The NHL's conference finals are underway, featuring the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers, all of which have advanced through a competitive playoff landscape. Each of these teams has demonstrated their prowess by overcoming formidable opponents. For the franchises that did not make it past the playoffs this season, the offseason presents an opportunity to regroup and strategize for future success. A significant aspect of this process may involve trades. Below is a selection of potential trade ideas for each of the eight teams that were eliminated from postseason contention.

The Vancouver Canucks find themselves contemplating their future with key players like Elias Pettersson. While it may seem unlikely that Pettersson will be traded, uncertainty lingers in the front office with Jim Rutherford's unpredictable nature. Despite public support for Pettersson, the organization appears to have lost some confidence in him. Should the Canucks decide to explore a trade, the Colorado Avalanche could be an attractive destination, offering an offensive system conducive to Pettersson's talents. Furthermore, the acquisition of Martin Necas, who was obtained in a previous trade involving Mikko Rantanen, could serve as a starting point for such negotiations.

The Los Angeles Kings are aiming to improve after a fourth consecutive first-round exit in the playoffs. With a pressing need for enhanced goal-scoring capabilities, they may consider acquiring Rickard Rakell. Coming off a 35-goal season, Rakell would bring creativity and consistency to the Kings' offense. Although he comes with a long-term contract of $5 million per year, his proven track record makes him an enticing option for a team in search of offensive firepower. The Pittsburgh Penguins have shown restraint in trade discussions regarding Rakell and may find promising younger assets like Alex Turcotte appealing as they look to retool their roster.

The Minnesota Wild are moving past the challenging buyouts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, now poised to enhance their roster to support star player Kirill Kaprizov. One potential acquisition could be New York Islanders forward Anders Lee, who, while in his mid-30s and carrying a $7 million cap hit, has consistently scored around 25 goals per season. Lee could bolster the Wild's power play, which ranked 20th in the NHL last season. Minnesota should look to seize this opportunity to inject experience and depth into their lineup.

As the Montreal Canadiens enter their rebuild after a surprising playoff run, targeting players like Marco Rossi could help complement their young core. At only 24 years old by the start of the 2024-25 season, Rossi would fit well alongside rising stars such as Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. His recent production of 60 points in a season demonstrates his scoring ability and upside, making him a strong consideration for the Canadiens as they seek out additional scoring depth.

The New Jersey Devils returned to the playoffs after a disappointing previous season, only to be quickly bounced by the Carolina Hurricanes. With their current roster's offensive capabilities under scrutiny, acquiring Jared McCann could elevate their forward group, providing them with versatile scoring options. McCann's ability to perform on any of the top three lines would address the Devils' scoring needs and further complement their existing talent pool.

For the Ottawa Senators, enhancing the right side of their defense is paramount, especially with substantial contracts already in place for players like Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Adding an established player like Rasmus Ristolainen could help fortify their blue line. Although opinions on Ristolainen have varied, his improved performance in recent seasons should make him an appealing option for a team looking to strengthen its defensive unit.

The St. Louis Blues might explore a trade involving their captain, Brayden Schenn. Facing cap constraints and the need for roster adjustments, the Blues could benefit from moving Schenn, who, despite being 34, remains productive. With a modified no-trade clause possibly offering flexibility, the Blues should evaluate the market while Schenn still retains value. This move could help them reallocate resources effectively.

After a promising start to their careers, players like Matias Maccelli have recently found themselves on the trade block. Tampa Bay Lightning could be a suitable destination for Maccelli, who possesses playmaking skills and remains affordable at just over $3 million against the salary cap. A trade that brings Maccelli to Tampa Bay could facilitate a fresh start while injecting youthful energy into a gradually aging roster.

With postseason struggles continuing, the Toronto Maple Leafs might be forced to reassemble their core. Mitch Marner and John Tavares are both unrestricted free agents, raising uncertainty about their respective futures. The possibility of bringing in a player like Chris Kreider could aid in filling offensive gaps left by any departures. Despite an off-year, Kreider's playoff experience could be valuable for a team seeking to advance further in the postseason.

Focus now shifts to the Vegas Golden Knights, whose primary goal will be to re-sign star center Jack Eichel. In pursuit of aligning salary cap flexibility with immediate roster needs, the Golden Knights may find opportunities to trade surplus center depth—such as William Karlsson or Nicolas Roy—for crucial wing prospects to balance their attack. Such strategic trades could aid in roster reconfiguration and future contract negotiations.

The Washington Capitals showcased an impressive turnaround, ultimately finishing as the top seed in the Eastern Conference before falling in the second round. While substantial improvements have already been made, the third-line center position is one that could still use an upgrade. Jean-Gabriel Pageau of the New York Islanders might be an intriguing option in this regard. Pageau provides both defensive reliability and offensive contributions, which the Capitals could significantly benefit from as they prolong their contention window.

Despite winning the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team, the Winnipeg Jets aim to improve after their second-round exit in the playoffs. One method to bolster their attack may be to pursue Ryan O'Reilly, who could fill a vital second-line center role. The Predators may be willing to negotiate, especially if they are considering changes following a disappointing season. The Jets’ ability to maintain salary cap flexibility while acquiring O'Reilly could further refine their roster dynamics.