6 Bold Trade Predictions Ahead of the 2025-26 NHL Season

The 2025-26 NHL season is less than one month away, and you know what that means: It's time to squeeze in our boldest preseason predictions.

Just like none of us saw the Mikko Rantanen saga coming last season, there will be a bombshell or two on the trade market this year—especially since the free-agency pool was so weak last offseason.

The Rantanen trade showed us some of the biggest stars in the league are on the table given the right circumstance, so let's look at six players who could fit that bill in 2025-26.

Would a list like this be complete without mention of Sidney Crosby to the Avalanche? Look, I've maintained for the past year-plus of this discourse that I believe Crosby will retire as a career-long Penguin.

But it's not my fault his agent Pat Brisson told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun this week that a Crosby trade is a possibility:

"Let's put it this way, it's always a possibility, you know? It's been three years they haven't made the playoffs. It all depends on how Sid is going to be and how the team is going to do. I maintain the same position that I do believe that he should be playing playoff hockey every year. In my opinion."

This is a departure from the previous reassurance that Crosby wasn't going anywhere. Circumstances change, and athletes—especially an all-time great on and off the ice like Crosby—are allowed to change their minds.

Perhaps this was Brisson's way of putting public pressure on GM Kyle Dubas to accelerate the retool. Regardless, it's something to read into, and a Crosby trade feels more possible than ever.

Other Potential Suitors: Canadiens, Panthers (Because why not?)

When we're talking about the Penguins' retool, we've got to mention Erik Karlsson. He's still carrying a ridiculously expensive contract, which is much of the reason he hasn't already been dealt, so keep that in mind.

The Penguins, though, are under a lot of pressure to complete this retool quickly while Crosby is still a huge contributor. Dubas has held off on trading Karlsson for underwhelming returns, but at this point getting at least some of his $11.5 million cap hit off the books could go a long way in reimagining this team.

If the Penguins involve a broker and/or eat some of Karlsson's contract, would Detroit bite? The Red Wings could use some more oomph on the blue line beyond their first pairing, they have shown a penchant for older guys and there's only two more seasons left on his contract.

Other Potential Suitors: Kings, Stars

The Flames kept Rasmus Andersson on board for their unexpected playoff push last season, but this season it's business as usual and he has one year left on his contract as the Flames continue their long-term rebuild.

Andersson would be a fantastic deadline acquisition for a contender in need of some defensive flair or some extra edge, and he could fit in with the cap-strapped Stars at his $4.5 million cap hit.

Other Potential Suitors: Kings, Senators, Red Wings, Golden Knights

Rickard Rakell is yet another Penguin who Dubas has held on to and could yield a solid return. The 32-year-old winger's got three more years left of his reasonable cap hit and put up 35 goals last season.

He'd be a great addition to any playoff team in need of another scoring threat or two to shore up its top six. The Maple Leafs stand out as a team that lost a certain prolific scorer in the offseason and weren't able to snag a proper replacement on the barren free market.

Other Potential Suitors: Senators

It'll be an interesting year for the Bruins, who became sellers for the first time in a long time at the trade deadline last year. Hey, goaltender Jeremy Swayman could bounce back and make things interesting this season, but you get the sense that there's more selling to come for the Bruins regardless.

Pavel Zacha is a sound top- to middle-six-ish center who could add a lot of value and some confidence down the middle with two years left of his $4.7 million cap hit. Could the Canucks, who traded star center JT Miller to the Rangers and haven't quite recovered, provide a suitable landing spot?

Other Potential Suitors: Red Wings, Mammoth

It's not all goaltender Stuart Skinner's fault that the Oilers have not been able to conquer the Panthers in two consecutive Cup Finals, but the goaltending could certainly be more consistent—and something needs to change for Connor McDavid to raise a Cup in Edmonton.

Skinner can be a starter with a $2.6 million contract next year, which is solid value for any team not contending for a Cup. A team with some goalie-depth uncertainty like the Mammoth or Sabres could take a harmless flyier with a contract like that as the Oilers free up space for a different direction in net.

Other Potential Suitors: Sabres, Bruins