It's known as NHL trade deadline day, but really it's NHL trade deadline week.
As Friday's 3 p.m. deadline nears, many teams have already added the biggest names available. Of the top 10 players from Version 1.0 of our ESPN Trade Board, six have been traded; in total, 13 of the initial top 50 have moved. That includes the No. 1 overall player Jake Guentzel, who was sent from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night. Another player, Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators, has been all but taken off the board by his team, thanks to their playoff push.
That said, there's still a lot of action expected today.
Here is Version 2.0 of our Big Board for the 2024 NHL trade deadline, listing the top 40 players that could be available in terms of impact and quality. It was compiled through conversations with sources and media reports from around the NHL.
It's a list that assumes everyone rumored may be available, although where teams end up in the standings before the deadline could ultimately determine that. And we're a little more pessimistic about the availability of some players than others.
Remember: Sometimes deals that aren't made at the deadline are the ones that are eventually made in the offseason. "At the deadline, it's about moving money in and moving money out. I do think that restricts things, where that opens up a little more in the summer," one NHL general manager said. "In the summer, you have more flexibility with expiring contracts off your team. You know your standing in the draft order, too."
So just because someone doesn't move now doesn't mean they can't move later.
Here's the Big Board for 2024, starting with a star winger from the East:
1. Tyler Toffoli
LW/RW, New Jersey Devils
Age: 31 | AAV: $4.25 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Toffoli was traded to the Winnipeg Jets on March 8.
New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald told me he isn't shopping Toffoli, the team's leading goal-scorer. But he is listening, which is why the veteran winger was held out of the Devils' win against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night for trade-related reasons.
This is a tough one for Fitzgerald. He fired head coach Lindy Ruff as a Hail Mary on their season, and trading the Devils' leading goal-scorer after that could, in his words, be seen as "throwing in the towel" on the season by his players. But the Devils and Toffoli are lightyears apart on a contract extension, specifically on term. With Guentzel off the board, Toffoli becomes the most desirable pending free agent winger available and could return a nice haul to the Devils.
Most believe he'll be traded. Keep an eye on Western Conference powers like the Vegas Golden Knights, the Winnipeg Jets and two of his former teams, the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks.
2. Jacob Markstrom
G, Calgary Flames
Age: 34 | AAV: $6 million | Status: 2026 UFA
He doesn't lead the league in save percentage or goals-against average. He's double digits behind the NHL leader in wins. But ask anyone in the goaltending analytics community and they will sing the praises of Markstrom this season like Adele hitting a chorus.
Stathletes has him leading the NHL in goals saved above expected this season, ahead of presumptive Vezina Trophy finalists Connor Hellebuyck and Thatcher Demko. He's lapping the field in high-danger goals saved above average per 60 minutes (0.51) and high-danger save percentage at 5-on-5 (.882). He has been awesome for Calgary ... but will he end up somewhere else?
The Devils went down the road with the Flames on Markstrom earlier this season. The deal eventually fell apart, partially because of how much of his salary New Jersey wanted Calgary to pick up.
Since then, the Devils fired Ruff and their playoff hopes are on life support: 7.6% chance of making the postseason, per Stathletes. The Flames, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, although their probability (14.1%) is only slightly better than that of New Jersey. Sources say the Devils have remained in contact with the Flames on Markstrom. Could this happen before the deadline? Or is it a summer move?
Markstrom has a full no-movement clause and is under contract for two more seasons following this one -- both of which include $2.5 million in guaranteed bonus money. Again, his underlying numbers say he has been the league's top goalie this season. But he's 34 and has produced a clunker after a stellar season before. All of it adds up to a fascinating decision for the Flames and others.
3. Pavel Buchnevich
LW, St. Louis Blues
Age: 28 | AAV: $5.8 million | Status: 2025 UFA
One of the few point-per-game players who could shake free at the trade deadline, Buchnevich is everything a contending team needs: He scores goals, drives play and doesn't shrink in the defensive zone, either. He's an elite talent and a potential game-changer on the wing ... which means he's not going to be acquired cheaply at the deadline, if Blues GM Doug Armstrong decides to trade him at all.
That might be dictated by whether Buchnevich wants to stay beyond next season. Or it might be dictated by someone offering the moon for him, as the Blues reportedly are using the return Calgary got for Elias Lindholm as their baseline.
They have a 5% chance of making the playoffs heading into Friday. Teams that didn't go all-in on Guentzel -- like the Golden Knights and the Boston Bruins -- could be active here.
4. Frank Vatrano
RW, Anaheim Ducks
Age: 29 | AAV: $3.65 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Vatrano is an interesting option for a few reasons. First is that he's got another year on his deal, making him more than a rental. The ideal landing spot for him would be a team that accentuates his virtues: scoring off the rush and being the guy taking the shot rather than the guy carrying the puck into the zone. He has 48 goals in 139 games over the past two seasons. Cast correctly, he could be a boon for a contending team's offense -- and a player who'll stick around past this season.
With Guentzel off the board, do the New York Rangers re-engage with the Ducks for a reunion with Vatrano?
5. Jakob Chychrun
D, Ottawa Senators
Age: 25 | AAV: $4.6 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Chychrun's on here as one of those "logic would dictate" inclusions. Teams are calling the Senators about his availability, given his age and his contract. Why would Ottawa trade him? The Senators have a glut of left-side defensemen making a lot of money. And Chychrun was a Pierre Dorion acquisition, not a Steve Staios one, so as the new general manager audits this roster, maybe Chychrun doesn't fit the template. He's a free agent after next season, too. So logic would dictate he's available. But does he move at the deadline or in the summer, if at all?
6. Reilly Smith
LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 32 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Acquiring Smith last summer was a worthy effort from the Penguins: a productive Stanley Cup winner with the Golden Knights who could bring a solid two-way game to Evgeni Malkin's line. Yet despite starting over 60% of his shifts in the attacking zone, Smith has generated only 13 points since Nov. 7, 2023, and has been dropped to their third line. A Jason Zucker replacement, he was not.
That lack of production might make it harder to move him, but that recent playoff success will draw some interest. Expect him to end up with a contender by the deadline.
7. Elias Lindholm
C, Vancouver Canucks
Age: 29 | AAV: $4.85 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Here's a name we didn't expect to be here on deadline day ... mainly because he was already traded to the Canucks before the NHL All-Star Game.
But the veteran center hasn't found his groove in Vancouver, with seven points in 16 games and skating to a minus-4. He's playing less (18:15) than he did in Calgary (20:45). The buyers' remorse became real when Lindholm's name leaked as part of Vancouver's scheme to try and get Jake Guentzel at the deadline.
Trading for a top name at the deadline only to trade them again before the deadline passes is rather unprecedented. But Jim Rutherford front offices have never shied away from unconventional thinking.
8. Jake DeBrusk
LW/RW, Boston Bruins
Age: 27 | AAV: $4 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Welcome back to the trade board, Jake DeBrusk. The Bruins winger has seemingly spent his entire career in the rumor mill and entered it again this week as there was speculation he could be moved as part of a larger trade to get Elias Lindholm from the Canucks to Boston.
There's an anticipation GM Don Sweeney could do something big on deadline day. DeBrusk has good numbers (14 goals in 63 games) and an expiring contract, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him (finally) move as part of something blockbuster-y.
9. Scott Laughton
C, Philadelphia Flyers
Age: 29 | AAV: $3 million | Status: 2026 UFA
Every time we see Laughton play, we wish there were a way to clone five more of him to fill out a team's bottom six. He a tenacious player who throws the body, chips in offensively and is one of the best "power killers" in the NHL, creating offense when his team is short-handed. Laughton wants to stay with the Flyers. GM Danny Briere says he's not looking to trade him. But his play -- including a recent seven-game points streak -- and his contract status make him one of the more desirable trade options in a thin center market.
The Philadelphia Inquirer put it as a "50/50 proposition" Laughton gets traded, especially if someone antes up a first-round pick.
10. Alexandre Carrier
D, Nashville Predators
Age: 27 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Carrier is one of the better under-the-radar options on defense at the deadline, should the Predators deal him. He's excellent at zone entries and creating scoring chances after that. He excels at puck retrieval and exiting the zone with control. He's also solid on defending zone entries. At $2.5 million on an expiring contract, he's going to win some general manager a solid report card grade at the deadline.
GM Barry Trotz has said he's listening on Carrier but not necessarily looking to move him, given the role he plays on a team with a 74.2% chance of making the playoffs.
11. Jason Zucker
LW/RW, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 32 | AAV: $5.3 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Zucker was traded to the Predators on March 8.
The Penguins let Zucker walk as a free agent last summer, and he ended up strolling all the way to the desert on a one-year deal with the Coyotes. He has 23 points in 47 games for Arizona, including eight goals. It's hard to imagine the Coyotes extending him after they've fallen off in the playoff race. Provided they pick up a chunk of his cap hit, there should be a market for the veteran winger.
Zucker sat out the Coyotes' game on Thursday night for "trade-related reasons."
12. David Savard
D, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 33 | AAV: $3.5 million | Status: 2025 UFA
It has been fascinating to follow the discourse in Montreal over whether or not the team should trade Savard. He wants to stay with the Canadiens. They value what he brings on the ice: big minutes, blocked shots and a steadying presence. They like what he brings to the locker room for a young team.
Yet he could easily become the "Plan B" for a team that missed out on Tanev, and a "Plan B" with a Stanley Cup ring, no less. Reports are that it's more about teams calling GM Kent Hughes about Savard than the team actively shopping him. But if Hughes hears the right offer for a 33-year-old player with another year on his deal, would he say no?
13. Nic Dowd
C, Washington Capitals
Age: 33 | AAV: $1.3 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Hardworking bottom-six centers like Dowd are always coveted at the trade deadline by contending teams. Dowd's a little better offensively than most of the models from that template. He's also signed for an additional season beyond this on a minuscule cap number, which explains why his name has been spinning in the rumor mill for most of the season. Dowd was injured recently but has returned to Capitals practice in a noncontact jersey.
14. Matt Dumba
D, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 29 | AAV: $3.9 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Dumba was traded to the Lightning on March 8.
The question about Dumba: Will any of the teams that balked in acquiring him with a $6 million cap hit last season decide to trade for him with a $3.9 million cap hit this deadline, with him one year older? The right-side defenseman has played 53 games in Arizona this season after signing there last summer, skating just over 20 minutes per game.
He's a change-of-scenery candidate who can play on a second pairing and kill penalties, but his offense has trended down for a few seasons. He was held out of Thursday's game for trade-related reasons.
15. Max Pacioretty
LW, Washington Capitals
Age: 35 | AAV: $2 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The veteran winger has only two goals in 22 games for the Capitals in another injury-plagued season. Still, he's a player with 25 goals in 74 playoff games with an insatiable hunger to win his first Stanley Cup. He has a full no-movement clause and reportedly a desire to stay in the East.
16. Pat Maroon
RW, Minnesota Wild
Age: 35 | AAV: $800,000 | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Maroon was traded to the Bruins on March 8.
Maroon recently had back surgery, which complicates things at the trade deadline. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has 16 points in 49 games for Minnesota, skating 12:46 per game. Obviously an ideal fit for a team that needs some fourth-line toughness and locker room levity, as Maroon is known for both. Maroon is recovering from back surgery, but has resumed skating.
17. Kevin Hayes
C, St. Louis Blues
Age: 31 | AAV: $3,571,429 | Status: 2026 UFA
The Flyers retained 50% of Hayes' salary to ship him out of Philly to St. Louis last offseason. The Blues liked him as a veteran in the middle who could keep them competitive, stabilizing the position a bit. He has 22 points in 57 games but hasn't had the strongest defensive season analytically -- a trend that's gone on for the past handful of seasons. At his age and with his contract, it's hard to imagine him as part of their plans going forward.
If the Blues were willing to retain another chunk of his contract in dealing him, they might earn a nice package back from a contender that needs a No. 2 or No. 3 center and believes Hayes can fit the suit.
18. Lars Eller
C, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 34 | AAV: $2,450,000 | Status: 2025 UFA
Another veteran potentially on the move in Pittsburgh, Eller is a solid bottom-six center who competes well defensively and chips in offensively, with 12 goals in 61 games this season. He also has a bunch of playoff experience (103 games), having won the Cup with Washington in 2018. He's signed through next season.
19. Tomas Tatar
LW/RW, Seattle Kraken
Age: 33 | AAV: $1.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
"Tuna" was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in December for a fifth-round pick, and it was easy to see the fit: Seattle is a data-driven team, and Tatar is a play-driving winger who usually has strong underlying numbers. He has six goals for the Kraken and was only two points better in Seattle (11) than he was in Colorado (9) having played 27 games for both of them. The problem with picking up Tatar for a playoff run: He has one goal and one assist in his past 21 postseason games, tracking back to 2020.
20. Jake Allen
G, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 33 | AAV: $3.85 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Note: Allen was traded to the Devils on March 8.
Did the Canadiens wait too long to move Jake Allen? In fairness, it took them a little while to figure out what they had in Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. But Allen is now 33 years old and has played to a below-replacement level this season. The goalie market might smile upon a proven veteran with an additional year on his deal, however, even if the Canadiens might not have an appetite to retain salary on him.
21. Mikael Granlund
C, San Jose Sharks
Age: 32 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Teams are reportedly kicking the tires on the veteran center, acquired in the Erik Karlsson trade, and understandably so: Granlund has 32 points in 43 games for the Sharks.
In the right situation -- for example, one that requires him to drive play rather than play defense -- he could be an effective center for a contender. That's provided the Sharks help a little with that $5 million cap hit through next season, which is the tricky part considering they already have money retained on Karlsson and Brent Burns following their trades. So it would likely be a situation where the Sharks take on a contract to make the math work on Granlund.
22. Erik Brannstrom
D, Ottawa Senators
Age: 24 | AAV: $2 million | Status: 2024 RFA
A speedy defenseman who is unfortunately defensively challenged, he's garnered interest from teams that know the Senators are looking to sell and because of his contract status. He has 13 points in 55 games this season. He's played well on power play in the past.
23. Erik Johnson
D, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 35 | AAV: $3.25 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Johnson was traded to the Flyers on March 8.
The veteran defenseman could help a contender as a penalty killer and a solid citizen in the room. He's not looking to be traded but told Buffalo Hockey Beat that he understands GM Kevyn Adams will do what needs to be done. "If Kevyn comes to me and that's what he wants to do and it's for the best of the team, then I'll go for it and get moved," Johnson said.
24. Alexander Barabanov
RW, San Jose Sharks
Age: 29 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The Sharks completely biffed the chance to get value back for Barabanov back in 2022, when he was a pending UFA attracting attention for his minuscule cap hit at the time. Instead, they signed him to a two-year extension despite staring in the abyss of a rebuild. Now he makes more against the cap and does less on the ice, with three goals in 35 games. But someone might like him for a depth forward spot.
25. Alex Nedeljkovic
G, Pittsburgh Penguins
Age: 28 | AAV: $1.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
There have been multiple reports that the Penguins have gotten calls on their goaltenders. Trading Tristan Jarry would seem to create another headache that the Penguins don't need right now, which is essentially why they signed him to an extension last summer.
Trading Nedeljkovic, however, is the kind of business Dubas should be doing at the deadline: turning a free agent signing who might not be back next season into a pick or a prospect.
26. Kyle Okposo
C/LW, Buffalo Sabres
Age: 35 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Okposo was traded to the Panthers on March 8.
One of the NHL's true character guys, the Sabres captain said it was "in the back of my mind" that he might have played his final home game with the team on March 3. He has 12 goals in 61 games this season, skating 13:37.
A bottom-six forward at this stage of his career, it would be awesome to see Okposo with a chance to chase a Stanley Cup after not appearing in the playoffs since 2016.
27. Connor Dewar
C, Minnesota Wild
Age: 24 | AAV: $800,000 | Status: 2024 RFA
Dewar is a bottom-six forward who tries to outwork everyone. He's a depth player that can kill penalties. His miniscule cap hit now, and a qualifying offer of under $1 million in the summer, make him a solid economic play.
GM Bill Guerin already shipped out forward Brandon Duhaime at the deadline and continue the dealing.
28. Tyler Johnson
C, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 33 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Johnson's days as a speedy scoring center are behind him, as he has managed 18 points in 44 games. He does have extensive playoff experience from his days with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but even if the Blackhawks picked up 50% of his cap hit it might still not be worth the space for a contending team. Johnson also has a 12-team no-trade list.
29. Tyson Barrie
D, Nashville Predators
Age: 32 | AAV: $4.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
At a deadline filled with defensive defensemen, one would think a power-play quarterback would be sought after. Barrie had been one throughout his career before falling into this strange professional abyss in Nashville. He has played only 35 games this season, having been a frequent healthy scratch under coach Andrew Brunette.
Back in December, it was leaked that Barrie had requested a trade and the Predators had granted him permission to seek other opportunities. Preds GM Barry Trotz said he didn't fit in with the current team and that he was "having a tough time not being on the first power play." Whatever the case, whatever the story, Barrie is still with Nashville, a puck-moving defenseman apparently stuck in hockey purgatory.
30. Colin Miller
D, New Jersey Devils
Age: 31 | AAV: $1.85 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Note: Miller was traded to the Jets on March 8.
Miller is in play for the Devils. The veteran defenseman has eight points in 41 games for them this season, skating 15:55 per game. He's spent some time on their second power play unit, where his heavy shot could be most effective. The Devils scratched him on Thursday night as rookie Simon Nemec got back in the lineup. He might not be in the plans now, and likely isn't after the season.
31. Elvis Merzlikins
G, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 29 | AAV: $5 million | Status: 2027 UFA
Merzlikins has defined his desire to change the scenery as everything from a trade request to the Jackets attempting to find a "new scenario" for him. However badly Elvis wants to leave the building, the problem remains that contract: $5 million against the cap for three more seasons after this one. And that's for a goalie who was ninth worst in goals saved above replacement (-9.2) over the past three seasons.
32. Tony DeAngelo
D, Carolina Hurricanes
Age: 28 | AAV: $1.675 million | Status: 2024 UFA
DeAngelo has spent as much time in the press box as on the power play this season for Carolina. He and his agent have had discussions with Hurricanes management about his place on the team as the deadline approaches. A change would do both good, while Carolina could clear a bit more cap space for its pressing needs, like a proven playoff scorer. DeAngelo was sent through waivers on Thursday.
33. Kasperi Kapanen
RW, St. Louis Blues
Age: 27 | AAV: $3.2 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Ideally, the Blues would have loved to turn a waiver claim like Kapanen into something palpable at the trade deadline. But given his AAV and lack of production since coming to the Blues -- 12 goals in 78 games, including four in 55 games this season -- they'd be hard-pressed to get much for him.
34. Andrew Peeke
D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 25 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2026 UFA
Note: Peeke was traded to the Bruins on March 8.
What on earth happened here? Once a promising young shutdown defenseman for the Blue Jackets, Peeke has been a frequent healthy scratch this season and has been ineffective when he has played. Maybe there's a team that feels he can pick up the tune in another NHL city, but is that worth exploring when Peeke has that kind of cap hit and term?
35. Jack Roslovic
C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 27 | AAV: $4 million | Status: 2024 UFA
The center has 17 points in 34 games this season for the Jackets. Seattle Kraken analyst Alison Lukan said it best on a recent episode of ESPN's "The Drop" podcast: Roslovic can score in bunches, but every time he has been given the chance to advance up the lineup in his career, he has fumbled the bag. He has not developed an identity in his eight-year NHL career, which is one reason Lukan cautions to "steer clear" of him even as a depth forward option.
36. Joel Armia
C, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 30 | AAV: $3.4 million | Status: 2025 UFA
Armia has had a nice rebound season for the Habs, with 11 goals in 47 games. He's a 200-foot forward, but one wonders if that second season at $3.4 million is more of a deterrent than an encouragement for suitors.
37. Kaapo Kahkonen
G, San Jose Sharks
Age: 27 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Kahkonen had been playing well behind a terrible Sharks team for most of the season, and appeared to be a solid "second tier" goalie option at the deadline. But he's gotten lit up like a Christmas tree over the last month, giving up 30 goals (!) over his last six starts. Yikes.
38. Luke Kunin
RW, San Jose Sharks
Age: 26 | AAV: $2.75 million | Status: 2024 RFA
Kunin was never able to level up with the Sharks after two promising seasons with the Predators. As it stands, the 2016 first-round pick could be a decent bottom-six addition for a team looking for a player can throw the body around a bit. He's arbitration-eligible this summer.
39. Dominik Kubalik
LW, Ottawa Senators
Age: 28 | AAV: $2.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
Kubalik has traditionally been a streaky scorer whose production could excuse his defensive deficiencies. But this season, he's not scoring -- one goal in his past 21 games -- and his 5-on-5 game has fallen apart. He's playing less than 10 minutes per game most nights. Buyer very much beware.
40. Mike Hoffman
LW, San Jose Sharks
Age: 34 | AAV: $4.5 million | Status: 2024 UFA
It's often said that anyone who can score a goal in the NHL can find a gig somewhere. For all the faults in Hoffman's game, that was his calling card: putting the puck in the net. But his totals have fallen for four straight seasons, and his eight goals in 54 games projects to the lowest goals-per-60 rate of his career. Like his teammate Kevin Labanc ($4.725 million AAV), he carries a significant cap hit for minuscule production ahead of unrestricted free agency.