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5 Trades NHL Teams Should Be Thinking About Immediately
B.Wilson2 hr ago
- Christopher Mast/NHLI via Over a month has passed since the start of the 2024-25 NHL regular season. During that time, six trades took place. The most recent was Tuesday, when the Pittsburgh Penguins sent Lars Eller back to the Washington Capitals for two draft picks. It's not unusual for the trade market to be slow at this time of year. Many teams have limited salary-cap space and need more time to accrue enough money to make moves. Meanwhile, most teams are evaluating their roster needs as the season progresses. There usually aren't many notable players available in the trade market, either. Nevertheless, we could see more activity in the trade market ahead of the March 7 NHL trade deadline as teams accrue more cap space or others have pressing roster needs that require more immediate attention. While it's still early, we've come up with five trades that certain teams should consider as soon as possible. Two of our pitches involve players featured in our November NHL Trade Block Big Board . Another involves a Toronto Maple Leafs winger who might benefit from a move to the Colorado Avalanche. Feel free to express your thoughts in the app comments below.
- Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has been attempting a comeback after knee surgeries sidelined him for the past two seasons. On Nov. 6, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said the 31-year-old left winger suffered a setback in his recovery, but he remains hopeful his captain will return to action later this season. It might be time for the Avalanche to consider shoring up their depth at left wing if Landeskog remains out longer than hoped. One option could be Nicholas Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was part of the offseason rumor mill when he requested a trade before he ultimately signed a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Leafs. Robertson has struggled to earn a regular roster spot as a middle-six forward with the Leafs and was a healthy scratch in two recent games. He's shown some scoring potential, tallying 14 goals and 27 points while seeing limited minutes in 56 games last season. The 23-year-old winger might flourish with another club and a different coaching system. Given his affordable cap hit, Robertson would be a good fit within the Avalanche's limited cap room . He could also be sent to the minors without his cap hit counting against their books. He should be a cost-effective acquisition, as he might only cost a fourth-round pick, which the Avs have two of in the 2025 draft.
- Mike Mulholland/ The New York Islanders' defense suffered a significant blow when Adam Pelech suffered an upper-body injury in early November that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks. They could use an experienced left-shot defenseman to fill in for Pelech during his absence and play a regular role following his return. Erik Gustafsson of the Detroit Red Wings could be a suitable option. In his ninth NHL season, the 32-year-old left-shot blueliner can log second- or third-pairing minutes. Gustafsson could also bring much-needed blue-line production to the Islanders' popgun offense. He's exceeded 30 points three times in his career, including 31 points last season with the New York Rangers. Gustafsson carries an average annual value of $2 million through next season , which would make him an expensive add for the cap-strapped Islanders . They expect Anthony Duclair to come off long-term injury reserve in late November and Mathew Barzal to return from LTIR in late December. Perhaps the Red Wings would retain a portion to remove the remainder of Gustafsson's cap hit from their books. Their asking price could be affordable, perhaps a third- or fourth-round pick.
- Bruce Bennett/ Michael Carcone is fresh off his first full NHL season with the Arizona Coyotes. The versatile 28-year-old forward was a pleasant surprise, finishing with a career-high 21 goals after he signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract . However, he was on our November NHL Trade Block Big Board after the team relocated to Utah. Carcone's had difficulty earning a regular roster spot with the Utah Hockey Club as younger players take on larger roles. He's been a healthy scratch in all but five games. On Oct. 24, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested another team could give him a spot if he can't find one in Utah. A week later, Friedman wrote that Carcone's situation was gaining urgency. Meanwhile, Friedman noted that Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is trying to add to his roster. Adams was seeking a top-six forward during the offseason and could still be in the market. His team sits near the middle of the pack with a 3.38 goals-per-game average as of Nov. 12. Carcone could be an affordable trade possibility for the Sabres, as he would likely cost a fourth- or fifth-round pick. He could be a good stopgap measure to help their scoring until better options become available near the March 7 trade deadline.
- Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via The rebuilding Montreal Canadiens' hope of being in the playoff mix this season has taken an early hit with their 5-9-2 start. Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is reportedly shopping around for short-term help. On Oct. 26. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Hughes is eyeing a defenseman and a forward who plays with "edge." Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken might tick that latter box if the Canadiens aren't on his 10-team no-trade list. He's a speedy, pesky forward who kills penalties and can score short-handed goals. Friedman reported the Canadiens are seeking short-term help that won't deviate from their long-term rebuilding plan. Tanev could fit the bill as he's slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He also carries a $3.5 million cap hit , which the Canadiens can afford to take on with their $7.6 million of cap space with Carey Price on permanent LTIR. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli recently noted that the Kraken were overloaded at forward and could be forced to move one once their roster is fully healthy (h/t Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News). The Canadiens have plenty of draft picks, including two second-rounders and two fourth-rounders in 2025, to make a pitch for Tanev.
- Sean M. Haffey/ Once considered a promising future superstar, Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks became the ongoing subject of trade speculation after struggling through injuries and inconsistent play last season. The 23-year-old forward is off to a rough start this year with only three points in 14 games, which earned him a spot on our November NHL Trade Block Big Board . Meanwhile, the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks have struggled to string some wins together thus far this season. In late October, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted the frustration of young Chicago star Connor Bedard over his club's record. Friedman suggested the Blackhawks should consider adding some help without derailing their rebuilding plans. Acquiring Zegras from the Ducks could address that need. He's signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $5.75 million, which the Blackhawks can afford to take on. Skating with Bedard could help Zegras regain his dazzling offensive style. The Ducks will set a high price for Zegras, but his declining production could make him more affordable to acquire than he would've been last season. They could also be keen to get his full salary off their books.
Read the full article:https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10143275-5-trades-nhl-teams-should-be-thinking-about-immediately
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