Free Agency will be taking a hit, but the offseason NHL trade market could be interesting
Pierre LeBru of The Athletic: The trade deadline may not have produced the number and type of deals people were hoping for, but it may have laid the groundwork for an interesting offseason.
Simon Nemec – The New Jersey Devils were listening, but it would take a young, impact top-six forward, and is something to watch in the offseason. He’s changed agents, and he could be looking at Luke Hughes’ seven years at $9 million per deal. Moving Dougie Hamilton and keeping Nemec makes more sense.
Roman Josi – A source said if the Nashville Predators go full rebuild, the likes of Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault could be on the move. If two or three get moved, Josi may want to go to. He’s got two years at $9.059 million and a no-movement through next year.
Vincent Trocheck – Not sure how the trade offers for Trocheck are going to improve this offseason, and the New York Rangers may have been better off moving him at the deadline.
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Erik Karlsson – Has one more year left on his contract ($10 million cap hit) with a base salary of $1.5 million after a July 1st $6 million bonus. He’ll be 36 next month but is still effective. Has a no-movement clause.
Robert Thomas – The 26-year-old has five years left at $8.125 million and no-movement clause. The Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth could circle back. The Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Los Angeles Kings could be interested. thinks that Thomas gets moved.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period: The Utah Mammoth and St. Louis Blues talked Robert Thomas all last week, but the Mammoth weren’t willing to include two of their top five prospects. The Mammoth may have been okay with including 2025 fourth-overall pick Caleb Desnoyers. The Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken also talked to the Blues, but found the price too high. The Mammoth will try to add a top-line forward this offseason.
Brady Tkachuk – Would be one year away from unrestricted free agency. The Ottawa Senators will need to sell him on their future, as brother Matthew will likely be trying to lure him to Florida. Has a full no-movement clause.
Auston Matthews – Has two years left at $13.25 million and a full no-movement. League sources say that Matthews future hasn’t come up once between his agents, Leafs GM or MLSE CEO. If the goal of the team is to re-tool, can see him wanting to stick around. Some will think to move Matthews and Nylander and rebuild, but ownership may not think that way. Think it’s 50-50.
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Connor McDavid – He’ll like give the Oilers next season to take a run at it again. If after next season he decides he’s not interested in an extension, he could control where he goes in a trade with a year left on his deal. He could also decide to stay.
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