SUMMER TRADE WATCH 2021
TOP 30
aS OF July 27, 2021 | 8:05pm ET
As the Seattle Kraken prepare for their inaugural season in 2021-22 with the NHL Expansion Draft on July 21, followed by the NHL Draft on July 23-24 and the start of free agency on July 28, there is plenty of potential activity set for this off-season, with several players speculated to be available for trade.
As we do every year, both in the off-season and ahead of the Trade Deadline, TFP has outlined some of the top names rumoured to be available this summer according to various media reports and our own league-wide sources.
Omitted from the list are pending Unrestricted Free Agents, such as Dougie Hamilton, as they are on expiring contracts.
This page will be updated regularly and TFP's panel of experts will outline each player's value. Some players may climb or fall off the list, while others may be added. Teams linked to players with reported interest will also be added and adjusted as more information becomes available.
NOTE: Teams linked to players are in no particular order.
AGE: 24
CAP HIT: $10M
1. Jack Eichel, C - Buffalo Sabres
The marriage between the Buffalo Sabres and Jack Eichel appears destined for divorce, and both sides appear comfortable with that. How a trade gets worked out, however, remains to be seen, and Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is navigating the trade market to find the best deal available. Eichel does not own any no-trade protection, so the Sabres are free to move him to any club.
linked to:
Anaheim, Los Angeles, Calgary, NY Rangers, Minnesota, Vegas, Chicago, Columbus, Florida, Seattle
AGE: 26
CAP HIT: $5.4M
2. Seth Jones, RD - Columbus Blue Jackets
Traded to Chicago
All signs point to Columbus trading Jones this summer. Jones has made it clear to the Blue Jackets that he is not signing an extension with the club, and both the team and Jones’ camp are trying to find the right move. There has been significant interest in Jones, and that talk will pick up throughout July.
linked to:
Philadelphia, Winnipeg, Toronto, Chicago, Dallas, Vancouver, Colorado, Los Angeles
AGE: 29
CAP HIT: $8.25M
3. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, LD - Arizona Coyotes
Traded to Vancouver
Ekman-Larsson is willing to expand the list of teams he will waive his no-movement clause for, beyond Boston and Vancouver, and the Coyotes are fishing for the right deal to go back to him with. It’s believed the Coyotes may also be willing to retain a small portion of his $8.25M AAV to help facilitate a trade.
linked to:
Boston, Vancouver, Seattle, New Jersey, NY Rangers
AGE: 29
CAP HIT: $7.8M
4. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C - Washington Capitals
The Capitals need to free up some salary cap space and moving Kuznetsov and his $7.8M AAV will help in doing so. Yes, the rumours of his off-ice ordeals through the pandemic have played a factor, as well, but the Caps aren’t going to just give him away. There’s a very good chance he’s wearing a different jersey next season.
linked to:
Columbus, Seattle, Anaheim, Florida, Montreal
AGE: 29
CAP HIT: $7.5M
5. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW/LW - St. Louis Blues
Tarasenko owns a full no-trade clause, and as we initially reported in late-June, he is willing to waive it for the right team. It has since been revealed that he has requested a trade and the Blues keep scouring the market — all signs point to a move this summer.
linked to:
Vegas, Boston, NY Islanders, Philadelphia, Edmonton, New Jersey, Florida, NY Rangers
AGE: 25
CAP HIT: RFA
6. Sam Reinhart, C/LW - Buffalo Sabres
Traded to Florida
There has been plenty of interest in Reinhart, who voiced his discontent with going through another rebuild in Buffalo. The return would be hefty for a player that scored 25 goals in a) a shortened season, and b) on the Buffalo Sabres.
linked to:
Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Columbus, Florida, Anaheim, St. Louis, Vancouver
AGE: 25
CAP HIT: RFA
7. Conor Garland, RW/LW - Arizona Coyotes
Traded to Vancouver
As of now, it doesn’t sound like the Coyotes or Garland are anywhere close to working out a contract extension and teams believe Arizona will move him this summer.
linked to:
Boston, Toronto, Edmonton, Florida, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New Jersey, Seattle
AGE: 33
CAP HIT: $6.8M
8. Phil Kessel, RW - Arizona Coyotes
“Phil The Thrill” has one-year left on his contract and a $5 million bonus payout set for July 1. Once that’s paid out, his actual salary owed over the full season is only $1 million — a very attractive number for a team looking to add a top-six sniper. While his cap hit remains $6.8M (Toronto is still on the book for $1.2M of his full $8M AAV), the Coyotes may be willing to retain half of that if they get the right deal for Kessel, who also owns an 8-team trade list, which he could expand if enticed to do so.
linked to:
Pittsburgh, Boston, NY Islanders, Edmonton, Vegas, Minnesota
AGE: 27
CAP HIT: $6.75M
9. Johnny Gaudreau, LW - Calgary Flames
The Flames are expected to shake up their roster this summer and moving Gaudreau could be part of the retool. He has one-year left on his deal and expressed his desire to stay in Calgary, but if an extension can’t be ironed out, the team may look at moving him.
linked to:
Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, New Jersey
AGE: 28
CAP HIT: $3.789M
10. Rickard Rakell, RW/LW - Anaheim Ducks
TFP first reported Rakell’s availability during the season and the Ducks continue to entertain calls for him. He’s entering the final year of his contract, which comes with an affordable cap hit just under $3.8M and his versatility of playing both wings will come in handy.
linked to:
Toronto, Pittsburgh, Edmonton, Boston, Montreal, Calgary
11. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW - Detroit Red Wings
As TFP’s David Pagnotta reported on NHL Network, the Red Wings are willing to take calls on Bertuzzi and there appears to be a solid amount of interest. As Detroit continues down its rebuild path, moving Bertuzzi for a package focused on the future could be in the cards, similarly to when they moved Anthony Mantha during the season.
Linked To:
Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, St. Louis, Boston, New Jersey, Montreal
12. Darcy Kuemper, G - Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes are willing to move Kuemper if the right opportunity presents itself. He has one more season under his contract at a $4.5 million AAV, and Arizona might retain some of it.
Linked To:
Toronto, Boston, Edmonton, Carolina, Buffalo, Philadelphia
13. Mattias Ekholm, LD - Nashville Predators
The Predators generated a boat load of interest during the season and will certainly receive calls this summer. With one-year left on his contract, which comes with an affordable $3.75M cap hit, Nashville could still command a hefty return for a coveted blueliner.
Linked To:
Winnipeg, Philadelphia, Boston, Edmonton, Pittsburgh
14. Nate Schmidt, LD/RD - Vancouver Canucks
Traded to Winnipeg
Schmidt was brought into Vancouver last off-season, but as TFP’s David Pagnotta was the first to report, the match hasn’t entirely worked out. He has 4-years left on his contract ($5.95M AAV) and comes with a 10-team no-trade list. The Canucks are testing the market and both sides would prefer a change of scenery.
linked to:
Calgary, Winnipeg, Carolina
15. Tyler Johnson, C/LW - Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are actively trying to move Johnson and his $5M cap hit. He has three-years left on his contract. There was some belief a deal was being worked out with Seattle, but it’s unclear if that’s still on the table. Tampa will continue to scour the market in hopes of freeing up extra cap space.
linked to:
Seattle, Detroit, Arizona, Columbus
16. Vince Dunn, LD - Seattle Kraken
Dunn was selected by Seattle in the Expansion Draft after being exposed by St. Louis, who couldn’t come to terms on a contract with the pending RFA. The Kraken are stacked on the blueline and could end up moving Dunn in a deal for some fire power up front. Seattle’s willing to listen, but will a team be willing to pay up?
linked to:
Boston, Los Angeles, Detroit, Buffalo, Dallas, Columbus
17. Alex Kerfoot, C - Toronto Maple Leafs
As Toronto’s tries to juggle the salary cap, Kerfoot could be the odd man out if the Leafs can find the right deal. Kerfoot wasn’t picked in the Expansion Draft, but the club might still try to move him and his $3.5 million cap hit (he has two-years left on his deal).
linked to:
TBD
18. Jake DeBrusk, LW - Boston Bruins
The Bruins dangled DeBrusk ahead of the trade deadline, but came up empty. It’s starting to sound more and more like his time in Boston may be coming to an end, primarily because the team is trying to maneuver other cap-related moves. He is entering the final year of his contract before coming an RFA in the summer of 2022.
Linked To:
Seattle, Los Angeles, Arizona
19. Joonas Korpisalo, G - Columbus Blue Jackets
Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins have been a topic of discussion for the Blue Jackets and it sounds like Korpisalo could be the odd man out this summer. He has one more year left on his contract, which comes with a $2.8 million cap hit, and the team could package him in a larger deal for immediate help up front.
linked to:
Chicago, Boston, Buffalo, Edmonton, Toronto
20. Pavel Buchnevich, RW/LW - New York Rangers
Traded to St. Louis
Buchnevich prefers a long-term contract and it’s unclear if the Rangers are prepared to make such a commitment. As contract negotiations continue, the Rangers are also evaluating the trade market to see what type of options are available should contract talks go sideways.
Linked To:
TBD
21. Christian Dvorak, C - Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes are wide open for business, and Dvorak’s one of the latest Arizona players to be tossed around the trade block. The 25-year-old has four-years left on his contract at a solid cap hit and there appears to be plenty of interest in him as the Coyotes look to restock their cupboard.
linked to:
Montreal, Boston, Anaheim, Buffalo, Minnesota
22. Jakub Voracek, LW/RW - Philadelphia Flyers
Traded to Columbus
TFP’s Dennis Bernstein was the first to bring up Voracek’s name as a possible trade candidate and the smoke has since thickened. If the Flyers continue to shake things up, they could look to move him, but his $8.25M cap hit will be a difficult pill to swallow for some teams. He does not own any no-trade protection.
linked to:
Seattle, St. Louis
23. Ryan Strome, C - New York Rangers
If the Rangers find a way to upgrade their roster up the middle, Strome could be a casualty of such a move. He’s in the final year of his contract and his name has already been circulating around the NHL.
linked to:
Seattle, Ottawa, Vegas, Anaheim, Minnesota
24. Reilly Smith, LW/RW - Vegas Golden Knights
Reilly has one-year left on his contract and with Vegas reportedly looking to shed salary, he could be a casualty of the team’s cap crunch.
linked to:
New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Buffalo
25. Adam Henrique, C - Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are actively shopping Henrique, who has three-years left on his contract. Anaheim explored moving him in-season, but his $5.825M cap hit posed an issue. It may continue to be a hurdle unless the Ducks retain some of that salary or if they bring back a big contract. He isn’t against a move, either, we’re told.
linked to:
Seattle, Dallas
26. Warren Foegele, LW - Carolina Hurricanes
Word started to get out over the past week that Foegele and the Hurricanes may be looking to end their relationship. Foegele is set to become an RFA and wants a bigger opportunity elsewhere, and the Hurricanes will try to accommodate.
linked to:
Edmonton, Detroit
27. Leo Komarov, LW - New York Islanders
In an attempt to free up some extra salary cap space, the Islanders will once again explore the trade market for Komarov this off-season. He has one-year left on his contract, which comes with a 7-team no-trade list, and while his cap hit is $3M, his actual salary owed this season is $2M.
linked to:
TBD
28. Evander Kane, LW - San Jose Sharks
Kane owns a 3-team trade list as part of his contract, but the Sharks and Kane’s camp have reportedly spoken about the possibility of expanding that list as tensions between the player and organization appear to be rising. Nothing is imminent, at the time of this list being updated, but it’s something to keep tabs on.
Linked To:
TBD
29. Travis Dermott, LD - Toronto Maple Leafs
Dermott signed a two-year extension with the Leafs but was exposed in the NHL Expansion Draft. Toronto GM Kyle Dubas will continue to explore the trade market to see if there’s a fit that makes sense as he looks to tinker with his lineup ahead of next season.
linked to:
TBD
30. Ryan Johansen, C - Nashville Predators
With four-years left on his contract and an $8 million AAV, it might be unlikely Johansen is dealt, but the Predators are evaluating the market this off-season.
linked to:
TBD
OFF THE LIST
11. Viktor Arvidsson, RW/LW - Nashville Predators
Traded to Los Angeles
Arvidsson was among the Predators on the Trade Watch List ahead of the trade deadline during the season and finds his name on here, once again. He has three-years left on his deal at a decent $4.25M cap hit and before the last two seasons were cut short due to the pandemic, he averaged 31 goals per season in each of the previous three seasons. There is interest in him, but will the right deal come across Nashville GM David Poile’s desk?
Linked To:
Toronto, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Calgary
11. Duncan Keith, LD - Chicago Blackhawks
Traded to Edmonton
Talk is starting to get louder over Duncan Keith’s future with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks are believed to be exploring the market, but Keith’s full NMC will play a role and there is belief he’s willing to accept a move to go closer to home in British Columbia. Something to watch on this lifetime Blackhawks with two-years left on his contract.
linked to:
Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton
15. Ryan Ellis, D - Nashville Predators
Traded to Philadelphia
Ellis was almost dealt during the regular-season, according to various reports, and the Predators are listening once again this summer. The Flyers were a team connected to Ellis during the season and will likely circle back, but there are other teams interested in the right-shot blueliner. Ellis has a $6.25M cap hit with six-years left on his contract.
linked to:
Philadelphia, Montreal
15. Rasmus Ristolainen, RD - Buffalo Sabres
Traded to Philadelphia
It wouldn’t be a Trade Watch List without Ristolainen’s name on it. He’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with a rebuild and the Sabres have made it clear they only want players who want to play for Buffalo. We’ll see if the Sabres can find a trade partner for a player desperately in need of a change of scenery and entering the final year of his contract.
linked to:
Edmonton, Philadelphia, Montreal, Winnipeg
18. Nick Leddy, D - New York Islanders
Traded to Detroit
The Islanders are trying to shed salary and Leddy’s name has once again popped up as a potential player the team could move in order to free up money. The Isles want draft picks in exchange, if they can move him, and there should be a few teams interested in taking on his $5.5M cap hit.
linked to:
TBD
28. Nolan Patrick, C - Philadelphia Flyers
Traded to Vegas
Patrick wouldn’t object to a change of scenery if the Flyers found the right deal. He’s set to become a restricted free agent and is controllable. If Philadelphia can package him in a larger deal for an upgrade at either end of the ice, they’d be willing to do so.
linked to:
TBD