The NHL's April 12 trade deadline is fast approaching, and while this year's frenzy may be more diminished than usual, several big-name players could still be on the move.

Cross-border restrictions, quarantine protocols, the flat salary cap, the looming expansion draft, and the overall financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could all dissuade teams from completing a trade they would make during a normal season. However, the current level of parity around the league and a heightened need for playoff revenue amid the aforementioned budget concerns could lead some of the many bubble teams to become buyers when they might typically lean toward selling.

Some other big boards list players based on their likelihood of being traded, but we're basing ours primarily on the NHLers' overall impact. We've excluded some players on contending clubs because their teams seem unlikely to sell, while some injured players, like Vancouver Canucks forward Tanner Pearson, are omitted because their teams expect them to miss action through the deadline and beyond.

Here are the NHL's top 25 potential trade candidates ahead of April 12:

NMC = No-move clause
MNTC = Modified no-trade clause

The top 10

1. Taylor Hall

Last month, Hall was reportedly open to negotiating a contract extension with the Sabres. However, things have deteriorated dramatically in Western New York since then, and one would think the skilled winger is now closer to considering waiving his no-move clause as things get worse for the sinking club.

The pending unrestricted free agent has disappointed this season, but Hall's underlying numbers show his struggles may partly be the result of bad luck and poor team play. A change of scenery - but this time to a contender - could help the 29-year-old start to rediscover the form that helped him win the Hart Trophy in 2018.

2. Mattias Ekholm

Ekholm will surely be in high demand for numerous reasons. The Predators will clearly be in sell mode considering how poorly their campaign's gone and how decimated they've been by injuries to other key players.

The steady defenseman has another year left on his deal after this one. However, that extra season of team control could mean the 30-year-old is more likely to be moved because it would fetch Nashville a greater return than the franchise would get for a rental. The acquiring side would also benefit from his team-friendly cap hit, and given both of those factors, it would be surprising if the Predators didn't trade Ekholm.

3. Rickard Rakell

Rakell is another NHLer with terms extending beyond this campaign, but the talented forward would also be a tantalizing trade candidate like Ekholm if the Ducks opt to move him. Rakell is streaky, but he's a solid two-way player who posts impressive analytic figures - particularly his stellar share of individual scoring chances.

4. Kyle Palmieri

There's been no indication Palmieri won't re-sign with the Devils. However, New Jersey isn't contending in 2021, and the once productive pending UFA winger would be the club's most attractive trade chip if the Devils and Palmieri's camp both decide to shop him.

5. Jonathan Bernier

It's been another forgettable year for the Red Wings, but Bernier is posting shockingly solid numbers. The goaltender's resurgence has been especially remarkable, considering he's a 32-year-old backstopping one of the NHL's worst teams. Bernier could be a reliable backup option for clubs in need.

6. Mikael Granlund

Ekholm will be the most coveted Predators skater ahead of the deadline, but Granlund should have his share of suitors, too. The 29-year-old forward hasn't matched his past production with the Minnesota Wild since they traded him to Nashville in February 2019, but his underlying numbers are favorable - and so is his cap hit.

7. David Savard

The Blue Jackets are still figuring out whether they'll be buyers or sellers, but knowing their long history of parting with pending UFAs, it would come as no surprise if they dealt Savard. The underrated 30-year-old defenseman plays a shutdown role with plenty of size and will surely entice teams looking to bolster their blue lines.

8. Nick Foligno

Foligno's another player Columbus could move. The 33-year-old's in his ninth season with the Blue Jackets and his sixth as captain, but a forward with his experience and versatile skillset would be a solid addition to a contender if Columbus isn't firmly in the playoff picture in April.

9. Brandon Montour

The nosediving Sabres have a slew of pending UFAs, but Montour is the second-most valuable chip the club possesses at the moment. The blue-liner hasn't put up the numbers with Buffalo like he did with the Anaheim Ducks, but he'll turn 27 a day before the deadline and carries a relatively reasonable cap hit.

10. Eric Staal

It's amazing to think the Sabres could part with both of their big offseason acquisitions in the coming weeks, but that just illustrates how much things have devolved in Buffalo. Staal is 36 years old and can't make an impact the way he once could, but the battle-tested center should get a look from contenders, given his vast experience and hockey IQ at his position.

The rest

(Salary source: CapFriendly)

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