It's barely been a week since the puck dropped on the 2022-23 NHL season, but the rumor mill is already churning out trade speculation. While it's still early for such conjecture, a handful of clubs appear to need some help.
The Boston Bruins might have to consider moving one of their left-shot defensemen to free up salary-cap space when key players return from injuries. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild's porous goaltending could force them into the market for help if it doesn't improve soon.
It could take some time for teams with early-season roster problems to address them. Available players could prove costly in terms of the contract or the team's asking price.
A number of teams have little or no cap space, which further complicates matters. According to Cap Friendly, 13 teams are either pressed against the $82.5 million salary cap or have placed players on long-term injury reserve to exceed it. Six teams possess less than $550,000 in cap room, while three others have less than $1.8 million available.
Nevertheless, these four NHL trade scenarios should be under consideration as soon as possible. Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
Mike Reilly to the Chicago Blackhawks
The Boston Bruins have a logjam of left-side defensemen, while the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks could use some experienced depth on their blue line. The Bruins should thus consider sending Mike Reilly to the Blackhawks.
The Hockey News' Mike Stephens recently noted that Reilly was among several players to clear waivers before the start of the season. He suggested the Chicago native could be a good fit with the Blackhawks given his puck-moving skills and affordable $3 million salary-cap hit through 2023-24.
According to Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy, the Bruins had been shopping Reilly before he went on waivers. The Bruins will need to clear cap space when sidelined stars Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy return to the lineup later this season. They'll probably only want a draft pick in return for Reilly.
The Blackhawks could've claimed Reilly off waivers. However, it could still prove worthwhile for them to acquire him from the Bruins.
Chicago could shop Reilly near the trade deadline for draft picks. He could also perhaps be a decent short-term fit to take some pressure off the Blackhawks' developing young defensemen.
The Minnesota Wild Should Shop For A Goaltender
Poor goaltending is among the reasons why the Minnesota Wild are off to a shaky start this season. Their 6.67 goals-against per game was the league's worst as of Oct. 19.
This is a troubling development for the Wild as they attempt to build on last season's franchise-best 113-point performance.
The Wild brought back 37-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury on a two-year contract and acquired Filip Gustavsson from the Ottawa Senators in last summer's Cam Talbot deal. Given that duo's difficulties thus far, general manager Bill Guerin should monitor the trade market for a potential upgrade between the pipes.
With $3.3 million in cap space, Guerin has some wiggle room to add an affordable netminder to back up Fleury and perhaps challenge him for the starter's job. He could also try to move some salary in the deal to give himself more cap flexibility as the season progresses. Gustavsson and his $787,500 cap hit could be part of the deal or demoted in the minors.