5 NHL Players Most Likely To Be Trade During 2025 Offseason

Just because the 2024-25 NHL trade deadline has come and gone, it doesn't mean we can't start looking ahead to the next round of trades that could happen.

A lot of big names changed teams before the deadline, but there were also a lot of big names who did not get moved.

Here, we look at five prominent players around the NHL who could get moved this summer.

Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins

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At this point, it seems to be a matter of when, not if, Erik Karlsson gets traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This offseason seems to be as good a time as any.

On one hand, the 34-year-old has not necessarily been bad for the Penguins. He still brings a ton of value offensively and, despite his flaws away from the puck, he has been one of the Penguins' better players the past two years and certainly one of their best defensemen. 

But the Swede also hasn't been what they expected when they acquired him prior to the 2023-24 season and coming off his third Norris Trophy campaign. 

Karlsson has $10 million remaining on his contract over the next two full seasons, and the Penguins might like to get out of that contract as their rebuild goes on, even if it doesn't end up being a complete teardown rebuild. 

His name surfaced in trade speculation leading up to this season's trade deadline, but that was always going to be a complicated move for the Penguins and another team to make, mostly because of his salary.

Pittsburgh did not seem interested in retaining salary on any trade involving him, and there weren't going to be many contenders capable of taking on that deal midseason. 

Karlsson does have full control over where he goes—and if he goes—but there might be some incentive for him to consider any trades that could get him closer to a Stanley Cup than the Penguins will next season. That is the one thing his Hall of Fame career is still missing. 

Moving Karlsson always seemed like it would be more of an offseason move than in-season. The Penguins are not under any pressure to move him, so it would have to make some sense in terms of a return, but it might be on the table. 

Chris Kreider, New York Rangers

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Chris Kreider is currently the longest-tenured New York Rangers player, and for the longest time, it seemed like he was going to retire with the team and be remembered as an all-time great Ranger. 

Or at least one of the greatest Rangers of this era. 

Now, though? The 33-year-old seems destined to play for another team as the Rangers still try to figure out how to piece together a Stanley Cup puzzle.

Kreider has been on the trade block pretty much all season, and he was the subject of trade rumors going into the deadline. 

Whether it is Kreider or somebody else, this New York team appears stale and in need of change. The two-time All-Star is still under contract for two more years at $6.5 million per season against the cap, but he has scored at a 30-goal pace over 82 games six years in a row. 

Somebody will still value that. 

Ideally, the Rangers still would as well, but something seems to be off here with this relationship and the team's current core does not seem to have the juice it needs to compete for a Cup.

Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators

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Ryan O’Reilly's future with the Nashville Predators probably depends on whether the team bounces back next year and performs better than it did this season.

After going on an offseason spending spree in free agency, the Predators looked like a team that was going to be capable of seriously competing for the Stanley Cup. Instead, it has been one of the worst sides in hockey and has everybody in the organization searching for answers.

O'Reilly's name was mentioned in trade rumors this season, but the Predators opted against a complete fire sale before the deadline. They made a few minor trades, but they also added veteran forward Michael Bunting, who still has term left on his deal. That would seem to indicate they still intend on trying to compete next season.

But what if they change their mind this offseason? What if they take a deep-dive look at this roster and just conclude this season was not a fluke?

The Predators might not have much patience for this core and start to consider real changes.

O'Reilly, 34, still has two years remaining on his contract at $4.5 million per season, which would be really good value with an increasing salary cap. He remains an excellent two-way center and defensive player, and he can still play at a 25-goal, 60-point level.

O'Reilly may not be a No. 1 center on a contender, but he would be an ideal fit as a No. 2 or even No. 3 center. The Predators might also be able to get a strong return for him on the trade market. 

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

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Maybe if everybody keeps expecting a John Gibson trade every year, it will finally happen. 

It has to at some point, right? And there are a few reasons why this offseason could be it.

For one, the 31-year-old is having his best season in years with a .909 save percentage that is above the league average.

The Ducks also seem to have an emerging No. 1 goalie in Lukas Dostal, who has been even better than Gibson in his role this season.

Gibson's contract ($6.4 million per year for two more seasons) might also not be as much of a detriment as it has been in recent years due to 1) his improved play and 2) the rising cap across the league.

If the Ducks eat some of that salary, which they can do with two salary retention spots being open next season, it might make him even more attractive on the trade market.

Then, there is the reality that there just isn't that much of a goalie market in free agency or trades for teams that require an upgrade in net. The Ducks might have a chance to make their move.

Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken

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Jared McCann

It's hard to figure out what the Seattle Kraken are going to do this offseason.

They spent big a year ago by signing Chandler Stephenson and Brandon Montour and then sold off Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev when the season went south.

The latter two names weren't a surprise given their pending UFA status, but Bjorkstrand still had term on his contract. Seattle ended up getting multiple first-round picks for Bjorkstrand and Gourde, and a second-rounder for Tanev.

It is worth wondering if that sell-off might continue this offseason to get more future assets or young players.

If they do, Jared McCann would be a great candidate to move.

The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract at $5 million per season, and he is a top-line scorer who can score 25-35 goals.

He might not be the 40-goal guy he was a couple of years ago, but he still has the shot to be a top finisher and the versatility to play all over the lineup.

Given the big money free agents will be looking for with an increasing cap, players like McCann could be extremely valuable on the trade market. Seattle might be wise to explore what the market is.