A $1 million rise in the NHL salary cap to $82.5 million didn't adversely affect the 2022 offseason trade market. If anything, the flattened cap made general managers more creative in finding ways to improve their rosters.
Several teams went the trade route to address their needs. The Los Angeles Kings used their salary-cap space to sign left winger Kevin Fiala after acquiring him from the Minnesota Wild, while the Ottawa Senators used theirs to bring in winger Alex DeBrincat.
The summer's biggest move saw the Calgary Flames trade Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar. All three players were a year away from unrestricted free agency. Tkachuk and Huberdeau each signed long-term extensions with their new clubs.
The Flames also used the trade market to create salary-cap space to sign free-agent center Nazem Kadri. On Aug. 18, they bundled center Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations.
With training camps opening in mid-September, there could be more trades in the coming weeks. With the free-agent pool depleted of prime talent and most clubs carrying limited cap room, some of the coming season's potential Stanley Cup contenders, including the defending champion Colorado Avalanche, could turn to the trade market for help.
Here are five contenders that should consider making a deal to upgrade the roster before the start of the 2022-23 season. We'll examine their specific roster need, possible trade targets and what they could offer in return. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
Colorado Avalanche
The departure of Nazem Kadri to the Calgary Flames via free agency leaves a big gap in the Colorado Avalanche's second-line center position. They could look to replace him with internal candidates like J.T. Compher or Alex Newhook. Perhaps they'll consider signing former Avs center Paul Stastny to bring his career full circle.
General manager Chris MacFarland could also shop for help in the trade market before the season opens in October. However, his club's position as defending Stanley Cup champions and their depth elsewhere in their lineup provides him the luxury of waiting until the 2023 trade deadline to find a suitable option.
MacFarland could target a player slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews would be a splashy but expensive choice, while a more affordable option could be the Washington Capitals' Lars Eller. He could also pursue a player on a non-contender signed beyond this season, like the Montreal Canadiens' Christian Dvorak.
The Blackhawks will likely want a package heavy with futures and a first-round pick at the heart of the deal. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could seek a first-rounder for Dvorak, given that's part of what his predecessor gave up to acquire him from the Arizona Coyotes. Eller would be much more affordable, perhaps costing a second or third-rounder.
Florida Panthers
After including MacKenzie Weegar in the trade to Calgary last month for Matthew Tkachuk, the Florida Panthers are missing an experienced top-four defenseman who can move the puck. Aaron Ekblad remains their best mobile offensive blueliner.