B/R NHL Trade Block Big Board for June 2025

As the calendar flips to June, all eyes in the hockey world are on the Stanley Cup Final rematch between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. Once the playoffs end later this month, the offseason business of hockey ramps up, including the 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles from June 27 to 28.

The trade market has been quiet since the March 8 trade deadline, but it will return to life as clubs begin work on improving their rosters for next season and beyond. Much of the activity could take place leading up to, and including, the draft weekend.

Trade rumors have increased as the postseason progressed, with some of the media chatter involving several notable NHL players.

Some, like Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers and Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, previously appeared in our May NHL Trade Block Big Board. Others, like Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators and JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres, are recent additions to the rumor mill.

Seven players from our May list (Vancouver's Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko, the New York Rangers' Mike Zibanejad, Boston's Joonas Korpisalo, Utah's Matias Maccelli, the New York Islanders' Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee) come off this list because they scarcely appeared in rumors throughout May.

Read on to find out why Krieder, Karlsson, Marchessault and Peterka are among the 15 notable players we're monitoring on our June NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Last August, the Montréal Canadiens acquired Patrik Laine from the Columbus Blue Jackets, hoping he'd provide a boost to their offense. Despite missing the first two months of the season with a knee injury, the 28-year-old winger tallied 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games as a power-play specialist.

Laine's production tailed off down the stretch and into the playoffs, appearing in just two postseason games before suffering a broken finger. On May 2, Pat Hickey of The Montréal Gazette suggested the winger had reached a crossroads with the Canadiens, calling for the Habs to trade him.

Hickey felt Laine didn't fit well into Montréal's fast-paced system. Three days later, Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes defended his winger, saying they wouldn't have made the playoffs without him.

Laine is in the final season of his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list. At this stage of his career, it seems unlikely he'll be moved, but it could be worth monitoring his status as a trade candidate if the Canadiens decide to free up cap space for other moves.

The New York Rangers were among the busiest teams in the NHL trade market during the regular season as general manager Chris Drury retooled his roster on the fly. It's expected he'll continue to tinker during the offseason.

Drury has focused on moving out veterans who no longer fit into his long-term plans, but he's not afraid to peddle one of his younger players. In December, he sent winger Kaapo Kakko (the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft) to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen.

On May 6, Mollie Walker of the New York Post didn't rule out the possibility of Drury shopping Alexis Lafrenière. The 23-year-old winger was chosen first overall in the 2020 draft, and signed a seven-year contract extension in October.

Lafrenière seemed poised for his breakout campaign following last year's 57-point performance, but his production slid to 45 points this season. The Rangers will likely hang onto him to see how he performs under new head coach Mike Sullivan, but we can't rule out the chance that he gets traded this summer.

At the 2024 March trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. The move was surprising because Guentzel was a long-time linemate of team captain Sidney Crosby.

That has some observers wondering if another Crosby linemate could hit the trade block. On May 29, Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported teams were calling the Penguins to inquire about the availability of Bryan Rust, whose no-movement clause expires on July 1.

Rust, 33, has thrived on Crosby's line. He exceeded 20 goals and 40 points in every season since 2019-20, finishing with a career-high 31 goals and 65 points this season. Rust carries an average annual value of $5.13 million through 2027-28.

Yohe stated he'd be surprised if Rust were traded, citing his role as Crosby's winger and as an alternate captain, as well as his reputation for working well with younger players. Nevertheless, the Penguins are rebuilding and could be receptive to an offer that brings in younger talent to their lineup.

Following the St. Louis Blues' first-round elimination by the Winnipeg Jets, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic suggested the club faced a decision on where Jordan Kyrou fits into their plans. He pointed out that the 27-year-old winger's no-trade clause begins on July 1.

Kyrou led the Blues this season with 36 goals and finished second with 70 points. He has six years left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.13 million.

Rutherford praised Kyrou's regular-season performance, but noted that he had only three goals in seven playoff games, and was on the ice for five goals-for and five goals-against. He wondered if the winger fits the club's vision of the future, especially under “GM-in-waiting” Alex Steen.

Kyrou's scoring and speed would draw plenty of attention in the trade market. However, replacing those traits could be difficult. It seems doubtful that they'll move him, but the impending deadline of his no-trade clause could make him a player to monitor in the June trade market.

The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Isaac Howard in the first round (31st overall) of the 2022 NHL draft. A skilled offensive winger at Michigan State, he won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as this year's top NCAA men's hockey player.

Howard seemed destined for a bright career with the Lightning, but the 21-year-old left winger doesn't see his future in Tampa Bay. On May 2, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said it seems unlikely the youngster will sign an entry-level contract with them.

BriseBois could continue working with Howard's agent to try and reach a deal. He has plenty of time, as the winger won't become an unrestricted free agent until August 2026. However, the Lightning GM could put him on the trade block if no resolution can be found.

Howard will draw plenty of attention from teams attempting to bolster their prospect depth, especially rebuilding clubs. On May 3, Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now suggested the Hobey Baker winner's offensive skills are what the Penguins need.

A lack of depth at center is the biggest roster issue to be addressed this summer by Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Brière. An aging Sean Couturier and an inconsistent Noah Cates currently fill their top-two center positions.

On May 21, William James of Philly Hockey Now proposed using Owen Tippett as a trade chip to address that issue. The speedy 26-year-old winger has scored 20-plus goals in each of the last three seasons. He's signed through 2031-32 with an average annual value of $6.3 million.

James acknowledged that trading Tippett would be a difficult move for the Flyers, but they're loaded with depth at center, and he might be the best candidate to fetch a top-two center. Brière isn't peddling promising Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny had a full no-movement clause, and they just re-signed Tyson Foerster.

The 6'1”, 210-pound Tippett is a speedy, versatile winger who can play either wing and possesses a hard, accurate shot. He could draw interest from teams willing to part with a center looking to bolster their depth among their top-six wingers.

Two years ago, K'Andre Miller had a career-best 43-point performance and seemed to be poised to become a top-two, two-way defenseman. However, his play has regressed, making the 25-year-old blueliner the subject of trade speculation.

Miller, 25, is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He's completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Despite his struggles, he could seek over $6 million annually on a long-term deal.

On May 29, The Hockey News' Remy Mastey cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reporting the Rangers were testing the trade market on Miller. Friedman claimed there was no certainty that they would trade the blueliner, but they wanted to see what his value might be among other clubs.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury was active in the trade market during the regular season and is expected to continue retooling his roster in the offseason. Miller could be among those on the move if Drury feels he might fetch a return that better fits into his long-term plans.

The retooling Calgary Flames will attempt to sign Rasmus Andersson to a contract extension on July 1. He's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July, and his role as an alternate captain and top-two defenseman puts him in line for a hefty raise over his current average annual value of $4.6 million.

A fan favorite in Calgary, Andersson sat at No. 7 on our May Trade Block Big Board. If an extension can't be reached, Flames general manager Chris Conroy will want to avoid trading him during the season as he did in 2023-24 with Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm.

Conroy could peddle Andersson if he proves too expensive to retain on a long-term contract. Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon listed the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens as potential destinations.

On May 20, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun speculated that Andersson could be a trade target for the Ottawa Senators. However, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco cited a Flames source claiming the Senators are among the clubs on his six-team no-trade list.

As the St. Louis Blues jockeyed for a playoff berth, team captain Brayden Schenn surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. However, they weren't shopping the 33-year-old two-way center, and he wasn't inclined to waive his no-movement clause.

Nevertheless, we had Schenn on our April Offseason Trade Target Big Board. We felt clubs that inquired about his availability before the trade deadline could circle back in the offseason.

On May 6, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic wondered if the Blues might re-engage with Schenn about the possibility of a trade. He'll be 34 next season and has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, and his NMC becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1.

The Blues could be unwilling to entertain offers for Schenn. Nevertheless, teams seeking centers that strike out in the free-agent market might come calling about his availability on July 1. One of them might be desperate enough to make a pitch too good to pass up.

Since his full rookie season in 2022-23, JJ Peterka has steadily blossomed into a reliable scorer for the Buffalo Sabres. Now 23, he finished second among Sabres scorers this season with a career-best 68 points.

Peterka is completing an entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights this summer. However, The Hockey News' Michael Augello reports some pundits have the restricted free agent high on their lists of offseason trade targets.

Auguello referenced rumors claiming several teams made offers for Peterka before the trade deadline, but Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams rejected them, calling the young winger a core player. Nevertheless, speculation persists that the Sabres might trade him rather than risk him receiving an offer sheet.

The Sabres have over $23 million in cap space and could easily match an offer sheet. However, they could entertain trade offers if contract discussions with the Peterka camp become contentious. If available, he could fetch a quality return.

The Nashville Predators made the three biggest signings in last summer's free-agent market, bringing in forwards Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei. However, those deals failed to improve the Predators, who finished 28th overall this season and out of playoff contention.

On May 27, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported that Marchessault might welcome a trade this summer. The 34-year-old winger's production slipped from a career-high 42 goals last season with the Vegas Golden Knights to 21 with the Predators. He has four years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.5 million.

Seravalli believes Marchessault would love to go to the Montreal Canadiens, suggesting the Quebec native could be a good fit there. Montreal Hockey Now's Marc Dumont doubts the Canadiens remain interested, indicating they attempted to sign the veteran winger last summer but only offered a three-year deal.

Vegas Hockey Now's Hannah Kirkell doesn't rule out a reunion between the Golden Knights and Marchessault, but felt his contract remains a sticking point for them. Meanwhile, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun suggested him as a possible trade target for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sitting at No. 3 on our May NHL Trade Block Big Board, Erik Karlsson remains a trade candidate heading into June. We had the 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman among our five biggest stars most likely to be moved at the 2025 NHL draft.

The Penguins acquired Karlsson in August 2023, hoping the three-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy could help them return to the postseason. Two years later, it's become obvious that the aging blueliner is no longer a fit with the rebuilding Penguins.

Karlsson has two years left on his contract, with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value. Despite his high cap hit and his defensive inconsistencies, he could draw interest from teams seeking experienced puck-moving skill on their blue line.

On May 28, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli suggested Karlsson might be helpful to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He believes they need a power-play quarterback, a role that long-time Leafs blueliner can no longer fill. If the Leafs aren't interested, perhaps other clubs might be if the Penguins retain part of his salary.

Topping our May Trade Block Big Board, Chris Kreider regularly appeared in media trade chatter this season. The 34-year-old New York Rangers winger was also among our recent list of the five biggest stars who could be traded at the 2025 NHL draft.

Kreider was part of a leaguewide memo of available players sent out by Rangers general manager Chris Drury. Nagging injuries during the season may have dampened interest, but that could change in the offseason. His experience and goal-scoring reliability could prove irresistible for clubs in need of scoring punch.

Drury was attempting to retool his roster on the fly this season with an eye on a bounce-back performance next season. On May 20, Peter Baugh of The Athletic speculated that Kreider would be moved in a cost-cutting deal to free up cap room for other moves by Drury.

Kreider has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. He could make it difficult for Drury to move him by only accepting teams with limited cap space as his preferred trade destinations, but Baugh thinks he could work with Drury to find a suitable destination.

Coming off a career-best 60-point performance, Marco Rossi is completing his entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild. The 23-year-old center is a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights, which should give the Wild leverage to sign him to an affordable short-term bridge deal.

However, Rossi has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill throughout this season. He was featured among our NHL Offseason Trade Targets in April. The young center also struggled down the stretch, spending some time on the Wild's fourth line.

Following the Wild's first-round playoff elimination, Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic wondered where Rossi fit into the club's plans. They could re-sign him or dangle him as trade bait to bring in a more reliable top-six forward.

On May 28, RG.Org's James Murphy cited sources claiming the Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken had all expressed an interest in Rossi. One of those clubs could pitch a trade offer too good for the Wild to pass up.

Acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last season, Bowen Byram enjoyed a career-best performance with the Buffalo Sabres in 2024-25. The 23-year-old defenseman netted 38 points in 82 games, sitting second in time on ice per game (22:42) among all Sabres skaters.

Byram is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. His performance this season ensures he'll seek a significant raise over his current average annual value of $3.9 million. However, it's also made him a trade candidate.

On May 1, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reported Sabres management could give preference to signing forwards Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka and Ryan McLeod. He speculated they could peddle Byram for a veteran right-shot defenseman to pair with young left-shot blueliner Owen Power.

Three weeks later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Sabres were gauging Byram's value in the trade market. They're likely seeking a player-for-player swap for that experienced left-shot defenseman. They could also use him as trade bait to add a reliable scoring forward.

Stats via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.