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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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).
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).
