The NHL's conference finals feature the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers, all of whom have secured their spots in the next round. Each of these teams has become a regular contender in the playoffs, having edged out skilled opponents to reach this stage. As the focus shifts to the offseason, eliminated teams may seek to recalibrate their strategies to facilitate deeper postseason runs in the future. This often involves trade discussions, which are fundamental to the team-building process. Here, we examine one potential trade idea for each of the eight franchises that have already exited the postseason.

Starting with the Vancouver Canucks, while rumors of trading Elias Pettersson exist, it seems improbable given that the franchise views him as an essential component. The Canucks already made a significant move by trading J.T. Miller, indicating a desire to build around Pettersson. However, with General Manager Jim Rutherford at the helm, the situation remains fluid. The potential for a fresh start may appeal to Pettersson, particularly with the Colorado Avalanche known for their aggressive pursuit of top talent. A trade package could potentially include Martin Necas, acquired in a previous trade with Carolina.

The Los Angeles Kings, after suffering a fourth consecutive first-round exit against the Edmonton Oilers, are in dire need of enhanced goal-scoring capabilities. They ranked 14th in the NHL in goals during the regular season. A trade for Rickard Rakell could make sense, given his impressive 35-goal season while being signed under a reasonable $5 million per season contract. Even if Rakell’s goal tally regresses, he presents a value proposition, particularly against the salary cap. The Pittsburgh Penguins hold his rights and may be interested in younger assets, perhaps even considering players such as Alex Turcotte, as they look to retool their roster.

With the buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter largely resolved, the Minnesota Wild now have an opportunity to construct a more competitive roster around star Kirill Kaprizov. The team will need increased scoring depth to contend with its Central Division rivals, and Anders Lee of the New York Islanders could represent a valuable target. His experience and potential to contribute 25 goals annually, coupled with a $7 million salary cap hit, could make him a key addition. Lee, known for his power-play effectiveness, would be an appealing asset to a Wild team that struggled on special teams.

The Montreal Canadiens, who enjoyed a surprising playoff run, may now turn to bolstering their young core. A player like Marco Rossi, who will be just 24 when the 2024-25 season commences, could be an ideal match alongside emerging stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Rossi's productive season, featuring 24 goals and 60 points, demonstrates his potential impact as a No. 2 center, an area of emphasis for the Canadiens this offseason. With a wealth of draft picks at their disposal, the Canadiens have the leverage to explore such a trade.

The New Jersey Devils made a welcomed return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but their early exit highlighted the necessity for further offensive reinforcement. Despite a promising foundation, injuries to key players like Jack Hughes underscored the gaps in their lineup. Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken has emerged as a potential target, given his impressive versatility and scoring acumen, spacing on the top-three lines. Young forwards from the Devils’ roster, such as Simon Nemec, could be appealing to a rebuilding Kraken team seeking to develop its talent.

For the Ottawa Senators, the presence of substantial contracts on the blue line presents a conundrum. Balancing salaries for players like Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot complicates the addition of another sizable contract; however, upgrading their right side remains essential. Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers, once deemed a questionable acquisition, has improved substantially. If the Flyers contemplate a rebuild, Ristolainen could become a desirable second-pairing option for a playoff contender like the Senators.

The St. Louis Blues must examine their roster amidst tight salary cap constraints. Although the idea of trading captain Brayden Schenn is unusual, it may be necessary given his age and the impending contract extensions for other key players. Schenn continues to be productive but will turn 34 before the next season commences. His status as a captain makes a potential trade complex, but it could be sensible for the Blues to consider, mitigating any possible declines in his on-ice performance moving forward.

The potential for progress in the Arizona Coyotes organization seems to hinge on players like Matty Beniers, who exhibited early promise. After a downturn in form, he finds himself in trade discussions, potentially benefiting from a change of scenery. The Tampa Bay Lightning could be an ideal destination given their established systems and emphasis on younger talent. They could extract value from Beniers without compromising their current window of contention.

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical offseason after another disappointing playoff exit. With Mitch Marner and John Tavares both set to become unrestricted free agents, the Maple Leafs must ponder the necessity for changes to their core players. If either player departs, acquiring a player such as Chris Kreider, whose playoff performance has been commendable in recent seasons, could help fill any void left. Although concerns surrounding Kreider's age and prior season performance exist, he remains an asset that may align with the objectives of General Manager Brad Treliving.

For the Vegas Golden Knights, the primary goal revolves around securing a long-term deal for star center Jack Eichel. With salary cap flexibility essential for their future ambitions, trading from their surplus of center depth to attain a scoring winger might be prudent. Assets like William Karlsson or Nicolas Roy could be on the table in trade discussions aimed at rebalancing their roster while easing constraints for future acquisitions.

The Washington Capitals achieved a remarkable turnaround by ascending to the top of the Eastern Conference following an offseason overhaul. Even though their postseason run concluded with a loss to the Hurricanes, the strategic maneuvers positioned them competitively for the foreseeable future. Enhancing their third-line center position is a priority, and New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau might fit the bill, should the Islanders entertain trades within the division. Pageau's ability to fulfill a diverse range of roles and contribute offensively adds depth that the Capitals sorely need.

Lastly, the Winnipeg Jets need to address their second-line center position after a promising but ultimately disappointing playoff showing. Ryan O'Reilly emerges as a fitting target, offering a manageable contract paired with a wealth of playoff experience. While trades within the division present challenges, the Jets possess the draft capital necessary to consider such moves without sacrificing their future.