With the 2025 NHL Draft approaching, teams gain both renewed optimism for the future and a prime opportunity for general managers to make trades. As the salary cap is set to rise, teams may feel more inclined to pursue aggressive moves in the trade market this summer.
Between the increasing cap space and a somewhat quiet free agency class, there is potential for significant blockbuster deals to unfold over the coming weeks. Several prominent names, such as Jason Robertson and Marco Rossi, have already been frequently mentioned in trade discussions.
As the NHL Draft quickly approaches, the level of rumors and speculation is expected to intensify. Whether a team aims to free up cap space, initiate a rebuilding phase, or enhance their roster for contention, there are trades that could take place during the draft weekend.
This period is particularly exciting for hockey fans due to the numerous possibilities as general managers begin reshaping their rosters before free agency opens on July 1. With this in mind, we have highlighted several notable players who might be on the move sooner rather than later.
Here are eight key trade candidates leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Although it might seem unusual, Robertson`s name has circulated in trade rumors since the Stars` season concluded in the Western Conference Final. Robertson is recognized as one of the game`s premier young goal scorers, but Dallas is near the salary cap limit with only 18 players rostered, and Robertson is entering the final year of his current contract.
Since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Robertson has recorded 151 goals, placing him 14th in scoring over that period. The 25-year-old is nearing the peak of his career and will remain under team control as a restricted free agent in 2026. Robertson is due a substantial raise from the $7.75 million he is scheduled to earn in 2024-25, making him a highly desirable asset that teams should be eager to bid for. It`s likely the Stars will explore all options to manage their finances without trading Robertson, but if they are unable to, he could be moved during the draft weekend.
Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild
Rossi, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, is coming off a 60-point season. As a result, the young center will likely seek a significant salary increase, which the Wild might be hesitant to match. Given the limited number of high-quality centers available in free agency, a young player like Rossi could potentially bring back a substantial 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. While Rossi`s size (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) might cause some teams to pause before relying on him as a top-line center, a new contract in the range of $7 million annually appears quite reasonable given his age and the rising salary cap.
Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames
Entering the final year of his contract, Andersson is almost certain to be traded if he and the Flames fail to reach an agreement on a contract extension in the coming weeks. Even as a rental player for one season, Andersson could significantly benefit Stanley Cup contenders looking to improve their top-four defense group.
For most of his tenure in Calgary, Andersson has been a solid shutdown defenseman capable of contributing offensively consistently. However, Andersson`s performance metrics have declined in the two years since Darryl Sutter was fired. Under coach Ryan Huska, Andersson`s five-on-five statistics have seen a noticeable drop. While it`s probably related to the team`s overall decline around him, it should still give potential acquiring teams pause. Nevertheless, Andersson has demonstrated he can be a highly effective two-way defenseman in the right team environment.
K`Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
K`Andre Miller has seemingly been a subject of trade speculation in New York for a few years, but this summer appears to be the most plausible time for the Rangers to move 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.
Miller, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 210 pounds, fits the profile of the large, mobile defenseman highly sought after in the NHL today. The main concern is that his on-ice results haven`t consistently matched expectations. In terms of expected goals at five-on-five, Miller has been in a deficit in all five of his seasons with the Rangers. Miller is still just 25 years old and could potentially thrive in a different setting. It will be interesting to see what return the Rangers receive and what Miller`s next contract terms look like.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators
It`s widely known that Marchessault`s initial year in Nashville was not a great match for either the player or the team. Marchessault recorded 21 goals and 35 assists in 78 games, marking his least productive season since at least 2016-17. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner may be seeking a fresh start elsewhere, and the Predators would likely be amenable to facilitating a move.
Marchessault, at 34 years old, has four years remaining on his current contract with a $5.5 million cap hit. While perhaps not ideal for a player his age, this contract is not excessively burdensome given the NHL salary cap`s rapid increase. Furthermore, Marchessault is only a season removed from scoring 42 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023-24. Marchessault possesses a no-movement clause in his contract, giving him control over his destination if a trade were to occur.
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
Gibson`s performance had shown a downward trend over the past few seasons, but he experienced a resurgence during the 2024-25 campaign. The veteran goaltender shared playing time with young netminder Lukas Dostal and performed well with the reduced workload. Now seems like an opportune moment for the Ducks to trade him while his value is higher, as Gibson has two years remaining on his contract at $6.4 million per season.
Across his 29 appearances last season, Gibson achieved a .912 save percentage and recorded 9.29 goals saved above average, according to Natural Stat Trick. Gibson appeared to regain his earlier form, showing capability for stealing games, reminiscent of his play between 2015 and 2019. Gibson would be a strong target for any team looking for a relatively cost-effective goaltending upgrade this offseason (such as Edmonton).
Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Don`t be misled by the Maple Leafs` $25 million in salary cap space. Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies are all in need of new contracts this summer. Even if Marner departs, re-signing the other two players will consume a substantial portion of that cap space, which is why Toronto might consider trading Morgan Rielly to create additional flexibility.
Now aged 31, Rielly may not be as effective as he once was, which was reflected in his production and five-on-five impacts last season. Despite this, Rielly is still capable of performing effectively in a top-four defensive role. Would another team be willing to take on the remaining five years of Rielly`s contract at $7.5 million per season? Would Rielly agree to waive his no-movement clause for a suitable destination? The answers to these questions might become clear soon.
Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson`s time with the Penguins hasn`t unfolded as hoped, and he might be playing for a different team at the start of the 2025-26 season. If a contending team seeks a player who can generate offense from the blue line, Karlsson will be a target, although the Penguins will likely need to retain a portion of his $11.5 million salary to facilitate a trade.
Never renowned for his defensive prowess, that aspect of Karlsson`s game remains a concern, but teams interested in him wouldn`t typically ask him to play a shutdown role. With a combined 109 points over the last two years, Karlsson can still drive offensive play from the back end and quarterback the 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, indicating he can still impact the game offensively, even if his current cap hit is high.
