The upcoming 2025 NHL Draft isn`t just about new prospects; it`s a prime opportunity for general managers to make significant trades. With the salary cap projected to rise, teams might be more inclined to pursue aggressive moves on the trade front this offseason.
Between the increasing cap flexibility and a relatively thin free agency pool, the potential for major deals to unfold in the coming weeks is high. Several prominent names, such as Jason Robertson and Marco Rossi, have already been subjects of trade speculation for some time.
As the NHL Draft date approaches, the rumors and conjecture will only intensify. Whether a team aims to free up cap space, initiate a rebuilding phase, or bolster its roster for contention, the draft weekend is expected to be a busy period for trades.
For hockey fans, this is an exciting period filled with possibilities as general managers begin reshaping their rosters ahead of free agency opening on July 1st. With this in mind, we`ve identified notable players who could realistically be traded sooner rather than later.
Here are eight key players frequently mentioned as trade candidates leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Though it might seem surprising, Robertson`s name has been linked to trade discussions since the Stars` playoff run ended in the Western Conference Final. Robertson is recognized as one of the league`s top young scorers, but Dallas faces salary cap constraints with only 18 players currently signed for the upcoming season, and Robertson is entering the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to make $7.75 million in 2024-25.
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Robertson has scored 151 goals, ranking 14th overall during that span. At 25, he is entering his prime and will remain under team control as a restricted free agent in 2026. Robertson is expected to command a significant raise, making him a highly desirable asset. While the Stars will likely explore all options to manage their cap situation without trading him, a trade during this weekend`s draft is a possibility if they cannot find a solution.
Marco Rossi, C, Minnesota Wild
Rossi, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, is coming off a productive 60-point season. This performance likely positions him for a substantial salary increase, which the Wild may be hesitant to fully meet. Given the limited number of quality centers available in free agency this summer, a young player like Rossi could fetch a considerable return for Minnesota.
Selected ninth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Rossi has established himself as a reliable top-six center, accumulating 45 goals and 55 assists over the past two seasons. His size (5-foot-9, 182 pounds) might lead some teams to question his potential as a true first-line center, but a new contract around $7 million per year seems quite reasonable considering his age and the league`s rising salary cap.
Rasmus Andersson, D, Calgary Flames
Entering the final year of his contract, Andersson is almost certain to be moved if he and the Flames do not reach an agreement on a contract extension soon. Even as a potential one-year rental, Andersson could significantly boost Stanley Cup contenders looking to enhance their top-four defense pairings.
For most of his tenure in Calgary, Andersson has been a solid shutdown defenseman capable of contributing offensively. However, his performance has reportedly dipped somewhat since Darryl Sutter`s departure two years ago. Under coach Ryan Huska, Andersson`s five-on-five statistics have seen a noticeable decline. While the team`s overall decline around him is likely a factor, it might give potential trade partners pause. Nevertheless, Andersson has demonstrated the ability to be a highly effective two-way defenseman when placed in the right system.
K`Andre Miller, D, New York Rangers
K`Andre Miller has been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Rangers for a couple of years, but this summer appears to be the most opportune time for New York to trade him. Miller is a restricted free agent, and the team has already begun making roster changes following a disappointing 2024-25 season. Miller could be the next player to depart.
At 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Miller possesses the physical attributes of a large, mobile defenseman highly valued in today`s NHL. The primary concern has been his on-ice results, which haven`t always matched expectations. His expected goals metrics at five-on-five have been below par in each of his five seasons with the Rangers. Miller is still only 25 and could potentially thrive in a different environment. It will be interesting to see the return the Rangers receive and the terms of Miller`s next contract.
Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators
It`s widely known that Marchessault`s first season in Nashville didn`t meet expectations for either the player or the team. He recorded 21 goals and 35 assists in 78 games, marking his lowest offensive output since at least the 2016-17 season. The 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner might be seeking a change of scenery, and the Predators are likely willing to facilitate that.
Marchessault, now 34, has four years remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $5.5 million. While this term isn`t ideal for a player his age, it`s not crippling given the NHL salary cap`s continued rise. Moreover, Marchessault is only one season removed from scoring 42 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023-24. He also holds a no-movement clause in his contract, giving him control over his destination if a trade is agreed upon.
John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
After a few seasons where his performance declined, Gibson had a strong rebound in the 2024-25 campaign. The veteran goaltender shared duties with younger netminder Lukas Dostal and seemed to benefit from the reduced workload. This improved play presents an opportunity for the Ducks to trade him while his value is relatively high. Gibson has two years left on his contract at $6.4 million per season.
In his 29 appearances last season, Gibson posted a .912 save percentage and a goals saved above average (GSAA) of 9.29, according to Natural Stat Trick. Gibson showed flashes of his earlier form, capable of “stealing” games as he frequently did from 2015 to 2019. He could be an appealing, relatively affordable option for teams needing an upgrade in goal this offseason (Edmonton, perhaps?).
Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
Don`t be misled by the Maple Leafs` $25 million in projected salary cap space. Key players like Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies all require new contracts this summer. Even if Marner isn`t re-signed, signing the other two will consume a significant portion of that cap room, which is why Toronto might consider trading Morgan Rielly to create additional financial flexibility.
Now 31 years old, Rielly might not be as dominant as he was previously, which was reflected in his production and five-on-five impacts last season. Despite this, he remains capable of playing effectively in a top-four defensive role. A major question is whether another team would be willing to take on the remaining five years of Rielly`s contract, which carries a $7.5 million annual cap hit. Additionally, Rielly has a no-movement clause, meaning he would need to approve any trade destination. These questions may be answered in the near future.
Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Erik Karlsson`s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins hasn`t quite panned out as hoped, and he might find himself on a different team to start the 2025-26 season. If a contending team is looking for a defenseman who can generate offense from the blue line, Karlsson will be a target. However, the Penguins will likely need to retain a portion of his substantial $11.5 million salary to facilitate a deal.
Never known for his defensive prowess, that aspect of Karlsson`s game remains a concern. Yet, teams interested in acquiring him wouldn`t be asking him to play a shutdown role. With a combined 109 points over the last two years, Karlsson can still drive offense from the backend and quarterback a power play. Pittsburgh generated 3.0 expected goals for per 60 minutes with Karlsson on the ice at five-on-five last year (per Natural Stat Trick), indicating he can still positively impact offensive play, even if his current cap hit is disproportionate to his overall contribution.
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale