Sitting amid the NHL off-season dog days, there has been little activity in the trade market. Meanwhile, the arbitration period ended predictably with all 13 players agreeing to new contracts with their respective teams before their scheduled hearings.
Nevertheless, the rumor mill keeps churning despite the lack of trade activity and the dearth of offer sheets to restricted free agents.
Most of the attention is on the Pittsburgh Penguins. While management isn't openly saying they're rebuilding, it's clear that is what they're doing this summer as they attempt to move out aging veterans for younger talent.
Most of the attention is focused on defenseman Erik Karlsson and wingers Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. The 35-year-old Karlsson is signed through 2026-27 with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value. Rakell and Rust are in their early 30s with cap hits at or just above $5 million annually through 2027-28.
Sportsnet's Sonny Sachdeva recently suggested the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators as destinations for Karlsson. That depends on his willingness to waive his no-movement clause, and if the Penguins agree to retain $3 million of their share of his AAV.
Sachdeva also listed the Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres as landing spots for Rakell or Rust.
Cap retention is a must for the Leafs, Avalanche, and Kings, while the Sabres could be on Rakell's nine-team no-trade list. Rust could be a good fit with the Red Wings given his Michigan roots.
Turning to Calgary, Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson remain the topic of media conjecture.
Kadri is under contract until 2028-29 with an AAV of $7 million and a full no-movement clause. Andersson carries a more affordable $4.55-million AAV with a six-team no-trade list, and is UFA-eligible next July.
Sportnet's Ryan Dixon recently noted Kadri's value to the retooling Flames, indicating they're in no hurry to move him. However, he continues to surface in trade rumors this summer.
Dixon suggested the Montreal Canadiens,New Jersey Devils, Hurricanes, Avalanche, and Maple Leafs as possible destinations if Kadri is moved. Cap space would be an issue for the Avalanche, Devils, and Leafs, while the Canadiens aren't likely to part with young assets for a 34-year-old center.
The Hurricanes have the cap room and are willing to make bold moves. Kadri could be a good fit, but his age raises concerns about the length of his contract.
As for Andersson, Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sun considers it a matter of time until the 28-year-old defenseman is moved. Still, Flames GM Craig Conroy has no problem with him being on the roster to begin this season.
Andersson is more likely to be moved than Kadri this season, but the Flames could wait until the March trade deadline to maximize his value.
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