NHL trade deadline 2025: 7 top prospects who could be on the move

The trade deadline is just over a month away, although with the NHLs 4 Nations Face-Off approaching, we expect there could be a soft trade deadline in the coming days.

Today I highlight some top prospects, including quite a few first-round picks in recent years, who I think contenders could move in the coming weeks.

Advertisement Trevor Connelly, LW, Vegas Vegas has traded away almost every first-round pick its made.

Connelly, who was the 19th pick last summer, would be a more complicated deal due to his background , but there would be a market.

Hes a high-end skater with a high skill level although his freshman season at Providence hasnt been as prolific as some would have hoped.

Hes a potential middle-six winger in the NHL.

Hendrix Lapierre, C, Washington Lapierre, the 22nd pick in 2020, has been up and down as a pro, with more downs of late.

He was a useful player for the Capitals last season, but as of this writing is in the AHL.

Hes a very skilled playmaker, but his compete level is average, hes not that big, and hes currently rocking a zero in the goal column this season.

The skill is intriguing enough that someone may want to take a shot on him in a different environment, but his trade value isnt great at the moment.

Seamus Casey or Simon Nemec, RHD, New Jersey It feels like something has to give with this situation for the Devils.

They have a great team, a great blue line and too many strong power-play candidates between Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Nemec and Casey.

There will be a market for both Casey and Nemec, and while having a lot of great defensemen is an envious luxury, at some point, there are diminishing returns if they cant play the role they will be maximized in.

Nemecs play hasnt been great this year, but the 2022 No.

2 pick could still be a good NHL player, whereas Casey has impressed as a rookie pro elevating his trade value.

Isaac Howard, LW, Tampa Bay Howard has progressed well of late, being a top player in college hockey this season and a current favorite to win the Hobey Baker.

The 20-year-old is listed here because Tampa Bay only has so many years left to make runs with its core, and Howard is the Lightnings best trade chip.

Hes a good skater with great hands who can both make and finish plays.

He has middle-six winger potential and the ability to score goals at the next level.

Isaac Howard (#22 in green) fires it home for his 22nd goal of the NCAA season! #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/cKuGokCFWV Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) February 1, 2025 Mikhail Gulyayev, LHD, Colorado Gulyayev is a talented offensive-minded defenseman.

Hes an excellent skater, with very good hands and vision who projects to run a pro power play.

Hes on the smaller side, though, and scouts have questions on how well he will defend in the NHL.

He could be a legit NHL defenseman despite his size, but on a team that already has Cale Makar and Samuel Girard, Colorado could very well look to deal Gulyayev if it finds the right deal.

Advertisement Brad Lambert, C, Winnipeg Lambert was excellent last season in the AHL, looking on the fast track to the NHL.

This season hes taken a step back, with some of his old bad habits creeping in.

Hes a dynamic skater and puck handler who has clear NHL forward talent, but his effort is an issue at times and he often plays too much on the outside.

Winnipeg is in win-now mode, and while Lamberts value is down, he could still be a valuable trade chip if someone believes he could benefit from a change in environment.

(Photo of Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.