Five “Fresh Start” Trades That Can Happen

We hear it all the time when a trade happens that a player just “Needs a fresh start.” It’s often how teams come away with big victories at the trade deadline as they take a chance on a player who is struggling in one setting and revives their career on a Cup contender. Last season was a case in point as Seth Jones rediscovered his game on the Florida Panthers defense and became a key part of their Cup run.

The trade talk is swirling right now, and everyone is making their trade rumor charts and throwing darts at the board. The key names to watch are the ones who are struggling but have the talent to thrive elsewhere. So, let’s look at some names and reasonable destinations for them in the coming weeks.

Elias Pettersson to the Detroit Red Wings

If there’s one player who needs a fresh start, it’s Elias Pettersson. The Swedish center signed an eight-year deal in the middle of the 2023-24 season but has disappointed since on a Vancouver Canucks team that has fallen apart. Pettersson has a no-trade clause and a tough contract to take on. Yet, the Canucks might trade him as part of their rebuild, which is already underway following the Quinn Hughes trade.

The Detroit Red Wings are one of the few teams in a great spot to make a trade for Pettersson. They have a surplus of cap space to take on the contract and are eager to make a splash. With Dylan Larkin centering the top line, they need another player to center the second line with a chance to take it to the next level. Pettersson is that player.

The only issues are on the Red Wings side of this trade. Do they want to run the risk of adding a player who has struggled lately and can take a promising season and flip it on its head? Do they want to move a few prospects when they are still building? Pettersson in the top six can take a good Red Wings team and make it dominant, and it’s why general manager (GM) Steve Yzerman must consider it.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi to the Utah Mammoth

The Jesperi Kotkaniemi deal has been nothing short of disappointing. The Carolina Hurricanes thought they were adding a young center on the rise, and these days, he’s a healthy scratch and every offseason has buyout rumors attached to him. That said, there are teams who still believe in his upside, and considering how hard it is to find centers, he’s worth acquiring.

The Utah Mammoth are one of the young teams that lack centers. They need at least one to work with Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, and the other forwards on the roster. The Mammoth are also the team willing to make a splash without moving a lot of pieces the other way. It’s the type of calculated risk they can make knowing they are still building and not going all in to make the playoffs. Kotkaniemi can fill a need and potentially find his footing again to turn this team into a great one.

Mika Zibanejad to the Minnesota Wild

The New York Rangers need a fresh start and might be starting at a teardown, considering how far they’ve fallen. Many are circling Artemi Panarin as the top trade target, and they should be, since the rental is still playing at a high level. Mika Zibanejad is starting to decline but on a contender, he can look like the elite forward who led the Rangers on deep playoff runs back in the day.

The Minnesota Wild are going all in. It’s not a secret that after they added Hughes, they are in win-now mode. The problem the Wild have is that they lack centers and need someone who can play that role if they want to make a deep playoff run. Zibanejad has moved around from center to wing but can fill the void on a dynamic top six, and as a bonus, get reunited with Mats Zuccarello.

Dougie Hamilton to the Florida Panthers

All the trade talk surrounding Dougie Hamilton indicates that it’s a matter of when and not if he’ll be on the move. The obstacle the New Jersey Devils face is that he won’t waive his no-trade clause. Presumably, he’ll waive it after being a healthy scratch multiple times and if it means he can play for a contender.

That’s where the Florida Panthers come in to save the day (and infuriate the rest of the hockey world). Like the Jones trade, the Panthers will want to upgrade the blue line for a playoff run and add a second-pair option. Hamilton has struggled throughout his Devils tenure but he’s still a talented two-way defenseman, and for a playoff run, his style of play can be an invaluable addition.

Shane Wright to the Tampa Bay Lightning

It wasn’t long ago that many believed Shane Wright would be the top pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and the best player in that class. The Seattle Kraken selected him at four, and frankly, it hasn’t worked out. Yes, centers take time to develop, yet Wright has struggled to take steps forward, and the Kraken might want to move on sooner rather than later.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the type of team that would pay a high price to land him. They moved two first-round draft picks to acquire Brandon Hagel, who is now a part of their core, and would do the same to find a future building block. Better yet, the Lightning can find a center with a high upside who ultimately sets them up to battle against the Panthers.

Other Players Who Can Use Fresh Starts

Steven Stamkos hasn’t been a star with the Nashville Predators, and they might look to move on from that contract. His success with the Lightning and ability to make a difference in the playoffs are why teams will take a chance on him, and it’s why he’s a top name on many trade blocks.

The Calgary Flames also have a few skaters who might look for a fresh start or will be on the move since the team is having a rough season. Rasmus Andersson is the top target since he’s heading to free agency and is a top-pair defenseman but Nazem Kadri is a veteran center who plays a physical two-way brand of hockey. For fresh starts, Jonathan Huberdeau might be the top name since his tenure with the Flames hasn’t worked out, and maybe they move on from him before that contract is up.