Buy or Sell NHL Trade and Offseason Rumors After 2024 Draft Lottery
The 2024 NHL draft lottery took place on May 7, with the San Jose Sharks claiming the No. 1 overall pick, which they're expected to use on Boston University center Macklin Celebrini.
However, it remains to be seen which prospects are selected by the other 15 teams involved in the lottery. Some of them, like the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils, could consider trading their first-round picks for more immediate roster help
Meanwhile, the rumor mill is getting busier after eight teams were recently eliminated from the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Media speculation is churning over whether the Toronto Maple Leafs might shake up their roster core by trading winger Mitch Marner. There's also conjecture suggesting the Tampa Bay Lightning could move center Anthony Cirelli this summer as a cost-cutting measure.
How much stock to put into these rumors can be difficult to determine. Follow along as we look at the latest rumors to see which ones are worth buying or selling.
Feel free to express your views on this topic in our app comments below.
Could Canadiens, Devils and Sabres Trade Their 1st-Round Picks?
1 of 5
The Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres were among the 16 teams involved in this year's draft lottery.
The Canadiens wound up with the No. 5 overall pick, while the Devils were 10th and the Sabres 11th.
Given their high placement in the draft order, the three clubs could select gifted young prospects who could blossom into future NHL stars. It's also possible their general managers will listen to trade offers for more immediate roster help.
Following the lottery, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes told reporters he'll likely use his pick to select a forward because of his depth in promising young defensemen. But he didn't rule out moving that selection if it would help his team.
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald indicated he could use his pick to land a good young player. "Or it can be another bullet in my holster to utilize if a deal presents itself," he said.
Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News suggested the Sabres use their pick as a trade chip to add depth to their roster. He noted they're already well-stocked with good young players on their roster and within their prospect pipeline.
Verdict: Buy for the Devils and Sabres, sell for the Canadiens
The Devils hope to rebound from missing the playoffs this season after a franchise-best 112-point performance in 2022-23. The Sabres are desperate to end their 13-year postseason drought. Both clubs are more likely to entertain offers for their first-rounders.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens are at least two or three years away from playoff contention. They'll continue stocking up on promising talent with that No. 5 selection. They also own the Winnipeg Jets' first-rounder, which is lower in the draft order. That's more likely to be a trade chip.
Will Anthony Cirelli Become Next Tampa Bay Cap Casualty?
2 of 5
The Tampa Bay Lightning entered the offseason with $12.6 million in salary-cap space for 2024-25 and 16 active roster players under contract.
Their priority is to re-sign team captain Steven Stamkos before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and they must also re-sign defenseman Victor Hedman to a contract extension.
A new contract for Stamkos could take up at least half of their cap space, which won't leave much to fill out the rest of the roster. They must also ensure they have sufficient long-term cap space for Hedman, who is slated to become a UFA next July.
As Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois attempts to re-sign Stamkos and Hedman, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times believes Anthony Cirelli could be worth watching.
The 25-year-old is the only member of the Lightning on a long-term contract lacking no-trade protection this summer.
Cirelli is in the first season of an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $6.3 million. His no-trade clause won't begin until July 1, 2025, and the skilled two-way center would draw plenty of attention if BriseBois decided to peddle him to free up cap room for Stamkos and Hedman.
Verdict: Sell
The savvy BriseBois could find other options to free up cap space this summer. Trading Cirelli would remove the Lightning's second-line center and top two-way forward. He's too valuable to give up in a cost-cutting trade.
Could Los Angeles Kings Trade Pierre-Luc Dubois?
3 of 5
For the third straight year, the Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Edmonton Oilers. Pierre-Luc Dubois became the target of criticism soon afterward.
The Kings center had 40 points during the regular season and just one in five playoff games.
That's not what L.A. or its fans envisioned when the 25-year-old was acquired last June from the Winnipeg Jets and signed an eight-year, $68 million contract.
He was supposed to center their second line and was seen as the eventual successor to Anze Kopitar. Instead, he finished the playoffs on the Kings' fourth line.
Dubois' disappointing play prompted some observers to ponder his future with the team. Spencer Lazary of The Hockey News felt the Kings should bite the bullet and trade him to the Montreal Canadiens, suggesting the 6'4" 225-pound center wouldn't be happy unless he suited up for his hometown team.
Sportsnet's Jeff Marek suggested the Kings could ship Dubois to the Washington Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. He believes both players could benefit from a change of scenery.
Verdict: Sell
In his season-ending media session, Kings GM Rob Blake dismissed talk of buying out Dubois' contract. He also stressed the club's intention to work with the center to improve his performance, citing his consistent play before joining the Kings.
That doesn't sound like Blake intends to trade him.
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.png?w=256)
Could New York Islanders Put Brock Nelson On Trade Block?
4 of 5
The New York Islanders have declined since reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020 COVID playoff bubble and the semifinals of the 2021 playoffs. They missed the playoffs in 2021-22 and were eliminated from the opening round last season and this year.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post believes Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello must shake up his roster core. Following the team's elimination by the Carolina Hurricanes, he suggested Brock Nelson should be considered for trading.
An 11-year Islanders veteran, Nelson reached the 30-goal plateau for the third straight year. He's also a reliable playoff performer, which could enhance his value in the trade market.
The 32-year-old has a year left on his contract with a $6 million cap hit and a 16-team no-trade clause. He'll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Brooks believes Nelson's scoring ability and leadership could make him valuable as a one-year rental player. He could bring back a decent return for the Islanders, perhaps a promising young player for their roster.
Verdict: Buy
Lamoriello is stubbornly loyal to his best players, but it must be obvious to him that the Islanders need to shake things up. The general manager won't tip his hand, but we cannot rule out a Nelson trade this summer.
Will Toronto Maple Leafs Entertain Trade Offers for Mitch Marner?
5 of 5
On May 4, the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the opening round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs in seven games by the Boston Bruins.
It was the seventh time in eight seasons that the Leafs failed to advance past the first round, and the third time the Bruins had knocked them out.
Five days later, the Leafs announced head coach Sheldon Keefe had been fired. The next day, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley, team president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Brad Treliving met with the media.
Shanahan indicated all options were on the table regarding possible roster changes.
One of those changes could be Mitch Marner, who has a year left on his contract worth $10.9 million and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He also carries a full no-movement clause in his current deal.
Sportsnet's Luke Fox said moving the 27-year-old winger could be difficult but not impossible, pointing to recent trades involving high-salaried players such as Jack Eichel and Erik Karlsson. Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun believes the Leafs GM should see if Marner would be willing to waive his clause and provide a list of acceptable trade destinations.
Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet proposed trades involving the Columbus Blue Jackets, Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames, plus a three-team deal with the Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks.
Adam Proteau of The Hockey News suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks and the Utah franchise as landing spots.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun doubted Marner would waive his NMC. Nevertheless, we can't dismiss the possibility. Whether Treliving can find a suitable trade offer is another matter.
Salary info via Cap Friendly.
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Battery Charges Against Arike Dropped")
.jpg?w=600 "AEW Dynamite Results & Grades")
.jpg?w=600 "Jameis to Cover World Cup for Fox")
