The NHL's annual trade deadline is 3 p.m. ET on Friday, March 7, 2025. With the big day less than two months away, hockey pundits are speculating which players could be on the move.

Twenty trades have occurred since the 2024-25 NHL season began on Oct. 6. Several involved noteworthy players like Jacob Trouba, Cam Fowler, MacKenzie Blackwood, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexandre Carrier.

We recently listed 15 players who've been the subject of media gossip in our January NHL Trade Block Big Board. Some of them, like Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, continue to feature prominently in the rumor mill.

Some of those players could be moved well before March 7. We're breaking out our trusty BS Meter to separate fact from fiction in the latest round of NHL trade conjecture.

Do you agree or disagree with our take on the latest speculation? Let us know in the app comments below.

Will the Chicago Blackhawks Move Taylor Hall at the Trade Deadline?

Mired at the bottom of the overall standings, Chicago seems likely to win the annual draft lottery for the second time in three years. They're also expected to become sellers at the annual trade deadline.

Chicago has several players slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 who might not fit into their long-term plans. They include Ryan Donato, Pat Maroon, Craig Smith, Alec Martinez, and Taylor Hall.

On Jan. 8, Scott Powers of The Athletic suggested Hall was the most likely trade candidate. He observed the 33-year-old left winger was producing at a pace similar to when he played for the Boston Bruins club two years ago.

Hall carries a cap hit this season of $6 million but most of it will be paid by the March 7 trade deadline. Powers believes he could fetch a third-round draft pick.

BS Meter: Not BS

Hall's best seasons are behind him, but he could still be an enticing trade chip for Chicago. He could get them a second-round pick if they agree to retain half his salary. On Jan. 15, Hall indicated he was leaving the door open on a trade.

Could Ryan O'Reilly Return to the Toronto Maple Leafs?

On Feb. 17, 2023, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Ryan O'Reilly in a trade with the St. Louis Blues. He played 13 regular-season and 11 playoff games with the Leafs before signing a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators later that year.

With the Predators floundering near the bottom of the standings, O'Reilly has surfaced in the trade rumor mill. On Jan. 7, TSN's Darren Dreger wondered if the Maple Leafs might consider a reunion with the 33-year-old two-way center.

Four days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported teams were calling the Predators about O'Reilly. His best seasons are behind him since winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019 leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup. Nevertheless, he remains a well-respected player around the league.

Friedman didn't indicate which teams were calling the Predators about O'Reilly. He noted that the veteran center lacks no-trade protection in his contract. He has two more years remaining on his deal with a reasonable annual average value of $4.5 million.

BS Meter: It's BS

Friedman reported the Predators are treating O'Reilly like he has a no-movement clause. They won't move him unless he's willing to go. Friedman also said it would take an offer that would excite the Predators. Given GM Barry Trotz's intent to add young talent, the offer might have to include a first-round pick, a top prospect, or a good young NHL player.

Dylan Cozens To The Detroit Red Wings?

The ongoing woes of the Buffalo Sabres made them a fixture in the rumor mill this season with Dylan Cozens oft-mentioned as a trade candidate. The 23-year-old center's 31-goal, 68-point performance in 2022-23 earned him a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.1 million.

Cozens' production dropped to 47 points last season. With 22 points in 44 games, he'll be lucky to reach 40 points without a significant turnaround in his performance before the end of this season. Nevertheless, some teams believe Cozens could thrive elsewhere like former Sabres Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Ryan O'Reilly before him.

On Jan. 8, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Detroit Red Wings were looking at Cozens. Two days later, during a 32 Thoughts: The Podcast episode, Friedman said the Sabres and Red Wings scouted each other heavily before the Christmas holidays. He cited two sources suggesting a deal may have been close.

The Red Wings need depth at center, especially on the second line. Adding Cozens would enable them to drop Andrew Copps back to the third line.

BS Meter: It's BS

We don't doubt that the Red Wings could be among the clubs interested in Cozens. However, The Buffalo News' Lance Lysowski cited a Sabres source claiming they're not shopping the young center. Given Cozens' struggles, he doubted the Sabres would get equal value in a trade.

Elias Pettersson to the Columbus Blue Jackets?

Trade rumors have dogged Vancouver Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller since late December following reports of a rift between the two. Both players denied any issues existed, but that hasn't ended the speculation swirling around them.

On Jan. 7, TSN's Chris Johnston reported the Carolina Hurricanes revisited their interest in Pettersson. They had conversations with the Canucks last season before the 26-year-old center signed his new contract last March. Meanwhile, The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner cited sources claiming the New York Islanders were also among the suitors for Pettersson.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were also among the clubs linked to Pettersson. On Jan. 12, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported "internet buzz" suggesting the two clubs discussed a trade involving the gifted playmaking center.

It must be noted that Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell was Carolina's GM last season when the Hurricanes pursued Pettersson.

BS Meter: It's BS

The Hurricanes and Islanders could be interested in Pettersson, but not the Blue Jackets. Portzline cited a team source indicating no such trade talks had taken place. The Canucks' asking price could be promising center Adam Fantilli. If Waddell were interested, that could be a deal-breaker for the Blue Jackets.

Could the Colorado Avalanche Trade Mikko Rantanen?

It's been another terrific season for Mikko Rantanen. The 28-year-old Colorado Avalanche forward sits fifth among NHL scorers with 62 points in 46 games, putting him on pace for his third-straight 100-plus point campaign.

Often overshadowed by Avalanche teammates Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Rantanen is a scoring star in his own right. Since his 84-point breakout performance in 2017-18, he's among the NHL's top-10 points leaders with 641. He also had 25 points in 20 playoff games helping the Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup.

Rantanen is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. His production ensures he'll get a significant raise over his current average annual value of $9.3 million.

On Jan. 11, The Hockey News' Adam Proteau cited TVA Sports' Renaud Lavoie reporting Rantanen would likely be traded if he wasn't signed by the March 7 deadline. Proteau doubted the Avs would do this, citing his value and their willingness to invest in retaining their biggest stars.

BS Meter: It's BS

The Avalanche could lose Rantanen to free agency on July 1. However, they won't get equal value if they attempt to peddle him at the trade deadline. Proteau pointed out they have time to agree to a new contract. Failing that, the Avs will likely treat Rantanen as an "own rental" for one more attempt at a Stanley Cup run this spring.

Stats (as of Jan. 17, 2025) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.