BS Meter on the Latest NHL Trade and Free Agent Rumors
It's been over three weeks since the March 6 NHL trade deadline, but that hasn't stopped pundits from pondering potential offseason moves.
Teams that are eliminated from the playoffs can trade among themselves once the regular season is over. However, most activity resumes following the postseason, when all 32 clubs can get involved in offseason wheeling and dealing.
Meanwhile, the free-agent market doesn't open until July 1. The pickings will be slim this summer, as most of the top talent re-signed with their current teams during the regular season.
Nevertheless, the rumor mill continues to churn.
Some observers wonder if the Minnesota Wild might attempt another blockbuster trade. Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch could cash in big when free agency begins on July 1.
How much of the recent speculation is based on fact? Follow along as we employ our trusty BS Meter to break down the most notable conjecture.
Could New York Rangers Receive Better Offers for Vincent Trocheck in Offseason?
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Sitting at No. 1 on our NHL Trade Block Big Board before the March 6 deadline, Vincent Trocheck was the player we considered the most likely to be traded. The 32-year-old two-way center is signed through 2028-29 with an affordable $5.63 million annual cap hit, and a 12-team no-trade list.
Trocheck ultimately wasn't moved by the deadline because Rangers general manager Chris Drury reportedly refused to lower his asking price. However, we expect that he'll remain a trade target in the offseason, so much so that he topped our Way-Too-Early 2026 NHL Offseason Trade Big Board.
On March 11, Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic speculated that landing a suitable trade package for Trocheck remains a priority for Drury. He stated that the Rangers GM sought a top-six forward as part of any deal. Mercogliano also pointed out that Trocheck's 12-team no-trade list drops to a 10-team list on July 1.
Eight days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested this summer's shallow pool of free-agent talent could work to the Rangers' advantage in their efforts to peddle Trocheck. Teams that were linked to him before the trade deadline could revisit their interest in the offseason.
BS Meter: Not BS
Clubs that seek a top-six center could be more willing to meet Drury's price during the summer than they were leading up to the trade deadline. They'll have more cap space to work with, which could make it easier to fit his contract within their salary-cap payrolls.
Will St. Louis Blues Revisit Efforts to Trade Robert Thomas?
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St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has been in sell mode since November, with Robert Thomas among the notable players considered trade bait. The 26-year-old playmaking center sat at No. 3 on our NHL Trade Block Big Board one day before the March 6 deadline.
It was reported that the Blues set a high asking price for Thomas. Reports suggested they sought three or four assets comparable to first-round draft picks.
Armstrong obviously never received any suitable offers, as Thomas remains with the Blues. He's signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.13 million and a full no-trade clause. On March 9, he told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski that he was never asked by management to waive his clause.
Thomas also said that he remains committed to the Blues. Nevertheless, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic speculated on March 11 that the Blues could continue to gauge the center's value in the trade market during the offseason.
BS Meter: Not BS
Given that Thomas is signed for six more seasons, the Blues aren't under any pressure to trade him this summer. However, the lack of quality depth in the free-agent market (especially for first-line centers) could make teams more willing to meet the Blues' asking price this summer.
Could Buffalo Sabres Winger Alex Tuch Seek Over $10M Annually On His Next Contract?
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The lack of quality depth in this summer's unrestricted free-agent market could ensure that those who remain eligible could cash in big when the bidding begins on July 1. Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch could be the prime beneficiary.
Tuch would be among the top players available if he decides to test the UFA market on July 1. The 29-year-old power forward is in the final season of his seven-year contract with an average annual value of $4.8 million.
A reliable scorer, Tuch is poised to exceed 30 goals and 60 points for the third time in four years. He's played a significant role as a scorer and team leader for the Sabres. His efforts have helped put the Sabres on the verge of ending their league-record 14-season playoff drought.
On March 12, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported Tuch could seek a deal similar to that of Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, who signed an eight-year, $85 million extension last fall. The average annual value of Kempe's new contract is $10.6 million.
BS Meter: Not BS
LeBrun believes the Sabres could offer something comparable to the eight-year, $64 million deal ($8 million AAV) that Nick Schmaltz signed earlier this month with the Utah Mammoth.
Tuch holds considerable leverage given his role with the Sabres. Both sides could compromise where Tuch receives just over $10 million annually.
Will Vancouver Canucks Find Any Takers for Elias Pettersson?
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The Vancouver Canucks signaled their intent to rebuild their roster when they traded team captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in December and scoring winger Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks the following month.
That stoked speculation that they could attempt to move Elias Pettersson, landing him at No. 15 on our Trade Block Big Board before the March deadline. While the 27-year-old center remains with the Canucks, some observers wonder if they might attempt to peddle him during the offseason.
Pettersson has struggled since his career-best 102-point performance in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the Canucks were recently eliminated from playoff contention. On March 22, Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province suggested it might be best for both sides if Pettersson was traded this summer.
Johnston believes there is a market for Pettersson with a club that could gamble that a change of scenery might help him regain his scoring touch. He also thinks Pettersson might welcome the chance for a fresh start elsewhere.
BS Meter: It's BS unless the Canucks retain part of Pettersson's salary.
Pettersson carries an average annual value of $11.6 million for the next six seasons. Interested clubs could prefer the Canucks retain part of it, but they could be reluctant to do so. Meanwhile, his full no-movement clause significantly limits the number of potential trade destinations.
Will Minnesota Wild Attempt Another Blockbuster Trade?
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The Minnesota Wild shocked the hockey world when they acquired superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 12. That deal signaled that general manager Bill Guerin was determined to push open his club's Stanley Cup window.
Guerin might not be done making significant moves. The Wild were reportedly among the teams interested in New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck before the March trade deadline. On March 16, Michael Russo of The Athletic suggested that Guerin could pursue a larger trade target this summer.
The limited depth in this summer's free-agent market could push Guerin into the offseason trade market. Russo believes that's why he didn't invest his trade capital in pursuing Trocheck or other players at the March deadline, as he could use it to find better trade targets this summer.
Russo wondered if Guerin might set his sights on Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews or Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Both forwards played for Guerin on Team USA's Olympic gold-medal squad in February.
BS Meter: Not BS
It remains to be seen if Matthews or Tkachuk would be available, given their full no-movement clauses in their contracts. Nevertheless, Guerin surprised NHL fans by acquiring Hughes, and he has the assets and cap space to swing another major move to boost his team's Stanley Cup chances.
