Five Players Whose Destinies Could Change At The NHL Trade Deadline

We are past the halfway point of the 2024-25 NHL season, which means the trade deadline is almost upon us. The trade deadline is a key moment in the NHL season where teams wheel and deal like hockey card collectors in order to shore up talent for a deep playoff run, or stock up future assets to speed up a rebuild. 

For players on expiring contracts (or the expiring patience of their coaches and general managers), it can be a stressful time of year. Who knows if you’ll still be on the same team next week? But it can also be exactly what a player needs to spark a change and dramatically raise their playing level and secure the legacy their potential always promised.

For hockey card collectors clutching onto rookie cards of struggling players, the fresh start a trade deadline promises could also promise the value of a rookie card to skyrocket if the player ends up in the right situation. Here are five NHL players whose stock could dramatically rise (or fall!) if they find themselves playing for a new team by the deadline this year. 

Bowen Byram (Buffalo Sabres)

Byram was sent to Buffalo in exchange for Casey Mittlestadt last season in a big trade deadline deal. While he hasn’t been bad for the Sabres this year, the team’s continued struggles could make him expendable if the right offer comes along.

The young defenseman is having his best season yet, which happens when you play alongside Rasmus Dahlin. However, if a playoff contender acquires him and he thrives in a postseason run—as he did for the Avalanche in 2022—his stock could skyrocket. As a pending restricted free agent, he’s particularly attractive to teams looking for a young blueliner they can lock up long-term.

Casey Mittelstadt (Colorado Avalanche)

The other piece of that big trade is also potentially up for grabs. Mittelstadt played well for the Sabres a few years ago, but his performance declined, leading to his trade to the Avalanche last season to help plug in the hole in their second-line center spot.

While he’s been decent in Colorado, with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists), his -12 plus-minus rating suggests he might not be playing at the level the Avs need him to be if they hope to compete for the Cup. If Colorado sees an opportunity to upgrade at center, Mittelstadt could be on the move once again.

Dylan Cozens (Buffalo Sabres)

Another young Sabre who could be dealt, Cozens has seen a noticeable drop-off in production after a breakout 2022-23 season where he tallied 68 points. This year, he has just 11 goals and 19 assists, and while his potential remains high, Buffalo may have to entertain serious offers given their ongoing struggles.

The biggest obstacle in moving Cozens is his contract—he’s locked in for five more years with a $7.1 million annual cap hit. A contender looking for a young, talented center might take the gamble, but his price tag could be a sticking point.

Trevor Zegras (Anaheim Ducks)

Zegras took the NHL by storm as a rookie, scoring 23 goals in each of his first two full seasons. However, injuries have slowed his progression, limiting him to just 31 games last season and 32 games so far this year, where he’s managed only six goals.

Despite the setbacks, Zegras remains an enticing option for teams looking for a player with offensive upside. With two years left on his contract at $5 million per season, a team willing to bet on his potential rather than his recent track record could acquire him, hoping to reignite the scoring magic that made him a rising star.

Elias Pettersson (Vancouver Canucks)

A year ago, the idea of the Canucks trading Pettersson would have been unthinkable. However, his struggles have persisted for over a year now, dating back to February 2024. Reports of locker room tensions with J.T. Miller led to Miller’s trade to the Rangers, yet Pettersson’s play has still not improved.

Is it an injury? Conditioning issues? The yips? Whatever the cause, Vancouver faces a crucial decision. Pettersson signed an $11 million extension last season, with a no-movement clause kicking in next year. If the Canucks want to move him, this is their last chance before he gains control over his future.

A trade could offer a fresh start for the once-promising superstar, but there’s no guarantee Pettersson will regain his elite form. Even playing for Sweden’s national team in the Four Nations Face-Off tournament did nothing to break the slump: zero points in three games. Is there a team out there confident enough to think they could fix whatever is ailing him?

In Conclusion

The NHL trade deadline can be an exciting (and stressful!) time for hockey players, fans, and collectors alike. We’ll see which players will end up wearing new jerseys by the end of it, but until then, buckle up. March 7th is coming up fast! And if you want to do some hockey trades of your own, check out our hockey card offerings!

Which player do you think most needs a fresh start on a new team? Let us know in the comments and, as always, thanks for reading!