Buy or Sell Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors

The hockey world is focused on the outcome of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. While the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers battle for hockey’s greatest prize, the 30 other NHL teams are preparing for business in the upcoming offseason.

Activity in the trade market is expected to increase once the playoffs end. Much of that could occur leading up to the 2024 NHL draft in Las Vegas on June 28-29. Two days following the draft, the free-agent market begins at noon ET on July 1.

Good young players such as Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Nečas could be on the move in the trade market. Meanwhile, there’s growing speculation over where notable unrestricted free agents such as Necas’ teammate Jake Guentzel could end up.

We’re looking at the most notable rumors of the past week to determine which ones are worth buying or selling. You can express your thoughts on this topic in the app comments below.

The rebuilding Montréal Canadiens need to bolster their scoring punch. Their 2.83 goals-per-game average ranked 26th among the 32 NHL clubs. The bulk of that production came from rising young forward stars Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovský and puck-moving defenseman Mike Matheson.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has swung deals for forwards during or leading up to the last two NHL drafts. He acquired Kirby Dach from Chicago during the first round of the 2022 draft and Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche before the opening round of last year’s draft.

That’s prompted speculation Hughes would make a bigger move for an established young scoring forward. The Canadiens have been suggested as a potential landing spot for Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras and a possible destination for Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Nečas.

The Athletic’s Arpon Basu reports the Canadiens have inquired about Zegras and Nečas. However, he’s skeptical that they’ll land either guy, as he felt they could be too expensive in terms of trade cost and contracts. He also thinks this isn’t the right time to pursue those two.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The Canadiens must boost their scoring, but not at the expense of overpaying for the privilege and possibly delaying or derailing their rebuild. Hughes will likely pursue a deal for a scoring forward but one who will make sense in terms of dollars, trade return and how that player fits within the club’s timeline.

John Tavares has one year remaining on his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs with an average annual value of $11 million. The 33-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

That’s sparked speculation that the Leafs could look into moving Tavares in a cost-cutting move to free up space to address other roster needs. However, he carries a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his situation.

During the June 10 episode of The Jeff Marek Show, the host wondered about the possibility of Tavares getting traded to Utah. He noted the franchise could seek veteran players on short-term contracts to bring experience and leadership to its young roster.

Marek raised a theory of Tavares agreeing to be traded to Utah if that franchise offered a two-year contract extension at “a healthy number.” However, his guest, Elliotte Friedman, said he was under the impression Tavares would play in Toronto next season.

Buy or Sell: Sell

On June 3, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported Tavares won’t waive his no-movement clause if asked to do so by the Leafs. Any team interested in him must wait until he hits the open market next summer.

On Jan. 30, the Vancouver Canucks acquired Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames. He struggled through 26 injury-hampered regular-season games with his new club but performed well in the postseason with 10 points in 15 games.

Lindholm is coming off a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.9 million. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. While his stats were down this season, he remains the best center in this summer’s free-agent market. He could get a seven-year contract worth an AAV of $7 million.

The Boston Bruins were believed to be interested in Lindholm before his trade to Vancouver. On June 9, the Vancouver Province‘s Ben Kuzma reported a rumor that the Canucks looked into moving the two-way center to the Bruins before the March trade deadline in a three-team deal involving the Pittsburgh Penguins to make room for Jake Guentzel.

Guentzel instead wound up in Carolina and Lindholm finished the season in Vancouver. However, the Bruins could pursue him if he tests the UFA market on July 1. They made do this season with Charlie Coyle centering their top line, but he’s best suited for second- or third-line duty.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa anticipates the Bruins will make a big push for Lindholm in free agency, citing their need for an established first-line center. Despite the 29-year-old center’s struggles this season, Shinzawa believes his career arc remains high, praising his solid two-way play. With $23.9 million in cap space, they have the room to sign Lindholm.

Jacob Markstrom was a fixture in the rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. Reports emerged in mid-February claiming the 34-year-old Calgary Flames goaltender was close to being shipped to the New Jersey Devils. While the deal fell through and Markstrom finished the season with the Flames, the speculation over his future has continued.

Markstrom topped our May NHL Trade Block Big Board. He is also among our recent listing of the eight biggest stars who could be moved at the 2024 NHL draft in Las Vegas on June 28-29. As the draft draws near, more trade rumors swirl about him.

On June 9, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Flames are still quietly trying to move Markstrom. He believes the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs could be in talks for the former Vezina Trophy finalist. All three clubs need a reliable starting goaltender.

Markstrom’s contract could be a sticking point. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $6 million. He also has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over this situation.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The Flames don’t want this situation dragging on into next season. Markstrom, meanwhile, seemed non-committal about returning to Calgary. It will take time to sort out the type of return and whether the Flames will retain some salary to facilitate the trade, but the veteran goaltender could land with one of those clubs by the end of June.

The Carolina Hurricanes acquired Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins before the March trade deadline. He fit in well with his new club and expressed an interest in re-signing after the Hurricanes were eliminated from the postseason. The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Guentzel is completing a five-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million. A two-time 40-goal scorer and a Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins in 2016-17, he would draw plenty of interest in the free-agent market.

Since then, reports emerged that Guentzel was considering testing the free-agent market while keeping the Hurricanes as an option. However, the club is open to shopping his signing rights for a middle-round draft pick.

The Vancouver Canucks could be a suitor. On June 9, the Vancouver Province‘s Ben Kuzma reported Canucks management had Guentzel in its sights for some time. It was rumored the team considered flipping center Elias Lindholm to the Boston Bruins to make room for Guentzel.

Buy or Sell: Sell

The Canucks have $25 million in cap space for next season with 14 active roster players under contract.

Guentzel could seek between $8.5 million and $9.5 million annually on his next contract. That will take up a big chunk of that cap space, hampering their chance to re-sign or replace other key players such as Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov and Filip Hronek.

Salary-cap information via Puck Pedia.