NHL Trade Speculation Heats Up Ahead of Draft Season

As June approaches, attention in the hockey community shifts towards the highly anticipated Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Following the conclusion of the playoffs later this month, the offseason activities in the NHL will intensify, leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft taking place in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28. While the trade market has been relatively quiet since the March 8 trade deadline, movement is expected as teams begin reshaping their rosters for the forthcoming season. Much of this activity is likely to transpire around the draft weekend, with trade rumors gaining momentum as the postseason progresses.
Notable figures in this year's trade discussions include Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers and Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were previously highlighted in Moneyline's May NHL Trade Block Big Board. Recent additions to the rumor mill include Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators and JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. Meanwhile, seven players from last month’s list, including 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, have been removed due to a lack of recent trade speculation.
The Montreal Canadiens took a significant step last August by acquiring Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets, seeking to enhance their offense. Despite a knee injury sidelining him for the first two months of the season, Laine eventually recorded 20 goals and 33 points over 52 games, primarily as a power-play contributor. However, his performance declined during the latter part of the season, culminating in a broken finger that limited his playoff participation to just two games. Following this, Pat Hickey of The Montreal Gazette suggested that Laine's time with the Canadiens might be at a crossroad, advocating for a trade as he felt the player was not a fit within Montreal’s fast-paced style of play, a sentiment countered by general manager Kent Hughes who defended Laine's contributions to the team's playoff push. Laine’s contract, with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a ten-team no-trade clause, complicates matters further. Although a trade seems unlikely at this point, his situation remains one to monitor as the Canadiens consider cap space strategies.
The New York Rangers have been notably proactive in the trade market during the regular season, with general manager Chris Drury aiming to refine the roster. Presumably, this trend will continue into the offseason, as Drury has shown a willingness to part ways with veterans who do not align with his long-term strategy. In a notable transaction, winger Kaapo Kakko, selected second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, was traded to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen. Furthermore, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reported that Alexis Lafrenière, chosen first overall in the 2020 draft and whose performance dipped this season to 45 points from 57 the previous year, might also be on the trade block. With a new head coach, Mike Sullivan, at the helm, the Rangers seem inclined to retain Lafrenière for the time being, although the possibility of a trade remains under consideration.
Following their March 2024 trade of Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes, speculation about another potential trade involving a teammate of Sidney Crosby has emerged. According to Josh Yohe of The Athletic, teams have expressed interest in Bryan Rust as his no-movement clause is set to expire on July 1. Rust, who has consistently performed well alongside Crosby, posted over 20 goals and 40 points each season since the 2019-20 campaign, capping the current season with a career-high 31 goals and 65 points. Despite his importance to the team, including serving as an alternate captain, there are indications the Penguins, currently in a rebuild, may entertain offers for younger talent in exchange for Rust.
In St. Louis, the Blues are assessing the future of Jordan Kyrou following their first-round playoff exit. Kyrou, who led the team with 36 goals this season, has a no-trade clause beginning on July 1, which may influence the team’s decision-making process. While his regular-season performance earned him praise, concerns linger about his playoff contribution, where he scored only three goals in seven games. As the Blues look to refine their vision moving forward, there is considerable speculation about whether Kyrou will fit into their plans, particularly under the direction of future general manager Alex Steen. Should they choose to explore trade options, Kyrou's scoring capabilities would likely attract significant interest.
The Tampa Bay Lightning's decision to select Isaac Howard in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft was viewed as a step toward securing a bright future. As the recent Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner, Howard demonstrated exceptional skill during his time at Michigan State. However, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois indicated that Howard may not sign an entry-level contract and could find himself on the trade block if an agreement cannot be reached. With teams eager to enhance their prospect depth, any potential trade involving Howard would likely draw significant attention, particularly from clubs in rebuilding phases.
In Philadelphia, general manager Daniel Brière faces a pressing need to address the lack of depth at center, particularly with Sean Couturier aging and Noah Cates inconsistent in performance. On May 21, William James of Philly Hockey Now hinted at the possibility of using Owen Tippett as a trade asset to address this issue. Tippett, a skilled and speedy winger, has surpassed 20 goals in each of the last three seasons and is signed through 2031-32. While trading Tippett presents challenges for the Flyers, particularly given their depth at center, the current roster complications may drive them to consider such a move if it can bring in a reliable top-two center.
After an initially promising career, K'Andre Miller, who recorded 43 points two seasons ago, finds himself amidst trade speculation following a decline in performance. Set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Miller has completed a two-year deal with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Reports from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggest that the New York Rangers are exploring Miller's market value, although no definitive trade action has been indicated. Under the stewardship of general manager Chris Drury, who has been active in the trade market, Miller may be considered for a move if the return aligns better with the team’s long-term objectives.
As the Calgary Flames look to the offseason, general manager Chris Conroy is keen on securing a contract extension with Rasmus Andersson, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Andersson, an established alternate captain and top defenseman, is expected to command a significantly higher value than his current average annual value. Given his popularity among fans, the Flames are motivated to avoid a repeat of prior season trades that resulted in the loss of key players. However, if contract negotiations falter, Conroy may contemplate moving Andersson, especially in light of potential interest from several teams.
Team captain Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues was a focal point in trade discussions leading up to the March 8 trade deadline, although the team was not actively shopping him. Recent speculation includes the notion that the Blues may revisit trade possibilities with Schenn in the offseason as he approaches a no-trade clause deadline. As Schenn enters his 34th season, and with three years remaining on his contract, the interest from other clubs seeking a center will likely increase, particularly if they fail to secure an option in free agency.
JJ Peterka has emerged as a reliable scorer for the Buffalo Sabres since completing his rookie season. With a career-high 68 points this past season, he has drawn attention as a restricted free agent. Despite lacking arbitration rights, some analysts have suggested he could be traded if contract negotiations become contentious or contentious with the Sabres management. Should the Sabres entertain offers for Peterka, his strong performance this season positions him to yield a substantial return.
After making three key signings last summer, the Nashville Predators find themselves reconsidering the value of Jonathan Marchessault. Despite initially bolstering expectations, the team finished 28th overall this season, and Marchessault's own performance dipped significantly from a career-high 42 goals to 21. Rumors have surfaced suggesting that Marchessault may be interested in a trade, with potential relocations including the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. With four years remaining on his current contract, finding a suitable trade destination may present challenges for the Predators.
Erik Karlsson, an established defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins, continues to be a major trade consideration as the 2025 NHL Draft approaches. The Penguins acquired Karlsson in hopes of rejuvenating their playoff contention. However, as the team transitions towards a rebuilding phase, the prospect of moving Karlsson has gained attention. His significant cap hit is a hurdle, but the need for experienced defenders among other teams could facilitate discussions surrounding his availability. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been specifically mentioned as a potential fit, and if they do not move forward, other clubs may show interest, particularly if Pittsburgh retains some salary.
Chris Kreider, also a subject of significant trade chatter, remains on Moneyline’s radar as the offseason unfolds. The Rangers winger embodies a blend of experience and scoring reliability that could attract interest from teams seeking offensive support. As general manager Chris Drury attempts to retool the roster, Kreider's two years left on his contract and a 15-team no-trade clause could pose challenges for any potential trade, yet there exists an avenue for cooperation should both sides look for a suitable match. Following a career-best 60-point season, Kreider’s availability might become highly sought after if he can navigate through his contract stipulations.
Marco Rossi, having completed his entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, remains a potential trade target as discussions about his future continue. With a restricted free agent status and no arbitration rights, the Wild hold leverage to negotiate a favorable deal; however, Rossi has appeared on the trade radar multiple times this season. The Wild face a decision regarding whether to retain him or explore a potential trade that could enhance their top-six forward options. With various teams reportedly seeking Rossi's skill set, including the Flyers, Sabres, Penguins, Blackhawks, and Kraken, a compelling offer could prompt Minnesota to part ways with the young center.
Bowen Byram has also drawn interest as a trade candidate after a career-best season with the Buffalo Sabres, where he tallied 38 points across 82 games. Entering restricted free agency with arbitration rights, Byram is likely to command a significant raise from his current contract. However, speculation suggests the Sabres may look to trade Byram to secure an experienced right-shot defenseman to complement young talents like Owen Power. With Byram’s market value being evaluated, he may serve as a pivotal asset in negotiations for either defensive reinforcements or offensive acquisitions.








