With the NHL’s roster freeze looming-set to lock teams in at 3:00 p.m. EST Tuesday-there’s a noticeable uptick in trade chatter across the league.
Front offices are working the phones, trying to get deals done before the window slams shut. It's shaping up to be a mini trade deadline of sorts, and all eyes are on who makes the first move.
Let’s break down some of the biggest rumblings making the rounds, including a potential shakeup in Montreal involving Patrik Laine, the Oilers circling around Artemi Panarin, and the Maple Leafs potentially eyeing a move from their crowded goalie room.
Canadiens Looking to Move Laine - and Maybe Even Sweeten the Deal
The Patrik Laine situation in Montreal is heating up again. Earlier in the season, trade talk cooled off thanks to his injury issues, but now it’s back on the table-and in a big way.
The Canadiens are reportedly exploring ways to move Laine’s contract, and they may be willing to attach an asset or retain up to 50% of his salary to make it happen. That’s a significant shift in tone and suggests Montreal is serious about creating cap flexibility.
One team connected to Laine is the Edmonton Oilers. The fit makes sense: Laine’s deal expires at season’s end, making him a low-risk, high-upside rental for a playoff push. For a team like Edmonton, which is very much in win-now mode, adding a player with Laine’s scoring pedigree-especially at a discounted cap hit-could be a savvy move.
There’s even talk that this could be part of a larger chess game for Montreal. If they take back someone like Andrew Mangiapane in a “hockey trade,” the Canadiens might look to flip him again in a separate deal. In other words, this isn’t just about Laine-it’s about unlocking bigger possibilities down the line.
The fact that Laine still hasn’t suited up for Montreal, despite practicing, adds another layer of intrigue. Whether that’s precautionary or strategic, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. A move to Edmonton could offer Laine the change of scenery he needs to reset his career and remind everyone what he’s capable of.
Oilers Eyeing Panarin? That’s a Big Swing
Artemi Panarin’s name has surfaced in trade talks, and the Oilers are reportedly one of the teams doing their due diligence. According to reports, Panarin may be open to a rental situation if an extension isn’t on the table. That opens the door for contenders like Edmonton to make a bold move.
There’s no question Panarin would be a game-changer in Edmonton. He’s still one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons, and pairing him with the Oilers’ existing firepower would be a nightmare for opposing defenses. But as always, the cap hit looms large.
The Rangers aren’t just going to give him away, and Edmonton doesn’t have an obvious trade package that checks all the boxes. They’d likely need to part with promising young pieces-names like Isaac Howard or Quinn Hutson have come up-and they’d have to move salary out to make the numbers work.
One possible route? Including Mangiapane and Adam Henrique in the deal.
The Rangers could potentially flip Henrique for picks, while Mangiapane could step into their lineup or be moved again. On paper, the puzzle pieces fit.
In practice, it’s a tight squeeze with the roster freeze clock ticking. Still, if the Oilers want to go all-in on a Cup run, this is the kind of move that could put them over the top.
Maple Leafs’ Goalie Situation: Could There Be a Move Coming?
The Maple Leafs are always a team to watch around trade season, and this year, their goalie depth might be the storyline to follow. On a recent TSN OverDrive segment, the idea was floated that Toronto could be open to moving a goalie-possibly even Joseph Woll.
Now, let’s be clear: Woll is still viewed internally as a key piece of the Leafs’ future. But the suggestion here is that if the right package comes along, nothing is off the table.
Woll has shown he can be a solid NHL netminder, but there’s a belief that his ceiling might be more of a reliable tandem guy than a true No. 1.
That’s not a knock-it’s just about how the Leafs evaluate their assets in the bigger picture.
More realistically, Anthony Stolarz is the name to watch. He’s been on trade bait boards for weeks, and with Dennis Hildeby playing well, Toronto might feel comfortable exploring options. Stolarz has an extension kicking in next season, but he could be a valuable piece for a team looking for goaltending depth heading into the playoffs.
There’s also been some buzz linking Hildeby to the Flyers, though it’s hard to imagine the Leafs parting with him given how strong he’s looked. If a move happens in the crease before the freeze, Stolarz feels like the most logical candidate.
Final Thoughts
With the roster freeze just hours away, the NHL trade landscape is buzzing. Montreal looks ready to shake things up with Laine, Edmonton is lurking as a potential landing spot for both him and possibly Panarin, and Toronto’s goalie situation adds another wrinkle to watch.
This isn’t the full-scale drama of the actual trade deadline, but don’t be surprised if we see a flurry of moves before the clock strikes three. Teams are jockeying for position, and the next 24 hours could set the tone for how aggressive they’ll be down the stretch.