The Stanley Cup Final only just ended a week ago. The Draft is right around the corner, as is the onset of Free Agency. But if you thought that meant things would be quiet for a couple days, guess again.
We’ve already seen five noteworthy trades go down, with more sure to come (potentially even while this column is being written). Thus far, Chris Kreider, Erik Haula, Mason Marchment, Andre Burakovsky and Trevor Zegras have been sent to new teams.
For Kreider, the Rangers sent him and a 2025 fourth round pick to Anaheim in exchange for prospect Carey Terrance and a 2025 third round pick in what essentially amounted to a salary dump.
New Jersey sent Haula to Nashville in what was also basically a salary dump, getting just defenseman Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 fourth round pick in return.
One more for the salary dump pile as Dallas found itself in a cap crunch, so the Stars sent Marchment to Seattle for a 2026 third round pick and a 2025 fourth rounder.
As you can see, the going rate of return for salary dumps this year includes a fourth round draft pick. Not bad.
The Blackhawks acquired Burakovsky from Seattle for Joe Veleno in an attempt to improve their middle six.
And lastly, the “Will They Or Won’t They” drama between Anaheim and Zegras finally came to a conclusion as the Ducks sent their former rookie wunderkid to the Flyers in exchange for Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second round pick and a 2026 fourth rounder.
Of these five trades, Zegras for Poehling and two picks is the closest to an even swap as we’ve had. In theory, Zegras brings more skill to the Flyers’ top six and Poehling brings size and grit to the Ducks’ fourth line as Anaheim looks to take a big leap toward playoff contention next season.
Supposedly, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Names like Jason Robertson, Bowen Byram, JJ Peterka and others are floating around out there on the market. So, as you can see, we might be in for another episode of The NHL’s Trade Frenzy.
And that’s to say nothing about the free agency rumors swirling about. Mitch Marner is clearly the prize of this year’s market. Whichever team convinces him to sign is getting a tried and true superstar. The question is, where does he want to go AND how long does he want to be there? More and more that second part is drawing a lot of attention in recent days.
With The NHL’s salary cap due to increase exponentially over the next three years, many are predicting an NBA-like wave of player empowerment in which stars sign short-term deals for high AAV’s in order to not only cash in but to have the ability to do so again when the new CBA goes into effect and the cap jumps even higher.
In theory, Marner could sign a three-year deal with an AAV of $14M and then re-enter the market after his age-30 season and cash in again, but even bigger. Think something in the range of $18M per season.
Plus, Marner isn’t the only superstar who’s next contract is drawing A LOT of attention.
Connor McDavid is set to be a free agent in just over a year from now. So, starting on July 1st, he is eligible for a contract extension with Edmonton that could see him sign the largest deal in NHL history.
However, as many have postulated, what if McDavid decides to go the NBA-esque short-term route in order to cash in not once but twice? Or, WHAT IF, he decides he doesn’t want to sign with the Oilers? What was once an unthinkable idea is still unlikely, but it seems to be gaining more traction after his second straight loss to the Florida Panthers in The Cup Final.
Would McDavid sign a three-year extension for $20M per year with Edmonton and then, if the Oilers still haven’t won The Cup, head to the market after his age 31 season and get PAID?!
It’s amazing, there’s all these reports and rumors swirling around and yet we’re still a week away from Free Agency! The Draft is this Friday and Saturday. Will there be any blockbusters or headline stealers during those two days? Only time will tell.
One thing is for certain and that’s that we’re in for one interesting summer.
P.S. We didn’t even get into the new CBA that was supposedly going to be done by now, but is instead still being negotiated as both sides seem to be hitting a couple of snags.
photo by Katelynn Reiss
