The opening month of the NHL season typically features limited activity in the trade market due to teams having restricted salary cap space. However, the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign has seen several noteworthy moves. On October 6, the Vancouver Canucks acquired Erik Brännström from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick. Later, on October 29, the Utah Hockey Club obtained Olli Määttä from the Detroit Red Wings for a draft pick, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks for Matt Benning and two draft picks.
As November approaches, speculation continues to circulate regarding teams that are seeking additional support, particularly in the center position. Several clubs, including the Nashville Predators, have expressed interest in acquiring second-line centers. Concurrently, multiple players slated to become unrestricted free agents (UFAs) next July signed contract extensions in October, leading to heightened scrutiny over the contract situations of other impending UFA stars, such as Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand.
As of November 1, the Buffalo Sabres had stumbled out of the gate with a record of four wins, six losses, and one overtime loss, placing them toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. This slow start poses challenges for the Sabres as they aim to end the NHL's longest playoff drought, currently spanning 13 seasons. Recent reports from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman indicated that Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams was keen on improving his roster, making him one of the more proactive early-season general managers in the trade market. Although it remains unclear what specific assets Adams seeks, it is presumed that he is looking for a top-six scorer. As of the latest standings, the Sabres ranked 17th in goals-per-game average at 3.18, a slight improvement from last season's 2.98 but still below their third overall ranking of 3.57 from 2022-23. Adams had attempted to bolster the team’s scoring during the summer by signing Jason Zucker, who currently stands among their leading scorers. However, young forwards Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, and Jiri Kulich have struggled to contribute significantly.
In terms of trade rumors, it is essential to discern between fact and fiction. Observations suggest that, regardless of whether the Sabres' scoring improves or other aspects of their game require attention, they must elevate their performance to end this prolonged playoff drought. The search for suitable trade targets continues for Adams as he aims to enhance the team’s prospects.
The early stages of the 2024-25 season have seen several teams, including the Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, and Chicago Blackhawks, actively exploring options to strengthen their rosters at the center position. On October 21, Flames general manager Brad Treliving shared with Sportsnet's Eric Francis that he has been targeting a top-six, right-shot center since trading Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks back in January. Treliving acknowledged the difficulty associated with finding a quality center, stating, "It's something we've been talking about for a long, long time; is it an easy thing to find? Probably not." Following this, on October 23, Friedman reported that Predators general manager Barry Trotz expressed a desire to acquire a centerman, noting frustrations over the lack of available trade options at present.
In addition, reports from Chicago Hockey Now suggested that the Blackhawks are similarly in pursuit of bolstering their center lineup. General Manager Kyle Davidson has indicated a willingness to consider trading draft picks for players that could fulfill these needs. This collective interest in centermen underscores a wider trend among several franchises as they navigate the early season and explore opportunities in the trade market.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens remain in the process of rebuilding their roster, a journey initiated by general manager Kent Hughes midway through the 2022-23 season. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on October 24 that the Canadiens' sluggish start has prompted Hughes to assess possible trades that could inject new talent into the lineup without sacrificing the long-term vision for the franchise. Two days later, Friedman indicated that Hughes was specifically seeking a right-shot defenseman and a forward known for playing with an edge. Among the players potentially on the move is defenseman Arber Xhekaj, who has found himself a healthy scratch in recent outings. Observations suggest that Xhekaj's status with the team may be precarious, especially under the watch of head coach Martin St. Louis, who expects more from the young defenseman.
The overall sentiment in the Canadiens' camp is that while immediate trades are not on the table, Hughes is open to making adjustments to enhance the team's performance, having previously made significant moves such as the acquisition of Patrik Laine last August. It is possible that if Xhekaj does not step up his game, he could be involved in future trade discussions.
The Edmonton Oilers concluded October with a record of five wins, five losses, and one tie, accumulating 11 points. While this represents an improvement compared to the previous season’s 2-9-1 start, it nonetheless falls short of the expectations set for last spring’s Stanley Cup finalists. One of the Oilers' pressing needs is the acquisition of a qualified right-shot defenseman to pair with Darnell Nurse on their second defensive unit. This need surfaced following the offseason departures of key players including Philip Broberg, Cody Ceci, and Vincent Desharnais. Friedman, during an appearance on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer on October 30, articulated several potential options for the Oilers, mentioning Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks, as well as Chicago's Seth Jones or Connor Murphy, and Matt Benning of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
However, it is crucial to recognize the challenges associated with acquiring some of these players. Jones, for example, comes with a hefty average annual value of $9.5 million and a full no-movement clause, which complicates any potential transaction. Fowler, carrying a $6.5 million annual salary through 2025-26, also possesses a limited trade clause that could be expanded for the right situation. Murphy, while more affordable with a $4.4 million average annual value, has faced injury challenges throughout his career. In contrast, Benning, acquired recently by the Maple Leafs, may offer a more manageable salary at $1.3 million through the next season, making him a more approachable option for the Oilers.
The situation surrounding Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand also warrants attention. As the 36-year-old wing enters the final season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.2 million, his future with the team is a topic of interest. Despite being the Bruins' leading scorer for the past seven seasons, with a total of 701 points, Marchand is among a group of notable players set to become unrestricted free agents next July. The ongoing discourse about his contract negotiations has led to speculation, especially as he remains unsigned while the season progresses. On October 26, Elliotte Friedman indicated that the Bruins and Marchand were making strides toward a new contract, suggesting that discussions centered around a potential three-year deal. However, Marchand swiftly denied this claim, stating, "If I was going to sign a three-year extension, it would be signed. Clearly, Elliotte is just wrong here."
Marchand's prompt rebuttal of Friedman's report does not necessarily imply that negotiations have ceased. It remains possible that both parties could reach an agreement before the season concludes. However, as noted by Marchand, there appears to be no imminent resolution to the situation at this time.
