As June approaches, the hockey community turns its attention to the Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. With the playoffs concluding, the league will transition into the offseason, highlighted by the 2025 NHL Draft set to occur in Los Angeles on June 27-28. Following the quiet trade market since the March 8 deadline, teams are gearing up to enhance their rosters for the upcoming season, with expected increased activity around draft weekend. Rumors are circulating as the postseason progresses, implicating several high-profile NHL players. Notable names like Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers and Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins have made appearances in recent discussions, alongside new entries such as Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators and JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. Seven players from last month’s trade block, including Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko from Vancouver, Mike Zibanejad from New York, and others, have been excluded due to the lack of recent rumors surrounding them.

The situation surrounding Patrik Laine of the Montréal Canadiens offers an intriguing case as he enters the final season of his contract valued at an annual average of $8.7 million. Montreal aimed to enhance their offense with Laine's acquisition from the Columbus Blue Jackets last August. Despite suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for the first two months, Laine managed to net 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games. Lately, concerns have emerged regarding his fit within the Canadiens’ gameplay style, as highlighted by Pat Hickey of The Montréal Gazette. General Manager Kent Hughes, however, has defended Laine’s contributions to the team’s playoff success. While it appears unlikely Laine will be traded, his situation remains one to keep an eye on, particularly if the Canadiens decide to pursue strategies to create cap space.

The New York Rangers have been active in reshaping their lineup under General Manager Chris Drury. Following the regular season, discussions suggesting that Alexis Lafrenière may be shopped have emerged. The young winger, first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, has experienced fluctuations in performance, finishing with 45 points this season after a prior 57-point campaign. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly fielding inquiries regarding Bryan Rust, particularly as his no-movement clause approaches expiration. Rust has developed a strong partnership with superstar Sidney Crosby, highlighting the delicate balance between maintaining established synergy and pursuing future rebuilding strategies. Additionally, the St. Louis Blues must assess Jordan Kyrou’s role following their playoff exit. Kyrou, who led the team in scoring, could attract significant interest amid his impending no-trade clause.