Insider Releases Top-30 NHL Trade Board

Chris Johnston of The Athletic has unveiled his latest Top-30 NHL Trade Board, a snapshot of players who could be on the move in the coming months. 

Topping the list is Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers, whose $6.5 million cap hit has drawn attention as the team struggles to recover from last year’s Presidents’ Trophy-winning season. 

Rangers GM Chris Drury has reportedly made both Kreider and former teammate Jacob Trouba (now with the Anaheim Ducks) available, signaling big changes as the franchise looks to shake off growing frustrations. Johnston notes, “Virtually everything is on the table,” as the Rangers aim to reshape their roster and salvage their season.

The list includes veterans from teams struggling to meet expectations, such as Ivan Provorov (Columbus Blue Jackets), Marcus Pettersson (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Brandon Saad (St. Louis Blues). 

New names have emerged this season, including Brad Marchand (Boston Bruins), Nicholas Robertson (Toronto Maple Leafs), and Frank Vatrano (Anaheim Ducks), reflecting a particularly active trade market. 

Notable additions like John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks) and Brock Nelson (New York Islanders) could bring much-needed stability and scoring to playoff contenders. Young talents like Marco Rossi (Minnesota Wild) and veterans such as Taylor Hall (Chicago Blackhawks) offer intriguing possibilities for teams as well.

Johnston’s Top-30 NHL Trade Board

1. Chris Kreider – New York Rangers – $6.5M cap hit
2. Brandon Saad – St. Louis Blues – $4.5M cap hit
3. Ivan Provorov – Columbus Blue Jackets – $4.725M cap hit
4. Marcus Pettersson – Pittsburgh Penguins – $4.025M cap hit
5. Trent Frederic – Boston Bruins – $2.3M cap hit
6. Kaapo Kakko – New York Rangers – $2.4M cap hit
7. Brock Nelson – New York Islanders – $6M cap hit
8. Rasmus Ristolainen – Philadelphia Flyers – $5.1M cap hit
9. Alexandre Carrier – Nashville Predators – $3.75M cap hit
10. Mathieu Olivier – Columbus Blue Jackets – $1.1M cap hit
11. Frank Vatrano – Anaheim Ducks – $3.65M cap hit
12. Taylor Hall – Chicago Blackhawks – $6M cap hit
13. John Gibson – Anaheim Ducks – $6.4M cap hit
14. Yanni Gourde – Seattle Kraken – $5.167M cap hit
15. Will Borgen – Seattle Kraken – $2.7M cap hit
16. Bowen Byram – Buffalo Sabres – $3.85M cap hit
17. Mikael Granlund – San Jose Sharks – $5M cap hit
18. Gustav Nyquist – Nashville Predators – $3.185M cap hit
19. Mike Matheson – Montreal Canadiens – $4.875M cap hit
20. Cody Ceci – San Jose Sharks – $3.25M cap hit
21. Mario Ferraro – San Jose Sharks – $3.25M cap hit
22. Marco Rossi – Minnesota Wild – $863,334 cap hit
23. Rickard Rakell – Pittsburgh Penguins – $5M cap hit
24. Radek Faksa – St. Louis Blues – $3.25M cap hit
25. Alexandar Georgiev – San Jose Sharks – $2.924M cap hit
26. Nick Bjugstad – Utah Hockey Club – $2.1M cap hit
27. Barclay Goodrow – San Jose Sharks – $3.642M cap hit
28. Vincent Desharnais – Vancouver Canucks – $2M cap hit
29. Nicholas Robertson – Toronto Maple Leafs – $875,000 cap hit
30. Brad Marchand – Boston Bruins – $6.125M cap hit

Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images