Free agency begins on Tuesday, and the chaos ensues then. There are plenty of big names that will be on the move, and some teams are prepared to make a splash with the extra salary cap space. One of the subplots to free agency is the trade market, which is open as well this summer. The Montreal Canadiens already made a blockbuster deal with the New York Islanders to land Noah Dobson, a sign that more moves can be on the way.
Some big names can be on the move, and better yet, some teams look like great fits for them as well. So, let’s look at five big names and the teams that should acquire them.
Nazem Kadri to the New Jersey Devils
The only reason this move doesn’t make sense is from the Calgary Flames’ perspective. They are a team on the rise and looking to add and not subtract this offseason, especially after missing the playoffs by only a few points last season.
Otherwise, this trade is a win-win for both sides involved and seems like a perfect fit. The New Jersey Devils need Nazem Kadri or a player like him in their lineup. They have the skill to win in the regular season but lack the size or physicality to make a deep playoff run.
Kadri adds that up the middle, which for the Devils, gives them plenty of options. They can slot him on their third line to play a checking role while also adding a spark to the offense. Likewise, they can move him up to the top six or even the top line if Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier are injured. The Colorado Avalanche won the Cup in 2022 with Kadri playing all those roles in their lineup, and the Devils can do the same with him as well.
So, why would the Flames make this trade? For one, it takes a bad contract off their books. Kadri must waive his no-movement clause for it to happen but if he does, the Devils are taking on four more years of a contract at a $7 million average annual value (AAV). Plus, if the Flames add a young NHLer in the deal (like Simon Nemec), then they head into the season ready to make noise.
The Devils and Flames have become common trade partners in recent years. Tyler Toffoli, Jacob Markstrom, Kevin Bahl, and Yegor Sharangovich have swapped red jerseys in trades. Maybe the two teams make another deal that lets a young, up-and-coming Flames team only look better for the future while the Devils add a missing piece for a Cup run.
Elias Petterson to the Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild finally have cap room to work with (as the Ryan Suter and Zach Parise buyouts are finally out of the way). So, they can make a big move or two in free agency, albeit one of them will probably be extending Kirill Kaprizov.
The move that makes the most sense is signing Brock Boeser, another forward on the Vancouver Canucks who heads to free agency. That said, the Wild have a glaring void at the center position, especially if they can’t sign Marco Rossi.
It’s why Elias Pettersson makes a lot of sense. He’s had his highs and lows with the Canucks but is an elite center who can form a dynamic top line with Kaprizov on his wing. If the Canucks are willing to take on some of the contract while acquiring Rossi in the process, this deal can be a great one, especially for a Wild team looking to make a big splash this summer.
Erik Karlsson to the Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s no secret that Erik Karlsson is on the trade block. The Pittsburgh Penguins are rebuilding and looking to move a veteran with an expensive contract to do that. The question is if there’s a team willing to take on two more seasons with a $10 million AAV for a defenseman on the decline?
The Tampa Bay Lightning are one team that might, and it would be a great fit. Since the three Final appearances in a row, the team plateaued, and they need that spark to make a deep playoff run. Victor Hedman is the anchor on the defense but the Lightning lack reliable skaters on the other side.
Karlsson gives them a one-two punch on their top pair. They can move the puck up the ice and open up the offense. On top of that, with Hedman on one side, Karlsson would be able to play more aggressively and look comfortable on the blue line. There are only a few teams that become Cup contenders with this addition. The Lightning are one of them.
Vince Dunn to the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are pivoting away from the core four era. With Mitch Marner testing free agency, they’ll look to round out the roster, and one of the ways to do that is with a stronger defense.
Vince Dunn is the ideal two-way defenseman to insert into the middle of the lineup. He opens up the offense at the point but also plays a physical, hard-hitting, and shot-blocking brand of defense, something Craig Berube is looking for.
There are two obstacles to this deal. The first is the price that the Seattle Kraken will set to land him. Dunn is arguably their best player and will cost prospects or assets the Maple Leafs don’t have. The Kraken are the other obstacle as they are looking to contend this season despite a roster that is nowhere near that. Otherwise, this is a great trade that should happen, especially if the Maple Leafs don’t sign Brad Marchand and want to head into next season with a team capable of beating the Florida Panthers.
Jordan Kyrou to the Detroit Red Wings
At first, Jordan Kyrou’s name in trade rumors was a surprise and didn’t make much sense. The 27-year-old forward is in the prime of his career and on a team looking to make noise this season.
With six years left on his contract, a team would send the message that Kyrou is not a core part of the roster, and the Blues would prefer to spend that money elsewhere. Likewise, Kyrou can be a part of a trade that lands the Blues some NHL-ready talent in the return, not prospects or picks.
It’s why the Detroit Red Wings make a lot of sense. They have the young NHL-ready players to move in a trade to add Kyrou and upgrade their forward unit. They need an elite talent on their wing, and Kyrou is that.
There’s a lot of pressure on Steve Yzerman to put together a playoff team in Detroit. It’s year six of the “Yzerplan,” and not only have the Red Wings missed the playoffs in every season of his tenure, but the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, two rebuilding teams, passed them in less time with their rebuilds. It’s why he’ll be the one to make a big trade at some point during the free agency period.
