The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is rapidly approaching. While it`s a time for teams to look to the future by selecting new talent, it also serves as a critical period for general managers to orchestrate trades. With the NHL`s salary cap projected to rise significantly, teams may feel more empowered to pursue aggressive moves in the trade market this summer.
The combination of increased cap space and a relatively thin free agency class could pave the way for several high-profile transactions in the coming weeks. Some prominent players, such as Jason Robertson and Marco Rossi, have already been subjects of trade speculation for an extended period.
As the draft draws nearer, the intensity of these rumors and discussions will only escalate. Whether a team is seeking to free up salary cap flexibility, initiate a roster rebuild, or acquire key pieces to become a championship contender, the draft weekend presents numerous opportunities for deals to be struck.
This is an exciting phase for hockey enthusiasts, filled with possibilities as general managers begin reshaping their rosters in anticipation of the free agency period commencing on July 1st. With that in mind, we have identified several notable players who are frequently mentioned as potential trade candidates and could be on the move sooner rather than later.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Despite being one of the league`s top young offensive threats, Robertson`s name has surprisingly surfaced in trade rumors since the Stars` playoff run concluded in the Western Conference Final. Dallas is facing tight salary cap constraints with a limited number of players signed, and Robertson is entering the final year of his current contract.
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Robertson has tallied an impressive 151 goals, ranking 14th across the league over that span. At 25 years old, he is entering his prime and will remain under team control as a restricted free agent in 2026. He is expected to command a substantial raise from his 2024-25 salary of $7.75 million, making him a highly desirable asset teams should be lining up to acquire. While the Stars will likely explore every option to fit Robertson`s future contract under the cap without trading him, a move during the draft weekend remains a possibility if they cannot find a solution.
Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild
Rossi, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, is coming off a productive 60-point season. Consequently, the young center will likely seek a significant increase in pay, which the Wild may be hesitant to accommodate. Given the scarcity of high-quality centers available on the free-agent market, a promising young player like Rossi could fetch a considerable return for Minnesota.
The 9th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, Rossi has established himself as a reliable top-six forward, accumulating 45 goals and 55 assists over the past two campaigns. His size (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) might cause some teams to pause before relying on him as a definitive first-line center. However, a new contract in the range of $7 million per year seems quite reasonable considering Rossi`s age, recent performance, and the league`s rising salary cap.
Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames
As he enters the final year of his current deal, Andersson is almost certainly headed for a trade unless he and the Flames make significant progress on a contract extension in the near future. Even as a potential one-year rental, Andersson could be a valuable addition for Stanley Cup contenders seeking to strengthen their top four defensive pairings.
Throughout much of his tenure in Calgary, Andersson has been recognized as a solid shutdown defenseman capable of contributing offensively. However, his performance has seen a dip in the two years since Darryl Sutter was dismissed as head coach. Under Ryan Huska, Andersson`s five-on-five statistics have notably declined. While it`s likely tied to the team`s overall struggles around him, this trend might give potential acquiring teams pause. Nevertheless, Andersson has demonstrated in the past that he can be a highly effective two-way defenseman in the right team environment.
K`Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
K`Andre Miller`s name has appeared in New York trade discussions for a couple of years, but this summer appears to be the most opportune time for the Rangers to consider moving him. Miller is a restricted free agent, and the team has 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 size and mobility highly valued in modern NHL defensemen. The challenge has been translating these physical tools into consistent positive on-ice results. Looking at expected goals at five-on-five, Miller`s metrics have been underwater in all five of his seasons with the Rangers. Despite this, Miller is still only 25 and has the potential to thrive in a different system or environment. It will be interesting to see the return the Rangers receive and what Miller`s next contract will look like.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators
It`s widely acknowledged that Marchessault`s first year in Nashville was not an ideal fit for either the player or the team. He posted 21 goals and 35 assists in 78 games, marking his least productive season since 2016-17. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner might be looking for a fresh start elsewhere, and the Predators would likely be agreeable to facilitating a trade.
Marchessault, now 34, has four years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $5.5 million. While perhaps not ideal for a player of his age, it`s not an insurmountable figure given the rapidly ascending NHL salary cap. Moreover, Marchessault is only one season removed from scoring 42 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023-24. Marchessault also possesses a no-movement clause in his contract, which gives him control over his destination if a trade is proposed.
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
While Gibson`s performance had been trending downwards in recent years, he experienced a resurgence during the 2024-25 campaign. The veteran goaltender shared the net with young Lukas Dostal and appeared to benefit from a lighter workload. Now might be the perfect opportunity for the Ducks to trade Gibson at a high point, as he has two years remaining on his contract at a $6.4 million cap hit per season.
In his 29 appearances last season, Gibson recorded a .912 save percentage and a Goals Saved Above Average (GSAA) of 9.29, according to Natural Stat Trick. Gibson seemed to recapture the form that made him a standout from 2015-19, showing he is still capable of “stealing” games. He would be a desirable target for any team looking for a relatively cost-effective upgrade in goal this offseason, potentially attracting interest from teams like Edmonton.
Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Despite the Toronto Maple Leafs currently having around $25 million in salary cap space, this figure can be misleading. Key players like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies all require new contracts this summer. Even if Marner departs, re-signing the other two will consume a significant portion of that cap relief, which is why Toronto might consider trading Morgan Rielly to create further financial flexibility.
Now 31 years old, Rielly might not be performing at the peak effectiveness he once did, which was reflected in his production and five-on-five impact last season. Nevertheless, Rielly is still capable of being a valuable defenseman in a top-four role. The key questions are whether another team would be willing to take on the remaining five years of his contract at $7.5 million per season, and if Rielly would agree to waive his no-movement clause for a suitable destination. These questions could be answered in the near future.
Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson`s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins hasn`t entirely panned out as hoped, and he could very well be wearing a different uniform to start the 2025-26 season. If a contending team is seeking a defenseman who can drive offensive production from the blue line, Karlsson will be a target. However, the Penguins will likely need to retain a portion of his substantial $11.5 million salary to make a trade feasible.
Never known for his defensive prowess, that aspect of Karlsson`s game remains a concern, but teams interested in him wouldn`t primarily deploy him in a shutdown capacity. With a combined 109 points over the past two seasons, Karlsson demonstrates he can still push the pace offensively and quarterback a power play. Pittsburgh generated 3.0 expected goals for per 60 minutes with Karlsson on the ice at five-on-five last year, according to Natural Stat Trick, which indicates he still has a positive offensive impact, even if his overall value doesn`t fully align with his significant cap hit.
