The trade deadline is always one of the most exciting times of the year as a hockey fan. As a Canadian, both TSN and Sportsnet put on their big deadline day show and it is always fun to follow along. These are my NHL trade deadline predictions for 2025. This includes some guesses on which players who I think could get dealt and where they could go to. I will be updating this as the year goes on and the standings become more clear.
Gunner’s NHL Trade Deadline Predictions
Jan Rutta Will Get Traded To The Edmonton Oilers
The San Jose Sharks are not going to make the playoffs, so they are a top target to look at when predicting who will get traded at the deadline. A hint is looking at their roster and seeing who will be an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) next year. This means they could trade these players away in order to get something back before they walk in free agency.
Someone who stuck out to me when looking at the San Jose Sharks roster was Jan Rutta.
Rutta is 34 years old, so he is getting up their in age. While saying that, he is a right-handed defenseman, which General Managers always like. He also won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning, so he could provide some veteran leadership to a team. I think he will go to a team as a depth defenseman at the deadline.
My early pick is the Edmonton Oilers, where they could put him on the bottom pair with Darnell Nurse. Rutta only makes $2.75 million per year, so they should be able to make it work and San Jose could even retain.
On a related note, make sure to check out my Stanley Cup predictions.
| Prediction: | Jan Rutta goes from the San Jose Sharks to the Edmonton Oilers |
Mikael Granlund Will Get Traded To The Dallas Stars
The same thing applies to Mikael Granlund. He is a pending free agent for the San Jose Sharks, so I think he will get moved to a contender at the deadline.
Granlund has an AAV of $5 million, so the Sharks would likely need to retain on any deal.
I could see him moving over to a contender like the Dallas Stars. He could fit nicely as their third line center and give them some added depth. The Stars have a bunch of Finnish talent, so he should feel comfortable quickly with the new team.
| Prediction: | Mikael Granlund goes from the San Jose Sharks to the Dallas Stars |
Sean Kuraly Will Get Traded To The Nashville Predators
I don’t think the Columbus Blue Jackets will make the playoffs. Looking at their roster, a name who I think will get dealt is Sean Kuraly.
Kuraly is going to be a UFA and could help out a team as the fourth-line center for their playoffs push.
This could be any team that needs help at fourth-line center. I am going to pick Nashville as my early guess though.
| Prediction: | Sean Kuraly goes from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Nashville Predators |
Adam Larsson Or Brandon Tanev Will Get Traded To The Toronto Maple Leafs
I am going to predict that the Seattle Kraken miss the playoffs this year. If that is the case, they have a bunch of interesting names who are going to be UFA’s. Two of the names that most intrigue me are Adam Larsson and Brandon Tanev.
Larsson is a big defenseman who shoots right, so most General Managers will be interested. Tanev is a great bottom 6 player who can kill penalties, so he should also draw interest.
I think that that the Toronto Maple Leafs will try and get both of these guys. I don’t think their cap situation will let them get both but I could see them trading for one of them.
Larsson would be a smart way for the Leafs to improve their blueline before the playoffs. Tanev is the brother of their current defenseman, Chris Tanev, and he can also help out the bottom 6 and penalty kill.
Either would be solid moves for them.
| Prediction: | Adam Larsson Or Brandon Tanev goes from the Seattle Kraken to the Toronto Maple Leafs |
What are your 2025 NHL trade deadline predictions? Let me know in the comment and also on Twitter.