The approach of the 2025 NHL Draft not only brings renewed optimism for teams` futures but also provides general managers with a prime opportunity to make significant trades. With the salary cap on the rise, many teams may feel empowered to be more aggressive in the trade market this summer.
The combination of the increasing cap and a less robust free agency class suggests that some major transactions could unfold in the coming weeks. Several prominent players, including Jason Robertson and Marco Rossi, have already been prominent names in trade speculation for weeks.
As the NHL Draft rapidly approaches, the volume of rumors and speculation is expected to intensify further. Whether a team aims to gain salary cap flexibility, kickstart a rebuilding phase, or enhance its roster to become a contender, the draft weekend is likely to see some notable trades finalized.
This period is particularly exciting for hockey enthusiasts due to the wide array of possibilities as general managers work to fine-tune their rosters in advance of free agency opening on July 1st. With this in mind, we have identified several key players who are widely discussed as potential trade candidates in the near future.
Here are eight significant players who could be traded before or during the 2025 NHL Draft:
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Though it might seem surprising, Jason Robertson`s name has been part of trade discussions since the Dallas Stars` season concluded in the Western Conference Final. Robertson is recognized as one of the league`s top young offensive talents. However, Dallas is facing salary cap challenges with only 18 players currently signed, and Robertson is entering the final year of his current contract. He is set to become a restricted free agent in 2026, still under team control, but will command a substantial salary increase from the $7.75 million he`s scheduled to earn in 2024-25. Teams should certainly be preparing competitive offers for him. While the Stars will likely explore every possible avenue to fit his future salary under the cap without trading him, a move during the draft weekend remains a real possibility if they cannot find a solution.
Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild
Marco Rossi, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, is coming off a productive 60-point season. Consequently, the young center is likely seeking a significant pay raise, which the Wild may be hesitant to accommodate. Given the scarcity of high-quality centers available in the free agent market, a young player like Rossi could fetch a considerable return for Minnesota.
Selected ninth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Rossi has established himself as a dependable top-six center, accumulating 45 goals and 55 assists over the past two seasons. His size (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) might lead some teams to question his potential as a true first-line center. However, a new contract around $7 million per year seems quite reasonable considering Rossi`s age and the league`s rising salary cap.
Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames
As Rasmus Andersson enters the final year of his contract, a trade appears highly probable if he and the Flames fail to make progress on an extension in the near future. Even as a rental player for one season, Andersson could offer significant value to Stanley Cup contenders looking to strengthen their top four defensemen.
For much of his career in Calgary, Andersson has been regarded as a solid shutdown defenseman capable of contributing offensively. However, his performance metrics have dipped somewhat in the two years since Darryl Sutter`s departure. Under coach Ryan Huska, Andersson`s five-on-five numbers have seen a notable decline. While it`s likely related to the team`s overall struggles, it`s still something potential suitors will consider. Despite this, Andersson has demonstrated the ability to be a highly effective two-way defenseman in the right system.
K`Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
K`Andre Miller has been mentioned in trade discussions involving the New York Rangers for a couple of years, but this summer seems like the most logical time for the team to potentially move him. Miller is a restricted free agent, and the Rangers have already begun making changes following a disappointing 2024-25 season. Miller could be the next player to depart.
Standing at 6-5 and 210 pounds, Miller possesses the highly sought-after combination of size and mobility for a defenseman in today`s NHL. The primary concern has been that his on-ice results haven`t fully matched his physical tools. His expected goals at five-on-five have been below break-even in all five of his seasons with the Rangers. However, Miller is still only 25 and has the potential to thrive in a different environment. It will be intriguing to see what kind of assets the Rangers acquire in a trade and what Miller`s next contract will look like.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators
It`s widely known that Jonathan Marchessault`s first season with the Nashville Predators wasn`t an ideal fit for either the player or the team. He recorded 21 goals and 35 assists in 78 games, representing his lowest point total since at least the 2016-17 season. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner may be seeking a fresh start elsewhere, and the Predators would likely be open to facilitating a move.
Marchessault, now 34, has four years remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $5.5 million. While this term might not be ideal for a player his age, it`s not a significant burden with the NHL salary cap increasing rapidly. Furthermore, Marchessault is not far removed from scoring 42 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023-24 season. He does possess a no-movement clause in his contract, giving him control over his destination if a trade is pursued.
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
John Gibson`s performance had seen a decline in recent years, but he experienced a resurgence during the 2024-25 campaign. The veteran goaltender shared starts with young netminder Lukas Dostal and seemed to flourish with a lighter workload. Now could be the optimal time for the Ducks to trade him while his value is relatively high. Gibson has two years left on his contract, carrying a cap hit of $6.4 million per season.
In his 29 appearances last season, Gibson posted a .912 save percentage and a solid 9.29 goals saved above average, according to Natural Stat Trick. He appeared to rediscover the form from 2015-2019, when he was known for stealing games for the Ducks. Gibson would be an attractive target for any team seeking a relatively cost-effective upgrade in net this offseason (potentially teams like Edmonton).
Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs` current salary cap space of $25 million can be deceiving. 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 would consume a significant portion of that space, which is why Toronto might consider trading Morgan Rielly to create more financial flexibility.
Now 31 years old, Rielly may not be quite as dominant as he once was, which was reflected in his offensive production and five-on-five impacts last season. Despite this, Rielly is still capable of performing effectively in a top-four defensive role. The key questions are whether another team would be willing to take on the remaining five years of Rielly`s contract at $7.5 million per season, and whether Rielly would agree to waive his no-movement clause for a desirable destination. These questions may be answered in the near future.
Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson`s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins hasn`t entirely gone as planned, suggesting he might be wearing a different uniform to start the 2025-26 season. If a contending team is looking for a player who can consistently generate offense from the blue line, Karlsson will be a target. However, the Penguins will likely need to retain a portion of his $11.5 million salary to make a trade feasible.
Karlsson has never been known for his defensive prowess, and this remains a concern. However, teams interested in him would not be acquiring him for a 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. Pittsburgh`s expected goals for per 60 minutes with Karlsson on the ice at five-on-five last year was 3.0 (per Natural Stat Trick), indicating he can still positively impact offense, even if his current cap hit is challenging.
