The NHL trade deadline is usually when pending free-agent veterans tend to be shopped. But as this season's deadline approaches, several young players have emerged as potential trade candidates. Notables include Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin.
A player age 25 or younger can be traded for different reasons. Some, like Nugent-Hopkins, could be moved for a return that addresses another roster need. Sometimes a young player, like Drouin, requests a trade. Others, like Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen, might not be a good fit with their current club.