The NHL is closing in on completing 25 percent of the season, as five teams have already played 21 games. You should have a good idea as to your needs in the trade market, be it a goalie, defenseman or forward, or perhaps multiple players.
Here are some players for whom you could deal and trade elsewhere.
TRADE FOR
Roman Josi, D, Predators (92 percent rostered)
A top-notch defenseman is hard to find in fantasy hockey, especially in a trade. Josi has been out of action with an upper-body injury since Oct. 23 and is expected back in the lineup shortly. It's better to grab someone of Josi's quality a week early, when fantasy managers are still unaware. Josi had a reasonable season in 2024-25, tallying nine goals and 29 assists in 53 games, including 17 points on the power play. He had 240 points in 229 games over the three previous seasons, and though he has only one goal and four assists in eight games this season, look for Josi to average close to, or better than, a point a game the rest of the way.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Josi for Brayden Point. (This is a pretty even trade, but I find that defensemen are more valuable than forwards, as there are plenty of good forwards.)
Ivan Demidov, RW, Canadiens (64 percent rostered)
There have been high hopes heaped upon Demidov since he was selected fifth overall in 2024. He has four goals and 14 points in 19 games this season, but has been slumping of late with only two helpers in his last six games. If you can find someone willing to deal the budding Russian star, make the deal, as Demidov has 80- to 90-point potential, possibly this season.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Demidov and Joey Daccord for Jakob Chychrun. (I wouldn't trade Demidov straight up for Chychrun and to also get Daccord makes this deal a steal in my opinion.)
Yaroslav Askarov, G, Sharks (54 percent rostered)
Askarov got off to a horrible start this season, allowing 28 goals on 180 shots (.844 save percentage), going 1-4-1. There were some concerns that the 23-year-old would be sent to AHL San Jose, but Askarov suddenly turned things around and has given up only eight goals on 197 shots in his last six games, going 5-1-0. He is the Sharks' top goalie and will be a major reason why they finally make the playoffs, be it this season or next. He was outstanding again Tuesday, stopping 24 of 26 Utah shots in a 3-2 overtime win. He is 6-5-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .907 save percentage.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Askarov for Jakub Dobes (There is a huge difference between Askarov and Dobes. Askarov has been outstanding of late and will be the Sharks' No. 1 goaltender by Christmas, if he is not so already. Dobes has played well, but is the backup in Montreal).
TRADE AWAY
Brad Marchand, LW, Panthers (90 percent rostered)
Marchand is off to a tremendous start with 13 goals and 10 assists in just 18 games. But Marchand has not averaged a point per game since the 2021-22 campaign when at the age of 33, he had 32 goals and 48 assists in 70 games with the Bruins. He is now 37 and he shouldn't be expected to carry the load for the Panthers. He will lose some time, possibly on the first power play, when Matthew Tkachuk returns to action next month. Marchand is a pesky player, just not a point-per-game talent anymore.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Marchand and Artturi Lehkonen plus a fifth and 15th round pick for Ian Cole and Brayden Point, plus a ninth and 12th round pick. (Try to get as much as you can for the 37-year-old winger. Point is great value for Marchand and Lehkonen.)
Bo Horvat, C, Islanders (91 percent rostered)
Horvat saw his eight-game point streak (six goals and six assists) come to an end Sunday in Colorado. He has been on fire with 13 goals and 11 assists in 20 games this season but he has never scored at this pace in his NHL career. His best season was in 2022-23 when he tallied 38 goals and 70 points in 79 games, split between the Islanders and Vancouver. Horvat is seeing a career high 4:09 of power-play time this season, which likely will lessen as the season goes on. Horvat is a nice player, who is off to a hot start, and it is doubtful he will be able to maintain it.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: (Horvat and Jared McCann for Matthew Tkachuk. (This trade is going to pay huge dividends in a month when Tkachuk returns. Horvat is a good scorer, but players like McCann can still be found on the waiver wire. Tkachuk is a stud).
Tom Wilson, RW, Capitals (91 percent rostered)
Wilson leads the Capitals in goals with nine and points with 18. Who would have predicted that? He is seeing a career high 19:28 of ice time, as well as a career high in power-play time at 3:10. Wilson's best season was last year, when he managed 33 goals and 32 assists, both being the best in his career. The 31-year-old could manage another career best, but he is scoring at a 19.6 percent clip and that will be hard to maintain.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Wilson for Tage Thompson. (Wilson is valuable In multicategories, but Thompson is a better scorer.)
