As the NHL conference finals take center stage, the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers have all advanced, proving their prowess as consistent playoff contenders. Each of these teams has eliminated formidable opponents along the way. In contrast, the eight franchises that faced elimination will need to reflect on their offseason strategies to reestablish themselves as serious competitors in the future. Trades remain a significant aspect of team development, and this article examines potential trade ideas for those eight teams.

The Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a complicated situation regarding Elias Pettersson. Despite the team having moved J.T. Miller, it is unlikely that they would trade Pettersson, particularly given the risk of selling low after a down season. However, uncertainty surrounds front office decisions led by Jim Rutherford, which could lead to unexpected moves. A fresh start in Colorado might be appealing for Pettersson, as the Avalanche have demonstrated a willingness to pursue significant trades, especially as they seek to enhance their offensive depth behind Nathan MacKinnon. A potential starting trade could involve Martin Necas, acquired from the Hurricanes in the trade for Rantanen, setting the stage for further negotiations.

The Los Angeles Kings have struggled in recent playoff exits, most recently facing the Edmonton Oilers for the fourth consecutive year. With a need to bolster their scoring capabilities, the Kings might consider acquiring Rickard Rakell, who is coming off a solid season and offers a creative offensive presence at $5 million per year. Although the Penguins have proven patient in trade discussions regarding Rakell, the Kings likely possess younger assets such as Alex Turcotte that could entice Pittsburgh, especially as the team looks to retool moving forward.

For the Minnesota Wild, recent challenges related to the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have lifted, allowing for potential roster improvements. Aiming to enhance support for superstar Kirill Kaprizov, the Wild may target New York Islanders forward Anders Lee as an additional scoring option. While Lee commands a salary of $7 million and is in his mid-30s, his consistency as a 25-goal scorer could profoundly enhance Minnesota’s offensive depth, particularly on the power play, where they struggled last season.

The Montreal Canadiens took a significant step forward with an unexpected playoff appearance, supported by a wave of youthful talent. To augment their promising core, the Canadiens should consider pursuing Marco Rossi, whose youth and performance could complement the dynamic players in their lineup, such as Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Rossi's ongoing status as a restricted free agent raises questions about his future in Minnesota, presenting a potential opportunity for Montreal to leverage their substantial draft capital—yielding nine picks in the first four rounds—for a strategic move.

The New Jersey Devils bounced back after last season's disappointments, but their brief playoff appearance revealed a need for further reinforcement, especially offensively. With Jack Hughes’ injury history looming, pursuing a versatile player like Jared McCann would be a strategic move. McCann's ability to play multiple positions and contribute significantly to scoring could address the Devils' immediate concerns. The organization possesses young assets that may appeal to the Seattle Kraken, further enhancing their roster’s appeal for a trade.

With burdensome defense contracts looming, the Ottawa Senators may face challenges but are still positioned to seek improvement through trade. The prospect of acquiring Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers could be advantageous despite his previous mixed reviews. Ristolainen’s defensive improvement could serve as a substantial boost on the Senators' right side, with options available in the ever-evolving trade landscape, especially with the increasing salary cap considerations lying ahead.

Vladimir Tarasenko has been in the trade conversation for the St. Louis Blues for some time, and while trading a captain is uncommon, it has become increasingly plausible. With the Blues facing salary cap complications, dealing Tarasenko, who will soon transition to a modified no-trade clause, can help the franchise navigate their concerns about future extensions. As players age and productivity fluctuates, moving Tarasenko proactively could open avenues for the Blues to reshape their roster before their window of opportunity narrows further.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may find value in trading Matias Maccelli, whose initial production showed promise but has since tapered off. With Maccelli's youthful potential still intact and current affordability making him an attractive asset, the Lightning are ideally equipped to give him the fresh start he may need. Tampa Bay's roster, considering its aging core, could leverage this opportunity to bring in new energy while enhancing the depth needed to remain competitive.

Significant changes might be in order for the Toronto Maple Leafs following yet another disappointing postseason. With key unrestricted free agents such as Mitch Marner and John Tavares facing pivotal decisions about their future, exploring options like Chris Kreider might be prudent. Even after a lackluster year, Kreider remains a capable performer whose playoff experience and physicality could address the void left by possible departures, potentially reshaping the team around their core stars.

In Las Vegas, negotiations surrounding the long-term contract for superstar center Jack Eichel will take precedence this offseason. To support Eichel's new deal, the organization may look to trade from their surplus of centers, such as William Karlsson, to acquire much-needed support in their wingers. This adjustment could not only improve their roster balance but also facilitate the necessary salary cap flexibility for upcoming contracts.

The Washington Capitals displayed notable improvement last season, earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, following an early exit in the playoffs, a need for continued growth exists. The Capitals might consider adding New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau to strengthen their third-line depth. Pageau, known both for his defensive abilities and offensive contributions, could bolster a lineup that previously relied on Lars Eller to fill that role without adequate results.

Finally, after winning the Presidents' Trophy, the Winnipeg Jets fell short in the playoffs, revealing underlying roster deficiencies. Addressing the need for a reliable second-line center could lead them to a player like Ryan O'Reilly, whose reasonable salary and still-decent production could provide immediate value. Despite trading within the division presenting challenges, the Jets possess first-round picks and salary cap flexibility that can facilitate advantageous negotiations. Their commitment to making necessary adjustments is critical as they look to refine their roster heading into the next season.