As June unfolds, attention in the hockey community converges on the Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Once the playoffs conclude later this month, the offseason activities in the NHL will intensify, marking the lead-up to the 2025 NHL Draft set to take place in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28. With the trade market relatively quiet since the March 8 deadline, teams are expected to become proactive in enhancing their rosters for the upcoming season. A notable surge in trade rumors accompanies the postseason progress, with discussions surrounding several prominent NHL players continuing to grow.

Some players, including Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers and Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, previously featured on the May NHL Trade Block Big Board, while others like Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators and JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres have recently emerged as discussion points. Notably, seven players previously listed—Vancouver's Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko, New York Rangers' Mika Zibanejad, Boston's Joonas Korpisalo, Utah's Matias Maccelli, and New York Islanders' Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee—are now off the radar as they saw little speculation throughout May. The focus turns to Kreider, Karlsson, Marchessault, and Peterka among the significant players being tracked on the June NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Last August, the Montréal Canadiens made a move to acquire Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets, anticipating a boost to their offensive lineup. Despite a slow start to the season due to a knee injury that sidelined him for the first two months, the 28-year-old winger managed 20 goals and 33 points over 52 games as a power-play specialist. However, Laine's production waned in the latter part of the regular season and into the playoffs, where he participated in only two games before suffering a broken finger. A report from Pat Hickey of The Montréal Gazette on May 2 noted that Laine could be at a pivotal crossroads with the Canadiens, suggesting that a trade might be in the best interest of both parties, as his style does not seem to align with Montréal's fast-paced system. Just days later, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes defended Laine's contributions, asserting that the team would not have reached the playoffs without him. Laine is in the final season of his contract, which holds an average annual value of $8.7 million alongside a no-trade list of ten teams. While a trade at this juncture seems improbable, his status as a potential trade candidate warrants monitoring as the Canadiens contemplate freeing up cap space for further movements.

The New York Rangers emerged as one of the most active teams in the NHL trade market during the regular season, with general manager Chris Drury continuously adjusting the roster. It is anticipated that Drury will persist in his efforts throughout the offseason, with intentions to move veterans who no longer fit into his long-term strategical outlook, and perhaps even to explore trading young talent. In December, the Rangers traded winger Kaapo Kakko, the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen. Recently, Mollie Walker of the New York Post indicated that Drury might entertain offers for Alexis Lafrenière, a winger selected first overall in the 2020 draft. Lafrenière signed a seven-year extension last October but faced a scoring decline from 57 points last season to just 45 points this year. Although the Rangers are likely to hold onto him and evaluate his performance under new head coach Mike Sullivan, the prospect of Lafrenière being included in trade discussions cannot be entirely excluded.

In a remarkable turn of events during the 2024 trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes, startling fans who noted his longstanding partnership with team captain Sidney Crosby. This move has led to speculation surrounding the potential availability of another Crosby mate, Bryan Rust. According to Josh Yohe of The Athletic on May 29, inquiries have emerged from various teams regarding Rust's availability before a no-movement clause becomes effective on July 1. The 33-year-old forward has established himself as a key player alongside Crosby, consistently surpassing 20 goals and 40 points since the 2019-20 season, culminating in a career-high of 31 goals and 65 points this year. Yohe expressed skepticism regarding a potential trade due to Rust’s significant role and experience, coupled with his respected rapport with younger teammates. Nevertheless, as the Penguins navigate through a rebuilding phase, they could be open to acquiring younger talent in exchange for Rust.

The St. Louis Blues were recently eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Winnipeg Jets, spurring discourse about the future of Jordan Kyrou with the team. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic raised questions regarding the winger's trajectory, especially with his no-trade clause kicking in on July 1. This season, Kyrou led the Blues in goal-scoring with 36 and recorded a total of 70 points. While his regular-season contributions were commendable, concerns regarding his effectiveness surfaced as he netted only three goals over seven playoff games, and was on the ice for an equal number of goals against. The current management, particularly under “GM-in-waiting” Alex Steen, might reconsider Kyrou’s fit in their long-term vision despite his speed and scoring ability attracting interest in the trade market. While the likelihood of a trade appears slim, the impending no-trade clause deadline makes Kyrou a player to watch as the June trade market heats up.

Selected 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Isaac Howard emerged as a standout talent at Michigan State, securing the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player for the past year. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old left winger indicated that he does not envision a future within Tampa Bay. During a statement on May 2, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois alluded to the unlikelihood of Howard signing an entry-level contract with the team. There remains ample time to negotiate, as Howard will not be eligible for unrestricted free agency until August 2026. However, should negotiating parties struggle to reach an agreement, BriseBois could potentially place him on the trade block, attracting significant interest from teams looking to augment their prospect depth.

The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves addressing a significant gap in their center depth, with veteran Sean Couturier and inconsistent Noah Cates currently occupying the top two center spots. On May 21, William James of Philly Hockey Now proposed that Owen Tippett could serve as a valuable trade asset to help rectify this situation. The 26-year-old winger has showcased a consistent scoring ability, netting 20-plus goals for the past three seasons. With a contract extending through 2031-32 and an average annual value of $6.3 million, trading Tippett poses a dilemma for the Flyers given the depth they possess at center. Despite promising prospects in Matvei Michkov and recently re-signed Tyson Foerster, the seasoned Tippett might be the best candidate to fetch a top-two center, appealing to teams in pursuit of enhancing their forward depth.

Two years post a career-high 43-point season, K'Andre Miller's trajectory has faced challenges, leading to trade speculation surrounding the 25-year-old defenseman. With his restricted free agency and arbitration rights forthcoming on July 1, Miller concludes a two-year stint on a contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. While normal performance metrics raise questions, Miller's potential asking price could exceed $6 million on a long-term deal. Reports from The Hockey News' Remy Mastey indicated that the Rangers are probing the trade market regarding Miller's potential value. Although no definitive trade plans exist, this exploration could yield valuable insights for general manager Chris Drury as he seeks to fortify his team’s future.

General manager Chris Conroy of the Calgary Flames is set to negotiate a contract extension for Rasmus Andersson, who becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency next July. As an alternate captain and key defensive figure, Andersson's upcoming contract is likely to see a substantial increase from his current $4.6 million per annum. Previously placed at No. 7 on the May Trade Block Big Board, the impending contract discussions regarding Andersson make him a player of interest. Conroy, aiming to avoid a repeat of mistakes from the previous season, where he traded Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm during the season, might look to move Andersson if discussions regarding his future become untenable. Potential suitors named in speculation include the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Montreal Canadiens. That said, it has been reported that Andersson is among the clubs on his no-trade list.

Although the St. Louis Blues contemplated a move for captain Brayden Schenn leading up to the March 8 trade deadline, speculation failed to materialize as the team was neither seeking to trade Schenn nor was he inclined to waive his no-movement clause. This was highlighted in the April Offseason Trade Target listing. However, on May 6, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic pondered whether trade discussions might resume for Schenn once the offseason begins. Approaching 34 years of age next season, Schenn possesses three years left on a contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million. With the transition of several teams into the summer transfer market, clubs hunting for a center may seek Schenn’s services.

Emerging as a consistent contributor for the Buffalo Sabres, JJ Peterka has established himself as a reliable scorer, finishing the season second in team scoring with a personal best of 68 points. As he completes his entry-level contract devoid of arbitration rights, there have been rumors proposing Peterka as one of the offseason trade targets. While the Sabres' general manager Kevyn Adams dismissed multiple offers for Peterka ahead of the trade deadline, labeling him a core player, the potential for a trade looms if contract discussions take a contentious turn. With over $23 million in cap space, the Sabres could comfortably match any offer sheet, but they may also open the door to discussing trade offers if the negotiations reach an impasse.

The Nashville Predators made headlines last summer by securing significant free-agent signings, including forward Jonathan Marchessault, yet these acquisitions did not yield the anticipated improvements as the team finished 28th overall. On May 27, reports from Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli suggested that a trade may be welcome from Marchessault’s end this summer. Following a dip in production from a career-high 42 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights to only 21 with the Predators, the 34-year-old winger's contract still has four years left at an AAV of $5.5 million. Marchessault's potential to join the Canadiens has been highlighted, with speculation suggesting that the Quebec native might find a suitable role there. However, other analyses indicate that the Golden Knights could explore a reunion, albeit potentially hindered by contractual constraints. Additionally, trade speculation has placed Marchessault as a target for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Erik Karlsson remains a centerpiece in the trade discussions, consistently appearing on the radar of teams ahead of the June window. Seated at No. 3 on the May NHL Trade Block Big Board, the 35-year-old defenseman of the Pittsburgh Penguins is viewed as one of the most likely high-profile acquisitions expected at the 2025 NHL Draft. Acquired with hopes of reviving playoff aspirations for the future, the reality has led to a recognition that Karlsson’s performance may not align with the Penguins' updated trajectory. With two years remaining on a contract reflecting an $11.5 million average annual value, Karlsson’s cap hit could deter some teams. Nonetheless, his abilities as a skilled puck-moving asset could attract interest, particularly from franchises aiming to strengthen their defensive corps. Speculation has also emerged regarding his fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could benefit from veteran talent, assuming the Penguins are willing to retain part of his salary.

Chris Kreider, the 34-year-old winger for the New York Rangers, has been a hot topic in trade discussions throughout the season, carving out a spot at the top of the May Trade Block Big Board. Included in a memo outlining available players has raised considerable interest from various teams, especially concerning Kreider's experience and goal-scoring reliability. Despite struggling with injuries during the season, Kreider’s potential to enhance a team’s offensive depth in the offseason remains tempting. Speculation arises around whether the Rangers could pursue a cost-cutting move, with the objective of creating cap space for future transactions. With Kreider's contract extending for two years at an average annual value of $6.5 million and a no-trade list of 15 teams, the dynamics surrounding his possible trade are intriguing as summer approaches, although Kreider might limit his options by favoring teams with restricted cap space. Nevertheless, there appears to be room for negotiations as Drury seeks to finalize Kreider's potential future destination.

Following a strong season culminating in a career-best 60-points performance, Marco Rossi, a 23-year-old center for the Minnesota Wild, is also due to become a restricted free agent without arbitration rights, presenting the club with opportunities for flexible negotiations. While opinions differ about his fit within the Wild's plans, Rossi’s inconsistent performances as the season progressed keep him in discussions leading into the offseason. He has made previous appearances in trade rumors, sparking speculation about the Wild potentially leveraging him for a more reliable top-six forward. As interest continues around Rossi from teams including the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken, the likelihood of a lucrative proposal being too enticing for the Wild to ignore could shape Rossi’s future.

Bowen Byram, acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, enjoyed a career year with the Buffalo Sabres, tallying 38 points during the regular season while commanding significant ice time. As a restricted free agent with arbitration rights upcoming on July 1, Byram is poised to seek a considerable raise over his current average annual value of $3.9 million. Recent reports suggest that Sabres management might prioritize signing forwards Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka, and Ryan McLeod, positioning Byram as a possible trade piece. Speculation around a veteran right-shot defenseman pairing with left-shot blueliner Owen Power has emerged, alongside the potential of using Byram’s presence as trade leverage to enhance the forward depth of the lineup.