New NHL Rumors and Top Trade Targets Ahead of 2026 Draft, Free Agency
The Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup Sunday night, defeated the Las Vegas Golden Knights in six games and kicking off an offseason with plenty of potential for trades.
Ahead of the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft and free agency, find out the latest on top trade targets, with these reports from the sport's top insiders.
Latest on Mavrik Bourque's Dallas Future
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Mavrik Bourque is a restricted free agent this offseason and the 24-year-old center could be one of the more intriguing young players available. If he becomes available.
Elliotte Friedman reported on The FAN Hockey Show, "I've heard Dallas has made it very clear that they see (Mavrik) Bourque as a big part of their future."
Bourque scored 20 goals and 21 assists this past season, with a +/- of 6.
A high-IQ player with an accurate shot, he has the tools to be a centerpiece player for the Stars for the foreseeable future and the organization appears to recognize it, with a potential offer sheet coming.
Bourque does not turn the puck over and has flashed hints of an elite player, if and when the ice time continues to expand.
Devil's Open to Trading Jacob Markstrom
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ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported that the New Jersey Devils are "gauging interest" in a trade for goalie Jacob Markstrom.
The 36-year-old appeared in 44 games for the Devils this season and went 23-19-1.
He allowed 3.07 goals against and managed a save percentage of .883. He delivered a single shutout.
Markstrom is not the player he once was and his reaction times are clearly slower than they once were. Issues with rebound control have also sneaked into his game. Easy saves are not as easy as they once were and with him in net, may be scores.
Still, he is a veteran presence in the net. He is still big, strong, and has great reach, all tools that cannot be taught. For a contending team looking for goaltending depth, he could be a considerable asset.
Darnell Nurse on Pittsburgh's Short List
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Darnell Nurse will cost the Edmonton Oilers $9.25 million if he stays with the organization this season, meaning he is bound to be a trade candidate this offseason, with Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now reporting the Penguins are on his short list of teams.
The 31-year-old defender, who has spent his entire career in Edmonton, was just a 24-point player this past season, with a knack for making boneheaded plays that cost his team penalties or, worse, goals.
While he is a liability at times on the back end, he is a veteran presence who could provide depth and veteran experience, even if it would be less-than-ideal to have him playing in high-pressure situations at this particular point in his career.
There are young, up-and-coming organizations who could benefit from his presence in the locker room, as long as the bad habits that have plagued him in recent years do not bleed over into the playing habits of their younger stars.
