As the NHL trade deadline creeps closer, the rumor mill is heating up-and this year, it’s not just the usual suspects drawing interest. Sure, names like Artemi Panarin are dominating headlines, but as always, the most intriguing storylines tend to come from the unexpected corners of the league.
Insider chatter is beginning to spotlight some surprise candidates-players who weren’t necessarily on the radar a few weeks ago but now loom as potential deadline shockwaves. Let’s break down three of the most fascinating names surfacing in trade talks and what their movement could mean for the league landscape.
Matty Beniers: Seattle’s Boldest Chip?
Seattle’s front office has been making noise. Initially, it looked like Shane Wright-selected fourth overall in 2022-might be the centerpiece in a potential blockbuster. But with Wright’s trade value still a bit of a question mark, there’s growing buzz that the Kraken could pivot and float a much bigger name: Matty Beniers.
Beniers, the second overall pick in 2021, is in the midst of his most productive NHL season since winning the Calder Trophy as a rookie in 2022-23. Through 54 games, he’s tallied 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists), showing flashes of the two-way dominance that made him such a coveted prospect. While he hasn't yet broken out as a top-tier offensive force, his defensive instincts and hockey IQ are already NHL-caliber.
Trading Beniers would be a bold move-one that would only make sense if Seattle can land a true game-changer in return. We're talking about a high-end forward who can elevate the team’s offensive ceiling immediately.
Could a team like New Jersey, growing weary of Jack Hughes' injury setbacks, be tempted into a blockbuster? What about Toronto, staring down the possibility of missing the playoffs and needing a shakeup?
Or even St. Louis, whose own star center might be in play?
Which brings us to…
Robert Thomas: A Star in the Shadows
St. Louis is stuck in a nightmare season, buried near the bottom of the standings and facing some hard decisions. GM Doug Armstrong appears ready to explore all options-and that includes listening to offers for Robert Thomas.
Yes, that Robert Thomas. The same player who’s quietly been one of the most effective two-way centers in the league. Despite being sidelined with an injury, Thomas still holds significant value: he’s a two-time 80-point producer, a playmaker with elite vision, and a top-line pivot who can anchor a team’s offense.
If Armstrong truly puts Thomas on the block, the bidding war could get wild. Toronto, Montreal, Minnesota, Seattle, Carolina, Buffalo, Boston, and Utah all have varying needs down the middle and could justify paying the steep price it would take to acquire him.
Thomas isn’t just a short-term rental, either. At just 26 years old, he’s still entering his prime-and any team landing him would be getting a foundational piece, not just a deadline boost.
Jesper Wallstedt: Minnesota’s Goalie Dilemma
Then there’s Jesper Wallstedt, the highly touted goaltending prospect whose name has started to bubble up in trade talks. With Filip Gustavsson firmly in place as Minnesota’s starter, GM Bill Guerin is reportedly open to exploring what Wallstedt could fetch on the market.
Wallstedt isn’t just any young goalie. He’s been viewed as a franchise-caliber netminder since before he was drafted, and his development has only reinforced that belief. But Minnesota has roster holes elsewhere, and using Wallstedt as a trade chip could be the quickest way to address them.
The list of potential suitors is long-and growing. Montreal, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Carolina, and Buffalo all have goaltending questions, either now or looming in the near future. And then there’s the dream scenario for Edmonton fans: could the Oilers find a way to bring Wallstedt into the fold and erase the sting of the 2021 draft-day decision that sent the pick used to select him elsewhere?
The Bottom Line
Every trade deadline brings its fair share of surprises, but if names like Beniers, Thomas, or Wallstedt actually move, we’re talking about seismic shifts. These aren’t just depth adds or veteran rentals-these are foundational players who could reshape franchises.
Whether these deals materialize or not, the fact that they’re even being discussed tells you everything you need to know about how aggressive teams are willing to get in pursuit of playoff success-or in some cases, a full-on reset.
Buckle up. This deadline might be more unpredictable than ever.