Brock Nelson (Thomas Salus-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/07e90c36-972b-4da0-a214-33f02b0def52.jpeg] Brock Nelson (Thomas Salus-Imagn Images) The NHL’s trade deadline arrives on Friday, and centers are the talk of the town. Earlier this week, THN.com focused on the defensemen available [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-trade-deadline-2025-10-defensemen-who-could-move] and the wingers [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-trade-deadline-2025-10-targets-on-the-wing]. We now turn our attention to the centers likely to be available, arguably the most in-demand position in the countdown to the deadline. Let’s get right to it. Ryan Donato is on a hot streak and is a trade candidate. Will he get Chicago a big trade return? BROCK NELSON, NEW YORK ISLANDERS The biggest prize at center this year is Nelson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/could-islanders-package-brock-nelson-kyle-palmieri-in-a-trade-deadline-deal-to-the-same-team], who had a solid 4 Nations Face-Off for Team USA. He’s got 20 goals and 43 points in 61 games, but in each of the past three seasons, he’s had at least 34 goals. His $6-million contract will scare off some teams, and Isles GM Lou Lamoriello [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/the-reality-of-the-islanders-trade-deadline-plan] will likely ask a lot for him. But Nelson will be worth it. He’s a valuable goal-scorer who improved in the faceoff dot. BRAYDEN SCHENN, ST. LOUIS BLUES It’s not clear whether St. Louis wants to trade Schenn when they're in the playoff race [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-will-the-blues-really-trade-brayden-schenn-plus-flyers-penguins-updates], but he will be very attractive to teams that want playoff pedigree from a center [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/2-suitors-for-blues-brayden-schenn-revealed-report] on the trade block. The 33-year-old has 12 goals and 38 points in 62 games, but it’s his robust physical game and Stanley Cup-winning experience that makes him so attractive to teams needing a boost down the middle. Like Nelson, Schenn will have a high price in any trade, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. DYLAN COZENS, BUFFALO SABRES The center on this list with the best long-term upside is the 24-year-old Cozens, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-star-continues-to-be-linked-to-pacific-club-report] who is stumbling through this season on a horrendous Sabres team. He has only 11 goals and 31 points in 60 games, but on a new team, he may return to the form he was in when he produced 31 goals and 68 points for Buffalo in 2022-23. The Sabres want effective top NHL players now, though, so Cozens may not even be the best player in a trade. That will limit the demand for him. RYAN O’REILLY, NASHVILLE PREDATORS O’Reilly signed with the Predators intending to be part of the long-term solution for the team. Given how awful Nashville has been this season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/game-day/predators-crushed-by-islanders-7-4-as-nhl-trade-rumors-continue-to-swirl], O’Reilly may see a better fit for himself on a true Stanley Cup contender. His salary cap hit of $4.5 million isn’t bad at all, but the Preds will need to be bowled over by an offer to decide to part ways with the 34-year-old. O’Reilly must also like the move [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-ryan-oreilly-brandon-tanev-reilly-smith-and-the-lightning] – even though he doesn’t have any protection from a trade, the team’s treating him like he does. NHL Trade Deadline 2025: 10 Defensemen Who Could Move [https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/deweb-519a7.appspot.com/o/posts%2FTHNHOME%2Fcontent-images%2Fd7ac9723-7d99-4539-b96e-2dab965db7be.jpeg?alt=media] NHL Trade Deadline 2025: 10 Defensemen Who Could Move The NHL trade deadline arrives Friday, and experienced defensemen could be valuable trade chips. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-trade-deadline-2025-10-defensemen-who-could-move] SCOTT LAUGHTON, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS The Flyers are still rebuilding, and the 30-year-old Laughton might not be part of their long-term future. But a team that wants a solid two-way game [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/insider-suggests-new-possible-landing-spot-for-flyers-forward] – at the cheap price of $3 million per season – will take a chance on Laughton’s game. He’s signed through next year, so he’s a known quantity. He also brings valuable leadership, penalty-killing experience, physicality and the occasional big multi-point game. CASEY MITTELSTADT, COLORADO AVALANCHE It’s not as if Mittelstadt has been terrible since coming over to Colorado in the Bowen Byram trade, but he’s miscast as a No. 2 center – and his $5.75-million cap hit is pricey for a player who has only 11 goals and 34 points this year. Still, a playoff or Cup contender [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/report-senators-devils-and-maple-leafs-said-to-be-interested-in-young-avalanche-forward] with cap space could gamble on him [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-sabres-dylan-cozens-and-avalanches-casey-mittelstadt] in the hope he thrives in a different situation. NHL Trade Deadline 2025: 10 Targets On The Wing [https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/deweb-519a7.appspot.com/o/posts%2FTHNHOME%2Fcontent-images%2Fe7ebc51a-0fbd-4ca5-9dff-675c94ce54f9.jpeg?alt=media] NHL Trade Deadline 2025: 10 Targets On The Wing Friday’s NHL trade deadline will be the last chance for Stanley Cup contenders to add that one final piece, and it could be a winger. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-trade-deadline-2025-10-targets-on-the-wing] TREVOR ZEGRAS, ANAHEIM DUCKS The 23-year-old Zegras [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/trevor-zegras-suspension-may-have-been-costlier-than-anticipated]’ stock has fallen significantly since he had back-to-back 23-goal seasons for Anaheim in 2021-22 and 2022-23. His seven goals and 17 points in 35 games this season aren’t helping his profile at all. But as a reclamation project of sorts, he could use a change of scenery. And Anaheim’s asking price for him also has to take a dip. RYAN DONATO, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS As a looming UFA [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/blackhawks-ryan-donato-is-as-good-as-traded], the 28-year-old Donato picked a great time to have a career season, as he’s posted 22 goals and 45 points in 59 games. His $2-million cap hit also makes him a great bargain for teams – especially those that don’t land a top dog like Schenn or Nelson. NHL Trade Deadline Central 2025: Trade Tracker, Analysis, Speculation, Lists And More [https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/deweb-519a7.appspot.com/o/posts%2FTHNHOME%2Fcontent-images%2Fbc9c3b1e-9330-427c-be37-a6563e59301d.jpeg?alt=media] NHL Trade Deadline Central 2025: Trade Tracker, Analysis, Speculation, Lists And More One of the most anticipated times on the hockey calendar is here with NHL trade deadline week. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-trade-deadline-central-2025-trade-tracker-analysis-speculation-lists-and-more] NICK BJUGSTAD, UTAH HOCKEY CLUB The 32-year-old Bjugstad has become a journeyman of sorts, but his big physical frame and his offense totals – he’s only one year removed from a 22-goal, 45-point season with the Arizona Coyotes – make him a solid consolation prize for teams looking for centers. He’s got an affordable $2.1-million cap hit as well, and he’s a pure rental, so we don’t expect Utah [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/utah-hc-have-interesting-trade-deadline-pieces] to keep him. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
