What I'm Hearing Ahead Of Trade Deadline Day

The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday at 3 PM ET.

Stefen Rosner

David Kolb

, and

The Elmonters

Mar 06, 2025

Ahead of Trade Deadline Day, here’s what I’m hearing:

Talking to people around the league, they have no idea the direction the Islanders are going to go, even with a day to go.
The belief is that Brock Nelson (16-team no-trade clause) and Kyle Palmieri (16-team no-trade clause) want to be back.
As of Wednesday, the Islanders were still trying to retain Nelson. But many are skeptical that a deal gets done.
If an extension doesn’t happen, keep an eye on the Minnesota Wild, the Dallas Stars, the Winnipeg Jets, and the Colorado Avalanche for Nelson. I’ve heard the Washington Capitals are willing to acquire Nelson as a pure rental. The New Jersey Devils have entered the conversation with the injury to Jack Hughes.
I’d keep a close eye on the Los Angeles Kings and Winnipeg Jets for Palmieri. The Dallas Stars also had interest but traded for Mikhail Granlund, so I’m not sure there’s still interest. It sounds like they’re in a market for a center, hence Nelson.
I don’t believe there have been contract negotiations with either of the three defensemen acquired: Tony DeAngelo (pending UFA), Adam Boqvist (pending RFA), and Scott Perunovich (pending RFA). That’s something that can be pushed for end of the season, unless the Islanders try to flip one or multiple at the deadline.
On the Scott Mayfield front, I was told that the Toronto Maple Leafs have inquired. Mayfield is in the second season of a seven-year deal worth $3.5 million, but has a full no-trade clause.
The Islanders had checked in a handful of times with the Vancouver Canucks on Elias Pettersson, but the asking price was said to be too astronomical and that was pre Pettersson’s play since 4 Nations. I was told that Vancouver wanted Mathew Barzal and Noah Dobson, at one point, which would be a complete overpayment.
There’s a market for Jean-Gabriel Pageau. I've heard a third-round pick with or potentially a second with salary retained. Keep an eye on the Vegas Golden Knights. The Edmonton Oilers were another team that had shown interest but would say their acquisition of Boston Bruins’ forward Trent Frederic fills that hole.
All the rumors around Noah Dobson changing agents was not because he asked for a trade. The belief is that the two sides continue to negotiate a deal.
Not deadline news, per se, but I think there’s mutual interest in Hudson Fasching coming back, despite the injury-riddled back-to-back seasons. He’s a true professional and they like having him around. He’s played well since returning, but this is obviously not a priority.