The 2025 NHL trade deadline is here, and though we’ve seen a number of big moves already happen this week, there is still much to be done on the final day of dealing.
NHL teams can swap players and picks up until the 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT deadline.
What will become of Brad Marchand and the Bruins? Can the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers keep up with the buying spree going on in the West? Will the Toronto Maple Leafs match what division rivals Florida and Tampa Bay have accomplished so far?
Follow along with your live blog for the latest news and notes from the most intriguing deals of the day.
- Sportsnet’s hockey news breakers, analysts and reporters will have coast-to-coast coverage of all the moves made ahead of this season’s NHL trade deadline. Full coverage on March 7 begins at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
- Full broadcast schedule
What the Hurricanes are getting back in the Mikko Rantanen trade (1:31 pm)
When Mikko Rantanen’s extension with the Dallas Stars is eventually made official, it’s believe to be an eight-year contract with a $12 million AAV.
So what’s Carolina getting out of this?
Elliotte Friedman reports Logan Stankoven — a rookie with nine goals and 29 points in 59 games — is the player coming back to the Canes, and they’ll also receive two first-round picks and two third-rounders.
Carolina remains a Stanley Cup contender, but have a worse lineup without Rantanen today. Overall, Carolina has sent out Necas, Jack Drury a second-round pick and a fourth round pick, and received Stankoven, Taylor Hall, two firsts and two thirds through this whole episode.
Now we wait to see if Canes GM Eric Tulsky turns around to use either, or both, of these first round picks to improve his roster. It’s an hour and a half until the deadline.
Scout’s Analysis: What Scott Laughton will add to the Maple Leafs (1:16 pm)
From the desk of Jason Bukala…
Laughton will add middle-six/third line depth to the Leafs’ roster and Toronto does well not having to move either Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan in the trade. The first round pick ended up being the cost of doing business at this deadline.
It’s a nice add for the Leafs. They secure some secondary, depth offence, but more importantly more physical push back and tenacity in the middle of their group. It’s a clear upgrade to their roster.
Scout’s Analysis: Breaking down the Dylan Cozens-Josh Norris trade (1:06 pm)
From the desk of Jason Bukala…
On the surface this looks like a solid hockey trade, but I’m very concerned for the Buffalo Sabres and the risk they are taking acquiring Norris. It’s not because I don’t value him as a hockey player — I absolutely do — but he’s struggled to stay healthy his entire career.
Norris and Cozens play different styles, but they both know how to score goals and have proven how impactful they are when at their best.
Cozens generally plays with more physical push, but it might be surprising to some people to read Cozens has been credited with 148 hits and 37 shot blocks compared to 133 and 45 for Norris.
On balance, if both players maximize their potential and are physically healthy both teams will be pleased with this trade.
I have to be fair with my assessment of Cozens’ game as well. He scored 31 goals two seasons ago, but has failed to live up to the that standard since. Hopefully a reset in Ottawa will agree with him.
Also going to Buffalo is defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker, who has so far had an up and down pro career. He’s played 25 games this season averaging 13 minutes per game. A two-way defenceman who can occasionally provide some depth offence, he’s registered 21 hits and 25 shot blocks this year.
Depth defenceman Dennis Gilbert heads back to Ottawa and although he has also only played 25 games this season I see the fit with the Senators. He should be an upgrade in the bottom pair with his size and physicality. He’s only averaged 10 minutes per game of ice time, but been credited with 52 hits and 29 shot blocks in limited action.
Maple Leafs acquire Scott Laughton from Flyers, Jets get Brandon Tanev from Kraken (12:56 pm)
While names were flying off the board all day, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs were biting their nails in anticipation of GM Brad Treliving doing something.
With just over two hours to go until the trade deadline, the Leafs picked up Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers, a centre/winger who’s a great fit for the third line. One of the more physical players on the Flyers, Laughton makes $3 million against the cap and is signed through next season, though Philadelphia will retain 50 per cent of that so he comes to Toronto with just a $1.5 million cap hit. Laughton has 11 goals and 27 points in 60 games.
Toronto is sending a 2027 first-round pick and prospect Nikita Grebenkin back to Philadelphia. Scout Jason Bukala wrote about Grebenkin last month in an article discussing Leafs prospects other teams might be interested in trading for. Bukala wrote:
“Grebenkin is a nice prospect. He’s competitive, plays the game with flair, and might produce secondary offence in the NHL one day. However, the jury is still out on what his role will be and he needs at least another season in the AHL to further define himself.”
Meantime, the Winnipeg Jets have made their second trade of the day, acquiring winger Brandon Tanev from Seattle for a second-round pick. A pending UFA, Tanev played with the Jets for three seasons from 2016-17 through 2018-19.
Jets acquiring Luke Schenn from Pittsburgh (12:39 pm)
The Penguins acquired Schenn in a trade with Nashville this week and have flipped him over to Winnipeg, who were looking to add one or two blueliners at this deadline. Schenn has one more season past this one remaining on his contract.
The Jets are sending second- and fourth-round picks back to Pittsburgh.
Mikko Rantanen on track for new contract with Stars, finish trade with Hurricanes (12:28 pm)
This story has taken all sorts of turns this morning. With the framework of a trade to send Mikko Rantanen to Dallas in place since last night, the only thing holding it up are contract negotiations between the player and the Stars.
Earlier in the day, Elliotte Friedman reported the deal wasn’t dead, but that the two sides were in a stalemate. Now, Friedman and Nick Kypreos are reporting there’s some progress being made.
An eight-year deal with a $12 million AAV would get the deal done. It would make him the highest paid winger in the game and fourth-highest paid player overall by AAV.
Still no details on who the Stars would be sending back to the Hurricanes in this trade.
Senators acquire Dylan Cozens from Buffalo in blockbuster deal for Josh Norris (12:18 pm)
The first huge trade of the day comes out of nowhere to involve Buffalo and Ottawa.
Heading to Ottawa is Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 second-round pick. Buffalo is getting Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Cozens and Norris are the central pieces in this trade, a couple of centres signed through the 2029-30 season. Cozens comes at a $7.1 million AAV, Norris at $7.95 million.
In Cozens, Ottawa gets a player who scored 31 goals two seasons ago, but just 18 goals and 41 points last season and 11 goals and 31 points this season. In Norris, the Sabres get a player who has a career-high of 35 goals, but also some past injury red flags. Norris has played one “full” NHL season in his career — the 56-game 2020-21 shortened year. Since 2019 he has had three shoulder surgeries.
Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was choked up speaking to the media about losing Norris.
“It’s pretty tough. It sucks losing a guy like that.
“I just spent the last little bit with him and trying to take advantage of the last little bit.”
Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Senators beat out a number of teams in their pursuit of Cozens, including Vancouver, Detroit, Calgary, Nashville and Montreal.
We’ll have a scouting taking on the deal from Jason Bukala shortly.
Andrei Kuzmenko heading to Kings (12:04 pm)
The Philadelphia Flyers acquired Jakob Pelletier and Andrei Kuzmenko from Calgary earlier this season, sending Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost out west. Nick Kypreos immediately put Kuzmenko on his trade board afterwards, believing the real prize in the deal for the Flyers was the 24-year-old Pelletier.
Now the Los Angeles Kings are the next stop for Kuzmenko, who had two goals and five points in seven games with the Flyers. Philadelphia gets a third-round pick in return.
The Kings could use scoring, one of the worst teams on offence currently in a playoff spot and with the 30th ranked power play. Kuzmenko scored 39 goals in 2022-23 and 22 goals last season, but has just six so far this season. He’s had to waive his no-trade clause twice.
Are Senators and Sabres nearing a blockbuster? (11:16 am)
A bit earlier, Kevin Weekes reported the Senators and Sabres were working on a trade that may include Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.
The Senators are practising this morning, and neither player is on the ice.
“There is something going down with Ottawa, Buffalo and (Josh) Norris and (Dylan) Cozens are two key figures. They’re going through the process right now,” Elliotte Friedman reported on Sportsnet.
Let’s see where this goes…
Washington acquires depth scoring from Penguins (11:10 am)
Stars at a stalemate with Mikko Rantanen on extension (11:06 am)
As we await what would be the biggest news of the day — whether he’s traded and signs or not — there’s another update on Mikko Rantanen.
“I think there’s a stalemate, they’re apart,” Elliotte Friedman said on Sportsnet’s deadline day broadcast. “I’ve been told it’s not dead, but there’s a stalemate right now.”
Again, the Hurricanes had come to terms on the framework of a trade that would send Rantanen to Dallas for an uncertain return, but only if the player would come to an agreement on an extension with the Stars.
For now, at least, there appears to be a snag.
One Sabres trade candidate coming off the board (10:49 am)
How will Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams react to another disappointing season for the team? Plenty of names have come up in rumours, from Dylan Cozens, to Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch. Lots of blockbuster potential.
Jason Zucker, a 33-year-old winger and pending UFA, was another who some believed could go today. But with 18 goals in 54 games, the Sabres see some value in keeping him around their young group. Elliotte Friedman reports they’ve re-signed Zucker to a two-year extension with a $4.75 million AAV.
Where we’re at with Mikko Rantanen and the Stars (10:29 am)
The latest from Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet’s trade deadline show:
Will Vancouver trade Brock Boeser today? (10:27 am)
The Canucks traded defenceman Carson Soucy to New York Thursday and now we wonder what will become of pending UFA winger Brock Boeser.
A 40-goal scorer a season ago, Boeser is a valued contributor for the Canucks, who are still in a heated playoff race and do not want to wave the white flag on that. So how will they handle Boeser?
“I think there’s a lot of players, and Boeser is in that category, where teams know what the price is and they’re waiting to see how everything falls and then will make decisions today,” Elliotte Friedman told Halford and Brough. “I think Vancouver is willing to retain. I think they’re looking for the best possible asset they can get and we’ll see how things fall.
“If you look at what’s going on out there, these are really high prices so I’m curious to see if teams don’t get what they want they simply say ‘we’re not doing that.’ I think Vancouver is probably at the mercy of some other teams right now that have to make some decisions.”
Meantime, there is some question about Elias Pettersson, who doesn’t have any trade protection yet, but will have a no-movement clause kick in this summer. The Canucks may wait to decide one way or the other on Pettersson in the off-season, but is there any shot he gets dealt today?
“I’ve always heard it was unlikely,” Friedman said.
Winnipeg facing pressure to find a deal today (10:11 am)
Dallas may end up acquiring Mikko Rantanen, but have already brought in Mikael Granlund. Colorado landed Brock Nelson after upgrading their team in other ways previously this season (Ryan Lindgren, goalies). That’s a lot of loading up in the Central Division.
So where does that leave the Winnipeg Jets?
The Jets have $12.4 million of deadline day cap space, enough to address their needs for a second/third line centre with scoring punch and a defenceman or two. Sometimes Winnipeg is on no-trade lists, which can limit their market more than most teams, but there’s no avoiding the fact teams around them are adding big.
Winnipeg may hold top spot in the Central, a place they’ve been all season, but they’re under pressure to find an upgrade or two today.
Will Islanders keep Kyle Palmieri instead of trading him? (9:59 am)
There was some question what the Islanders might do at the deadline and if GM Lou Lamoriello would still give his team a chance, even with a tough climb ahead of them back into the playoffs.
They traded Brock Nelson to Colorado Thursday and got a great return that includes a first-round pick and top prospect Calum Ritchie. That seemed to indicate the Islanders could go hard into sell mode.
However, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports Friday morning that Lamoriello is attempting to re-sign Kyle Palmieri, another pending UFA and a goal scoring winger.
Leafs still exploring options, including Brayden Schenn, Scott Laughton (8:58 am)
So, a few contenders have been buying up players on the market over the past couple of days, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. That has Toronto Maple Leafs fans looking on, hoping today is the time for their team to take the plunge and keep up with what’s going on in the Atlantic Division.
It’s long been expected the Leafs would at least try to land a centre by the deadline, and eyes have been on someone like Brayden Schenn or Scott Laughton.
“I think the Maple Leafs know if they want to get Schenn they have to hit a target and it’s a high bar,” Friedman said on The FAN 590 Morning Show.
The future pieces Toronto has that other teams are trying to get in a big deal include prospects Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, and the Leafs’ first-round pick in 2026, since they don’t have one in 2025.
“I think Schenn could cost at least two of those pieces and I don’t know if they want to go there.”
Friedman said Laughton would cost the Leafs the first-round pick, and that the team is also kicking around possibilities on the defence market, though that position is beginning to thin out a little bit.
The Maple Leafs put Ryan Reaves on waivers Thursday to clear some cap space for a move and may look to create more cap space today. They’ll open up $1.15 million if he clears, or $1.35 million if he’s claimed at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Will Carolina and Dallas get the trade done, or will other teams be able to jump back in? (8:42 am)
When a (very) late night came to an end, the last update was that the Hurricanes and Stars had the framework of a deal done to send Mikko Rantanen back out West. Dallas was just trying to negotiate an extension with the winger.
As the hockey world woke up that deal was still not done, and it’s unclear if this trade will get over the line, or if Carolina will have to start exploring other options. That will be the biggest story of the day — where will Rantanen end up?
“There’s some time today, we’ll see how it all goes,” Friedman said Friday on the FAN 590’s Morning Show. “One of the things that was definitely the case over the last couple of days is that teams believed that Dallas was a team that Rantanen was willing to sign with, so we’ll see how it all progresses.”
There are just over six hours until the deadline.
San Jose’s nice bit of business with Jake Walman (8:30 am)
Last June the Sharks acquired Jake Walman and a 2024 second-round pick from Detroit for future considerations. At this deadline, they moved him back out to Edmonton for a conditional 2026 first-round pick, and prospect Carl Berglund.
That’s a first- and a second-round pick for Walman to come in and spend 50 games with the rebuilding Sharks, a nice bit of asset management from GM Mike Grier.
