Free Agency will have a positive impact, but the NHL’s off-season trade market can be interesting
Pierre LeBru of the Athletic: The trade deadline may not have produced the number and type of deals people expected, but it may have laid the groundwork for an interesting offseason.
Simon Nemec – The New Jersey Devils were listening, but it would take a young, impactful front six, and one to watch in the offseason. You’ve changed agents, and you may be looking at Luke Hughes’ seven-year, $9 million per deal. Moving Dougie Hamilton and keeping Nemec makes more sense.
Roman Josi – A source said that if the Nashville Predators are going to rebuild, players like Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault may move on. If two or three move, Josi might want to go. He has two years at $9.059 million and is not moving next year.
Vincent Trocheck – I’m not sure how the trade offer for Trocheck will develop this offseason, and the New York Rangers might have been better off moving him at the deadline.
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Erik Karlsson – He has one year left on his contract ($10 million cap hit) with a base salary of $1.5 million after a July 1st $6 million bonus. He will be 36 next month but still working. It has an immobility clause.
Robert Thomas – The 26-year-old has five years remaining at $8.125 million and a no-movement clause. The Buffalo Sabers and Utah Mammoths could circle back. The Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Los Angeles Kings could be interested. he thinks Thomas is involved.
- David Pagnotta of the Fourth Season: Utah Mammoth and St. Louis Blues talked to Robert Thomas last week, but the Mammoth weren’t willing to include two of their top five prospects. Mammoth may have been right to draft 2025 fourth overall pick Caleb Desnoyers.
- The Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken also talked to the Blues, but found the price too high. The Mammoth will look to add more forwards this offseason.
Brady Tkachuk – He is one year away from unrestricted free agency. The Ottawa Senators will need to trade him for their future, as brother Matthew will likely try to lure him to Florida. It has a full immobility clause.
Auston Matthews – He has two years left at $13.25 million and total immobility. League sources say Matthews’ future has not come up between his agents, the Leafs GM or the CEO of MLSE. If the group’s goal is to reuse the tool, you can see him wanting to stick with it. Some will consider moving Matthews and Nylander and rebuild, but ownership may not think that way. Think it’s 50-50.
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Connor McDavid – He would like to give the Oilers next season another run at it. If after next season he decides he is not interested in an extension, he can control where he is traded since he has a year left on his contract. He may also decide to stay.
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