.jpg?w=1280 "B/R NHL Trade Big Board")
B/R NHL Trade Block Big Board: Auston Matthews, Nico Hischier and Quinn Hughes Highlight June's List
The 2026 Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights begins on Tuesday, June 2, in Raleigh. After one of these clubs is crowned champion later this month, the offseason business of hockey will begin.
All 32 teams will be able to make trades with each other again. Given the shallow depth of talent in this year's unrestricted free-agent market, trade activity could intensify this summer, especially heading into the 2026 NHL Draft weekend in Buffalo on June 26 and 27.
Players who could be on the move might include several noteworthy stars who appeared on last month's NHL Trade Block Big Board.
They include such notables as Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, and New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier.
Several stars who were on our previous listing didn't make the cut this time because trade rumors about them faded throughout May.
They include Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators, Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, Pavel Buchnevich of the St. Louis Blues, and Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers.
Several new names have surfaced in the rumor mill. They include defenseman Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild and blueliner Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers.
Follow along as we rank the top 15 trade candidates for June based on skills, experience, contract status, and the likelihood of getting traded, as suggested by recent media rumors.
Honorable Mention
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Ross Colton, Colorado Avalanche
Corey Masisak of The Denver Post believes limited salary-cap space could force the Avalanche to make one or two cost-cutting trades. He suggested Colton as a trade candidate, noting that the 29-year-old forward has a year remaining on his contract with a salary-cap hit of $4 million.
Sebastian Cossa, Detroit Red Wings
Chosen 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Red Wings, Cossa was considered their future starting goalie. However, he's in danger of being surpassed by Trey Augustine and Michal Postava, prompting Max Bultman of The Athletic to suggest he could become a trade candidate.
Jake DeBrusk and Filip Hronek, Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks' rebuilding efforts prompted Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province to suggest using DeBrusk and Hronek as trade chips for younger assets. Both are on long-term contracts with no-trade protection, but they might welcome a chance to move on to contenders.
William Eklund, San Jose Sharks
The Sharks' first-round pick (seventh overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, Eklund has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate. Russell Macias of The Hockey News suggested the New York Islanders acquire him and unite him with his younger brother, prospect Victor Eklund.
Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
Ranked at No. 2 on our previous trade board, Hamilton faded from the rumor mill throughout May as pundits focused on teammates Nico Hischier and Šimon Nemec. Nevertheless, he's worth listing here, as trade chatter about the 32-year-old defenseman could pick up closer to the draft weekend.
Devon Levi, Buffalo Sabres
Once considered a future starter for the Sabres, the 24-year-old Levi has dropped down their goaltending depth chart. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported the Senators might be interested in him as a backup for Linus Ullmark, and William James of Philly Hockey Now suggested him as an option for the Flyers.
Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues
The Blues almost traded Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres at the March deadline, but the defenseman invoked his no-trade clause to scuttle the deal. The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators looked into acquiring Parayko, and he wondered if the blueliner might have a change of heart about a trade.
Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild
The 23-year-old goaltender surfaced in the rumor mill before the March trade deadline, landing a spot among our honorable mentions in our Way Too Early Offseason Trade Board. He earns a place here following a report in The Athletic claiming he was part of a rejected trade offer for Blues center Robert Thomas.
15. Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils
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Uncertainty over Nico Hischier's future with the New Jersey Devils earned the 27-year-old center the No. 12 spot on our May NHL Trade Block Big Board. The Devils captain earned that placement because of his noncommittal response to a question about signing a contract extension under the club's new management.
That was before Sunny Mehta took over as Devils general manager. On May 26, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that preliminary discussions between Mehta and Hischier's agent had taken place and were described as "amicable and positive." However, LeBrun believes they're still in an early, delicate stage.
LeBrun believes Mehta seeks clarity on Hischier's plans. He doesn't see the Devils GM going into next season with his captain on an expiring contract. He believes several clubs would be interested in Hischier if he became available, including the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Montreal Canadiens.
It's still early days in the Hischier contract talks. LeBrun considers it more than likely that the two sides will agree to an extension. Nevertheless, we're keeping the Devils center on our list as a player worth monitoring.
14. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Last month, the Toronto Maple Leafs hired John Chayka as their new general manager and fired head coach Craig Berube. Those moves only served to stoke speculation about the future of Auston Matthews, who sat at No. 13 on our May NHL Trade Block Big Board.
Matthews has two years remaining on his current contract, raising concern among Leafs followers that he might request a trade if he's unhappy with the club's direction. On May 5, Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported that sources claimed Matthews wasn't sure if he'd return with the Leafs this fall.
Two days later, Johnston's colleague Jonas Siegel indicated that Chayka's priority is to sell Matthews on his plans for the Leafs. Failing that, he'd have to consider trading the 28-year-old superstar center.
On May 25, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the initial meeting with Chayka and Matthews was a positive one, adding that things were "in a good place" between the Leafs captain and the organization. Nevertheless, the conjecture over his future persists, keeping him on our Trade Boards.
13. Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild
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The Minnesota Wild made the biggest trade of the 2025-26 regular season by acquiring Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in December. The 26-year-old superstar defenseman played a key role in the Wild's 104-point season and helped them win their first playoff series since 2015.
Hughes is a year away from unrestricted free-agent status but told reporters last month that he was open to signing a contract extension. He's earning an average annual value of $7.9 million on his current deal.
That's good news for Wild general manager Bill Guerin, but Sportsnet's Michael Amato believes he'll need clarity on what Hughes has in mind for his next contract. If he proves too expensive for the Wild to re-sign, Amato speculated that Guerin might try to trade him this summer.
The cost of an extension for Hughes will be expensive, especially when the Wild already have winger Kirill Kaprizov signed to a long-term deal with a league-leading cap hit of $17 million starting in 2025-26. The longer it takes to get Hughes under contract, the more speculation will grow about his future in Minnesota.
12. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
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This will be a significant offseason for Jason Robertson. The 26-year-old Dallas Stars winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and is also a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. He's completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.8 million.
Robertson's status as one of the Stars' leading scorers puts him in line for a substantial raise. On May 1, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News speculated that he could seek something comparable to the eight-year deal (worth $12 million annually) signed by teammate Mikko Rantanen last year.
However, the Stars only have $10.1 million in salary-cap space for next season. That prompted Adam Proteau of The Hockey News to suggest Robertson might price himself out of Dallas. On May 15, Eric Stephens of The Athletic included Robertson on his list of potential trade targets for the Anaheim Ducks.
Assimakopoulos speculated that the Stars will likely trade one or two other players in cost-cutting moves to free up sufficient cap room to re-sign Robertson. Nevertheless, the uncertainty about his contract situation earns him a spot on this month's Trade Block Big Board as a player worth watching.
11. Darnell Nurse, Edmonton Oilers
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After back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, the Edmonton Oilers came up short this season. Their first-round elimination at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks has raised speculation about their potential offseason moves.
Long-time Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse became the subject of trade rumors. The 31-year-old is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.3 million and a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, some pundits suggested the decline in his performance could make him a cost-cutting trade candidate.
On May 1, Sean Gentille and Chris Johnston of The Athletic suggested the Oilers must attempt to move Nurse to free up the cap space to address their roster issues. Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal echoed that sentiment two days later, though he acknowledged the difficulty of doing so.
Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek proposed on May 19 that the Oilers peddle Nurse to a team like the San Jose Sharks that has a surplus of young wingers. However, that would depend on Nurse waiving his no-movement clause and the Sharks' willingness to take on the remainder of his contract.
10. Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
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Since the March trade deadline, Robert Thomas has regularly appeared in the rumor mill due to reports that the St. Louis Blues were willing to entertain trade offers for him. The 26-year-old is a highly skilled offensive center, making him an attractive target for clubs in need of such a player.
Thomas' contract also makes him an enticing trade option. While he has a full no-trade clause, he carries a reasonable average annual value of $8.13 million through 2030-31. With the salary cap rising significantly over the next two years, there will be suitors who can afford to add him to their cap payroll.
On May 15, Eric Stephens of The Athletic included Thomas among his list of trade targets for the Anaheim Ducks. The same day, Stephens' colleagues Michael Russo and Joe Smith reported the Minnesota Wild pitched a trade proposal before the deadline, but the Blues rejected it.
The Blues may be listening to trade offers, but the high asking price they set for Thomas suggests they're comfortable hanging onto him. That's why he slid to No. 8 on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board and why he's in this spot on this board.
9. Darcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings
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Signed as a free agent by the Washington Capitals in 2022, Darcy Kuemper struggled for two seasons with his new club. On June 19, 2024, the Capitals shipped the veteran goaltender to the Los Angeles Kings for center Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Kuemper enjoyed a bounce-back season with the Kings in 2024-25, finishing as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. However, the 36-year-old netminder's inconsistent play this season cost him the starter's job to Anton Forsberg down the stretch and into the postseason.
On May 15, Scott Coffman of the Kings blog, Mayor's Manor, suggested Kuemper could become a cost-cutting trade candidate this season. Six days later, Eric Stephens of The Athletic believed the veteran goalie would likely remain, but didn't rule out the possibility of a trade next season.
Kuemper has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.3 million and a 10-team no-trade list. Given the shortage of experienced starting goalies in this summer's free-agent market, he might become a target for a club seeking depth between the pipes.
8. Mason Lohrei, Boston Bruins
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After missing the playoffs in 2024-25, the Boston Bruins bounced back with a 100-point performance, earning a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. However, their first-round elimination by the Buffalo Sabres suggests that general manager Don Sweeney still has work to do to improve his roster.
That could include using Mason Lohrei as a trade chip. A second-round pick by the Bruins, the puck-moving defenseman was considered one of their more promising young players. He put up 33 points on an injury-battered Bruins squad in 2024-25 and 26 points in a reduced role this season.
On May 21, Boston Hockey Now's Jack Studley speculated that Lohrei might be used in a trade package to add more speed and skill to the Bruins' lineup. While Sweeney spoke highly of the 25-year-old blueliner, he was the subject of trade rumors this season.
Lohrei has another year left on his contract with an affordable salary-cap hit of $3.2 million. He might flourish with another club. Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now mentioned him as a possible trade target for the rebuilding Penguins.
7. Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
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The St. Louis Blues' ongoing roster retool made Jordan Binnington the subject of frequent trade speculation this season. The chatter had faded somewhat following the March trade deadline, earning the 32-year-old goaltender a spot among our honorable mentions on our May Trade Block Big Board.
Binnington's struggles in goal stoked the speculation. He also has a year remaining on his contract, generating more chatter that he could be moved before next year's trade deadline. The lack of available quality starting goalies in this summer's free-agent market also kept his name in the rumor mill.
On May 1, Sean Gentille and Chris Johnston wondered if the Edmonton Oilers might consider acquiring Binnington. Two weeks later, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now suggested Binnington as a replacement for Sergei Bobrovsky if the Panthers goalie departs via free agency.
The Blues could start next season with Binnington and see how things go from there. His 10-team no-trade list could also complicate things. Still, we can't dismiss the possibility that a club desperate for help between the pipes might be willing to overpay for him.
6. Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Toronto Maple Leafs' poor performance this season ended their nine-season playoff streak. It also led to changes in the front office and behind the bench and generated plenty of trade rumors about power forward Matthew Knies, earning him the No.7 spot on our May NHL Trade Block Big Board.
On May 7, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic speculated that Knies could be used as a trade chip to acquire a defenseman if new general manager John Chayka decided to move out a veteran blueliner. However, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported that Chayka thinks highly of the 23-year-old left wing and could retain him.
A week later, TSN's Chris Johnston claimed he'd heard that one club was willing to pay more to acquire Knies than they would for Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. That's because of his youth, physical style, and being under contract through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $7.8 million.
Three days later, Sportsnet's Justin Bourne stated he didn't see the Maple Leafs trading Knies because it would adversely affect their efforts to bounce back as a playoff contender next season. Regardless, the ongoing uncertainty over Chayka's plans ensures Knies will remain a fixture in the rumor mill.
5. Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues
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Since last summer, Jordan Kyrou has been a frequent subject of media trade chatter. The speculation ramped up again after the St. Louis Blues were eliminated from playoff contention, earning the 27-year-old winger the No. 4 position on our May Trade Block Big Board.
On May 7, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now included the speedy Blues winger among his list of suggested trade targets for the Devils. The following day, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun noted that the Blues seek a high-end player, a top prospect, and a first-round pick for Kyrou.
Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times included Kyrou on his May 17 list of proposed trade targets for the rebuilding Blackhawks. Two days later, Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek suggested that Kyrou might be a good trade option for the Edmonton Oilers.
Kyrou's production declined this season in part due to injury. When healthy, he's a consistent 30-goal scorer with an affordable salary-cap hit of $8.13 million through 2030-31. However, his full no-trade clause gives him control over potential destinations if the Blues try to move him this summer.
4. Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the hiring of John Chayka as general manager on May 3. Among the items on his offseason "to-do list" is determining Morgan Rielly's future with the club.
Rielly has spent his entire 13-season NHL career with the Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old defenseman is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause. However, the decline in his performance earned him the No. 9 on our May Trade Block Big Board.
Due to Rielly's recent play and his contract, finding a suitable trade partner won't be easy. Nevertheless, if he's willing to waive his clause, it could improve Chayka's odds of finding a suitable trade partner later this month.
3. Šimon Nemec, New Jersey Devils
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Trade speculation first arose regarding Šimon Nemec before the March trade deadline. Those rumors persisted about the New Jersey Devils defenseman through March and April, partly because of the 22-year-old's status as a restricted free agent this summer and the potential cost of signing him.
The chatter resumed in recent weeks. On May 21, a report from Europe claimed Nemec requested a trade, but that was subsequently debunked by several reporters, including Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Nevertheless, that didn't stop the rumor mill from churning. On May 22, Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston suggested Nemec would be a good fit with the Bruins. Four days later, James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now claimed that just because Nemec didn't ask to be traded didn't mean he wouldn't be moved.
The Devils aren't in any rush to move Nemec, who has little leverage coming off his entry-level contract. They could opt to move veteran blueliner Dougie Hamilton and use the savings to re-sign Nemec. However, a rival club could step up with an offer that new Devils GM Sunny Mehta could find irresistible.
2. Blake Coleman, Calgary Flames
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Sitting at No. 5 on our May NHL Trade Block Big Board, Blake Coleman was a fixture in this season's rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. The Flames didn't move the 34-year-old winger then, but they could be open to doing so this summer for the right price.
The Flames have been rebuilding for the past two seasons, shipping out veteran players for draft picks, prospects, and promising young NHL players. That's made Coleman their most likely trade candidate. He's got a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.9 million and a 10-team approved trade list.
On May 15, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco reported sources claiming Flames general manager Craig Conroy is willing to entertain trade offers for almost everyone on his roster. He indicated that Coleman was an obvious name worth watching in this summer's trade market.
Coleman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His experience, two-way play, and affordable contract will make him an enticing rental player for contenders seeking depth among their forward lines next season.
1. Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
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We've had Vincent Trocheck atop our NHL Trade Block Big Board as the player most likely to be moved since February. With the trade market about to get busy again following the playoffs, we still expect the New York Rangers to trade the 32-year-old center.
Trocheck is signed through 2028-29 with an affordable average annual value of $5.63 million. His 12-team no-trade list will drop to a 10-team list on July 1. He's already indicated his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference as close to the East Coast as possible.
On May 15, Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic reported that the Minnesota Wild were in trade talks with the Rangers for Trocheck, but the asking price was high. Nevertheless, he could remain on the Wild's radar in their quest to bolster their depth at center.
Meanwhile, TSN's Darren Dreger claimed the Toronto Maple Leafs were showing some interest in Trocheck. Whether they'd be on his list of preferred trade destinations remains to be seen.
Stats and standings info via NHL.com. Salary cap and contract info via PuckPedia.
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