The 2025 NHL trade deadline is not far off, but there's already been a ton of movement over recent weeks.

On Friday, March 7 at 3 p.m. ET, NHL general managers will no longer be able to trade roster players for the rest of the season. It's a busy time in the hockey calendar, as GMs race against the clock — and against each other — for the best deals that will help their team.

We've already seen a bunch of moves made, even as going back as late as January. Over the weekend, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones was dealt to the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional first-round pick. Expect more movement to come as the deadline ticks closer.

But, ahead of the deadline, let's take a look at the biggest names remaining who could be dealt by the time you read this, or by Friday!

1. F Mikko Rantanen, Carolina Hurricanes

Cap hit: $9.25 millionYears: UFA

Didn't Mikko Rantanen just get traded, you might ask? He did — back in late January — but the rumor mill continues to churn regardless. Rantanen hasn't been the most productive since joining the Hurricanes, with six points in 11 games, so it's possible Carolina could flip him again, especially since it seems as if he doesn't want to sign an extension when his contract expires in the summer.

2. F Brock Nelson, New York Islanders

Cap hit: $6 millionYears: UFA

Brock Nelson is the prototypical veteran rental on an expiring deal that always gets talked about at the trade deadline. The Islanders' alternate captain is having a down season compared to previous years — with 41 points in 59 games played — but general managers love adding grizzled veterans to their playoff rosters, and that fits Nelson to a T.

3. F Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins

Cap hit: $5 millionYears: Three

The Penguins are having a horrid season, but Rickard Rakell is gunning for a career year despite Pittsburgh's misery. Given Kyle Dubas needs to restock the Penguins' cupboards for their approaching rebuild, Rakell feels like a lock to move by the deadline for a high draft pick.

4. F Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues

Cap hit: $6.5 millionYears: Three

Brayden Schenn is one of the hottest names on the market ahead of Friday, mostly because he is a reported trade target for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's very likely that other teams will look to get in on Schenn as well, though the Blues might not want to part with their captain just yet since he's still signed under contract through 2028.

5. D Bowen Byram, Buffalo Sabres

Cap hit: $3.85 millionYears: RFA

While the Sabres would probably like to keep 23-year-old defenseman Bowen Byram, Buffalo is in desperate need of a shake up with this core. Things just haven't worked with this team as constructed and flipping Byram for offensive help might be the jump-start they need.

6. F Brandon Tanev, Seattle Kraken

Cap hit: $3.5 millionYears: UFA

Brandon Tanev isn't a flashy offensive player, but he's the speedy kind of forechecker NHL coaches love to have on their team to help facilitate scoring. Given Tanev's contract is expiring by season's end, the Kraken will do their best to get something for the 35-year-old before he likely walks in free agency.

7. D Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers

Cap hit: $5.1 millionYears: Two

The Flyers turned Rasmus Ristolainen from a much-maligned defenseman to a solid depth blueliner over the past four seasons. That will no doubt intrigue a few NHL teams, along with Ristolainen being a huge right-handed defenseman who plays long minutes — a major need for hockey teams.

8. G John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

Cap hit: $6.4 millionYears: Two

John Gibson is no stranger to trade rumors, but this season feels different in that he's having his best season since 2018-19. The Ducks might not get better value for Gibson unless he sustains this level of play in future seasons, so this might be the year we finally see him fly the coop.

9. F Scott Laughton, Philadelphia Flyers

Cap hit: $3 millionYears: One

Scott Laughton (27 points in 57 games) is a pretty cheap option for a NHL team looking for bottom-six center depth. He's one of the longest-tenured Flyers left on the roster and an upstanding character guy, so while it might be a hard move to make for Philadelphia, Laughton would make a great pick up for a contender looking for depth.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: NHL trade deadline 2025: Ranking the best players left on the market