Five NHL trade candidates to watch until 2026 deadline

Shane Pinto, C, Ottawa Senators
2024-25 season: 70 GP, 21 goals, 16 assists, 37 points, 17:33 TOI, even at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick)

Per a report from The Athletic, Ottawa is expected to open negotiations on a contract extension with Pinto, who has often anchored the team's third line. 

Ottawa will absolutely make a push to re-sign Pinto. Still, it's notable that the 24-year-old is entering the final season of his deal, will be arbitration-eligible next summer and could potentially price himself out of Ottawa if he has a strong season, given the cap is set to rise to $104M in 2026. 

There's also a question of role: Pinto is blocked from the top six minutes by centers Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens. 

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres
2024-25 season: 55 GP, 24-24-5, 2 shutouts, 3.20 GAA, .887 save percentage

Luukkonen followed up his breakout 2023-24 campaign with a nightmare season. 

The Sabres' crease is crowded if they bring back young restricted free agent goaltender Devon Levi, who excelled in the AHL for two seasons following a less-than-stellar NHL debut. 

Luukkonen has four years left on his contract at $4.75M per season. In a thin goalie market, a desperate contending team could probably talk itself into making a godfather offer to the Sabres. 

Rasmus Andersson, RD, Calgary Flames
2024-25 season: 81 GP, 11 goals, 20 assists, 31 points, 23:59 TOI, minus-20 at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick)

The right-handed shooting Swede, entering the final year of his six-year, $4.55M per year deal, has been connected by insiders to the Vegas Golden Knights, though nothing appears imminent. 

Pavel Zacha, C/W, Boston Bruins
2024-25 season: 82 GP, 14 goals, 33 assists, 47 points, 19:04 TOI, plus-one at 5-on-5 (per Natural Stat Trick)

Boston strategically retreated amid a lost 2024-25 season, but it appears to be focused on a quick turnaround. 

That's certainly possible with the expected return from injury of superstar defender Charlie McAvoy and an offseason without contract drama surrounding goaltender Jeremy Swayman. 

If Boston doesn't bounce back, Zacha is going to be a popular trade candidate as a relatively cheap ($4.75M cap hit) forward with another year on his contract who can score 20 goals while playing center or wing in a top-nine role for a contender.

The 2025-26 NHL regular season begins on Oct. 7, 2025.