The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is in full swing, with the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche securing their spots in the conference finals. However, for many NHL teams left on the sidelines, the focus has quickly shifted to rebuilding and improving their rosters for the next season. As the playoffs conclude in June, franchises are evaluating their talent pools and making strategic plans, particularly with the rise in the salary cap set to go from $95.5 million this season to $104 million for 2026-27.

This increase in cap space presents an excellent opportunity for teams to invest in their rosters. With the upcoming unrestricted free-agent market appearing shallow in talent, many organizations could choose to take a more aggressive approach by engaging in trades to bolster their lineups. The landscape is ripe for bold moves, as rebuilding teams aim to reach playoff contention or shake things up by trading away high-profile players. Here’s a look at six NHL clubs that must make a bold trade this summer.

Chicago Blackhawks: Finding the Right Winger for Bedard

Since Kyle Davidson assumed the role of general manager in March 2022, the Chicago Blackhawks have focused on rebuilding their roster around the potential superstar, Connor Bedard. The 20-year-old center has shown flashes of talent that suggest he could lead the Blackhawks to future glory. However, the team is still in search of a suitable scoring winger to complement Bedard. Over the past few seasons, they have had veteran players skate alongside him, such as Andre Burakovsky and Tyler Bertuzzi, yet the need remains for a young, skilled forward.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli has highlighted that Davidson needs to take a bold step by acquiring an established young scoring forward. Potential targets could include left winger Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs or Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, should he become available. While these players may be hard to acquire, Davidson has the considerable cap space of $40.2 million and an enviable prospect pool to explore various trade options.

Detroit Red Wings: Addressing the Depth at Center

The Detroit Red Wings are in a long rebuilding phase, missing the playoffs for the past ten seasons. Under the guidance of general manager Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings have struggled with depth at center, notably behind Dylan Larkin, who has had just one playoff appearance during his career. The lack of skilled depth in recent years has been a major hurdle for the team.

Yzerman, with $32.7 million in cap space and a deep pool of prospects, has a prime opportunity to tackle this issue. Analysts have suggested that the Red Wings could get aggressive in the trade market this summer, with potential center targets including Robert Thomas from the St. Louis Blues, or even the star-studded Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs if he indeed becomes available.

San Jose Sharks: Seeking a Top-Pairing Blueliner

The San Jose Sharks managed to exceed expectations during the recent season, contending for a Western Conference wild-card spot until the final week. Their success can largely be credited to emerging stars like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Following a fortunate draft lottery that secured them the second overall pick, general manager Mike Grier has a significant opportunity ahead.

Grier could opt to utilize the second overall draft pick as a bargaining chip in trade discussions to acquire an established top-pairing defenseman. Despite the Sharks' improvements, they still lack a reliable, skillful puck-moving blueliner. Acquiring a player like Dougie Hamilton from the New Jersey Devils could be on his radar, or perhaps targeting young defenseman Simon Nemec to enhance the team's blue line.

Seattle Kraken: Finding a Scoring Star

In their fifth season, the Seattle Kraken have struggled to reach the success of their expansion counterparts, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Kraken have been selective and defensive-minded in their play style, often relying heavily on their goaltending. However, the lack of a scoring star has held them back significantly.

General manager Jason Botterill could look to rectify this during the upcoming trade market. After an unsuccessful attempt to acquire winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers, Botterill may need to intensify his efforts to secure a high-profile scorer. The Kraken have the projected cap space of $28.4 million and two first-round picks to make a significant move to revamp their roster and appeal to fans.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Navigating a New Era

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a pivotal moment after missing the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons. This situation has prompted discussions about the future of key player Auston Matthews, who may not be content with the current direction of the team. With the pressure mounting on general manager John Chayka to revamp the roster, it might be prudent to explore trade scenarios that could benefit the Leafs in the long run.

Auston Matthews has only two seasons left on his contract, and finding out which teams he might agree to be traded to could lead to significant returns. While this may shock fans, it could allow the team to rebuild effectively with young, exciting players like Nylander and Knies remaining as core assets while leveraging the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Winnipeg Jets: Addressing Concerns of Direction

After winning the Presidents' Trophy the previous year, the Winnipeg Jets saw a sharp decline, missing the playoffs and raising concerns about the team's trajectory. Superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck expressed unease about the club's direction, prompting general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to consider moves that could stabilize and improve the roster moving forward.

In light of this, finding a dependable second-line center should be a focus. Proposed potential targets, such as Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars or Peyton Krebs from the Buffalo Sabres, could provide the necessary depth. Additionally, trading the eighth overall pick in the upcoming draft could yield a more established second-line center to enhance the team's playoff aspirations.

As NHL teams prepare for the offseason, the dynamic landscape of player trades could set the stage for exciting changes. With teams feeling the pressure to improve and capitalize on their cap space, the summer promises to be a thrilling period for fans and franchises alike.