And. Here. We. Go. The Stanley Cup Final is just around the corner. The Scouting Combine is next week. And 28 of the NHL’s 32 clubs are fully immersed in offseason mode. It’s about time the trade market starts to heat up.



With that, we’re back with 20 names in play to kick off our first Trade Targets board since Deadline Day in March. As always, our Trade Targets board seeks to blend a player’s prominence with his likelihood of a trade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trade Targets 🎯</h2>



1. JJ Peterka Left Wing, Buffalo Sabres Age: 23 Stats: 77 GP, 27 G, 41 A, 68 Pts Contract: Pending RFA Scoop: There may be no better player available, period, on the trade market this summer – let alone one of Peterka’s age at 23, already a top-line producer. Embattled <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/buffalo-sabres/line-combinations">Sabres</a> GM Kevyn Adams has said publicly that he has no designs on trading Peterka, but the sense is a change of scenery is in order. Multiple teams put together significant offers for Peterka in the days leading up to the March deadline, but Buffalo was not biting then. They may have less choice now with a potential offer sheet waiting on the other end of July 1.<div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="195"></div>



2. Chris Kreider Left Wing, New York Rangers Age: 34 Stats: 68 GP, 22 G, 8 A, 30 Pts Contract: 2 years remaining, $6.5 million AAV Scoop: It was undoubtedly a difficult year for Kreider, the career-long Blueshirt, who dealt with a mangled hand, vertigo and oh yes, the spotlight of a league-wide memo that indicated his GM was open to offers for him. Kreider is just 11 goals away from second all-time for the Original Six franchise and he isn’t interested in leaving. He has a 15-team ‘no-trade’ that could complicate things for Chris Drury. But if we’ve learned anything with Drury (see: Jacob Trouba), when he is motivated to make change, he’ll find a way to see it through.



3. Marco Rossi Center, Minnesota Wild Age: 23 Stats: 82 GP, 24 G, 36 A, 60 Pts Contract: Pending RFA Scoop: Rossi himself seemed to cast some doubt on his future in the State of Hockey at his season-ending press conference, saying: “I don’t know. We’ll see.” He’s due for a big raise and the question is: Do the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/minnesota-wild/line-combinations">Wild</a> want to pay him? It’s a tough spot because Minnesota could use more center depth, not less, but Rossi slid to the fourth line in the playoffs. But GM Bill Guerin’s original first-round pick in Minnesota would command a price in a thin center market – and perhaps he could swing a deal much like the one for the last RFA they chose to move on from in Kevin Fiala.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="242"></div>



4. Bowen Byram Left Defense, Buffalo Sabres Age: 24 Stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 31 A, 38 Pts Contract: Pending RFA Scoop: So, what’s the plan for Byram in Buffalo? He was eligible for a contract extension 10 months ago, shortly after being acquired from Colorado. Yet one didn’t get done. His agent recently refuted a report that said Byram made a trade request. But there is still so much to unpack on Byram and his game. He turns 24 in a few weeks and just completed his first full, 82-game season after injuries had piled up in previous campaigns. That’s a big step.



5. Jonathan Marchessault Right Wing, Nashville Predators Age: 34 Stats: 78 GP, 21 G, 35 A, 56 Pts Contract: 4 years remaining, $5.5 million AAV Scoop: After a disastrous, 28th place finish, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/nashville-predators/line-combinations">Predators</a> need to get younger. In a hurry. And they’d be smart to also shed one of their long-term commitments to older players, too. The belief is Marchessault is open to moving on after one year in the Music City. His production dipped, like everyone’s, as Nashville struggled to score. But he’s eminently capable of bouncing back with a 30-goal season with strong value to cap.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="193"></div>



6. Rasmus Andersson Right Defense, Calgary Flames Age: 28 Stats: 81 GP, 11 G, 20 A, 31 Pts Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.55 million AAV Scoop: This is where the rubber meets the road for Rasmus Andersson in Calgary. Fish or cut bait? Andersson presents great trade value, even after a relatively down year, for a right-shooting defenseman with an edge, double-digit goal scoring ability and a very reasonable cap hit. The <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/">Flames</a> aren’t in a rush. They’d have no problem hanging onto him until the trade deadline to potentially watch his stock rise even higher.



7. Erik Karlsson Right Defense, Pittsburgh Penguins Age: 34 Stats: 82 GP, 11 G, 42 A, 53 Pts Contract: 2 years remaining, $10 million AAV Scoop: League sources are expecting Karlsson’s name to percolate as GM Kyle Dubas spools up a retool or rebuild to get <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/pittsburgh-penguins/line-combinations">Pittsburgh</a> back on track. Karlsson has played two seasons in the Steel City and this one was better than the first. That $10 million cap hit will be difficult to navigate. But is there someone willing to give their blueline a shot in the arm with a capable quarterback? Karlsson turned back the clock at 4 Nations Face-Off.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="190"></div>



8. Connor Murphy Right Defense, Chicago Blackhawks Age: 32 Stats: 68 GP, 2 G, 17 A, 19 Pts Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.4 million AAV Scoop: And suddenly, the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/chicago-blackhawks/line-combinations">Blackhawks</a> have too many defensemen. They might have even more if somehow Matt Schaefer falls to No. 3 in the Draft. With Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov holding down the back end for the foreseeable future, Murphy could well be on the move. He is a steady and reliable veteran presence who can play physical – and he’s on the perfect contract.



9. John Gibson Goaltender, Anaheim Ducks Age: 31 Stats: 29 GP, 2.77 GAA, .912 SV% Contract: 2 years remaining, $6.4 million AAV Scoop: Is this the year? This is the fourth offseason Gibson has been readily available on the trade block, but everything seems to be lining up for both Gibson and the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/anaheim-ducks/line-combinations">Ducks</a> this time. There are only two years left on his deal. He is coming off a strong season, even if he ceded the starter’s job to Lukas Dostal. And the goaltending market is very thin this summer. Jake Allen is the big name free agent. Gibson should still have plenty left in the tank at age 31.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="194"></div>



10. K’Andre Miller Left Defense, New York Rangers Age: 25 Stats: 74 GP, 7 G, 20 A, 27 Pts Contract: Pending RFA Scoop: One of the biggest lingering questions for GM Chris Drury is the makeup and foundation of the Blueshirts’ blueline. It’s no secret the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-rangers/line-combinations">Rangers</a> have not defended well enough in front of Igor Shesterkin, and that spans multiple head coaches now. It’s on the personnel. Miller is just 25 and skates so effortlessly and efficiently, he should be part of the solution. But he’s also due a sizable raise and a contract that will have to buy UFA years. That’s expensive.



11. Vladimir Tarasenko Wing, Detroit Red Wings Age: 33 Stats: 80 GP, 11 G, 22 A, 33 Pts Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.75 million AAV Scoop: There was word that Tarasenko wasn’t thrilled with his arrangement in <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/detroit-red-wings/line-combinations">Detroit</a>, leaving open the possibility that he’s on the move this summer for a better fit. His production dropped to a career-low 11 goals. He had that many in a 43-game run in Florida that saw him contribute to the 2024 Stanley Cup champs. When everything clicks, there are few better natural goal scorers in the game.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="188"></div>



12. Elvis Merzlikins Goaltender, Columbus Blue Jackets Age: 31 Stats: 53 GP, 3.18 GAA, .892 SV%, 1 SO Contract: 2 years remaining, $5.4 million AAV Scoop: Are the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/columbus-blue-jackets/line-combinations">Blue Jackets </a>going to shake up their crease? When you look at Columbus’ season, they were felled not by their offense (eighth in goals) but by their inability to keep pucks out of the net. They ranked 25th in goals against – giving up exactly as many as they scored. Part of that is on what happened in front of Merzlikins. Part of that is on Merzlikins. He holds a 10-team, no-trade list.



13. Lukas Reichel Forward, Chicago Blackhawks Age: 23 Stats: 70 GP, 8 G, 14 A, 22 Pts Contract: 1 year remaining, $1.2 million AAV Scoop: Speed to burn. Lot to learn. Consistency desired. There are moments when you watch Reichel play that you can’t believe he hasn’t strung it all together on a night-to-night basis in the NHL. He’s got some fantastic traits and could be an ideal contributor. And then there are moments where you aren’t sure if he was actually in the lineup or not. He won’t be expensive but he’s still relatively young. Some team has to be able to pull it out of him.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="6" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="199"></div>



14. Erik Haula Center/Left Wing, New Jersey Devils Age: 34 Stats: 69 GP, 11 G, 10 A, 21 Pts Contract: 1 year remaining, $3.15 million AAV Scoop: If there’s a list of disappointing seasons in New Jersey, Haula’s name will appear toward the top of it. The Haula Famer has typically been very consistent throughout his career, but he struggled to produce as the rest of the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/line-combinations">Devils</a>‘ depth scoring dried up. He has the ability to play center, which is a nice versatile bonus, but if GM Tom Fitzgerald is beefing up his middle/bottom six forward group, Haula could be on the out.



15. Morgan Rielly Left Defense, Toronto Maple Leafs Age: 31 Stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 34 A, 41 Pts Contract: 5 years remaining, $7.5 million AAV Scoop: The <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/">Leafs</a> need a puck-moving defenseman, someone who can help get them out of trouble efficiently and exiting the zone with more ease. Rielly isn’t that anymore. He’s been a fine playoff contributor, surprisingly enough, but he isn’t an effective quarterback on the first power play unit and his game showed significant signs of slowing down this season. Should the Leafs make a move before that contract becomes onerous?<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="7" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="190"></div>



16. Pavel Zacha / Morgan Geekie Center/Left Wing, Boston Bruins Age: 28 Stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 33 A, 47 Pts Contract: 2 years remaining, $4.75 million AAV Scoop: On the whole, Zacha has done just about everything the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/boston-bruins/line-combinations">Bruins</a> could’ve hoped since they acquired him from New Jersey for Erik Haula. He’s nipped at 60 points twice. He’s played admirably at center when called upon. Geekie had a true breakout season with 33 goals, nearly doubling his previous career high. And he’ll need to be paid. Boston is in an interesting summer of transition. They’ll need to make some decisions about whom to keep and with both players positive relative to cap, they’ll have some real value on the market.



17. David Kampf Center, Toronto Maple Leafs Age: 30 Stats: 59 GP, 5 G, 8 A, 13 Pts Contract: 2 years remaining, $2.4 million AAV Scoop: With a late-season injury, Kampf really faded into the background, with coach Craig Berube opting to keep him out of the lineup for most of the Stanley Cup playoffs as a healthy scratch. Now, Kampf has two years left at a number that isn’t problematic, but probably still less than ideal for the Leafs. He is a quality utility player who competes, so they should be able to find a taker.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="8" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="208"></div>



18. Thatcher Demko Goaltender, Vancouver Canucks Age: 29 Stats: 23 GP, 2.90 GAA, .889 SV%, 1 SO Contract: 1 year remaining, $5 million AAV Scoop: The <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">Canucks</a> have an interesting dilemma on their hands. They have a talented goaltender who is one of the faces of their franchise dealing with a significant injury. He battled through it and put up respectable numbers, and looked great on some nights. But the Canucks also re-signed Kevin Lankinen to a five-year extension. And Demko’s deal is up after one more. Will they try to move him? Or do they like the tandem? Demko seemed awfully loyal to coach Rick Tocchet. Wondering if a reunion in Philadelphia is possible.



19. Jamie Oleksiak Defense, Seattle Kraken Age: 32 Stats: 82 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 17 Pts Contract: 1 year remaining, $4.6 million AAV Scoop: The Jason Botterill Era begins in Seattle and it will be fascinating to see how he remakes the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/seattle-kraken/line-combinations">Kraken</a>. He has decisions to make, and one of the most pressing is what to do with a player like Oleksiak. He is eligible for an extension on July 1, but reaching an age that isn’t in sync with where Seattle is heading, so that would seem to suggest a trade is in order. But it doesn’t have to be this summer, he could be a trade deadline haul.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="9" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="217"></div>



20. Elias Pettersson Center, Vancouver Canucks Age: 26 Stats: 64 GP, 15 G, 30 A, 45 Pts Contract: 7 years remaining, $11.6 million AAV Scoop: This is a massive summer for Pettersson, whether he’s skating with the Canucks in October or elsewhere. He says an injury prevented a normal offseason of training last summer; the Canucks have been very clear about their disappointment on how he arrived to camp. So, ahead of a full no-trade clause kicking in on July 1, will Vancouver check his market value this summer? Will they seek to cut ties? Or will they roll the dice and hope his game rebounds to where it was two seasons ago?



So far, 32 players have been traded off the Trade Targets board this season: Traded:&nbsp;No. 1 Mikko Rantanen; No. 1 J.T. Miller; No. 1 David Jiricek; No. 2 Brock Nelson; No. 2 Scott Laughton; No. 3 Brandon Tanev; No. 4 Taylor Hall; No. 5. Brad Marchand; No. 5 Seth Jones; No. 5 Marcus Pettersson; No. 5 Reilly Smith; No. 6 Carson Soucy; No. 6 Jacob Trouba; No. 7 Casey Mittelstadt; No. 8 Joel Farabee; No. 12 Luke Schenn; No. 14 Trent Frederic; No. 14 Gustav Nyquist; No. 15 Cam Fowler; No. 18 Yanni Gourde; No. 18 Alexandre Carrier; No. 20 Oliver Bjorkstrand; No. 20 Brandon Carlo; No. 22 Cody Ceci; No. 23 Ryan Lindgren; No. 24 Morgan Frost; No. 24 Brian Dumoulin; No. 27 Dylan Cozens; No. 28 Andrei Kuzmenko; No. 32 Justin Brazeau; No. 34 Petr Mrazek; No. 38 Andrei Kuzmenko. Re-Signed:&nbsp;No. 4 Jake Evans; No. 5 Frank Vatrano.<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="10" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="257"></div>



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