The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is just around the corner, and while it brings fresh optimism for every franchise`s future, it also presents general managers with significant opportunities for trades. With the salary cap expected to increase substantially, teams might be inclined to be more aggressive on the trade market this summer than in previous years.
The combination of a rising cap ceiling and a relatively weak free agent class could pave the way for some major transactions in the coming weeks. Several high-profile players, such as Jason Robertson and Marco Rossi, have already been frequently mentioned in trade speculation for weeks.
As the NHL Draft rapidly approaches, the rumors and discussions will undoubtedly intensify. Whether a team aims to improve its salary cap situation, initiate a rebuilding phase, or bolster its roster to compete for a championship, potential trades are expected to materialize this weekend.
This period is particularly exciting for hockey enthusiasts, offering numerous possibilities as general managers begin adjusting their rosters before free agency opens on July 1st. With this in mind, we`ve highlighted several notable players who could potentially be changing teams in the near future.
Here are eight of the most significant trade candidates leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
While it might seem surprising, Robertson`s name has surfaced in trade discussions since the Stars` season concluded in the Western Conference Final. Robertson is recognized as one of the league`s top young offensive talents, yet Dallas is currently facing salary cap constraints with only 18 players under contract, and Robertson is entering the final year of his current deal. Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Robertson has scored 151 goals, placing him 14th in that span. The 25-year-old is nearing his prime and will remain under team control as a restricted free agent in 2026. He is expected to command a significant salary increase over his $7.75 million salary for the 2024-25 season, making him a desirable target for teams. It`s likely the Stars will explore all options to manage their finances without trading Robertson, but if they cannot, he could be on the move during the draft weekend.
Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild
Rossi, aged 23, is a restricted free agent following a season where he posted 60 points. Consequently, the young center is likely seeking a considerable salary bump, which the Wild may be hesitant to meet. Given the scarcity of quality centers available in free agency, a young player like Rossi could potentially yield a valuable return for Minnesota. Selected 9th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Rossi has already established himself as a dependable top-six center, accumulating 45 goals and 55 assists over the past two seasons combined. While his size (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) might lead some teams to pause before relying on him as a true first-line center, a new contract in the range of $7 million annually seems quite reasonable considering Rossi`s age and the rising salary cap.
Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames
Entering the final year of his contract, Andersson is almost certainly a candidate to be traded if he and the Flames do not make significant progress on an extension in the coming weeks. Even if acquired as a one-year rental, Andersson could provide substantial value to Stanley Cup contenders looking to improve their top four defensemen. Throughout most of his tenure in Calgary, Andersson has been known as a solid shutdown defenseman who can also contribute offensively consistently. However, Andersson`s performance metrics have seen a decline in the two years since Darryl Sutter was fired. Under coach Ryan Huska, Andersson`s five-on-five numbers have notably dropped. It`s probably not a coincidence that the team`s overall performance has also worsened, which might give potential acquiring teams some hesitation. Nevertheless, Andersson has demonstrated he can be a highly effective two-way defenseman when playing in the right system and environment.
K`Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
K`Andre Miller has been a subject of trade speculation in New York for a couple of years, but this summer appears to be the most likely time for the Rangers to move him. Miller is a restricted free agent, and the team has already begun making roster changes after a disappointing 2024-25 season. Miller might be the next player to depart. At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Miller possesses the size and mobility that NHL teams highly value today. The challenge has been that his on-ice results haven`t consistently matched expectations. Based on expected goals metrics at five-on-five, Miller`s performance has been below average in all five of his seasons with the Rangers. However, Miller is still only 25 years old and could certainly flourish in a different situation. It will be interesting to see what kind of assets the Rangers acquire in return and what Miller`s next contract ultimately looks like.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators
It`s widely known that Marchessault`s first year with the Nashville Predators didn`t prove to be an ideal fit for either party. Marchessault recorded 21 goals and 35 assists in 78 games, marking his least productive season since at least 2016-17. The winner of the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy may be seeking a change of scenery, and the Predators would likely be open to accommodating that. Marchessault, aged 34, has four years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $5.5 million. This isn`t ideal for a player his age, but it`s not an unmanageable figure with the NHL salary cap increasing significantly each year. Furthermore, Marchessault is not far removed from scoring 42 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023-24 season. Marchessault also holds a no-movement clause in his contract, giving him control over his potential destination if a trade were to occur.
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
John Gibson`s performance had been trending downward over the last few seasons, but he experienced a notable resurgence in the 2024-25 campaign. The veteran goaltender shared the net with younger player Lukas Dostal and seemed to thrive with a lighter workload. This timing presents an opportune moment for the Ducks to trade him while his value is relatively high, as Gibson has two years left on his contract with a $6.4 million annual cap hit. In his 29 appearances last season, Gibson posted a .912 save percentage and a respectable 9.29 goals saved above average, according to Natural Stat Trick data. Gibson seemed to turn back the clock, displaying the capability of single-handedly winning games, much like he did frequently between 2015 and 2019. Gibson would be a suitable target for any team looking for a relatively cost-effective upgrade in goal this offseason (specifically looking at teams like Edmonton).
Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Don`t be misled by the Toronto Maple Leafs` reported $25 million in available salary cap space. Key players like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies all require new contracts this summer. Even if Marner were to leave, re-signing the other two players would consume a significant portion of that cap room, which is why Toronto might consider trading Morgan Rielly in an effort to create additional financial flexibility. Now 31 years old, Rielly may not be quite as dominant as he was in his peak years, and this was reflected in his offensive production and five-on-five impact numbers last season. Despite this, Rielly is still capable of performing effectively in a top-four defenseman role. The question remains whether another team would be willing to take on the remaining five years of Rielly`s contract at a $7.5 million annual cap hit. Additionally, would Rielly agree to waive his no-movement clause for a desirable destination? The answers to these questions may become clear in the near future.
Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson`s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins hasn`t entirely gone as planned, and there`s a possibility he could be playing for a different team to start the 2025-26 season. If a contending team is in need of a defenseman who can generate significant offense from the blue line, Karlsson will likely be a target. However, it`s probable that the Penguins will need to retain a portion of his substantial $11.5 million salary in order to facilitate a trade. Karlsson has never been renowned for his defensive prowess, and this aspect of his game remains a concern. Nevertheless, teams interested in acquiring him wouldn`t likely ask Karlsson to play a primary shutdown role. With a combined 109 points over the last two seasons, Karlsson can still drive offense from the back end and quarterback a power play effectively. Pittsburgh generated 3.0 expected goals per 60 minutes with Karlsson on the ice at five-on-five last year, according to Natural Stat Trick, which is a good indicator that Karlsson can still significantly impact the game offensively, even if his overall value might not fully align with his massive cap hit anymore.
