EDGE stats: 5 players to watch before 2026 NHL Trade Deadline

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we identify five players to watch ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, which is Friday, March 6 at 3 p.m. ET.

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Justin Faulk, D, STL

The 33-year-old defenseman, who’s under contract through 2026-27, could be traded before the Deadline with the St. Louis Blues having fallen out of Stanley Cup Playoff contention. Faulk has 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 45 career playoff games spanning five postseasons and is one of seven NHL players this season with at least 10 goals (11), 100 blocks (101) and 100 shots on goal (115). Per NHL EDGE stats, Faulk has outstanding shots by location metrics; he's among the defenseman leaders in midrange shots on goal (41; 97th percentile), midrange goals (six; 96th percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (10; 94th percentile). Faulk also ranks highly at his position in total skating distance (186.56 miles; 89th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (59; 90th percentile), max skating speed (22.73 mph; 90th percentile) and hardest shot (96.15 mph; 86th percentile).

Other STL player to watch before deadline: Robert Thomas, F (under contract through 2030-31); key EDGE stats: 93rd percentile in both max skating speed (23.30 mph) and even-strength offensive zone time percentage (44.0).

Nazem Kadri, F, CGY

The 35-year-old forward, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, is under contract with the Calgary Flames through 2028-29 but is aware he could be moved before the Deadline. Despite the Flames being likely to miss the playoffs, Kadri leads them in points (41) and shots on goal (174) this season. He has had a high offensive ceiling in the past (87 points in 71 games with Avalanche in 2021-22) and is one of nine NHL players with at least 300 points (326), 1,200 shots on goal (1,244) and 300 hits (300) since 2021-22. Per NHL EDGE stats, Kadri ranks in the 94th percentile in midrange shots on goal (58) this season and, among those who have played at least 45 games, is fifth in offensive zone start percentage at 5-on-5 (46.9). Last season, Kadri was tied for seventh in the entire NHL in midrange goals (16), helping him set a career high in goals overall (35). This season, he also ranks highly among forwards in total skating distance (191.17 miles; 96th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (55; 92nd percentile) and midrange goals (five; 80th percentile).

Bobby McMann, F, TOR

McMann, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, could be traded with the Toronto Maple Leafs falling out of playoff contention after a four-game skid (0-3-1) following the Olympic break. The 29-year-old wing ranks fourth on Toronto in goals (19 in 60 games) and is approaching his career high from last season (20 in 74 games). He’s also one of two NHL players with at least 19 goals, 125 shots on goal and 130 hits (135) this season (other: Dylan Cozens of Ottawa Senators). Per NHL EDGE stats, McMann ranks fourth in the entire NHL in max skating speed (24.25 mph) and is also near the top of the rankings at his position in 20-plus mph speed bursts (196; 98th percentile). McMann also excels in other advanced stats categories like long-range shots on goal (13; 86th percentile), high-danger goals (10; 85th percentile), midrange goals (six; 85th percentile), hardest shot (89.22 mph; 81st percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (42; 80th percentile).

Elias Pettersson, F, VAN

Pettersson, who’s under contract through 2031-32, was benched by the Vancouver Canucks against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday and could be moved with the team at the bottom of the NHL standings. The Canucks have already traded top defensemen Quinn Hughes (to Minnesota Wild) and Tyler Myers (to Dallas Stars), as well as one of their other top forwards, Kiefer Sherwood (to San Jose Sharks). Pettersson, who’s only 27 years old, had 102 points (39 goals, 63 assists) for the Canucks in 2022-23 and could have bounce-back potential with a change of scenery. Per NHL EDGE stats, Pettersson ranks in the 91st percentile among forwards in hardest shot (91.81 mph) and 90th percentile in average shot speed (59.62) this season.

Vincent Trocheck, F, NYR

The 32-year-old forward, who’s under contract through 2028-29, is prepared for if the New York Rangers trade him but has a 12-team no-trade list and will not accept a deal to a West Coast team. The Rangers, who are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, have already traded elite forward Artemi Panarin (to Los Angeles Kings) after releasing a letter to the fanbase announcing a roster retool. Trocheck, who has had two seasons of at least 75 points, led the Rangers with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when they reached the conference final. He also won the gold medal with the United States at the 2026 Olympics. Since joining New York in 2022-23, Trocheck ranks second on the Rangers in both even-strength points (166; behind Panarin’s 234) and hits (710; behind Will Cuylle’s 770) and leads the team in face-off wins (2,951; seventh in NHL over span). Per NHL EDGE stats, Trocheck ranks in the 80th percentile or higher among forwards in hardest shot (91.12 mph; 90th percentile), max skating speed (23.04 mph; 87th percentile), penalty kill skating distance (13.09 miles; 83rd percentile), even-strength offensive zone time percentage (42.8; 83rd percentile) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (97; 81st percentile) this season.

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