.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
With a less-than-impressive unrestricted free agent class, we’ve seen more NHL trades prior to the draft than we’ve ever seen before.
But the trades aren’t expected to stop.
So far, we’ve witnessed Joseph Woll, Mackie Samoskevich, Brady Tkachuk, Simon Nemec, William Eklund, Jordan Kyrou, Bowen Byram, Valeri Nichushkin, and Olen Zellweger be dealt.
Without further ado, we present our 2026 NHL off-season trade board.
1. Dylan Larkin, C, Detroit Red Wings
- Age: 29
- Cap hit: $8.7 million until 2030-31 (No-trade clause)
Dylan Larkin has requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings and is looking to move to a Stanley Cup-contending team. Larkin is arguably the biggest player on the trade market, and wherever he ends up, that team will instantly become contenders if they weren’t already.
Larkin has reportedly given the Red Wings three teams he is willing to be traded to: the Minnesota Wild, the Florida Panthers, and the Vegas Golden Knights. Following the Brady Tkachuk trade, Florida is likely off the board, and some recent reports signify that Minnesota is the frontrunner.
No. 1 centers are hard to find, and landing Larkin would be a big win for whatever team gains his services.
MORE: 4 NHL teams who can trade for Red Wings' Dylan Larkin following his trade request
2. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets
- Age: 33
- Cap hit: $8.5 million until 2030-31 (No movement clause)
Connor Hellebuyck is arguably the best goaltender in the NHL and would be the No. 1 player on the board if he had formally requested a trade. At the moment, all he has told the Winnipeg Jets is that he would be open to a trade.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner and one-time Hart Trophy winner had a difficult regular season with the Jets in 2025-26. Still, he showed he can elevate his game in high-pressure environments when he guided Team USA to an Olympic gold medal.
The teams reportedly interested in Hellebuyck include the Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, and New Jersey Devils.
3. Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers
- Age: 32
- Cap hit: $5.625 million until 2028-29 (10-team no trade list)
Vincent Trocheck was a trade candidate at the 2026 deadline, and now, heading into the off-season, the desire to trade him has only grown.
The New York Rangers need to get younger as they enter a retool, and moving Trocheck will likely fetch them a first-round pick and a draft pick. With three seasons left on his contract, Trocheck comes with plenty of control.
Trocheck can be a very good two-way, No. 2 center on a playoff team, and discussions involving Trocheck are only intensifying.
4. Mason McTavish, C, Anaheim Ducks
- Age: 23
- Cap hit: $7 million until 2030-31
Mason McTavish is the youngest player in the top 10, and could be the player traded the soonest. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the St. Louis Blues and the Rangers have offers for the Anaheim Ducks center.
The Blues have a package centered around picks, while the Rangers are looking to send a roster player.
Wherever he ends up, that team will be adding a young center with a 6-foot-1, 219-pound frame.
MORE: Blues Reportedly In Two-Team Race With Rangers To Land Ducks' Mason McTavish
5. Darnell Nurse, D, Edmonton Oilers
- Age: 31
- Cap hit: $9.25 million until 2029-30 (no movement clause)
Darnell Nurse has spent his entire NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, and as his play has declined, the criticism surrounding him has grown. The left-handed defender has formally requested a trade, and it appears his time in Edmonton has come to an end.
Nurse receives more flak than he likely deserves, but some of it can be attributed to his massive cap hit. Nurse can still be an effective middle-pairing defenseman and, if traded to the right situation, a defender who positively affects the game.
MORE: Oilers may have no choice but to retain salary on Darnell Nurse's contract
6. Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
- Age: 26
- Restricted free agent
Jason Robertson has been the talk of the hockey world recently. The Dallas Stars have reportedly offered Robertson contracts with AAVs of $12 million and $12.5 million, both of which he rejected.
Elliotte Friedman then reported that Robertson turned down an eight-year, $15 million AAV contract from the Seattle Kraken.
Robertson’s situation comes with plenty of uncertainty, and it’s one of, if not the most interesting, cases to watch this off-season.
7. Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
- 24 years old
- Restricted free agent
The Carolina Hurricanes have already attempted to deal Alexander Nikishin, reportedly putting together a package for Hellebuyck.
Nikishin had a strong rookie season, but his ice time decreased drastically in the playoffs, and he recorded just one point in 17 games. With left-handed defensemen like Jaccob Slavin, K’Andre Miller, and Shayne Gostisbehere, it’ll be difficult for Nikishin to earn more minutes.
MORE: Hurricanes Offer Alexander Nikishin, First Rounder To Winnipeg For Connor Hellebuyck
8. Jordan Binnington, G, St. Louis Blues
- Age: 32
- Cap hit: $6 million until 2026-27 (10 team no trade list)
There are plenty of conflicting reports surrounding Jordan Binnington at the moment. Some insiders believe he will be dealt before the start of the 2026-27 season, while others believe he’ll still be with the Blues when the season begins.
Either way, Binnington recorded poor numbers during the 2025-26 season and lost the starter’s crease as the season went on. He showed up for Team Canada at the Olympics, and his resume as a Stanley Cup winner speaks for itself.
A trade would do Binnington well.
MORE: 3 NHL teams that could trade for Blues' Jordan Binnington
9. Jacob Markstrom, G, New Jersey Devils
- Age: 36
- Cap hit: $6 million until 2027-28 (20 team no trade list)
Jacob Markstrom hasn’t panned out in New Jersey, and at 36 years old, Markstrom isn’t able to play as a No. 1 goaltender, and his $6 million cap hit is too expensive for New Jersey to use in a tandem.
The market has been quiet around Markstrom at the moment, but after the bulk of the UFA goaltenders are signed, expect trade talks involving Markstrom to ramp up.
10. Matthew Knies, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Age: 23
- Cap hit: $7.75 million until 2030-31
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been clear that they aren’t actively looking to shop Matthew Knies, but if the right move presents itself, they’ll listen.
Frank Seravalli reported that the Maple Leafs were looking to move Knies to Dallas for the seventh overall pick as part of the Jason Robertson deal, but that ultimately fell through.
Knies is the prototypical NHL power forward, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 232 pounds. With his frame, NHL experience, age, and contract value, Knies will demand a large return if dealt.
Best of the rest: Elias Pettersson, Morgan Rielly, Dougie Hamilton, Connor Zary, Jake DeBrusk, Colton Parayko, Shane Wright, Mason Lohrei, Sebastian Cossa, and Blake Coleman
More NHL News
- Top 10 wingers in the 2026 NHL draft include Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg, and Wyatt Cullen
- Chase Reid, Carson Carels, and Keaton Verhoeff highlight the top 10 defensemen in the 2026 NHL draft
- Top 30 2026 NHL UFAs: Rasmus Andersson, John Carlson, Sergei Bobrovsky highlight free agent board
- 2026 NHL mock draft: Maple Leafs, Blackhawks add wingers for Auston Matthews, Connor Bedard; Sharks take No. 1 defenseman
- 2026 NHL mock draft: Chaos ensues as trades continue to pile on
English (US)