Five potential trades that could supercharge the NHL trade deadline

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck to Carolina Hurricanes OR Pittsburgh Penguins

The Hurricanes haven't adequately replaced Trocheck since he left for the Rangers in free agency in July 2022. He already knows how to play Rod Brind'Amour's taxing style. Unlike Carolina's last two swings at the deadline, he is under contract for three more seasons. There won't be any drama like the aftermath of acquiring wingers Jake Guentzel (2024) and Mikko Rantanen (2025).

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is Trocheck's home town. Evgeni Malkin has played a fair bit of wing, and the Penguins could use a center to insulate rising star Ben Kindel in the playoffs. Acquiring Trocheck legitimately gives the Crosby-Malkin-Letang trio one last real bite at a championship. Plus, he's familiar with head coach Dan Muse, who was on the Rangers bench for the best season of Trocheck's career in 2023-24.

Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman to San Jose Sharks or Tampa Bay Lightning

Coleman was part of maybe the greatest matchup line in Stanley Cup playoffs history — at least in the salary cap era. Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and Yanni Gourde haven't skated on a line together since the Lightning defeated Montreal in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals. Reuniting Coleman with one of his two former linemates would have the potential to be tremendously fun to watch. It could also be the type of move that tips the scales in a Stanley Cup Finals.

Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly to Colorado Avalanche or Buffalo Sabres

O'Reilly seems not as likely to be on the move, and it would be hard to imagine him signing off on either one of these deals if Nashville follows through with its pledge to treat O'Reilly as if he has a full No Movement Clause. Still, O'Reilly had bad blood leaving both Colorado and Buffalo before winning a Stanley Cup in St. Louis. Returning to either location in the midst of a turn-back-the-clock season for a reunion to rewrite the ending is too juicy to ignore. 

Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Strome to Los Angeles Kings

These rivals haven't traded roster players since 2008, but Strome has seen his role in Anaheim diminish as the young talent ascends. The Kings, having just fired Jim Hiller, don't appear to be in the market for another major deal. But they do need help down the middle, and Strome and recently acquired superstar winger Artemi Panarin were best friends and linemates in New York until the Rangers allowed Strome to walk.