In his first season with the Avalanche, Kovalenko has shown glimpses of the talent that made him an offensive standout with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), but limited deployment has likely stunted the opportunity for true success. In 28 games, Kovalenko is averaging 12:00 time-on-ice and has eight points (4G / 4A). The 25-year-old Kovalenko will likely get an opportunity for better deployment in his new home with the Sharks.

Colorado's goaltending troubles have been well-documented this season, highlighted by Georgiev's ugly 3.38 GAA and .874 SV% in 18 appearances (8-7-0). As a result, Georgiev has been traded, along with Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick, to the San Jose Sharks in return for Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Georgiev will likely have the opportunity to reestablish himself as a reliable starter in San Jose. That said, given San Jose's sluggish defense, Georgiev will likely fall out of fantasy hockey relevance.

Smith was an additional piece in a trade with Mackenzie Blackwood that sent Alexandar Georgiev and Nikolai Kovalenko to San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Smith was limited to only six games with the Sharks this season, averaging 6:17 time-on-ice in a fourth-line role, and will likely serve a similar role in his new home with the Avalanche.

Colorado has addressed their goaltending issues this season by acquiring Mackenzie Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks. The 28-year-old Blackwood has been solid for a defensively troubled Sharks team this season, posting a 3.00 GAA and .909 SV% in 19 games (6-9-3). Blackwood will likely have the opportunity to control Colorado's crease for the remainder of the season, with Scott Wedgewood serving as his backup. Colorado also received Givani Smith and a 2027 fifth-round pick from the Sharks, with Alexandar Georgiev, Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick going the other way.

Trade talks have surrounded Trouba since the offseason and a deal has finally landed, sending him to the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Trouba was the captain of the Rangers, averaging 20:00 time-on-ice, and recording six points (0G / 6A), 68 blocks, and 39 hits in 24 games. Trouba will have one year remaining in his contract after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.

Vaakanainen was limited to only five games with the Ducks this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A), and will get a fresh start with the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen was the 18th overall pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He played a career-high 68 games with the Ducks last season, tallying 14 points (1G / 13A).

Perreault was the 27th overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, playing one game with the Ducks, but has not played since. He has five points (1G / 4A) in five games with the Trois-Rivieres Lions (ECHL) this season.

Hoefenmayer was a fourth-round pick, 108th overall, of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old defenseman has yet to play an NHL game and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 11 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) this season.

Rolston was the 139th overall pick of the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old product of Notre Dame has not played an NHL game and has 20 points (11G / 9A) in 66 combined games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL) over the past two seasons.

After a disappointing start to the season, ranking 29th with 17 points (7-11-3), the Predators have shaken things up by trading Tomasino to the Penguins for a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Tomasino only has one point (0G / 1A) in 11 games this season after scoring 20 (7G / 13A) in 41 last season.

The trade may signify Pittsburgh's position as sellers and comes on the heels of a 7-1 blowout defeat at the hands of the Stars on Monday. Eller tallied 19 goals and 19 assists in 99 regular season games across two seasons in Pittsburgh. He returns to Washington where he's previously spent parts of seven seasons, registering 208 points in 488 games from 2016 to 2023.

Sprong heads back to Seattle where he spent parts of 2021-22 season and the entire 2022-23 season. He played just nine games with the Canucks after signing a one-year deal with them in the off-season, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Sprong enjoyed the most productive season of his career with the Kraken, tallying 21 goals and 25 assists in 66 games in 2022-23.

Gleason has just four career games to his name and has not appeared in an NHL game since the 2018-19 season with the Dallas Stars. He has one goal and three assists through seven AHL games this season.

Attard played just 12 games with the Flyers last year and is yet to play in an NHL game this season. Attard compiled two goals and four assists in 29 career games across parts of three seasons with the Flyers.