The National Hockey League is down to the final four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and teams are putting their finishing touches to their plans for the 2016 NHL Draft and free agency on July 1.
It is not expected to be a impactful unrestricted free agent class this summer (with Steven Stamkos being the only star player potentially available), but with the salary cap expected to remain at $71.4 Million before the players escalation option, and many young players in need of new contracts, a number of teams with dicey cap situations may be looking to move veterans with big salaries and term remaining on their deals.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the New York Rangers may be exploring trade options for forward Rick Nash, who is under contract for another two seasons at a cap hit of $7.8 Million.
The 31-year-old winger had 15 goals in an injury-shortened season after scoring a career-best 42 goals in 2015 and has a limited no-trade clause, but the Rangers need cap room to re-sign forwards Chris Kreider, JT Miller and possibly UFA defenseman Keith Yandle or to enter the bidding war for Stamkos.
Nash is not the only big name with significant term remaining to have his name bandied about this summer, as many teams will need to move salary out to address areas of need.
Columbus winger Scott Hartnell (signed until 2019 at $4.75 Million) was nearly included in the Ryan Johansen – Seth Jones deal last January and could be a trade candidate with the Blue Jackets looking to shake things up after another disappointing season. Former Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky (three years remaining at $7.425 Million) after another season with numerous trips to the injured list and defenseman Jack Johnson ($4.357 Million until 2018) could also become available.
The LA Kings have yet to adequately fill the hole created by the departure of defenseman Slava Voynov. The lack of depth on the blueline contributed greatly to the Kings first round exit at the hands of the San Jose Sharks. With limited cap space available, veteran wingers Marian Gaborik or Dustin Brown may be trade candidates.
The 34-year-old Gaborik missed 28 games with a knee injury, but did return for the playoffs and has a reasonable $4.875 Million cap hit. The Kings team captain continues to drop off offensively and with another six years remaining at $5.875 Million, the 31-year-old Brown would be tough to move.
The expected shakeup in Edmonton is bound to include either or both Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who were extended after their entry-level deals expired at $6 Million per season and have multiple years remaining.
GM Peter Chiarelli must address the sorry state of the Oilers blueline if they hope to take advantage of the bevy of young offensive talent including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall.
It is unknown whether the rumors regarding the possible trading of PK Subban in Montreal is just titillating speculation or if GM Mark Bergevin is legitimately open to dealing the former Norris Trophy winner. Subban is the NHL’s top paid defenseman at $9 Million and has a no-movement clause that goes into effect on July 1 and teams would line up to deal for him, but it’s hard to imagine that the Habs would trade the 27-year-old just entering his prime.
Minnesota is arguably the team with the worst cap situation entering the offseason, with less than $8 Million in available cap space and RFA’s Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba to re-sign. With Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter all possessing no-movement clauses, 22-year-old Jonas Brodin (signed through 2021 at $4.16 Million) could be moved to add much needed scoring depth.
To say that Dallas is unhappy with their goaltending after Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi played subpar in the playoffs is an understatement. Stars GM Jim Nill has the most expensive tandem in the NHL (totaling $10.4 Million) signed for another two seasons and has former Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn in need of a new contract before next summer.
Neither netminder showed an ability to seize the starting job and with a potential logjam of available goaltenders one year ahead of expansion, moving either one will be a difficult proposition.
