NHL Trade Rumors

Trade and Free Agency Rumors from Around the Hockey World

  • Avalanche acquire Brock Nelson

    The Colorado Avalanche have acquired Brock Nelson and William Dufour from the New York Islanders in exchange for Calum Ritchie, Oliver Kylington a 2026 1st round pick and a 2028 conditional 3rd round pick.

    The Islanders subsequently traded Oliver Kylington to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.

    The Islanders are retaining 50% of Nelson’s salary.

    The 2026 1st round pick could end up being a 2027 1st round pick if conditions are not met.

    It’s quite the haul for Nelson, who was one of the most sought after centers on the market. Ritchie was 21st in the Athletic’s top prospect list in February.

    The Islanders reportedly offered Nelson a 3-year contract, but Nelson wanted a longer term deal.

    , ,
    , ,

  • Golden Knights acquire Reilly Smith

    The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired Reilly Smith from the New York Rangers in exchange for Brendan Brisson and San Jose’s 2025 3rd round pick.

    Smith, who won a Cup with Vegas in 2023, played with the Penguins and the Rangers, but never found the success he had in Vegas. The winger had 10 goals and 19 assists in 58 games for the Rangers.

    The Rangers are retaining 50% of the $3.75 million of cap hit they’re carrying. Pittsburgh retained $1.25 million in their summer trade with the Rangers.

    ,

  • Utah re-signs Karel Vejmelka

    The Utah Hockey Club have re-signed Karel Vejmelka to a 5-year contract extension with a cap hit of $4.75 million.

    Vejmelka, 28, is 16-16-4 with a 0.910 SV% this season.

    Earlier tonight, Utah signed Ian Cole to a 1-year deal worth $2.8 million with $200,000 in potential bonuses and Alex Kerfoot to a 1 year deal worth $3 million.

    , ,

  • Predators acquire Bunting for Schenn, Novak

    The Nashville Predators have acquired Michael Bunting and a 4th round pick in 2026 from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Luke Schenn and Tommy Novak.

    Michael Bunting is signed through next season at a cap hit of $4.5 million. Nashville will be his third team on his current 3-year contract, after being traded to Pittsburgh from Carolina last season in the Jake Guentzel trade.

    Tommy Novak signed a 3 year deal with a cap hit of $3.5 million prior to last year’s trade deadline, but has struggled since signing his new deal, being a healthy scratch at times this year. Luke Schenn is signed through next season at a cap hit of $2.75 million.

    ,
    , ,

  • Lightning acquire Gourde, Bjorkstrand

    The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Mikey Eyssimont, Tampa Bay’s 1st round picks in 2026 and 2027, and Toronto’s 2025 2nd round pick. The Lightning will also receive a 5th round pick in 2026.

    Bjorkstrand, 29, is signed for 1 more season at a cap hit of $5.4 million. He has 16 goals and 21 assists in 61 games this season.

    Gourde, 33, will be a UFA after this season. He’s missed time due to injury but made his return to the Seattle lineup last night. He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

    Tampa Bay will be carrying only $1.292 million of Gourde’s $5.167 million cap hit, as Seattle is retaining 50%, and Detroit is also retaining 25%.

    ,
    , ,

  • Panthers acquire Vitek Vanecek

    The Florida Panthers have acquired Vitek Vanecek from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Patrick Giles.

    The Sharks are not retaining any of Vanecek’s $3.4 million cap hit. The Panthers can fit that in as they are placing Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR.

    Vanecek, 34, is 3-10-3 with an 0.882 SV% with the Sharks this season. Patrick Giles is a 25-year old who has played 9 games with the Panthers this season.

    Presumably, the Sharks will call up Yaroslav Askarov to fill the hole left by Vanecek.

    ,

  • Canadiens re-sign Jake Evans

    The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed Jake Evans to a 4-year contract extension with a cap hit of $2.85 million.

    Evans, 28, has 12 goals and 16 assists in 61 games for the Canadiens this season.

    With Evans off the market, it figures to increase the competition for other potential center options on the trade market such as Scott Laughton, Yanni Gourde and Nick Bjugstad.

  • Oilers acquire Trent Frederic

    The Edmonton Oilers have acquired Trent Frederic from the Edmonton Oilers along with Max Jones in exchange for a 2nd round pick in 2025, a 4th round pick in 2026 and Maximum Wanner.

    The Bruins are retaining 50% of Frederic’s contract, and the New Jersey Devils are also retaining 25% in exchange for Shane LaChance, Edmonton’s 6th round pick in 2021.

    Chris Johnston reports that there’s currently “no indication” that Frederic will be healthy enough to play before the playoffs, so his first game in an Oilers’ sweater might be a playoff matchup.

    , ,
    ,

Recent Posts