NHL Trade Rumors ahead of 2026: Early signs, big names, deals taking shape behind scenes

The NHL trade rumors, 2026 season, player movement, and NHL roster freeze have already begun to shape the conversation in the league, although there are still months until the deal becomes official. The front offices have begun to slowly evaluate their respective positions, the agents are testing the market, and the insiders are starting to make connections. The trade window is now closed, but as history tells us, some of the biggest trades are decided long before the deadlines.

The recent transactions are a signal that the trade market is heating up. The trades of Mason Marchment from the Seattle Kraken to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Phillip Danault from the Los Angeles Kings back to the Montreal Canadiens showed that franchises are ready to make significant decisions. With reports from TSN, Sportsnet, and The Athletic, several notable players have been mentioned; in the end, they might just end up switching teams when the new year starts.

Which NHL players are most likely to be traded in 2026?

One player who is being talked about is Matias Maccelli of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was picked up as a patch for the loss of Mitch Marner, but hasn’t established a stable place on the team yet. His recent healthy scratches and his on-ice talk with coach Craig Berube have attracted the interest of other teams. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman pointed out on 32 Thoughts that the Boston Bruins are still looking for a scorer, and Maccelli looks like a good candidate to be purchased for a low price.
In the defensive department, Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames is seen as one of the most valuable defenders who could be traded. With Hughes out of the way, Andersson’s name is back on the list of potential trades for the Maple Leafs. TSN's Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger both point out that the interest is genuine; however, the price tag is still very high — a major obstacle for the Leafs, who are already addressing multiple issues.

Right away, Jonathan Marchessault could be another player of interest in the trade market. Chris Johnston from The Athletic reports that the winger of the Nashville Predators would like to play with the Montreal Canadiens. The aspect of fitting in is emphasized by his no-movement clause, and Johnston is implying that Marchessault's know-how might be advantageous for the inexperienced roster of Montreal, but some salary cap gymnastics will be necessary.

Then comes the wild card: Marc-André Fleury. Officially retired, Fleury has silently been a subject of interest from the side of the contenders. According to Pierre LeBrun, the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning have checked the situation, considering the experienced goalie as playoff protection if he decides to come back.

Though nothing of the sort is about to happen, these scenarios depict how much the 2026 NHL trade market could be active. With the teams in the process of getting ready for controversies, being patient now may finally result in huge trades later.

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