NHL · 3 months ago

Ranking the Top 50 NHL Stars Likely to Be Traded in Summer 2025

Julius Hern

Host · Writer

50) Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
Mason McTavish, a 22-year-old restricted free agent, is on the Ducks’ trade block amid strong interest from multiple teams. While an offer sheet has been rumored, a trade looks more probable. He's reportedly been unhappy with his role on the team, but a new coaching staff is stepping in for this upcoming season. Last season, he scored 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games, continuing to develop impressively at a young age. McTavish’s size (6'1", 219 lbs), skillset, and all-around game make him an attractive piece for teams looking to make a splash, whether by trade or offer sheet.
Ranking the Top 10 NHL Stars Likely to Be Traded in Summer 2025
There are two categories of NHL teams in the offseason: teams that need to create cap space to continue to push for the Cup, and teams that are changing directions either with new management or to start a rebuild. That means more trades from all over the league are on the horizon for this offseason, and many players could be bait. Here are the 20 stars most likely to be traded before the 2025-26 NHL season.

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1) Chris Kreider, New York Rangers
TRADED -- to Anaheim

The Rangers’ season began to unravel when trade rumours surfaced involving captain Jacob Trouba and veteran Chris Kreider. Trouba was dealt midseason, but Kreider remained — for now. New York has just $8.42 million in cap space and Kreider carries a $6.5 million cap hit for two more years with a 15-team no-trade list. Despite a modest 22-goal, 8-assist season, the 34-year-old's speed and penalty-killing still hold value. Rangers GM Chris Drury may need to move him — possibly with retained salary — to create much-needed flexibility. He's just three years removed from an outstanding career-best year with 52 goals, 26 of them on the power play to lead the league.
2) Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver is a team that missed the playoffs despite so much potential on-paper, but a new face in Adam Foote behind the bench could turn the tide. However, it still seems that Elias Pettersson is poised for a change of scenery. There were rumblings all season long about him possibly being on the move after an off-ice feud with former teammate J.T. Miller, showing up to camp injured, and a considerable dip in production. Pettersson had a career-high 102 points in 22-23, and just 42 in 24-25. A no-trade clause kicks in for him July 1, so the Canucks would need to act fast if they want to move him, which wouldn't be impossible after reports of high interest from multiple teams.
3) John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
TRADED -- to Detroit

Over the last few years, it seems the question hasn't been if John Gibson will be traded, but when. In limited action (29 GP) due to an emergency appendectomy and a slew of injuries late in the season, Gibson played well. He logged a 2.77 goals against average and a .911 save percentage, his best in either category since before the pandemic. He's entering the seventh of an eight-year contract with a $6.4 million cap hit and will be the only rostered goalie come July 1. Teammate Lukas Dostal is a pending RFA, and it seems the team will lean on him as the starter once he is re-signed after a strong season with a full workload. The 2016 Jennings winner could provide security in the crease to presumptive contenders outside his 10-team no-trade list. The Ducks have been very active on the trade market this offseason, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see their longtime netminder get dealt as well.
4) Jonathan Marchessault, Nashville Predators
While he would have to approve of where he'd be traded to, it seems like the signing of Jonathan Marchessault is already souring on him and the Predators. He was one of three big forward free-agent signings last summer but his production dipped significantly. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner's goal total was halved between 2024 and 2025 from 42 to 21. There are reports of multiple destinations that could be a better fit for Marchessault than Nashville including Montreal, Vegas, or Toronto.
5) Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames
Rasmus Andersson plays a massive role as a top-pair defenseman for Calgary. Along with that, he has one year left on his deal which means he's likely in for a big raise. There's been speculation about the Flames trading him for months, but they will try to get an extension done before looking down that route. He currently has a cap hit of $4.55 million and has a six-team no-trade list. There would be many teams happy to take on a player of his calibre on that cap hit for one year as long as there would be a pathway to an extension. History has shown that Flames general manager Craig Conroy doesn't like to trade big players during the season, as shown with Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.
6) Isaac Howard, Tampa Bay Lightning
TRADED -- to Edmonton

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois believes it is unlikely that 2022 first-round pick Isaac Howard will sign with the team. The 2025 Hobey Baker winner had 26 goals and 52 points in his junior year at Michigan State, leading the team to its second-consecutive Big Ten title. He recently announced that he will return for his senior season. NHL teams hold the rights to drafted NCAA prospects for four seasons, which means Howard will officially be an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15, 2026. It's expected that the Lightning will look to trade Howard's rights instead of letting him walk in free agency, which is an opportunity for teams to add a future star who could be signed next spring following his senior season at MSU. With four games played at the IIHF World Championship with the United States national ice hockey team, he's already had top-level experience outside of college. He could provide an instant spark to an NHL team next spring.
7) Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild
A pending RFA, Marco Rossi is set to get a nice contract to buy up his RFA years, but cast some doubt about him sticking around in St. Paul during his end-of-season press conference. The Wild's ninth-overall pick in 2020 had 60 points in 82 games last season, and added three more in the playoffs. Minnesota may not want to pay him, despite a need for center depth in a free agent market without much to offer. General manager Bill Guerin has successfully traded pending RFA centers, getting a first-round pick and Brock Faber from Nashville for Kevin Fiala in 2022. A Rossi trade could pave the way for the Wild to make a big splash this offseason with over $15 million of projected cap space.
8) David Kampf, Toronto Maple Leafs
David Kampf has proven to be a great depth option since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021. He received Selke votes in 2022 for his defensive play, averages over 51 per cent on faceoffs for his career, and was a regular on Toronto's penalty kill. However, he received much less playtime under head coach Craig Berube, partly due to a late-season injury, and was a regular scratch in the playoffs, only playing one game. He has two years left on his deal with a $2.4 million cap hit and a ten-team no-trade list. He could be a valuable bottom-six forward should the Leafs decide to move on from him and clear up more money for free agency.
9) JJ Peterka, Buffalo Sabres
TRADED -- to Utah

There may not be a more valuable player on the trade market this summer than JJ Peterka—especially given his age. At just 23, he’s already producing at a top-line level, making him a rare asset. While Sabres GM Kevyn Adams had previously insisted Peterka wasn’t available, he now seems to have accepted that a move might be inevitable. Interest is strong, with multiple teams making serious inquiries. The Sabres appear confident they can secure a significant roster piece in return. The German forward had a career-high 68 points in 77 games played in 2024-25.
10) Jean-Gabriel Pageau, New York Islanders
Like Rossi, Jean-Gabriel Pageau could be a valuable piece for the New York Islanders in a thin center market this offseason. He played 79 games in 2024-25 and scored 42 points, the most for him since being traded to the Islanders in 2020. With Lou Lamoriello out as general manager and Mathieu Darche in, the team could capitalize on what could be the peak of Pageau's value, especially with the expectation that Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat will stick around. The return from a Pageau trade might do wonders to aid a team that was one of the worst in scoring last season.
11) Charlie Coyle, Colorado Avalanche
TRADED -- to Columbus

The Colorado Avalanche are projected to have just $1.2 million in cap space ahead of free agency, which will likely force the team to trade one or two mid-level contracts to free up some money. One candidate to be moved is forward Charlie Coyle, who came over midseason from the Boston Bruins via trade. He has one year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million, which would be a nice chunk to move on from. Coyle put up 63 points in 83 games between Boston and Colorado last year, but is an ideal player to bring into the playoffs, which was the Avs' strategy last season. He's strong defensively and very physical, and his modified no-trade clause only lists three teams, so it seems there could be a variety of suitors around the league.
12) Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins
Although he has a cap hit of $10 million, Erik Karlsson is still one of the most valuable defensemen in the NHL. Coming off a Norris trophy in 2023, he played 82 games each of the last two seasons with Pittsburgh and was Sweden's leading scorer at the 4-Nations Face-off. General manager Kyle Dubas may re-tool the roster this offseason after three consecutive missed playoffs and rumblings about franchise legend Evgeni Malkin retiring. A trade involving Karlsson would likely involve further salary retention and working around a no-trade clause. The future Hall-of-Famer will be 35 next season, and could provide a strong presence on the power play and add back-end scoring with over 50 points each of the last three seasons.
13) Jordan Kyrou, St. Louis Blues
Jordan Kyrou is St. Louis' highest-paid player, and with a lack of projected cap space (just over $600,000), moving him could be very beneficial. There are reportedly many teams interested in the 27-year-old forward, but none more than the Montreal Canadiens. However, a trade would take a lot of work from the Habs to pull off in terms of shedding money to take on the $8.125 million and coming to grips with letting go of some valuable future assets. It would also take Kyrou approving of the deal, as he currently has a full no-move clause on his contract, which makes him a free agent in 2031.
14) Dawson Mercer, New Jersey Devils
In his first two NHL seasons, Dawson Mercer was considered a rising star in the league, but he hasn't been able to match his career-high of 56 points from 2023 in the last two years. Being buried on the third line by head coach Sheldon Keefe isn't helping his cause to potentially break out. His cap hit is $4 million each of the next two years before he's arbitration-eligible. By the time his arbitration comes around, the Devils will already have five players with a cap hit of at least $5.5 million, plus the likely costly upcoming extension of captain Nico Hischier. The 23-year-old seems like a no-brainer to be included in a blockbuster deal should the Devils trade for a big fish this offseason. He could be a key player on special teams and is consistently healthy, playing every team game since entering the league in 2021.

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15) Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks
TRADED -- to Philadelphia

Trevor Zegras, the ninth overall pick in the 2019 draft, posted consecutive 20-goal, 60-point seasons in 2021–22 and 2022–23, showcasing his high-end offensive talent. Injuries, however, disrupted his progress over the past two seasons. Despite the setbacks, there’s no questioning his skill level. The Ducks have also credited him for evolving his game in 2024–25, becoming more responsible defensively and developing into a more complete, two-way player. With the direction the team is going, which includes a new coaching staff, it seems like they might want to move on from Zegras too. Multiple teams were interested during the season but a deal never surfaced.
16) Bryan Rust, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been fielding trade inquiries on several players, with forward Bryan Rust emerging as a prime candidate to be moved. As one of the few teams looking to get younger and shed salary, president Kyle Dubas could look to capitalize on Rust’s value. At 33, Rust has three years remaining on his $5.1 million AAV contract, with no trade protection now that July 1 has passed. A consistent scorer and key top-six forward for the Penguins, his tenacious forechecking makes him an attractive target for playoff-bound teams. The two-time Stanley Cup champion is coming off a career-best season with 31 goals and 65 points despite rumblings he might've been moved at the deadline.
17) Evander Kane, Edmonton Oilers
TRADED -- to Vancouver

With two consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers are closer than ever to capturing the Cup. But to take that final step, they’ll likely need to shed some salary. One name potentially on the move is Evander Kane. The 33-year-old winger, who has one year remaining on his deal at a $5.125 million cap hit posted 24 goals and 44 points in 77 games in the regular season. That despite his average ice time dipped to 16:47—his lowest since his rookie year. A trade could benefit both sides: the Oilers gain cap flexibility, and Kane gets a chance to play a larger role elsewhere in what could be a crucial contract year. Whichever team acquires him will be getting a strong physical presence likely on the third line.
18) Bowen Byram, Buffalo Sabres
SIGNED -- 2 years, $12.5 million

It seems like the pressure is mounting on Buffalo's front office to get back in the playoffs as soon as this year or major shakeups could be coming. To do that, they might have to shake up the roster, and a candidate to move out is pending RFA Bowen Byram. He only has two years until he could be a UFA, and is coming off a career-best season offensively with 38 points on the back end. There is thought that he may be at the peak of his value in Buffalo, and a trade could get Buffalo off the hook for an upcoming extension potentially worth $7 million in AAV. After recent extensions given to Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, it may not be smart to invest that much in a back end that allowed 3.5 goals per game last season.
19) Evan Rodrigues, Florida Panthers
After the recent re-signings of Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett, Evan Rodrigues might be pushed out financially. While a key part of each of the Panthers' Stanley Cup runs, he has a cap hit of $3 million each of the next two seasons, making him an easy name to ship out. He'll be 32 next season and can provide consistency, versatility, and a veteran depth presence. On a lot of teams, he could slot in as a top-six forward, as proven by his one-year stint in Colorado (16 G, 23 A).
20) K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers
TRADED -- to Carolina

K'Andre Miller is coming off a relatively disappointing individual season with just 27 points, which leaves the Rangers unsure about what direction they want to take with the pending RFA. A deal for Miller would commit him as part of the core of the team, but the length is in question. He has a ton of potential as a top-notch penalty killer, a two-way physical presence, and is reliable defensively. He led the Rangers in even-strength ice time last season and has never had a year in his career with a negative plus-minus. He's exactly the type of player, especially at 25 years old, that would be coveted league-wide.
21) Jamie Oleksiak, Seattle Kraken
Seattle is expected to be busy this summer, even after adding a few key pieces up front. However, defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has one year left on his deal and could be a sought-after piece considering what he brings to the table. A six-foot-seven, 257-pound blueliner who is consistently healthy and has a decent amount of playoff experience. His cap hit for this season is a relatively affordable $4.6 million, but has a 16-team no-trade list. While he could be helpful for Seattle to keep into next season, he could bring back a solid return for a Kraken team that has disappointed the last couple of years.
22) William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights
As one of the original Golden Knights, it would be hard for Vegas to let go of William Karlsson, but it might make the most sense after the acquisition of Mitch Marner. His cap hit is $5.9 million for each of the next two seasons could be difficult to manage for a team so tight to the cap. Karlsson could fit in nicely on a lot of teams that need some help at center, although he does have a 10-team no-trade list. Some reports say Carolina is one team that is searching for help down the middle and has called to check in on the Lady Byng-winner.
23) Andrew Copp, Detroit Red Wings
Andrew Copp's production has declined since signing a five-year extension in Detroit in 2022 which will have him make $5.625 million against the cap for each of the next two seasons. In 56 games last season, he had just 10 goals and 23 points, which might force the Red Wings to retain some salary should he be dealt. Detroit wouldn't have an issue trading Copp in a market with lots of buyers for centers although he does have a 10-team no-trade list. One analyst suggested he could fetch a similar return that Scott Laughton did for Philadelphia last season.
24) Martin Nečas, Colorado Avalanche
Coming off a career-best 83-point season between Carolina and Colorado, it's believed that Martin Nečas could be dealt for the second time in less than a year. The Avalanche are another team with very little cap space heading into next season, and if they believe they can replace Nečas' production, moving him could provide a nice chunk of funds to work with. Nečas carries a $6.5 million cap hit for one season before he's a UFA. There's a belief that in this growing cap structure, he could eventually fetch an AAV of $10 million.
25) Owen Tippett, Philadelphia Flyers
Owen Tippett seems like a candidate that could help Philadelphia address its lack of center depth and a move could be in the best interest for both team and player. While he does carry a cap hit of $6.2 million until 2032, a change of scenery would likely do him some good. The 2017 10th overall pick has only reached 50 points in a season once in his NHL career, and he could be a great complimentary winger on either side for a contender. He's only 26 years old and has scored 20 goals or more in each of the last three seasons. Trading Tippett would be a difficult move for the Flyers, but might be the best bet for them to get a top-two center.
26) Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
The thought of trading Jason Robertson a year or two ago would've been blasphemy, but now it may make sense for the Stars, who have to weigh the thought of potentially paying him an extension with an AAV of $12 million after next season. With three players all making at least $8.4 million annually into the next decade, it might be tough to hold on to him for the sake of the salary cap. He hasn't been able to match his first-team All-Star season from two years ago, and he only had four goals in 11 playoff games last season. Now with a new head coach coming into the organization eventually, Robertson's role may change, making a move at this time the best option for optimal return.
27) Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
While its doubtful Morgan Rielly will approve of any trade away from the only team he's played on in his 12-year NHL career, his cap hit of $7.5 million begs for the Maple Leafs to look at all options. With Mitch Marner gone to Vegas, he'll be one of four players on the team making at least $7.5 million against the cap. If he were to play through his contract until he becomes a UFA in 2030, he'll likely break George Armstrong's franchise record for games played, but the question will be about how his production will regress. Last season he was a minus player for just the second time since before the pandemic despite playing on a top pair often with shutdown teammate Chris Tanev. Whichever team acquires him will get a player that will eat up ice time on a top defense pair that can anchor a power play and be a strong leader.
28) Connor Murphy, Chicago Blackhawks
Now may be the best time for the Blackhawks to trade defenceman Connor Murphy. He’s entering the final year of his $4.4 million per year deal and will likely seek a raise in free agency. With only one playoff appearance under his belt and turning 33 this season, he may prefer a contender—making an offseason move more valuable than a midseason rental. The 32-year-old is coming off one of his best seasons, with career highs in assists (17), blocked shots (134), and improved advanced stats across the board. His value is unlikely to be higher, making this an ideal moment for Chicago to explore a trade to anyone outside Murphy's 10-team no-trade list.
29) Elvis Merzļikins, Columbus Blue Jackets
Elvis Merzļikins requested a trade out of Columbus in 2024, but the team elected to keep him, and a .892 save percentage season followed. Not his worst season, but still not close to his standout rookie season. It seems like the 31-year-old Latvian netminder would improve with a change of scenery, especially with it now seeming like the Blue Jackets are confident in Jet Greaves. There are a few teams that stand out as suitors, including the Anaheim Ducks, who just traded longtime goalie John Gibson, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Philadelphia Flyers, who are in need of regular backups. Merzļikins will be a UFA in 2028, carrying a cap hit of $5.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list.
30) Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Another valuable Penguin who garnered interest from teams at the trade deadline but could be moved in the offseason instead is winger Rickard Rakell. The Penguins’ front office now under general manager Kyle Dubas seems like they're changing directions a bit and their fans know this team needs to get significantly younger. Rakell is probably the most valuable Penguin not named Sidney Crosby, and could bring back a return of picks and prospects to a team in desperate need of youth. The 32-year-old Swede is coming off a career-best season with 35 goals and 70 points. The salary cap is set to explode over the next three seasons, and having a 30-plus-goal winger making $5 million for the next three years is very appealing. Its an asset that will surely be hard to come by at the end of the decade.
31) Viktor Arvidsson, Edmonton Oilers
TRADED -- to Boston

After two straight Western Conference championships, the Edmonton Oilers know they're close to that elusive Stanley Cup and need to free up some cap space to get them over the top. Viktor Arvidsson is a candidate to be moved after playing sparingly in the playoffs for head coach Kris Knoblauch (15 GP) and carrying a cap hit of $4 million. After coming over from Los Angeles last offseason, he put up just 27 points in 67 games and averaged his lowest ice time since he was a rookie (15:00). The 32-year-old has a no-movement clause and one year left on his deal. A move might be a win for both parties, allowing the Oilers to clear cap space and Arvidsson to go to a place where he’ll get more opportunity in a contract year.
32) Carson Soucy, New York Rangers
Some reports indicate Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy is available via trade juts months after being acquired from Vancouver. He didn’t exactly live up to expectations in his 16 games in Manhattan, with just three points. He was also a healthy scratch for the team on multiple occasions. Soucy has one year left on his contract at a cap hit of $3.25 million. However, they may elect to keep him due to the fact that the team will have a new head coach in Mike Sullivan, and that his value may be too low to warrant trading him in an effort to shed money. Especially after the earlier trade of fellow defenseman K'Andre Miller.
33) Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins were reportedly open to moving Pavel Zacha at the trade deadline, and now he seems like their most likely trade candidate in the offseason. His 10-team no-trade list turned to an eight-team list on July 1, and he is coming off his first sub-50-point and minus season since joining the Bruins. The 28-year-old Czech has a cap hit of $4.75 million for the next two years, which is very reasonable considering the production he's capable of. The Bruins have been busy adding players this offseason, and with their roster shifting under new head coach Marco Sturm, Zacha’s slot is no longer guaranteed. Vancouver and Utah have been reported as the best fits for him.
34) Arturs Silovs, Vancouver Canucks
TRADED -- to Pittsburgh

Unfortunately for Arturs Silovs, it seems like he's the odd man out in Vancouver with an already stacked goalie room locked up for the next while. The standout Latvian was lights out in the playoffs in 2024, but couldn't stick, despite the injury mid-season to Thatcher Demko. With Demko recently signing an extension and Kevin Lankinen signed as well, Silovs will need a new home, and there's one likely waiting for him where he could challenge to be the number one option, He will be a restricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.
35) Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth
According to recent insider reports, the Utah Mammoth are seeking to add size and grit, which could lead to longtime Coyotes, and now Mammoth, forward Nick Schmaltz becoming available on the trade market. The 29-year-old has been a consistent producer, recording 58 or more points in each of the last four seasons. With Schmaltz entering the final year of his seven-year deal carrying a $5.8 million cap hit, the Mammoth may look to move him while his value remains high. The Detroit Red Wings are seen as a possible suitor, looking to add to the top of their lineup, and Schmaltz could work as an option.
36) Timothy Liljegren, San Jose Sharks
After the additions of Nick Leddy and Dmitri Orlov, the Sharks now have a surplus of defenseman, and soon someone will be out the door. That could possibly be Timothy Liljegren. Despite matching a career-high in goals, the 26-year old Swede had his first minus season of his NHL career (-25). He's making just $3 million against the cap, with this upcoming year being the last of his deal. And with the Sharks having plenty of cap space left, they have the opportunity to include the former first-round pick in a deal to potentially get a big name in return.
37) Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings
TRADED -- to Minnesota

Rumors have circulated that Vladimir Tarasenko wasn’t entirely satisfied with his situation in Detroit, raising the possibility of a move this summer in search of a better fit. His output dipped to a career-low 11 goals—matching the total he scored in just 43 games with Florida, where he played a key role in their 2024 Stanley Cup run. When he's in rhythm, few players can match his pure goal-scoring ability. The 34-year-old is bound to regain the electric play that made him so popular in St. Louis, where he had a career-high in points (82) in his last full season there.
38) Dougie Hamilton, New Jersey Devils
Once July 1 hit, Dougie Hamilton's no-move clause went to ten teams (with player approval), which opens the door to a potential move from New Jersey. He's coming off his eighth season with 40+ points, carrying a cap hit of $9 million until 2028. With Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey emerging on the right side, New Jersey now has a crowded defense corps. Those two were once seen as trade candidates, but now the focus may now be on moving Hamilton to clear cap space. General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has bolstered the team’s depth this offseason, but the Devils still have a gap to fill in their top six following Tyler Toffoli's departure last year.
39) Ben Hutton, Vegas Golden Knights
With Alex Pietrangelo out, another Golden Knights defenseman could be off Vegas ice with the team reportedly looking to trade Ben Hutton. The 32-year-old has been with Vegas since 2021, and his current contract has one year left at just $975K. Hutton played only 11 games, missing 16 with injury, and was scratched 55 times. He didn’t play in the playoffs and is expected to be the seventh defenseman next season, leading Vegas to explore trade options. The Golden Knights are about $6.8M over the cap, but Pietrangelo’s $8.8M hit will go on LTIR, leaving around $2M in cap space. Trading Hutton could free up more room, though with free-agent defensemen still available, he may end up on waivers if a trade doesn’t come.
40) Jared McCann, Seattle Kraken
Jared McCann heard rumors around the trade deadline that he could be made available in trades, but the Kraken weren't actively shopping him. The situation likely remains the same, as the Kraken have still stayed away from putting him on the market, but he is still an attractive player. However, new general manager Jason Botterill might take a different approach. With some of the moves Seattle has already made this offseason, the club might be trying to focus more on opportunities for younger players like Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and some of their upcoming prospects instead. McCann makes $5 million per year against the cap for the next two seasons and has a 10-team no trade list.
41) Matias Maccelli, Utah Mammoth
TRADED -- to Toronto

Matias Maccelli, while having a lot of offensive skill, his lack of physicality won't keep him in the lineup consistently. He played all 82 games for Arizona in 2023-24 and scored a career-high 17 goals and 57 points. In only 55 games last season, he had just eight goals and 18 points. A trade for the Finnish winger would be beneficial for both sides, allowing the team to address their needs while giving Maccelli a chance to revitalize his career in a new environment.
42) Mattias Samuelsson, Buffalo Sabres
Mattias Samuelsson was once seen as a key part of Buffalo’s blue line rebuild, a physical, shutdown partner for Rasmus Dahlin. But after an uneven 2024–25 season, his future with the Sabres is less certain. Injuries, inconsistency, and a shifting role under head coach Lindy Ruff have raised questions, despite Samuelsson posting career highs in games played (62), goals (4), and points (14). His transition to a more offensive role didn’t always resonate with fans who valued his stay-at-home style. Still just 25 and on a manageable $4.29M cap hit, the American defenseman could be a buy-low target for playoff teams this summer.
43) Yegor Chinakhov, Columbus Blue Jackets
Yegor Chinakhov recently requested a trade out of Columbus, which caught the team off guard. The 24-year-old winger has talent and one of the hardest shots on the team, but injuries have limited him to 175 of 328 possible games. After a hot start to 2024–25, an upper-body injury stalled his momentum, and he slipped down the depth chart. With a $2.1M cap hit and untapped potential, Chinakhov is a classic “sell-high” candidate as the Blue Jackets look to reshape their roster with top-six-potential pieces.
44) Samuel Girard, Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche have been flirting with the idea of trading Samuel Girard for about three years now. Most teams prefer to carry just one undersized defenseman, and in Colorado’s case, that likely makes the five-foot-10, 170-pound Girard the odd man out. The complication? The Avs lacked blue-line depth this season—especially on the third pair—so if they do move him, they’ll need to get creative to round out their defense with limited cap room. He was +7 on the third pair last season with 24 points in 73 games.
45) Erik Haula, New Jersey Devils
TRADED -- to Nashville

If you’re listing letdowns from New Jersey’s season, Erik Haula’s name is hard to miss. Usually a steady presence, the 34-year-old didn’t deliver offensively this year, especially as the Devils’ depth scoring vanished. His ability to slot in at center adds some versatility, but with GM Tom Fitzgerald likely looking to strengthen the middle and bottom-six forward group, Haula’s spot on the roster could be in jeopardy. He had just 11 goals and 21 points in 69 games while being a -6 player.
46) Mario Ferraro, San Jose Sharks
Mario Ferraro is San Jose’s top trade chip and could be dealt this offseason for forward help. The Sharks’ bottom-six managed just 65 points last season, and while Ferraro won’t fetch multiple top-line players, his team-friendly $3.25M deal and top-four value make him a strong asset. With no extension in sight and new additions crowding the blue line, moving Ferraro to address forward depth is becoming more likely.
47) Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames
Nazem Kadri is coming off a career-best 35-goal season and would be a strong top-six addition for a contender, but it’s unclear if Calgary is ready to move him. With few centers on the market and his value at a peak, now could be the ideal time for GM Craig Conroy to act. The catch is Kadri’s contract—four more years at a $7M cap hit through his age-38 season. His full no-move clause became a 13-team no-trade list on July 1.
48) Anders Lee, New York Islanders
After being rumored as a trade candidate at the deadline in 2024, Islanders captain Anders Lee is once again a name to watch. Some sources have linked him to interest from Toronto, a team possibly aiming for him to sew up part of its top six. Lee, 35, is entering the final year of his eight-year, $7 million AAV contract. While the Islanders' new brass aren’t planning a full rebuild, he still remains a likely candidate to be moved from their roster. With 29 goals and 25 assists last season, Lee is a valuable trade asset—especially given his leadership and playoff experience.
49) Nico Daws, New Jersey Devils
Despite steady development, Nico Daws is squeezed out of New Jersey’s NHL plans with Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen set as the 2025–26 tandem. The 24-year-old is no longer waiver-exempt, so sending him to the AHL risks losing him for nothing —making a trade the smarter play. Daws has drawn league-wide interest, and packaging him with a bigger name like Hamilton or Mercer could help the Devils upgrade up front or clear cap space. After posting a stellar .939 save percentage and 1.60 GAA in limited NHL time, his value is at its peak.
50) Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
Mason McTavish, a 22-year-old restricted free agent, is on the Ducks’ trade block amid strong interest from multiple teams. While an offer sheet has been rumored, a trade looks more probable. He's reportedly been unhappy with his role on the team, but a new coaching staff is stepping in for this upcoming season. Last season, he scored 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games, continuing to develop impressively at a young age. McTavish’s size (6'1", 219 lbs), skillset, and all-around game make him an attractive piece for teams looking to make a splash, whether by trade or offer sheet.
Ranking the Top 10 NHL Stars Likely to Be Traded in Summer 2025
There are two categories of NHL teams in the offseason: teams that need to create cap space to continue to push for the Cup, and teams that are changing directions either with new management or to start a rebuild. That means more trades from all over the league are on the horizon for this offseason, and many players could be bait. Here are the 20 stars most likely to be traded before the 2025-26 NHL season.

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Ranking the Top 50 NHL Stars Likely to Be Traded in Summer 2025

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