NHL Teams Eye Salary Cap Relief: Potential Trade Candidates for 2025
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As the 2025 NHL season approaches, several teams are actively seeking to clear salary cap space and provide certain players with a fresh start. With the NHL’s salary cap seeing a significant rise, teams have more flexibility to navigate potentially risky contracts through trades. This offseason could see several players changing teams as organizations look to optimize their financial situations and on-ice performance.
Potential Trade Candidates
Several players find themselves on the trade radar due to a combination of factors, including performance, contract value, and team needs. Here are some notable names that could be on the move:
Matias Maccelli, Utah Mammoth
Once viewed as a promising young talent for the Utah Mammoth, Matias Maccelli’s production declined sharply, leading to him becoming a frequent healthy scratch. After amassing 57 points in the 2023-24 season, Maccelli’s output plummeted to just 18 points in 55 games this past season. With onyl one year remaining on his $3.425 million contract,Maccelli could be a reclamation project for a team seeking a middle-six playmaking winger.
did You Know? Maccelli’s point production dropped by over 68% from the 2023-24 season to the 2024-25 season.
Evander Kane, Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers, facing cap constraints and the looming contract extension for Evan Bouchard, may look to move Evander Kane. Kane, who has partial trade protection with a 16-team trade list, has a contract that may be easier to move than those of players with full no-movement clauses.His high cap hit and the Oilers’ need for financial flexibility make him a potential trade target.
Ilya Lyubushkin, Dallas Stars
While Ilya Lyubushkin provided steady play for the Dallas Stars, his $3.25 million cap hit is considered somewhat expensive for his contributions. With the Stars facing a salary cap crunch even after trading Mason Marchment, offloading Lyubushkin’s contract could provide much-needed flexibility. Lyubushkin has two years remaining on his contract and no trade protection, making him an attractive option for teams seeking a right-shot defenseman with size and penalty-killing abilities.
Miles Wood, Colorado Avalanche
Following the re-signing of Brock Nelson, the Colorado Avalanche are facing a tight cap situation. Miles Wood, a bottom-six winger with speed and physicality, could be on the trade block. After an injury-plagued season where he scored just eight points in 37 games, Wood’s $2.5 million cap hit might potentially be better allocated elsewhere. Despite the four years remaining on his contract, Wood’s unique skill set could attract interest from other teams.
Vladimir Tarasenko, detroit Red Wings
Vladimir Tarasenko’s signing with the Detroit Red Wings has not yielded the expected results. After scoring 23 goals in the 2023-24 season, Tarasenko managed just 11 goals in 80 games for Detroit. With one year left at a $4.75 million cap hit, the Red Wings may need to retain a portion of his salary to facilitate a trade. Tarasenko’s no-trade clause transitions to an eight-team trade list on July 1.
Carson Soucy, New York Rangers
The New York Rangers, despite creating cap space by trading Chris kreider, may need to make further moves to upgrade their roster. Carson Soucy, acquired before the trade deadline, struggled to recapture his top form and was occasionally a healthy scratch. With one year remaining at a $3.25 million cap hit, Soucy could be a cap casualty as the Rangers seek to reallocate resources more efficiently.
Nick Leddy, St. Louis Blues
With the emergence of Philip Broberg and the addition of Cam Fowler, Nick Leddy has become expendable for the St. Louis Blues. leddy, who has one year left at a $4 million cap hit, could be traded to a team seeking a veteran defenseman. His no-trade clause transitions to a 16-team trade list on July 1. health and age might potentially be concerns, but his experience could be valuable to a team needing a No. 4/5 defender.
Andre Burakovsky,Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken face a forward logjam,potentially leaving Andre Burakovsky on the outside looking in. After underperforming as signing with the Kraken, Burakovsky’s $5.5 million cap hit may be too steep.With two years remaining on his contract and a 10-team no-trade list, the Kraken may need to retain a significant portion of his salary to facilitate a trade.
Contract Details of Potential Trade Candidates
| Player | team | Remaining Term | Cap Hit | Trade Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matias maccelli | Utah Mammoth | 1 year | $3.425 million | None |
| Evander Kane | Edmonton Oilers | 3 years | $5.125 million | partial (16-team list) |
| Ilya Lyubushkin | Dallas Stars | 2 years | $3.25 million | None |
| Miles Wood | Colorado Avalanche | 4 years | $2.5 million | None |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | Detroit Red wings | 1 year | $4.75 million | Partial (8-team list after July 1) |
| Carson Soucy | New York Rangers | 1 year | $3.25 million | None |
| Nick Leddy | St. Louis Blues | 1 year | $4 million | Partial (16-team list after July 1) |
| Andre Burakovsky | Seattle Kraken | 2 years | $5.5 million | Partial (10-team list) |
Pro Tip: Teams often look for creative ways to structure trades, such as retaining salary or including draft picks, to make deals more palatable under the salary cap.
NHL Trade Market Dynamics
The NHL trade market is a complex ecosystem influenced by factors such as the salary cap, player performance, team needs, and contract terms. Teams must carefully balance their short-term goals with long-term financial stability when making trade decisions. The rise of analytics has also played a significant role, with teams increasingly relying on data to evaluate player value and potential trade targets. As the league continues to evolve, the trade market will remain a critical tool for teams looking to improve their rosters and compete for the Stanley Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions About NHL Trades
What is a salary cap in the NHL?
The salary cap is a limit on the total amount of money a team can spend on player salaries each season. It is designed to promote competitive balance in the league.
What is a no-trade clause?
A no-trade clause is a provision in a player’s contract that gives them the right to refuse a trade to another team. Players with no-trade clauses have significant control over their destinations.
How does salary retention work in NHL trades?
Salary retention occurs when a team trading a player agrees to pay a portion of the player’s salary, making the contract more attractive to potential acquiring teams.The amount of salary retained is subject to certain limits.
What is a buyout in the NHL?
A buyout allows a team to terminate a player’s contract by paying them a portion of the remaining salary over a period of time. Buyouts create cap space but also result in a cap penalty for the team.
How do draft picks factor into NHL trades?
Draft picks are often used as valuable assets in NHL trades. Teams may trade draft picks to acquire players who can help them compete in the present, or they may acquire draft picks to build for the future.
What do you think? Which of these players is most likely to be traded, and where do you see them landing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
