As the NHL playoff race narrows down to the conference finals, featuring the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the eight teams that have already been eliminated from postseason contention. These teams have all faced formidable opponents throughout the playoffs, and with the offseason now upon them, there lies a critical opportunity to reassess their rosters in pursuit of future success. One avenue through which these organizations may enhance their prospects is via trades. This article explores potential trade ideas for each of the eliminated franchises, emphasizing that these suggestions are speculative in nature and not based on any current rumors.

A prime candidate for a trade consideration is the Vancouver Canucks, particularly regarding young star Elias Pettersson. While the Canucks are unlikely to move Pettersson, given his potential and their past decision to trade J.T. Miller, speculation continues to swirl. The Colorado Avalanche may emerge as a suitable destination for Pettersson, offering an opportunity for a fresh start, particularly since they could benefit from a skilled center to complement Nathan MacKinnon. Coupled with the fact that the Avalanche are known for their aggressive approach in trades, this option could be on the table, with Martin Necas serving as a potential asset in return.

Another team looking to strengthen its roster is the Los Angeles Kings. After a disappointing first-round exit against the Edmonton Oilers, the Kings are in need of enhanced goal-scoring capabilities. Rickard Rakell, who has recently demonstrated offensive prowess with a 35-goal season, emerges as a viable trade target for them. The Kings possess intriguing assets such as Alex Turcotte that may intrigue the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are reportedly willing to be patient with Rakell in trade discussions.

The Minnesota Wild, now unencumbered by the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts, are looking to build a more competitive roster. With superstar Kirill Kaprizov leading the charge, the Wild could benefit from adding offensive depth. Anders Lee of the Islanders, despite his age and $7 million cap hit, remains a consistent scorer and would provide the necessary power forward presence that Minnesota's power play desperately needs.

For the Montreal Canadiens, who recently took a step forward with a surprising playoff appearance, targeting Marco Rossi could significantly bolster their roster. Rossi, projected to fit seamlessly alongside talented young players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, presents a compelling option to address their need for a more capable second-line center. The Canadiens have ample draft capital to facilitate this trade, which make this pursuit realistic.

The New Jersey Devils, after a brief playoff run, need to enhance their offensive contributions given the injury concerns surrounding Jack Hughes. Jared McCann, known for his versatility and scoring ability, could provide valuable depth. The Devils may leverage their young talent in trade talks with the Seattle Kraken to secure McCann’s services.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators face a dilemma on defense. With several hefty contracts already on their payroll, the addition of Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers might be necessary to improve their right-side defense. Given Ristolainen's improved performance in recent seasons, he could be an appealing target for teams looking to bolster their blue line.

The St. Louis Blues have a captain, Ryan O'Reilly, whose potential trade has been a topic of discussion. As the Blues face salary cap constraints, moving O'Reilly while he still possesses value might be prudent. His experience and production could attract interest, especially from teams aiming to enhance their center depth.

In the case of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the focus may shift to acquiring a promising young playmaker like Mattais Maccelli. Having witnessed Maccelli's previous success, Tampa Bay could benefit from his addition, especially as the Lightning look to inject youthful energy into their aging roster.

Lastly, the Winnipeg Jets should consider augmenting their second-line center position. Ryan O'Reilly could serve as a solid fit, providing a defensively responsible option who can still contribute offensively. The Jets have the necessary flexibility in salary cap to pursue this avenue and may seek to target anticipated trades with the Nashville Predators given past competitive experiences.