First of all, I’d like to thank Eli Feldman for his contributions to the Top 10 Column, and I’m looking forward to carrying on his great work moving forward.

This week, we will be looking ahead to the March 6th Trade Deadline. The first domino around the league fell before the Olympic break as star winger Artemi Panarin was sent to Los Angeles. Gaining or losing a teammate/linemate or being moved to a new team can dramatically shift the fantasy values for all players involved.

What potential trades will have an impact on teams and individual players? Let’s take a look at some of the top trade candidates and how the NHL Trade Deadline could impact the fantasy hockey landscape.

*Note: Stats courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey

10. Andrew Mangiapane, LW, Edmonton Oilers, Rostered-1.4%

Mangiapane hasn’t been a good fit since signing with the Oilers in the offseason. With only 14 points on the year, he hasn’t been the offensive boost that the team had anticipated. As a result, he finds himself playing in a fourth-line role, limiting his potential both as a player and for fantasy managers. Mangiapane is only a few seasons removed from a 35-goal campaign in Calgary. The two-way winger has more offense to give, and a change of scenery seems likely and needed for both team and player. A new opportunity could make Mangiapane a relevant fantasy option once more.

9. Patrik Laine, RW, Montreal Canadiens, Rostered-3.9%

We haven’t seen much of Patrik Laine this season as he’s been out with injury since mid-October. Montreal has added some depth on the wings since last season, in Ivan Demidov, Zack Bolduc, and Alexandre Texier. As a result, there isn’t a role for Laine in the team’s top-six any longer. Both parties appear to be amicably working towards a potential move. Laine has been skating over the past few weeks and appears to be nearing a potential return. However, the sense is that he’s played his last game in a Canadiens uniform. On a new team where he sees top-six minutes and power-play time, Laine can be a valuable goal scorer in fantasy moving forward.

8. Blake Coleman, LW, Calgary Flames, Rostered-24.3%

Blake Coleman is a coveted asset at this year’s deadline for many contending teams. A solid two-way forward with a winning pedigree is a valuable asset for any squad. While he hasn’t been the most sought-after option in fantasy this season, that could change following a move. The Calgary Flames as a whole have struggled to produce offense this season, and Coleman has been no exception to that fact. His 21 points put him well below his career pace. If he’s given a larger opportunity with some offensive linemates, we could see him become a solid waiver wire option.

7. Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks, Rostered-42.9%

In an ideal world, the Canucks would likely want to hold on to Conor Garland. However, reality has set in for Vancouver, as they traded Quinn Hughes, signaling their intent to rebuild. Garland is one of their most valuable trade chips, and his play style will be intriguing for many contending teams. His offense has been limited this season, but that has been the case for almost everyone on the Canucks roster this season. Garland has top-six forward upside, and with a change of scenery, he should be someone that managers target on the waiver wire post-deadline.

6. Jordan Binnington, G, St. Louis Blues, 45.5%

Binnington has had a tough campaign, as have the Blues, who find themselves in the basement of the league. Binnigton is sporting a career-low .864% save percentage with only eight wins on the season. Despite a solid showing for Canada at the Olympics, don’t expect his play to return to an elite level in St. Louis, as Joel Hofer has taken many of the starts away from him. A trade seems ideal for both parties, with the Blues expected to be sellers at the deadline as they head towards a rebuild. If Binnington can take over as the starter for a playoff team in need of goaltending help, he becomes relevant in fantasy once again. His ownership has remained high, likely due to managers hoping for this outcome. Teams like Edmonton and Montreal come to mind as potential suitors.

5. Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators, 83.8%

At the beginning of the season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Predators would be sellers at the trade deadline. However, the team has rebounded nicely and is pushing for a playoff position. Despite this, the team would be smart to sell off their assets as the roster still isn’t built to contend and should look towards a rebuild. Ryan O’Reilly has had a productive campaign and has been a darling for fantasy managers who drafted him in the later rounds of their drafts. His two-way ability down the middle makes him one of the most intriguing trade options at this year’s deadline. For fantasy managers, an O’Reilly trade should only increase his value moving forward.

4. Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers, Rostered-90.3%

Much like the rest of the Rangers team, it’s been tough sledding for Vincent Trocheck this season. The only bright spot being his recent gold medal victory as a member of Team USA at the Olympics. Despite the Olympics being over, he should keep his suitcases handy as it’s likely he gets moved at this year’s deadline.The Rangers openly signified to fans that they intend to retool moving forward, with only Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox being considered untouchables. They’ve already shipped Artemi Panarin to Los Angeles, which makes Trocheck the next best trade chip for the team. On a contender, he can be a solid second-line center, and he’s a player that managers should acquire ahead of the deadline, as his production will likely increase with a trade.

3. Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils, 74.7%

It’s been a forgettable season for Dougie Hamilton, who went almost 20 consecutive games without a point and was a healthy scratch this year. With the Devils outside the playoff race and tensions rising between player and team, it seems inevitable that Hamilton will be moved. From a fantasy perspective, Hamilton is still a valuable asset on the blue line. He still has been relevant, maintaining high ownership this year despite a poor season offensively. Hamilton’s cap hit makes it unlikely that a contender would be able to afford to take him on. However, a trade to a team with a thin blue line would still be positive for his fantasy owners. This would give him top power-play time and high minutes, something he hasn’t consistently received this season in New Jersey on a Devils offense that has dried up as of late.

2. Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues, Rostered-67.3%

As previously mentioned, the St. Louis Blues are expected to become sellers at the deadline as they head into a rebuild or at least a retool. There doesn’t appear to be any untouchables on the roster, and this doesn’t exclude Jordan Kyrou. It’s been a trying season for Kyrou, whose 14 goals and 33 points are far below his career pace. He’s been a consistent 70+ point guy during his last few campaigns for St. Louis. However, he hasn’t been the same player this season and isn’t being used to his full potential with the Blues. His name has been swirling in trade rumors all season long, and whether it’s at the deadline or in the summer, a Kyrou trade seems more and more likely.

1. Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames, Rostered-80.9%

Nazem Kadri is going to be one of the most sought-after trade chips at the 2025-26 NHL Trade Deadline. We saw what he can do in a second-line role on a contending team in Colorado during their cup run in 2022. He’s been tasked with being the top guy in Calgary, which has led to his offense falling off a bit, which leads into further issues with the Flames roster construction. Despite this, it seems like they are embracing a rebuild moving forward. Getting a hefty return in a Kadri trade package would be a good start. Kadri’s gritty playstyle, combined with his offensive capabilities and leadership, makes him a guy who can help a contending team down the middle. His contract and age make a move a bit more difficult for the Flames and tougher to swallow for potential suitors. For fantasy managers, Kadri is one of the players who could benefit most from the NHL Trade Deadline.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67