NHL Trade Scenarios: 10 Players Who Could Ask to Be Traded Before Next Season

When the NHL season concludes and teams turn their attention to the draft, players will be moved via trade, and there could be some big names switching teams this summer.

Columbus Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash is one of several talented players who could ask for a trade either at the draft or later in the offseason.

Let's look at 15 players who could ask for a trade before the beginning of next season.

Jarome Iginla

The Calgary Flames captain will be entering the final year of his contract next season and has yet to win the Stanley Cup in his hall of fame career.

The Flames won't win the Cup this season or in the near future, so the only way for Iginla to win a championship before he retires is to ask for a trade.

He hasn't shown much indication that he will want to be traded soon, but a decision on his future will have to be made soon.

Derek Roy

The Buffalo Sabres are making a final push for the playoffs right now; in the summer, they would be smart to get rid of some players whose production doesn't match their salary.

It wouldn't surprise me if Roy asks for a trade so he can have a fresh start with another team.

Rick Nash

Columbus Blue Jackets star winger Rick Nash was nearly dealt at the trade deadline in February, but he was ultimately kept by general manager Scott Howson.

Nash is an elite player with tremendous offensive skills that any team would be glad to have. Nash clearly isn't opposed to leaving Columbus and will likely be moved at the draft.

Sam Gagner

If Sam Gagner isn't opposed to leaving the Edmonton Oilers and the team can get a quality defenseman in return for the young forward, I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal go down.

Jonathan Bernier

Going into next season, the Los Angeles Kings will have two free agent goaltenders. Star goaltender Jonathan Quick will be an unrestricted free agent, and quality backup Jonathan Bernier is a restricted free agent.

With Quick being the likeliest to be signed, Bernier could ask for a trade so he can become a starting goaltender on another team.

The Kings cannot afford to have too much money tied up in goaltending when they don't have a ton of salary cap space to begin with.

Shea Weber

If the Nashville Predators don't make the Western Conference Finals this season, then there could be some major changes to the team's roster for next season. 

Star defenseman Shea Weber may look to be traded to a contender rather than re-sign long term or to a one-year deal with the Predators. He will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Roberto Luongo

If Cory Schneider carries the Vancouver Canucks deep into the playoffs or wins the Stanley Cup, I cannot see how Roberto Luongo has a place with the team long-term.

Schneider is a talented young goalie and is less expensive to keep around for the future than Luongo.

Roman Hamrlik

Roman Hamrlik has been a healthy scratch for the Washington Capitals a few times over the last couple weeks, which is a tough situation for him because he's still talented enough to contribute for a contending team.

A chance of scenery would really benefit Hamrlik going forward.

Jay Bouwmeester

Jay Bouwmeester is not the offensive threat he used to be, but he's still a quality player. With the Calgary Flames headed toward a rebuild in the near future, I cannot see Bouwmeester wanting to finish his career in Calgary and never win a Stanley Cup.

James Wisniewski

The James Wisniewski hasn't gone according to plan, and the Columbus Blue Jackets don't need him after acquiring offensive defenseman Jack Johnson in the Jeff Carter trade.

The team needs to get rid of Wisniewski's contract, and I cannot imagine him saying "no" to leaving the Blue Jackets.