The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline on Thursday was a wild one. It was clear what position was valued the most, and that was relief pitching. The teams that had a surplus of bullpen arms were the ones every contending general manager was on the phone with.
One extra arm could be the difference between winning a World Series and walking off the field watching someone else celebrate.
What about when it comes to the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline? What positions are the most sought after for Stanley Cup contenders?
Like in baseball and any professional league, the goal is to acquire an elite player who can put their respective team over the top. But those types of players are slim and cost the most, so most teams end up going the depth route.
Not every team has the same needs, but one would think the majority of teams are always looking to bolster their center depth.
New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau won't be the top centerman available at the 2026 NHL trade deadline with the likes of Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel entering the final seasons of their deals.
But, if we are being realistic, Pageau is incredibly likely to be the only one of those three who is actually available at the deadline. Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche did not make Pageau available at the 2025 NHL Draft or throughout this free agency period.
Report: Islanders Will Not Be Trading Jean-Gabriel Pageau
The<a href="http://thn.com/isles"> New York Islanders</a> have told teams that centerman Jean-Gabriel Pageau is not for sale, per Michael Russo of The Athletic:
Pageau, who has one season left on his deal at $5 million, is likely to be on the move given the club's center depth and prospect Calum Ritchie needing a spot in the lineup to play — whether he's ready to be an NHLer in 2025-26 or the following season.
The veteran center does have a 16-team modified no-trade clause.
The Islanders also have another depth center who could be on the move, given his playoff tenacity, and that's Casey Cizikas. He has two seasons left on his deal at $2.5 million and has zero trade protection.
Center Kyle MacLean, who has two seasons left on his deal worth $775,000, is likely to be an extra on the 2025-26 team. We'll see what Ritchie looks like, but MacLean will have to battle it out with him, Pierre Engvall, and Marc Gatcomb, as well as any players signed to PTOs, for the final NHL roster spots.
The Islanders also have a surplus in goal.
If — and this is a big if — Semyon Varlamov is ready to go or returns and plays well this upcoming season, coming off lower-body surgery after an injury ended his season in late November, could David Rittich or Marcus Hogberg be on the move?
Rittich signed a one-year, $1 million deal on July 1, while Hogberg is entering the final season of a two-year deal worth $775,000. Those two will be battling it out to back up Ilya Sorokin if Varlamov is not ready.
Varlamov, who has two seasons left on his deal worth $2.75 million, could be on the move if he plays well. He does have a 16-team no-trade clause.
Other players who could be on the move are pending unrestricted free agents Anders Lee and Tony DeAngelo. Lee, who is entering the final season of a seven-year deal worth $7 million annually, has a 15-team no-trade clause.
One would think Lee, the club's captain, only gets moved if he wants out. It wouldn't be a shock to see him sign a short-term, two- to three-year deal on a team-friendly contract to remain on Long Island.
Maybe, if things aren't working for Anthony Duclair in year two of his four-year deal worth $.5 million annually, he could be on the move. He does have a full no-trade clause that turns into a modified 16-team no-trade clause on July 1, 2026.
On the defensive side of the puck, outside of DeAngelo, veteran Scott Mayfield could be on the move, especially if he is not a starter in the lineup. He has five seasons left on his deal worth $3.5 million annually, with a full no-trade clause for the next two seasons before it turns into a 16-team no-trade list.
Could Adam Pelech, who has four seasons left on his deal worth $5.75 million with a 16-team no-trade clause, be on the move if he plays well? What about his counterpart, Ryan Pulock, who has five seasons left on his deal worth $6.15 million annually? He has a full no-trade clause for another two seasons before owning a 16-team no-trade list.
Who knows where the Islanders will be, standings-wise, come the deadline. Could they be buyers?
That can't be answered right now. But what is clear is that if the Islanders are going to be in the seller's market — or are just looking to get value for a player or two who aren't part of their future plans — there will be a market for them.
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