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“With the **Pittsburgh Penguins** leading the seller’s market by a landslide, **Kyle Dubas** will be a popular man over the next few weeks. **Erik Karlsson**, **Bryan Rust**, **Rickard Rakell** and **Ryan Graves** are all up for grabs for the right price, and the **Penguins** may also be willing to take on a contract or two given their cap space.”
—**David Pagnotta**, The Fourth Period
The NHL’s salary cap has become a crucial factor, with teams managing player contracts carefully. For example, the league’s cap for the 2023-2024 season was $83.5 million, and teams must stay under this limit (NHL.com 2024).
Trade Possibilities and Player Availability
The value of veteran players is increasing due to limited availability and high demand. The **Penguins**’ **Bryan Rust** is particularly interesting. His no-movement clause expires on June 30, and he does not have trade protection in the contract’s final three years.
Although a trade may be delayed, it’s anticipated that **Erik Karlsson** will be with the **Penguins** when the season starts. Other moves could still happen during the draft.
The **Tampa Bay Lightning** could be interested in acquiring a right wing, but have other options. **Julien BriseBois**, the general manager, intends to reinforce the forward group. Their interest might extend to a player like **Rust** or **Rakell**.
Given the availability of top prospect **Isaac Howard**, the **Lightning** could be a strong contender. A skilled winger, such as **Rust** or **Rakell**, coming off a successful season could be appealing to many teams. The coming week is when significant changes are expected.
