The NHL sees many professional players getting traded during and after the season by their teams for various reasons. Sometimes it’s due to the player’s performance or their contract’s end, and other times it’s because they don’t fit in the team’s plans. Nowadays, many names are cropping up on sports news channels and sites as possible trade contenders between NHL teams.
Sports News: NHL Players That Might Get Traded
Here are 7 NHL players that have been rumored to be traded during the offseason:
Kevin Hayes – Philadelphia Flyers
Kevin Hayes is signed through 2025-20 with the Philadelphia Flyers. However, his contract with an annual value of $7.1 million is too hefty unless the Flyers retain some of his salary.
He is a likely off-season trade contender due to Philadelphia’s reported conversation with the 6 Columbus Blue Jackets regarding his trade. The move makes sense considering the Jacket’s enduring need for skillful centers.
Erik Karlsson – San Jose Sharks
With a career-best 84 points and 20 goals, Erik Karlsson was the season’s leading scorer among the league’s defensemen. Even though Karlsson has been basking in a return to his earlier form, the 32-year-old blueliner may find himself on the off-season trading block.
The Sharks are rebuilding their team as they are near the bottom of the standings. Karlsson currently has a substantial contract with an average of $11.5 million and a full no-movement clause. It can prove to be a possible obstacle, but he has amassed significant interest from other teams. The veteran rearguard might waive his contract for a team with more cap space.
Brett Pesce – Carolina Hurricanes
Buffalo and Edmonton are keeping tabs on Brett Pesce’s file as the Hurricanes are yet to re-sign him. Pesce is in line for a raise and will seek better terms on his contract. If he is unsatisfied with Carolina’s offer, he might be tempted to accept a different team’s contract.
Pierre-Luc Dubois – Winnipeg Jets
Dubois is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on a one-year, 6 million contract with the Jets. The young center has previously been the subject of offseason trade speculation. While Dubois is among the Jet’s leading scorers, he might opt for a new one-year deal for UFA eligibility in 2024.
It might prompt Winnipeg to trade Dubois to avoid his contract becoming a distraction next season. They could find a suitable team to trade him with for a suitable player with long-term stability.
Travis Konecny – Philadelphia Flyers
Konecny has enjoyed an incredible season with a career-best 31 goals and 61 points. His performance has flamed considerable outside interest, and the Flyers are in the loop. Despite their aim to rebuild the team, the Flyers will only part with Konecny if they receive a sensible trade offer.
Ross Colton – Tampa Bay Lightning
Ross Colton might have become too expensive for Tampa. He cemented his place as a valuable bottom-sixer and scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2021. However, Tampa Bay Lighting is clinging to the possibility of retaining Alex Killron. They might just make space in their cap by trading Colton, who is due for a raise.
Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have already traded Luke Schenn, Curtis Lazar, and Bo Horvat earlier this year. Considering his struggle to score this season, they might add Boeser to the trading block.
However, Boeser’s salary cap of $6.7 million yearly through 2024-2025 might be an issue during off-season trading. That said, if the Canucks retained part of his cap hit, other teams might present a compelling offer to take Boeser.
The aforementioned players might choose to move, or their teams might trade them before the start of the new NHL season. However, these are speculations based on prior rumors and reports of teams interested in these names. So, your favorite players might just remain with your home team, or you might get a new player to root for!
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