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The five biggest names on market heading into NHL trade deadline
Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The five biggest names on market heading into NHL trade deadline

The NHL trade deadline is March 7 at 3 p.m. ET, and while some names have already been moved, plenty of impact players remain. Some will be free agents when the season ends, and some have terms left on their contracts that will cost a team a lot.

With that, let's take a look at the five most significant names on the market:

Brock Nelson, Center, New York Islanders

Nelson may be the biggest name on the market because he is a high-end, two-way centerman. With 19 goals and 41 points in 66 games, he should easily slot into a team's lineup as a second-line center and will also rack up some penalty-killing time.

Although Isles' general manager Lou Lamoriello keeps his cards close to his chest, New York is five points out of the wild card (with five teams ahead), and Nelson will surely get a haul in return. Given what they can get for him, the Islanders would be foolish not to move him.

Brock Boeser, Winger, Vancouver Canucks

Despite a bit of a down year (18 goals, 36 points in 53 games), Boeser is a goal-scoring winger who will improve a team's top six. Arguably the best UFA winger on the market, Vancouver should be able to get some high-quality assets in return, that is, if they decide to move him.

Boeser is the third-leading scorer on the Canucks and has the second-most goals on the team; with Vancouver tied with Calgary for the Western Conference second wild card, they may not want to move one of their top six forwards, especially after the J.T. Miller trade.

Scott Laughton, Center, Philadelphia Flyers

Like Nelson, Laughton's value is driven up by his quality as a two-way center for Philadelphia. His current contract has a year left, which may interest teams looking for more than a rental player.

Philadelphia is only four points out of the playoffs, but with four teams ahead of them, they'd be wise to sell high on Laughton. There should be a handful of teams looking to shore up their center depth willing to give up a first-round pick for the longtime Flyer.

Rasmus Ristolainen, Defense, Flyers

The thin defensive market gives the Flyers a leg up on other teams if they move the big Finnish defenseman. Despite struggling early in his career with Buffalo, Ristolainen has seen some improvement in his defensive play under Flyers coach John Tortorella; with Philadelphia already having Travis Sanheim and Cam York on the right side, they may be eyeing a move for Ristolainen.

Teams looking to add to their right-side depth may be willing to add him and the two years remaining on his deal. The Flyers could even package Laughton and Ristolainen to a contending team willing to give up considerable assets to land the two.

Ryan Donato, Center, Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago has already been busy leading up to the deadline, moving both forward Taylor Hall and defenseman Seth Jones, and they're not likely to be done. Having a career year with 22 goals and 45 points in 59 games, Ryan Donato should be on the move for the 31st-ranked Blackhawks.

A versatile forward, Donato should be able to get Chicago a good return, and, as a pending free agent, the Blackhawks have no reason to keep him past the deadline. With 19 even-strength goals (21st in the league), he could pique the interest of teams wanting to add to their 5v5 play.

Natalie Vaitas

Natalie Vaitas is a sports writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received her Sport Management degree from Aquinas College in 2021, where she was a member of the women's hockey team. She has experience covering the NHL and her hometown Detroit Red Wings; she also enjoys attending Michigan football games with her family. 

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