the deadline nears, expect chaos. The Los Angeles Kings, eyeing a first-round breakthrough, might chase Palmieri or another winger to complement Anze Kopitar. The Edmonton Oilers, fresh off adding Trent Frederic in a three-team deal, could still target Gibson to solidify their crease. And don’t sleep on the Toronto Maple Leafs—GM Brad Treliving might make a splash (think Brock Nelson-level) to vault them atop the East.
Rumors swirl around smaller moves too. Depth forwards like Ryan Donato (Chicago) and Joel Armia (Montreal) could fetch mid-round picks, while defensemen like Rasmus Ristolainen (Philadelphia) might shift in hockey trades. The Athletic’s trade board suggests cap-crunched teams like Vegas and Florida could get creative, despite limited assets.
Why This Deadline Matters
The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline isn’t just about today—it’s about shaping the playoffs and beyond. Parity reigns, with 20+ teams still in the postseason hunt. A single move—like Rantanen to Dallas or Nelson to Colorado—could tip the scales in a wide-open race. For rebuilding clubs like Anaheim, Chicago, and San Jose, today’s trades stockpile picks and prospects for tomorrow’s contention.
As the clock ticks, stay glued to updates. Will Gibson finally leave Anaheim? Does Marchand waive his no-trade clause? Can Columbus shock us again? The answers unfold today, March 7, 2025, in what’s already one of the wildest deadlines in NHL history.
Follow along for real-time updates as the NHL Trade Deadline 2025 hits its 3 p.m. ET climax. Who’s your team targeting? Drop your predictions below!
