NHL Trade Deadline: Bobrovsky and Trocheck Headline Six Potential Blockbuster Deals

Ahead of the 3 p.m. ET NHL trade deadline on Friday, analysts project major moves including Sergei Bobrovsky to Edmonton and Vincent Trocheck to Minnesota.

The NHL trade deadline is set for Friday at 3 p.m. ET, following major early transactions that sent Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild and Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. One proposed blockbuster involves the Edmonton Oilers acquiring goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from the Florida Panthers in exchange for goalie Connor Ingram and forward Isaac Howard. This deal would require Florida to retain 50% of the salary for Bobrovsky, who turns 38 in September. Edmonton general manager Stan Bowman previously attempted to stabilize the crease by acquiring Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Bobrovsky’s history as 'Playoff Bob' during two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals makes him a primary target. The Oilers recently placed Mattias Janmark on long-term injured reserve to facilitate the acquisition of defenseman Connor Murphy from Chicago on Monday.

Western Conference Contenders Target Center Depth

Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is exploring a deal for New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck. The Wild currently possess $11.4 million in deadline cap space according to PuckPedia. To acquire the two-way center, Minnesota would likely send a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, defenseman Carson Lambos, and forward Charlie Stramel to New York. Trocheck confirmed to reporters on Monday that the Wild are not on his no-trade list. The Rangers already hold two first-round picks for the current year and would gain a second 2027 first-rounder through this transaction. Minnesota has recently moved on from young assets Zeev Buium, Marat Khusnutdinov, Liam Ohgren, and Marco Rossi, making the inclusion of Lambos and Stramel a significant roster decision.

In another Western Conference move, the Colorado Avalanche are linked to Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly. The 35-year-old veteran leads Nashville with 21 goals and 57 points through 59 games while averaging over 20 minutes of ice time. The proposed trade includes a 2027 sixth-round pick heading to Colorado, while Nashville receives a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 fourth-round pick via Carolina, and 22-year-old prospect Nikita Prishchepov. Prishchepov, a seventh-round selection from the 2024 draft, has appeared in 10 NHL games. O'Reilly carries a $4.5 million annual cap hit through next season and lacks formal trade protection, though Predators GM Barry Trotz is expected to consult the veteran before any official move.

St. Louis Blues Consider Robert Thomas Blockbusters

The St. Louis Blues are reportedly listening to offers for 26-year-old center Robert Thomas, who is signed through 2030-31 with an $8.125 million annual cap hit. One scenario sends Thomas to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2026 first-round pick (originally from Dallas), Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Alexander Nikishin, and Ryan Suzuki. Nikishin has recorded seven goals and 22 points in 58 games this season. Suzuki, a 2019 first-round pick, has tallied 10 goals and 39 points in 47 games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. Carolina has a history of aggressive deadline moves, having previously acquired Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen in recent seasons.

Alternatively, the Boston Bruins could target both Thomas and defenseman Justin Faulk. Faulk has produced 32 points in 60 games with an average ice time of 22:30. This massive trade would see St. Louis receive center Dean Letourneau, defenseman Mason Lohrei, center Casey Mittelstadt, forward Michael Eyssimont, and an unprotected 2027 first-round pick. Letourneau is a 6-foot-7 center at Boston College currently playing at a point-per-game pace. To balance the finances, Boston would part with Mittelstadt’s $5.75 million salary and Lohrei’s $3.2 million AAV. The Blues would likely need to utilize a retention slot to keep 50% of Faulk’s $6.5 million cap hit to finalize the exchange.

Defensive Realignments in Anaheim and New Jersey

The Anaheim Ducks are projected to acquire defenseman Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils. Hamilton has two years remaining on a contract worth $9 million annually. In exchange, the Devils would receive defenseman Drew Helleson, a 2027 second-round pick from Anaheim, and a 2027 second-round pick originally belonging to Detroit. This move provides the Ducks with veteran leadership alongside Radko Gudas and Jacob Trouba, both of whom are pending unrestricted free agents. The acquisition offers cost certainty as Anaheim prepares for upcoming restricted free agent negotiations with Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Pavel Mintyukov, and Olen Zellweger. Additionally, Jackson LaCombe is set for a salary increase to $9 million annually starting in the 2026-27 season.