Buy or Sell Jason Robertson and Latest NHL Draft, Free-Agency and Trade Rumors
While the hockey world's focus is on the Stanley Cup Final, anticipation is also building for the upcoming draft, the start of free agency and the resumption of activity in the trade market.
Some of the speculation is focused on Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars following their recent elimination from the Western Conference Final.
The Stars have already made one big move by firing head coach Pete DeBoer, but some observers believe Robertson could be part of a roster shake-up this summer.
While the Florida Panthers hope to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, there's speculation over the futures of pending free agents Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad. Meanwhile, some analysts wonder if the Montreal Canadiens might use one of their two first-round picks as trade bait.
How much of this speculation is worth buying or selling? Follow along as we look at the most notable recent stories in the rumor mill.
Montreal Canadiens Could Package a 1st-Round Pick and a Prospect for a Center
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On May 16, we made the bold prediction that the Montréal Canadiens could trade one of their two first-round picks in the 2025 draft to address their need for a second-line center.
According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes could be considering that option.
Johnston reported on May 30 that Hughes is open to moving one of those two picks (16th and 17th overall) to address "a more immediate need for the current roster." The need for a second-line center has been the talk of the Montréal media since the end of the regular season.
Kirby Dach was expected to fill that role, but he's been frequently sidelined by injuries that have hampered his development. They've also tried Alex Newhook there, but he's best-suited as a third-line winger.
That might not be all Hughes is willing to move. Johnston speculated that Logan Mailloux could be available. He believes Canadiens management isn't in a hurry to move the 22-year-old defenseman, but he could be available for the right price.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Hughes could peddle a first-rounder or Mailloux separately, but it wouldn't be surprising if he packaged them in an offer for that elusive second-line center. He could also bundle those two first-rounders in a trade package for the right return.
Minnesota Wild Expected to Trade Marco Rossi
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Marco Rossi appeared in our May 15 Buy or Sell rumors as speculation emerged to suggest he could become a trade candidate or receive an offer sheet from a rival club.
Four days later, we looked at five possible landing spots for the 23-year-old Minnesota Wild center.
The rumors haven't let up since then. On June 1, Michael Russo of The Athletic reported contract extension talks between Rossi and Wild management had stalled. He indicated teams were inquiring about the center, but GM Bill Guerin wasn't in a hurry to move him.
Rossi will become a restricted free agent on completing his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights. He reportedly rejected a five-year, $25 million offer from the Wild earlier this season. They also offered a shorter term, but his agent believes it doesn't make sense because the player was buried on the fourth line by season's end.
A rival club could sign Rossi to an offer sheet after July 1. The Wild have $15.8 million in cap space next season and can afford to match. However, Guerin must also ensure he has sufficient long-term cap space to re-sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov next season.
Buy or Sell: Buy
The Wild would prefer to re-sign Rossi and have him develop into a reliable second-line center. But the threat of an offer sheet if talks remain stalled could force Guerin's hand.
Colorado Avalanche Could Trade Martin Necas
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On June 4, the Colorado Avalanche signed Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $7.5 million.
The move ensures they will have a reliable second-line center after this season, but it also leaves them with just $1.2 million in cap space for 2025-26.
General manager Chris MacFarland must make a cost-cutting trade this summer to ensure he has the cap flexibility to fill out the rest of his roster. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli suggested forwards Martin Nečas, Charlie Coyle, and defenseman Samuel Girard as possible trade options.
MacFarland could move any one of those players, but some observers wonder if Nečas might be the most likely trade candidate. The forward has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $6.5 million and lacks no-trade protection.
The Avalanche acquired the 26-year-old in January as part of the return in the Mikko Rantanen trade.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos raised the possibility of a trade if contract extension talks don't go well this summer, but Troy Renck of The Denver Post noted it wouldn't look good if MacFarland failed to get a good return for him.
Buy or Sell: Buy
MacFarland and Nečas could reach a reasonable agreement on an extension, but his limited time with the Avalanche and lack of a no-trade clause make him a plausible trade candidate. Moving him would also free up the most salary-cap space.
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Florida Panthers to Re-Sign Sam Bennett, Pass on Aaron Ekblad
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The focus of Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito is on his club's attempt to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, but he must also decide on the futures of core players Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad before the end of June.
Both players are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Bennett is a 28-year-old center completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.4 million, while Ekblad is a 29-year-old defenseman coming off a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7.5 million.
On June 1, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun said the word "out of Florida" suggested mutual interest between the Panthers and Bennett in a contract extension. The versatile, gritty two-way forward's ability to elevate his game in the postseason has bolstered his stock within the franchise.
Ekblad has been the anchor of the Panthers' defense corps for most of his 11-season NHL career. Before the Cup Final, he expressed his desire to stay in Florida, but Simmons reported the club isn't interested in bringing him back.
Buy or Sell: Buy on Bennett, Sell on Ekblad
Bennett has been underpaid on his current contract, but he could stick with the Panthers on a seven-year deal worth $7.5 million annually. Despite Ekblad's recent injury history, his leadership and skills remain valued by the franchise. He could accept a significant pay cut to stay in Florida.
Dallas Stars Winger Jason Robertson Could Become a Trade Candidate
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For the third straight year, the Dallas Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final, with the Edmonton Oilers defeating them for the second successive time. And it didn't take long for pundits to speculate about possible offseason changes.
Peter DeBoer was relieved of his duties as head coach just over a week after their postseason ended, but there was also conjecture suggesting Jason Robertson could become a trade candidate if management wanted to shake up the roster and create some salary-cap space.
The 25-year-old has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $7.8 million and lacks no-trade protection. Lia Assimakapoulos of The Dallas Morning News looked at the pros and cons of moving him, noting his changing role since the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen.
Assimakapoulos also noted Robertson will be in line for a significant raise on his next contract. Meanwhile, Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek speculated the Stars could consider moving out the winger in a cost-cutting deal to free up cap room to go "big-game hunting" in this summer's free-agent market.
Buy or Sell: Sell
The Stars might have other options in store if they intend to shake things up. On June 4, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen cited league sources claiming Dallas hasn't shown any interest in moving Robertson, and there haven't been any trade talks.
Salary info via PuckPedia
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