Predicting the Next Wave of NHL Stars to Hit the Trade Block
The NHL trade market has been quiet since the March 8 deadline and will remain so until the end of the regular season.
Non-playoff clubs can resume trading among themselves once the postseason starts on Apr. 20. Most, however, usually wait until the end of the Stanley Cup Final in June.
As the end of the regular season on Apr. 18 approaches, NHL fans can expect an increase in trade speculation involving the 16 teams that fail to qualify for the playoffs. The rumor mill will churn faster as more clubs fall by the wayside as the postseason progresses.
It's difficult to determine which NHL stars could become trade candidates between now and late June. However, we can make our best guess based on factors like contract status and roster needs.
All the players on this list, such as Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark and Anaheim Ducks winger Trevor Zegras, surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. While they weren't moved at that point, there's a good chance some of them could be changing teams during the offseason.
If you agree or disagree with our choices of trade candidates, please let us know in our app comments below.
Pavel Buchnevich, St. Louis Blues
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Pavel Buchnevich has enjoyed his best seasons with the St. Louis Blues since being acquired from the New York Rangers in 2021, reaching or exceeding 24 goals and 50 points in each. That includes a career-best performance of 30 goals and 76 points in 2021-22 on a deeper Blues roster.
Buchnevich tallied 67 points in 2022-23 despite being sidelined by injuries for 19 games. On a retooling roster this season, he's tied for second among their scorers with 26 goals and 58 points in 71 games.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong received calls about Buchnevich leading up to the March trade deadline but held onto him as his club battles for a playoff berth. He was under no pressure to move the winger, who has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.8 million and a 12-team no-trade clause.
Armstrong can sign Buchnevich to a contract extension on July 1. However, the 28-year-old winger could price himself out of St. Louis if he seeks an expensive new deal.
The Blues are transitioning toward younger players such as Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and young sniper Jake Neighbours. Armstrong could decide that Buchevich doesn't fit within his club's long-term plans and attempt to move him for a return of affordable young talent.
Jakob Chychrun, Ottawa Senators
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After two seasons of trade speculation, Jakob Chychrun was traded by the Arizona Coyotes before last year's trade deadline to the Ottawa Senators. However, the 25-year-old defenseman continued to surface in the rumor mill this season as the Senators floundered near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Chychrun's contract formed the basis of the speculation. He has a year remaining with an annual salary-cap hit of $4.6 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.
Senators general manager Steve Staios indicated his willingness to open contract extension talks with Chychrun on July 1. However, the club's ongoing struggles this season and lack of depth on the right side of their blue line could leave Staios willing to listen to trade offers.
Senators general manager Steve Staios indicated his willingness to open contract extension talks with Chychrun on July 1. However, the club's ongoing struggles this season and lack of depth on the right side of their blue line could leave Staios willing to listen to trade offers.
Chychrun could seek a long-term deal with a significant raise to between $7 million and $8 million annually. Staios could peddle him this summer if he becomes too expensive to retain, especially if he can be swapped for an equally talented right-shot defenseman.
John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
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John Gibson has regularly surfaced in our NHL Trade Block Big Boards over the past two years. With the Anaheim Ducks rebuilding their roster, it's been expected they would attempt to trade the 31-year-old goaltender.
Gibson's stats have suffered in recent years because of the lack of experienced talent on the Ducks roster. However, his career stats (2.88 goals-against average, .910 save percentage) suggest he'd do well with a better club. His contract is the main sticking point. He's got two years remaining on his deal with a $6.4 million annual cap hit plus a 10-team no-clause.
This summer, however, might finally provide the Ducks with an opportunity to move Gibson. They could be willing to retain up to half of his annual cap hit at this stage of his contract to facilitate a deal.
The New Jersey Devils are expected to be in the market for an experienced goaltender this summer. Other suitors could include the Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, and Los Angeles Kings, though the Ducks could be reluctant to trade with a close rival.
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Jacob Markström, Calgary Flames
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A fixture in the rumor mill leading up to the March 8 trade deadline, Jacob Markström was reportedly close to being shipped to the New Jersey Devils in mid-February. The Calgary Flames opted to retain the 34-year-old goaltender, but that doesn't mean he won't be moved in the offseason.
Following the trade deadline, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald told reporters he intended to go "big-game hunting" this summer to bolster his goaltending. He could revisit his interest in Markström.
The Flames are a team in transition. They traded away pending free agents Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov this season while elevating young players such as Connor Zary, Matt Coronato and Martin Pospisil. With promising goaltender Dustin Wolf seeing more playing time, Markström could be on the trade block this summer.
Markström has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, he could agree to waive it to join a contender during the offseason.
Martin Necas, Carolina Hurricanes
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With 23 goals and 52 points in 69 games, Martin Necas sits fourth among Carolina Hurricanes scorers this season. The 25-year-old winger is within range of matching last season's career high of 28 goals but his point production is down from last season's 71 points.
Necas is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3 million and is slated to become a restricted free agent. Based on his performance over the past two seasons, he's in line for a substantial raise on a long-term deal. He also has arbitration rights this summer.
The Hurricanes have a projected cap space of $30.7 million for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. They have sufficient room to sign Necas but must also sign his fellow RFA Seth Jarvis and re-sign or replace unrestricted free agents like Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce.
Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell won't be able to keep them all. Necas' performance over the remainder of the regular season and in the playoffs could determine his future in Carolina. He could end up on the trade block if it appears he'll be heading to arbitration.
Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators
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The New Jersey Devils' interest in Juuse Saros saw the 28-year-old Nashville Predators goaltender feature in the rumor mill during most of February. However, Predators general manager Barry Trotz didn't receive what he considered suitable offers sufficient to entice him to part with his starting goalie.
That was a wise decision on Trotz's part. The combination of Saros and backup Kevin Lankinen played a crucial role in the Predators' recent 18-game points streak (16-0-2) that gave them a stranglehold on the first Western Conference wildcard berth.
However, Saros could be an offseason trade candidate. He has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million and lacks no-trade protection. With promising Yaroslav Askarov primed to move into the Predators roster next season, Trotz must decide if he'll re-sign Saros or trade him for the best possible return.
The New Jersey Devils could be among the main suitors for Saros. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald indicated his intent to pursue a reliable starting goaltender this summer. In February, he contacted Trotz to inquire into Saros' availability.
Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins
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The Boston Bruins possess one of the NHL's best goaltending tandems in Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark. This duo backstopped the Bruins to a record-setting performance last season and has them jockeying this season for their second straight Presidents' Trophy.
For his efforts, Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy last season. However, he was also the subject of trade speculation leading up to the March 8 deadline. Reports emerged following the deadline that the 31-year-old goaltender rejected a trade to one of the clubs on his 16-team no-trade list. The Bruins reportedly had discussions with some teams not on his no-trade list.
Ullmark's contract is a big reason why the Bruins could look into trading him this summer. He's a year away from unrestricted free-agent status. With the 25-year-old Swayman ready for full-time starter duty and a new contract this summer, the Bruins would like to get something of value for Ullmark rather than have him depart next summer as a free agent.
The Bruins have a projected $21.6 million of cap space for 2024-25 with 16 roster players under contract. Clearing Ullmark's $5 million cap hit from their books provides additional flexibility to re-sign Swayman while attempting to bolster their overall roster depth via trades or free agency.
Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks
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The Anaheim Ducks trading young defenseman Jamie Drysdale in January to the Philadelphia Flyers for prospect winger Cutter Gauthier sparked speculation over whether they'd also move out Trevor Zegras. Both players were considered foundation pieces for the rebuilding Ducks but if they could move Drysdale, maybe Zegras could be next.
After two 60-plus point performances, Zegras' contract negotiations kept him out of training camp before agreeing to a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $5.8 million. He's spent most of this season sidelined by injuries.
Zegras popped up in the rumor mill leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. Following the deadline, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek told The Athletic's Eric Stephens he hadn't shopped the gifted young forward nor received any calls from other clubs about him.
Verbeek still considers Zegras to be an important part of his roster. Nevertheless, the Drysdale trade suggests the Ducks GM could be open to offers. We can't dismiss the possibility of a rival club making a pitch too good to refuse.
Stats (as of March 30, 2024) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
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