If you think these six prospects will be traded, think twice. Tony Ferrari examines players on the Maple Leafs, Canucks, Red Wings and more squads who likely won't be moved.

Let’s get this out of the way before any of you jump all over me: Any NHL player can get traded for the right price.

With that said, the right price usually isn’t a rental at the NHL trade deadline. Teams have either expressed they do not want to move these players or it just wouldn’t make sense for the team to move them. Many of them are their club's top prospects, who will be relied upon to step into the lineup and make a difference as soon as next season.

As mentioned, anyone can get traded, but these players would likely only be moved in a deal that gets their team a massive return. These players would fetch a king’s ransom in any trade they are involved in.

We can almost immediately eliminate the top prospects drafted this past June to teams well out of the playoff picture. San Jose, Chicago or even teams like Arizona and Philadelphia aren’t likely to trade their top prospects as they are still in the middle of rebuilds – despite the Flyers’ current standing as a playoff team.

Let’s take a look at a few prospects that won’t likely be on the move at the deadline.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks' first-round pick from the 2022 NHL draft struggled right after being selected. But he has exploded this season, notching 19 goals and 29 points in 41 games in the Swedish League. The lethal shooter refound his game on a new team after a rough last year in the Allsvenskan with Djurgarden.

Vancouver may be atop the NHL and may even be looking to add another piece at the deadline after acquiring Elias Lindholm over all-star weekend from Calgary. That said, they likely won’t add anyone who would make it worth including Lekkerimaki in the deal. They got their big fish without giving up their top sniper prospect.

Simon Edvinsson, LD, Detroit Red Wings

It may sound weird to say the Red Wings could be buyers at the deadline, but they very well might be. They are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, sitting comfortably in the top wild-card spot. Even still, GM Steve Yzerman won't go out of his way to send one of the NHL's top prospects out of town in a year when the Wings likely aren’t a true Stanley Cup contender.

Edvinsson has been excellent at the AHL level, and he’s been pushing for NHL time all year. Although he hasn’t found his way into the lineup, it’s through no fault of his own. The Red Wings have solid depth at the NHL level, and although the depth players are not the sexiest, they have been effective NHLers.

Easton Cowan, C/W, Toronto Maple Leafs

When the Maple Leafs’ management team came up to the podium on draft day and called Easton Cowan’s name at 28th overall, there was quite a bit of shock. Most media outlets routinely ranked the London Knights forward in the second or early third round. That clearly didn’t matter as Toronto’s management team stepped up, called his name and have looked like geniuses ever since.

Toronto will need young, cheap players to supplement their lineup over the next few years as Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner take up a massive chunk of the salary cap. Cowan has exceeded expectations and very clearly became the team’s top prospect. His versatility could also make him an excellent fit with any of those superstar forwards, which is another attractive trait. Don’t expect the Leafs to give up what many will see as found money.

Alexander Nikishin, RD, Carolina Hurricanes

The only way Nikishin gets traded is if he tells Carolina he never intends to come to North America. 

This kid has arguably been the best player outside of the NHL for a couple of years now. His dominance in the KHL has been impressive. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defender broke Kirill Kaprizov’s U-22 scoring record in the KHL. He’s now posting one of the best U-23 seasons in league history while captaining one of the KHL’s best clubs.

Carolina has the luxury of having several solid prospects who could be included in a trade, such as Scott Morrow, Ville Koivunen or Jackson Blake. If they do make a move, it would be hard to justify including Nikishin in the deal unless they were getting some sort of all-world difference-maker. Nikishin’s KHL contract runs through the 2024-25 season, but he could become an immediate impact player in the NHL if he signs after that, so there is no reason to trade him now.

Gabe Perreault, LW, New York Rangers

The Rangers seem adamant about not including Perreault in any deal at the deadline as they look to load up and patch some holes in preparation for a long playoff run. Perreault has been near the top of the scoring race in the NCAA all season on arguably the best line in college hockey with his fellow USA Hockey National Team Development Program alumni Will Smith and Ryan Leonard.

New York has been one of the best teams in the league for a few years now, and with an aging core, they will need some of their young roster players and prospects like Perreault to step in and become effective players. Perreault has produced at a high level everywhere he has played, and the Rangers have been given no reason to think that will change when he turns pro.

Rutger McGroarty, LW, Winnipeg Jets

With the Jets already having made a trade for Sean Monahan, they may not be in the market for acquiring a big-name player. If they are, they have other options to trade, such as Brad Lambert or their first-round pick next year. 

McGroarty has been one of the strongest forwards in the NCAA. He captained the American world junior squad and has all of the intangibles that NHL teams love.

The Jets have trouble getting high-level players to come to Winnipeg, so they rely on homegrown talent. A player like McGroarty would be a seamless fit in their lineup as he plays the kind of hard-working, physical hockey that fits the Jets' brand. Adding his offensive instincts and leadership to their dressing room as soon as next year would allow the old guard to help usher in the new generation of Jets and set them up for an easy transition to the next wave.