With the Stanley Cup Final coming to a close soon, trade talks around the NHL are sure to heat up.
Plenty of speculation has already intensified about who might be on the block this summer, and player movement increases every year around the draft. With this in mind, let's look at some players who could find themselves on new teams before long.
William Karlsson
Contract status: $5.9M AAV until 2027
Protection: 10-team no-trade list
The Golden Knights don't necessarily need to move on from Karlsson, a dependable two-way center, but Vegas has been cutthroat in moving on from veterans in the past. Karlsson endured a lengthy injury absence this season, and managed only nine goals in 53 games while averaging 17 minutes per night - his lowest ice time in eight seasons in Sin City. Vegas could go shopping this summer if Karlsson's cap hit comes off the books, and a big swing after an underwhelming playoff exit would be an on-brand response for the Golden Knights.
Note: Reports surfaced Wednesday that the Golden Knights are not shopping Karlsson this offseason.
Brayden Schenn
Contract status: $6.5M AAV until 2028
Protection: 15-team no-trade list
Schenn was a popular name leading up to the trade deadline, but the Blues went on a late-season heater to avoid a fire sale. St. Louis was reportedly asking a king's ransom for its captain, but with limited options down the middle on the free-agent market, teams in need of center help might prefer to explore trades rather than overpay July 1. Schenn will be 34 when next season starts but is still dependable at both ends of the ice. He notched 50 points in 2024-25, won 52.3% of his faceoffs, and added 194 hits. Schenn would be a terrific complementary piece on a lot of contending teams, and his no-trade clause switches from full protection to a 15-team no-trade list this summer.
Marco Rossi
Contract status: Restricted free agent
Protection: None
Rossi is a candidate to be traded or offer-sheeted, and his future with the Wild has been the subject of heavy speculation this spring. General manager Bill Guerin hopes to keep Rossi, but he confirmed teams are circling around the 23-year-old. Rossi's agent said there's a gap between the two sides in value. A lot of players on this list are veterans nearing the ends of their contracts, but Rossi is entering his prime and is fresh off a breakout 60-point campaign. His status as a potential future star on the trading block makes him one of the most intriguing players to watch this summer.
Bowen Byram
Contract status: Restricted free agent
Protection: None
The Sabres are reportedly gauging the market for Byram, who they acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in 2024. He hasn't lived up to the hype that made him the fourth overall pick in 2019, but Byram is fresh off his first 82-game season after a multitude of serious injuries early in his career. And he notched a career-high 38 points to boot. Byram's stuck behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power on the left side of Buffalo's blue line, which could help keep the cost down for inquiring teams.
JJ Peterka
Contract status: Restricted free agent
Protection: None
Sticking with the Sabres, Peterka's possible availability has created plenty of smoke since Buffalo extended its playoff drought to 14 seasons. He's an offer-sheet target as an RFA, but the Sabres have more than $23 million in cap space to fend off any poachers. Why Buffalo might consider trading Peterka, a 23-year-old who's flirted with 30 goals the past two seasons, is a mystery. He'd likely land GM Kevyn Adams a significant haul, but sacrificing one of the club's best players before he hits his prime is the type of mistake that's crippled the franchise for years.
Rasmus Andersson
Contract status: $4.55M AAV until 2026
Protection: Six-team no-trade list
Andersson's been involved in trade rumors for a while now, and he and the Flames have expressed interest in an extension once he's eligible July 1. That won't prevent teams from continuing to call about the veteran defenseman, who's averaged at least 21 minutes per night over the past five seasons and is a right shot with offensive upside. He's the type of blue-liner every GM covets and is on a bargain contract. If he remains unsigned into the season and Calgary is in any sort of position to sell, he'll be watched closely.
Jonathan Marchessault
Contract status: $5.5M AAV until 2029
Protection: No-movement clause
Marchessault's name has surfaced in the rumor mill after only one season with the Predators. Nashville needs to make changes after last summer's spending spree failed, and Marchessault is a candidate to be moved after regressing from 42 to 21 goals and finishing as a minus-29. If that's an indication of the player Marchessault is going to be for the remainder of his career, few takers will be bidding for a 34-year-old with full trade protection. However, another fresh start might result in a better fit, and Marchessault comes with plenty of pedigree as the 2023 Conn Smythe winner.
Erik Karlsson
Contract status: $10M AAV until 2027
Protection: No-movement clause
The Penguins are open for business when it comes to moving Karlsson, and a deal will be much easier to facilitate over the summer compared with when he was first rumored to be available before the trade deadline. Karlsson's cap hit is cumbersome despite a portion still being paid by the San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh would likely need to retain additional salary if it finds a taker for the three-time Norris Trophy winner. Karlsson's production isn't what it once was, and his defensive abilities remain an issue. A sheltered role on a playoff contender would be a better fit than the 23 minutes a night he averaged for the rebuilding Penguins.
John Gibson
Contract status: $6.4M AAV until 2027
Protection: 10-team no-trade list
Gibson's name has been mentioned in trade speculation for years now, but this summer might be the perfect time for the Ducks to pull the trigger. Gibson's coming off his best statistical season since 2019 after posting a .911 save percentage and 11.71 goals saved above expected in 29 games. Health is a major concern for the soon-to-be 32-year-old, but he still has talent, and his cap hit is palatable for only two more seasons against a rising cap. Teams needing help between the pipes might be willing to to pay up, and Anaheim should have no quarrels about handing the full-time reins to Lukas Dostal.
Morgan Rielly
Contract status: $7.5M AAV until 2030
Protection: No-movement clause
The Maple Leafs are seeking a DNA change, and trading the longest-tenured player on the roster would certainly shake up Toronto's core on top of Mitch Marner's seemingly likely departure in free agency. Rielly would need to accept a trade, and his value took a hit this past season after a 17-point drop-off and a team-worst minus-8 rating. Despite the obstacles a Rielly trade presents, the Maple Leafs need to start recouping assets at some point, and an extra $7.5 million in cap space would open even more possibilities to implement the lineup changes management desires.
(Salary source: PuckPedia)
