The 2024-25 NHL regular season is half over, but it's already been busy in the trade market.

Twenty deals have gone down with notable players like Jacob Trouba, Cam Fowler, and Mackenzie Blackwood changing teams, along with promising youngsters like Kaapo Kakko and David Jiříček.

We should expect activity to increase in the trade market as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.

Most of the moves will involve players on expiring contracts who no longer fit into their current teams' plans. After struggling with their former teams, some deals could involve players who could benefit from playing with a different club, like Kakko and Jiříček.

Nicholas Robertson frequently appeared in trade rumors last summer before he signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's among five players we believe desperately need a trade this year.

Do you agree or disagree with our list? Is there a player you believe belongs here? Let us know in the app comments below.

Zac Jones, New York Rangers

The New York Rangers' stunning collapse this season from Presidents' Trophy winner in 2023-24 to sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings has already led to two significant trades. Jacob Trouba was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6, followed by Kaapo Kakko getting sent to the Seattle Kraken on Dec. 18.

Kaako's departure was preceded by his unhappiness over his role with the Rangers, including being scratched from the lineup for a Dec. 15 game against the St. Louis Blues. The same fate could await defenseman Zac Jones after complaining to the media that he was "rotting away" because he was frequently being kept out of the line.

Jones has eight points in 26 games, averaging 16:42 of time on ice per game. His play has suffered this season, but so have his teammates on the free-falling Rangers. The 5'10", 175-pounder isn't a big blueliner, but he's a good skater who can play left or right defense and moves the puck well.

The Rangers have reportedly allowed Jones to speak with other teams about a trade. The 24-year-old rearguard is in the final season of his entry-level contract with an affordable salary-cap hit of $812,500. Jones could follow Trouba and Kakko out of the Big Apple in the coming weeks.

Nicholas Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs

The subject of trade speculation last summer after he requested to be moved, Nicholas Robertson signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old winger has been employed as a checking-line winger this season.

Robertson has kept quiet about his role with the Leafs and his future. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, giving him more leverage in contract talks. He's managed seven goals and 11 points in 38 games, which won't put him in a position to seek a more lucrative deal or request a larger role on the Leafs roster.

Robertson is the younger brother of Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson but hasn't had the same success as his older brother. His checking-line role has affected his production, which could prompt teams seeking affordable scoring depth to give Robertson a chance to earn top-six minutes.

Robertson could get that opportunity elsewhere in the coming weeks. He'll become a useful trade chip for the Leafs if they go shopping for rental talent to load up for the postseason.

Nils Höglander, Vancouver Canucks

Most of the drama concerning the struggling Vancouver Canucks is centered on top forwards Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller and the rumored rift between them. It's overshadowed winger Nils Höglander's disappointing performance thus far this season.

Hoglander seemed poised for a breakout season after netting a career-best 24 goals and 36 points in 80 games in 2023-24. However, the 24-year-old winger has only two goals and eight points in 38 games. He's wound up seeing checking-line duty and was a healthy scratch in three games since mid-December.

The Canucks' need for blue-line depth could make Höglander a trade chip for a defenseman leading up to the March 7 trade deadline. His cap hit for this season is $1.1 million but he signed a three-year contract extension on Oct. 6 with an average annual value of $3 million.

That could make some teams leery about taking a chance on Höglander. He's a purely offensive forward who is prone to defensive mistakes. Nevertheless, he might benefit from a change of scenery where he'd have a better opportunity to grow his game.

Joel Farabee, Philadelphia Flyers

Coming off a career-best 22-goal, 50-point performance in 2023-24, Joel Farabee seemed on the verge of a long-anticipated breakout. Instead, the 24-year-old winger has struggled with six goals and 16 points in 43 games.

Farabee was the subject of speculation at the end of last season, landing him on our May 2024 Trade Block Big Board. He seemed unhappy with his role as head coach John Tortorella moved him up and down the lines, finishing the season as a checking-line winger.

Tortorella scratched Farabee from the lineup on Jan. 11 against the Anaheim Ducks. He stressed that he's not giving up on the winger, hoping this move served as a wake-up call to get him more involved. It could also have some rival general managers wondering if a trade might help him fully unlock his potential.

Farabee is in the third season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million. Interested clubs might ask the Flyers to retain part of it to facilitate a trade.

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

John Gibson has been a frequent fixture in the NHL rumor mill over the past two years. The 31-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender is on our January NHL Trade Block Big Board. However, his contract is often cited as an obstacle in the path to a trade. He's signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million and has a 10-team no-trade list.

Gibson's stats have suffered in recent years backstopping the rebuilding Ducks. With young goalie Lukáš Dostál establishing himself as their long-term future between the pipes, Ducks management might be more inclined to retain part of his salary to facilitate a trade.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun indicated on Dec. 12 that the Carolina Hurricanes had spoken with the Ducks about Gibson. Perhaps a deal between the two clubs can be arranged by the March 7 trade deadline.

Gibson's saga has dragged on too long for him and the Ducks. Management must address this unnecessary distraction to allow the team and the goaltender to move on. Dostál deserves more playing time as their starter while Gibson should have the opportunity to prove he can still be an effective starting goalie on a better team.

Stats (as of Jan. 18, 2025) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.