It’s silly season in the NHL and this year feels much, much sillier than usual. A weak free agency pool without a lot of star power has led to a feeding frenzy over who can free up enough cap space to make an offer to Mitch Marner, this is combined with teams knowing there’s not a lot of help coming in free agency — which has led to rumors flying about which contenders could be trying to make moves on draft night.
There’s a very real chance for fireworks ahead of the first round on Friday night, with the draft being the last best chance to make major deals ahead of free agency. Here’s what’s circulating from what we’re hearing, and other outlets have reported.
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
Any trade discussion begins with the Connor McDavid question, and Edmonton know they’re on the clock. Representatives from the organization of McDavid’s agents are meeting as we speak to try and see if a long-term agreement can be reached.
From there it’s really anyone’s guess. McDavid is a player who seems like a guy who would relish being a lifer on a team, but there’s only so much disappointment he can accept with an organization with serious depth problems.
It’s no coincidence the Oilers are rushing to try and hammer out a contract now. They know as well as anyone that if they find out McDavid won’t re-sign after 2025-26 they have to trade him asap. Holding these meetings before the draft is to see where the sides are at, and see if an agreement can be reached.
If that doesn’t happen and McDavid is officially on the market then every team in the league would be interested, but keep an eye on five teams in particular: Florida, Toronto, Dallas, NY Rangers, and Chicago. All of whom either have the chance to win, a large market, or the assets to get a deal done.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
The Stars essentially made a decision on Robertson’s future with the organization when they traded for Mikko Rantanen. It’s not that they wouldn’t love to keep the 25-year-old wing, but there’s a cap reality they can’t shake.
As it stands Dallas is only $2.7M under the cap, which gives them almost no wiggle room to improve. It’s for this reason Robertson’s name has come up in trade rumors. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic is saying the Stars aren’t actively shopping Robertson, but are listening to offers ahead of the draft.
Where does a deal make sense? Watch Carolina. These teams managed to work quickly together to hammer out the Rantanen trade, the Hurricanes have the cap space to give Robertson an extension, and draft picks that would allow the Stars to get future capital without accruing more salary. That’s especially important if Dallas’ goal is to move more money around and make a big play at signing Marner.
Another potential landing spot for Robertson would be the Devils, who would relish adding a wing of his talent level to a roster that wants to push deeper in the playoffs.
J.J. Peterka, RW, Buffalo Sabres
It’s not often you see a 23-year-old player who notched 60+ points be available in a potential trade, but here we are. The Sabres are an odd, top-heavy team with a handful of really good players, and then it’s a talent desert — which is why they’re so bad.
That’s why we could see Peterka get dealt around the draft. Buffalo wants guys who can contribute to them winning right now. That could mean we see a deal like a playoff team sending two or three established guys for Peterka, or a team in the Top 5 (aka Chicago) deal the No. 3 overall pick to Buffalo, who can then use their picks to deal for established talent.
Right now if feels very unlikely we make it through the weekend without Peterka wearing another sweater on Monday.
Tomáš Hertl, C, Las Vegas Golden Knights
I wish I loved anything as much as the Golden Knights love trading players after a down year.
Hertl’s name has stunningly come up as part of a broader play by Vegas to potentially be in on the Mitch Marner sweepstakes. The Hockey News is reporting that there’s some “smoke” between the Knights and Hurricanes to hammer out a Hertl trade, which honestly makes a lot of sense for both teams.
Carolina is in need of second line center depth, and the Knights want to make it clear to Jack Eichel that they’re serious about bringing in star players to help him before he’s set to hit free agency next year. As it stands Vegas would need to get Hertl’s $6.75M AAV off the books to have enough for Marner, and there’s room to get this done.
Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Here’s one to keep an eye on. The Hurricanes aren’t actively shopping Svechnikov, nor are they openly taking offers — but there are some murmurs that he’s the most-likely name to move in a trade from Carolina.
Svechnikov was a playoff hero this past season, but his play has often suffered because he doesn’t quite fit the two-way style Rod Brind’Amour runs. The former No. 2 overall pick could be an 80 point guy in a system that asks less of him on the defensive end, and that could easily lead to a team being enchanted with the idea of the 25-year-old wing.
