Stanley Cup contenders are making significant moves well before the NHL trade deadline to bolster their rosters for the upcoming playoffs. The Florida Panthers, currently leading the league, acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from Ottawa. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche strengthened their lineup by adding defenseman Sean Walker from Philadelphia and center Casey Mittelstadt from Buffalo in separate trades.
Colorado traded a 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and center Ryan Johansen to Philadelphia for Walker, along with a fifth-round pick in 2026. Mittelstadt was acquired in a one-for-one trade that saw defenseman Bowen Byram heading to the Sabres.
