NHL Trade Targets Big Board for September 2026

The calendar has flipped to September, and not a moment too soon for NHL fans enduring a mostly quiet summer in the trade market.

Following a flurry of activity involving NHL players from June 16 to July 2, only five trades have occurred since , all involving minor leaguers.

That means that our NHL Trade Targets Big Board for this month contains many of the players featured in our August 2026 rankings .

That includes such notable stars as Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, and Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser. They continued to feature prominently in media trade speculation throughout August.

Some new names join this month's list. They include Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider and Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud.

Several players from our previous list have dropped to an honorable mention listing. That doesn't mean they won't be trade candidates, only that things were so quiet throughout August that they weren't mentioned in most media trade chatter. We believe they're still worth monitoring as trade chips.

Follow along to see where these players end up in our September Trade Targets Big Board. As always, we based it on the player's skill, experience, contract, and most importantly, the possibility of being traded.

Marchenko was ranked No. 2 on our August Trade Targets Big Board after rumors linked him to the Montreal Canadiens. There's been no further speculation about the 25-year-old scoring winger, but that doesn't mean he won't resurface as a trade candidate.

Wright sat at No. 3 on our August list following reports claiming the Kraken were willing to move him in a package deal for a scorer. The buzz around the 22-year-old center faded through August, but it'll be interesting to see if he pops up in trade rumors as training camp approaches.

The No. 3 player on our previous Trade Targets ranking, Nikishin is a restricted free agent still awaiting a new contract with the Hurricanes. In June, it was reported that they were mulling over whether to trade or sign the 24-year-old defenseman. The rumors died throughout August but could resume before training camp.

Schneider was No. 7 on our previous list. He avoided salary arbitration with the Rangers by agreeing to a one-year, $5.5 million contract in July, but the short term of that deal raised questions about the 25-year-old defenseman's future in New York. With training camp on the horizon, those questions could persist.

Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins

Rust and Rakell were 9 and 8 respectively on our previous list. They frequently surfaced in the rumor mill over the past two summers, so it was unsurprising they popped up again. We can't rule out the retooling Penguins doing more roster tinkering that involves one or both veteran forwards.

The 25-year-old Blue Jackets center surfaced in the rumor mill in July as a potential trade target for the New York Rangers or Montreal Canadiens. We had him at No. 12 on our previous list. Since then, there's been no indication he's on the trade block, but we can't dismiss that possibility.

An unrestricted free agent next summer, DeBrincat sat at No. 13 on our previous list. Uncertainty over the Red Wings' direction as they search for a new general manager raised questions about his future in Detroit. However, nothing will happen until the Wings hire a new GM.

The No. 15 player on our previous NHL Trade Targets Board , Elias Pettersson's future with the Vancouver Canucks remains the subject of offseason media conjecture.

During an appearance on the Canucks Conversation podcast , CHEK-TV's Rick Dhaliwal dismissed speculation linking Pettersson to the Los Angeles Kings. Pettersson was spotted training in Los Angeles earlier this summer, but Dhaliwal noted his wife is from there and he usually spends part of his time training there.

Dhaliwal also said that a trade involving Pettersson hasn't been close to happening for several months. He claimed that teams were checking in, but nothing reached the point where the Canucks would approach the 27-year-old center and his agent about waiving his no-movement clause .

Pettersson's expensive contract and his declining production are the main reasons why he's likely to remain with the Canucks this season. It would take a significant change for a deal to take place, like the Canucks agreeing to retain half of his $11.6 million annual cap hit.

It wouldn't be an NHL offseason without Erik Karlsson popping up in the rumor mill. The 36-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman sat at No. 14 on our previous Trade Targets board amid speculation he might be traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs or Ottawa Senators before the regular season begins.

Karlsson is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Given his age, the Penguins are unlikely to re-sign him, but they could retain him for this season as they attempt to build on last season's promising performance.

During the Aug. 25 episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast , Elliotte Friedman said one of his sources predicted that Karlsson could be traded to the Maple Leafs, depending on how this season unfolded for both clubs.

Karlsson has full control over his situation this season with a full no-movement clause , and there's no certainty he'd want to go to Toronto if he became available. Still, his situation could be worth monitoring in the coming weeks, especially if the Penguins get off to a poor start.

Speculation over whether the Minnesota Wild would re-sign or trade Quinn Hughes landed the 26-year-old superstar defenseman at No. 13 on our June 1 NHL Trade Block Big Board . However, the trade rumors faded as the Wild and the Hughes camp held contract extension talks.

So far, there's no indication that Hughes and the Wild are close to an extension. He carries a $7.9 million cap hit on his current contract and can become an unrestricted free agent next July. He will more than double his salary on his next deal, perhaps rising to $20 million per season.

Hughes' desire to play one day with his brothers Jack and Luke prompted James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now to speculate about what it might cost the Devils to acquire him from the Wild if contract talks fall through. He also noted that Wild GM Bill Guerin is preaching patience regarding their negotiations.

On Aug. 25, Wild beat writer Michael Russo of The Athletic reported the negotiations were ongoing. He also cited sources dismissing internet rumors claiming the Wild and Devils were in trade talks regarding Hughes. Nevertheless, the longer Hughes remains unsigned, the more speculation about his future.

Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July, Pavel Zacha sat at No. 6 on our August Trade Targets Big Board . Speculation over the 29-year-old center's future with the Boston Bruins remains as training camp approaches.

Zacha had a career-best 30 goals and 65 points last season. He's entering the final season of a four-year contract with a $4.8 million salary-cap hit and will seek a substantial raise on his next deal.

On Aug. 10, Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald included Zacha's contract status among his lingering offseason questions he felt the Bruins must address. He believes the veteran forward's durability and reliability make him worth retaining, but acknowledged that his trade value is at its peak.

We noted on our previous boards that the Bruins hope to re-sign Zacha, but they were also open to trade offers. Given the current silence on the matter, they could retain him for this season as contract talks continue, but we can't rule out a trade.

Sitting at No. 11 on our previous NHL Trade Targets board , Brock Boeser has been a frequent subject of trade speculation over the past two seasons. It's no surprise the 29-year-old winger has resurfaced in the rumor mill.

On Aug. 25, TSN's Travis Yost suggested Boeser could become a trade candidate as the Canucks continue to rebuild their roster. He noted the veteran winger's declining production since his career-best 40-goal, 73-point performance in 2023-24 and acknowledged his best years could be behind him.

Nevertheless, Yost believes that Boeser is a better player than his recent stats suggest. His production could improve playing on a deeper club with better linemates.

Boeser is in the second season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million. He also has a full no-movement clause. So far, there's no indication that he's available in the trade market, but his situation could be worth watching if the Canucks become sellers again this season.

The Calgary Flames acquired Morgan Frost from the Philadelphia Flyers in a multi-player trade in January 2025. With the 27-year-old center eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July, he's surfaced in offseason conjecture as a trade candidate.

Frost is in the final season of a two-year contract with an affordable average annual value of $4.4 million and an eight-team no-trade list. He could become a prime trade chip for the Flames if they're sellers again by the March 1 trade deadline, especially given the value placed on centers by NHL clubs.

On Aug. 18, Kent Wilson of the Calgary Sun included Frost among his list of players the Flames could peddle this season. He's never reached the 50-point plateau in his seven NHL seasons, but had a career-best 22 goals and 43 points with the depleted Flames in 2025-26.

Wilson believes that a strong showing by Frost could make him an attractive trade target. He might not be moved in an early-season deal, but his performance in 2026-27 and his UFA eligibility next summer will make him a player worth watching.

On July 1, 2025, the Montréal Canadiens acquired Zachary Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues. Over a year later, conjecture suggests the 23-year-old winger could be on the move again as he awaits a new contract with the Canadiens.

Bolduc is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette suggested on Aug. 12 that Bolduc and teammate Arber Xhekaj could be "sign-and-trade" candidates, perhaps to acquire a top-six forward.

After a promising 19-goal, 36-point rookie campaign with the Blues in 2024-25, Bolduc struggled in his first season with the Canadiens. He bounced around the roster, finishing with 12 goals and 30 points. However, Bolduc showed some grit in the postseason while netting seven points in 19 games.

Cowan believes there would be teams interested in Bolduc and Xhekaj if they become available. While there's no sign yet that either player will be moved, Bolduc's contract status continues to raise questions about his immediate future.

The Calgary Flames spent the past two seasons rebuilding their roster by trading veterans for draft picks, prospects, and young players. If that trend continues, Zach Whitecloud could feature prominently in this season's rumor mill.

Whitecloud was acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in last January's Rasmus Andersson trade . The 29-year-old defenseman fit in quickly on the Flames' blue line. With eight NHL seasons under his belt and a Stanley Cup on his resume, he's their most experienced rearguard.

On Aug. 10, Kent Wilson of the Calgary Sun observed that Whitecloud remained in last season's rumor mill despite his acquisition by the Flames. He believed that the blueliner's experience, versatility, and affordable contract could make him their most valuable trade chip .

Whitecloud is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $2.8 million and lacks no-trade protection. The Flames could keep him around to mentor their young defensemen, but he could be worth monitoring as a trade candidate this season.

The 2025-26 season wasn't one that Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper will remember fondly. His inconsistent play cost him the starter's job to Anton Forsberg, making him the subject of trade rumors that landed him on our two NHL Trade Block Big Boards in June.

Kuemper, 35, is in the final season of his five-year contract with a salary-cap hit of $5.3 million and a 10-team no-trade list. That would make him an expensive backup if he cannot regain the starting goalie role from Forsberg for this season.

On Aug. 13, Ryan O'Hara of The Hockey News took note of the uncertainty regarding Kuemper's future with the Kings, especially with Peter Laviolette coming in as their new head coach. O'Hara points out that Laviolette prefers a clear-cut starting goalie.

O'Hara believes teams could be in the market for an experienced starter like Kuemper, noting that he was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2024-25. Perhaps one of those clubs might take a chance on Kuemper, especially if injuries occur during training camp and preseason.

The Anaheim Ducks' salary-cap payroll for 2026-27 took an unexpected hit on July 3, when the Philadelphia Flyers signed center Leo Carlsson to a five-year offer sheet with an average annual value of $18 million. The Ducks matched the offer on July 9, leaving them with $9.03 million in cap space .

That has complicated the Ducks' efforts to re-sign winger Cutter Gauthier, who led the club with 41 goals and 69 points last season. Given the hefty raise Carlsson received, the 21-year-old Gauthier has set a high price for his next contract. He reportedly rejected a four-year offer worth $13 million AAV.

The Ducks must at some point shed salary to sign Gauthier, which could make Alex Killorn a trade candidate. The Hockey News ' Andre Leal suggested the 36-year-old winger, who is in the final year of a four-year contract with an AAV of $6.3 million.

Killorn's age, declining performance, and 15-team no-trade list could make him difficult to move. Nevertheless, his playoff experience and defensive skills could make him enticing for a club seeking that type of forward.

On Aug. 13, Ryan O'Hara of The Hockey News suggested that the Los Angeles Kings could gear up for another roster shakeup this season. He believes that winger Trevor Moore could benefit from a change of scenery.

Moore, 31, is signed through 2027-28 , with an average annual value of $4.2 million and lacking no-trade protection. He had a career-best 31 goals and 57 points in 2023-24, but injuries and inconsistency sent his production tumbling to 40 points in 71 games in 2024-25 and 32 points in 69 games last season.

O'Hara praised Moore's speed and ability but pointed out that he hasn't consistently secured a top-six role with the Kings. Nevertheless, he believes the winger could attract some interest in the trade market.

It could take some time before the Kings make any significant roster changes this season. However, a club in the market for an experienced middle-six forward with an affordable contract might make a pitch for Moore at some point this season.

As training camp approaches, Arber Xhekaj still awaits a new contract. The 25-year-old Montréal Canadiens defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off a two-year deal with an affordable average annual value of $1.3 million.

The 6'4", 240-pound Xhekaj is popular among his teammates and Canadiens fans for his physical style of play. However, his limited ice time last season and the presence of promising young defensemen like David Reinbacher and Adam Enstrom made him the subject of trade conjecture.

Xhekaj was at No. 10 on our previous Trade Targets Board . On Aug. 12, Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette speculated that the big blueliner (and winger Zachary Bolduc) could be "sign-and-trade" candidates, perhaps in a package deal for a top-six forward.

So far, there's no indication the Canadiens intend to peddle Xhekaj on his own or with another player. However, the longer he remains unsigned, the more speculation grows about his future in Montréal.

The Anaheim Ducks acquired Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers in June 2025. However, the 35-year-old left winger could be on the move again if the Ducks make cost-cutting trades to free up salary cap space to re-sign leading scorer Cutter Gauthier.

Matching a five-year offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers for Leo Carlsson worth an AAV of $18 million left the Ducks with $9.03 million in cap space for this season . Soon afterward, the 21-year-old Gauthier reportedly rejected a four-year offer worth $13 million.

Kreider is in the final year of his contract with an AAV of $6.5 million and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Andre Leal of The Hockey News included the veteran winger among his list of players the Ducks could peddle to clear sufficient cap space to re-sign Gauthier.

Moving Kreider won't be easy because of his age and his 15-team no-trade list. However, his 22-goal, 50-point performance last season showed he still has the scoring punch to entice another club in need of an experienced middle-six forward.

It's been three months since Dylan Larkin's trade request was first reported. Since then, the 30-year-old Detroit Red Wings center has been a fixture in the NHL rumor mill and on our NHL Trade Targets Boards, sitting at No. 5 in our August edition .

However, Larkin's request remains in limbo as the Red Wings continue to search for a new general manager. Assistant GM Shawn Horcoff currently handles day-to-day management duties, but that doesn't extend to trades .

According to Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now, don't expect Larkin to stage a holdout from training camp or the start of the season to force the issue. That would put him at risk of breaching his contract , giving the Red Wings justification to suspend him without pay.

Larkin has little choice but to wait until the new general manager is hired. He'll likely meet with the new GM soon afterward to determine his future. Until we hear differently, he remains among our notable trade targets.

For the past two months, Connor Hellebuyck sat atop our NHL Trade Targets Big Board .

We considered the 33-year-old Winnipeg Jets goaltender to be the player most likely to be moved after weeks of intense trade speculation, including reports of a rumored deal with the Buffalo Sabres that fell through.

Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 with an $8.5 million AAV and a full no-movement clause. He revealed his trade request on Aug. 27, but whether that spurs the Jets to move him before the season begins remains to be seen. Nevertheless, it secures his spot on top of this month's trade targets board.

Jets beat writer Murat Ates of The Athletic believes the club's asking price is a top-six forward (preferably a center or right wing) and a goalie who can help to ease Hellebuyck's departure. He listed the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres as destinations.

The Sabres also appear on Joe Yerdon's destination list for Hellebuyck. That's because the two clubs were working on a deal that would've sent the three-time Vezina Trophy winner to Buffalo in June, but the deal fell through. Time will tell if they revisit those discussions.

Stats via NHL.com . Salary and contract info via PuckPedia .