B/R NHL Trade Block Big Board: September 2024

Lyle Richardson@@SpectorsHockeyFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 1, 2024B/R NHL Trade Block Big Board: September 2024 0 of 10

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri
Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

August is usually a quiet time for NHL trade activity. With most major deals made earlier in the offseason, the focus shifts toward the remaining unsigned free agents.

This year, however, saw a busy week in which five notable trades were made between Aug. 18 and 23.

Among the players on the move were winger Patrik Laine, goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, prospect winger Rutger McGroarty, and defenseman Cody Ceci, all of whom were part of our August NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Of the 10 players on that board, only New York Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson remain. The rest were traded away or did not appear in any significant media trade speculation throughout August.

We enter September with 10 different players worth monitoring as training camps open in mid-month. They include New York Islanders center Brock Nelson and Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. All of them appeared at some point in media speculation last month.

Skill level, experience, contract, and the likelihood of getting traded during the coming season are factored into this compilation.

Do you agree or disagree with these players being on this board? Is there someone you believe we missed? Tell us about it in our app comments.

10. Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks1 of 10

Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A nearly constant fixture in the rumor mill since January, Trevor Zegras last appeared in our NHL Trade Block Rankings for July. The 23-year-old Anaheim Ducks forward will likely remain the subject of media speculation, especially if his struggles and injury woes from last season carry over into 2024-25.

Zegras was linked to several teams leading up to last season’s trade deadline and the June NHL Draft weekend. However, nothing came of the conjecture and he remains with the Ducks.

The New York Rangers were among the clubs assumed to be interested in Zegras in last season’s rumor mill. On Aug.2, a reader asked The Athletic’s Arthur Staple if the Bedford, NY, native might end up with the Blueshirts. Staple didn’t believe they had much interest in Zegras, as much as he might love to play for them one day.

Zegras’ contract will be an issue for any club interested in acquiring him. He lacks no-trade protection but his $5.8 million annual cap hit through 2025-26 will be difficult for cap-strapped teams to absorb. The Ducks will likely set a high asking price for the promising young forward.

9. Kaapo Kakko, New York Rangers2 of 10

Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Entering the 2023 offseason, New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafrenière’s future was the subject of speculation. The first-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Lafrenière had yet to develop into the offensive star he was projected to become. However, a 28-goal, 57-point regular season performance followed by 14 points in 16 playoff games silenced the critics and the trade rumors.

This summer, it’s Kaapo Kakko’s turn in the Rangers’ rumor mill. Chosen second overall in the 2019 draft, the 23-year-old right winger struggled through a disappointing injury-shortened 2023-24, making him a frequent subject of media trade chatter since February.

Despite the trade rumors, Kakko remains with the Rangers as training camp approaches after signing a one-year, $2.4 million contract in June. On Aug.2, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple suggested he’s not a player other teams covet right now, speculating the Rangers might not be impressed with the offers they’ve received.

Nevertheless, Kakko remains a player of interest with training camps on the horizon. The Rangers could hope that the young Finn has a breakout effort similar to Lafrenière’s last season. Still, a rival club seeking an affordable young forward with scoring potential could make a pitch if injuries strike their roster.

8. Oliver Wahlstrom, New York Islanders3 of 10

Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

A first-round pick of the New York Islanders (11th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, Oliver Wahlstrom netted 12 goals and 21 points in 44 games in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. However, he’s had difficulty matching that promising NHL debut performance.

Wahlstrom managed 13 goals and 24 points in his sophomore season. His 2022-23 season was cut short by a knee injury and he was a frequent healthy scratch throughout 2023-24. The 24-year-old winger filed for salary arbitration on July 5 but settled on a one-year, $1 million contract. Nevertheless, his future with the Islanders remains uncertain.

On Aug. 23, NYI Hockey Now’s Russ Macias noted the Isles made Wahlstrom available at the end of last season. With the Isles pressed for salary-cap space, he wondered if the winger might become a cost-cutting trade candidate, suggesting the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins as possible destinations.

Earlier in the month, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple reported Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello said he was impressed by Wahlstrom’s hard work during his offseason training, adding he’d be given every opportunity this season. Nevertheless, he could become a player to monitor in the trade market as training camp and preseason progress.

7. Peyton Krebs, Buffalo Sabres4 of 10

Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images

Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Jack Eichel trade in November 2021, Peyton Krebs has struggled to establish himself with the Buffalo Sabres. The 23-year-old center played a career-high 80 games last season but netted only 17 points, spending most of his time seeing fourth-line duty.

A first-round draft pick (17th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Krebs is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract. He’s the only roster regular the Sabres have yet to sign to a new deal.

On Aug. 1, The Hockey News’ Michael Augello pondered Krebs’ future with the Sabres. He noted rumors were going back to last season’s trade deadline linking him to the Philadelphia Flyers. Augello pointed out the Sabres were still seeking a scoring winger and wondered if Krebs could be trade bait to acquire Flyers winger Joel Farabee.

Krebs’ performance during his junior days had scouts projecting him to become a top-six playmaking forward. That potential could still make him a useful trade chip for the Sabres despite his struggles thus far as an NHL regular.

6. Nicholas Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs5 of 10

Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images

After spending the past four seasons bouncing between the Toronto Maple Leafs and their AHL club, winger Nicholas Robertson prefers a change of scenery. On June 30, the 22-year-old restricted free agent informed management he wasn’t interested in signing an extension and requested a trade.

That earned Robertson a place on our August NHL Trade Block Big Board. The younger brother of Dallas Stars scorer Jason Robertson, Nicholas has grown frustrated with his handling by the Leafs. He’s seeking a move to another team where he might have a better opportunity to play a larger role.

On Aug.26, TSN’s Chris Johnston reported there’s no indication the standoff between Robertson and Leafs management will end soon. GM Brad Treliving believes the young winger has a great opportunity to earn more playing time in Toronto this season. Treliving understands his frustration but doesn’t intend on honoring his trade request.

Johnston noted Robertson has little leverage coming off his entry-level contract. He can refuse to sign and skip training camp and perhaps the start of the season in the hope of forcing a trade. We cannot rule out the possibility of Treliving shopping him for a more established middle-six left wing.

5. Nazem Kadri, Calgary Flames6 of 10

Derek Cain/Getty Images

The Calgary Flames’ roster retool sparked speculation earlier this summer about center Nazem Kadri’s future in the Stampede City. Kadri, 33, is entering the third season of his seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million and also has a full no-movement clause through 2025-26.

That early conjecture came to naught but the Flames’ roster changes since last season could force Kadri to reconsider his situation if they fail to show any significant improvement in 2024-25. We included him among our top five players who could request a trade next.

On Aug. 15, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press wondered if Kadri might ask to be moved depending on how this season pans out for the Flames. Despite the center’s hefty contract and no-move limitations, Wiebe believes he’d be a perfect fit as a second-line center for the Jets.

That may be wishful thinking on Wiebe’s part but Kadri will likely remain a subject of interest in this season’s rumor mill if the Flames are out of contention before the trade deadline. A solid effort on his part could draw the attention of playoff contenders seeking a physical scoring center with Stanley Cup experience.

4. Joel Farabee, Philadelphia Flyers7 of 10

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

End-of-season speculation over Joel Farabee’s future with the Philadelphia Flyers landed the 24-year-old winger on our May NHL Trade Block Big Board. Recent conjecture earned Farabee a place on our September Board.

On Aug. 4, a reader asked Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News if the Sabres might be interested in Farabee. He believed they might be willing if the price was right. Farabee carries an annual cap hit of $5 million through 2027-28 but lacks no-trade protection.

The Sabres have the cap space ($8.5 million), a deep prospect pool, and plenty of promising young roster talent to draw on for trade bait. Whether they’re interested in Farabee or have another forward in their sights for the coming season remains to be seen.

Farabee’s future in Philadelphia remains uncertain as the Flyers rebuild their roster. Another season of moving up and down their roster could prompt management to gauge his value before the trade deadline.

3. David Savard, Montreal Canadiens8 of 10

Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Approaching the 2023 NHL Trade deadline, David Savard was the subject of frequent trade speculation. The Montreal Canadiens weren’t shopping the veteran defenseman but interest from contenders seeking experienced blue-line depth landed the 33-year-old on our NHL Trade Block Big Board leading up to the March 8 deadline.

The Canadiens retained Savard, who will start the final season of his four-year contract. Given the Habs’ status as a rebuilding team, he could end up on the trade block at some point as a playoff rental player. Savard missed 22 games last season due to injury but still logged a respectable 24 points with a plus-minus of minus-1 on the rebuilding Canadiens.

On Aug. 16, Montreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont cited Savard telling RDS.ca he’s prepared to be the center of trade rumors this season. Nevertheless, he intends to do his best to be a role model and mentor to the Canadiens’ promising young defensemen.

Eight days later, The Hockey News’ Michael DeRosa suggested Savard could be a valuable trade chip for the Canadiens. He cited the 6’1″, 238-pound right-shot defenseman’s rugged style, his ability to log top-four minutes and kill penalties. He also has Stanley Cup experience with the 2021 Tampa Bay Lightning.

2. Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames9 of 10

Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images

Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy is retooling his roster by shipping out players in the final year of their contracts, replacing them with younger, affordable talent. Last season, he traded away three key defensemen, sending Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks, Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars, and Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Rasmus Andersson has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $4.6 million and a six-team no-trade list. Nevertheless, some Flames fans wonder if the 27-year-old defenseman could follow Zadrov, Tanev, and Hanifin out of the Stampede City.

On Aug. 15, a reader asked The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie about Andersson’s trade value as a top-four defenseman. He felt the Flames would only move the blueliner for the right price, adding that his play this season would determine his value at the trade deadline. McKenzie thinks it would take an irresistible offer to pry Andersson away from the Flames.

That extra year in Andersson’s contract could bring about that irresistible offer, especially if the Flames are out of the playoff race by the trade deadline. Contenders might be willing to pay more for a top-four, right-shot rearguard that they can get two postseason runs out of compared to one.

1. Brock Nelson, New York Islanders10 of 10

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Since 2013-14, Brock Nelson has been a roster regular for the New York Islanders. He’s also been among their most consistent scorers, exceeding 40 points eight times, including a career-best 75-point performance in 2022-23 and a 69-point effort last season.

Turning 33 on Oct. 15, Nelson is in the final season of his six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a 16-team no-trade list. Eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July, this could be his final campaign with the Islanders.

On Aug. 2, The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner reported Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello wasn’t focused on contract extensions. He noted that some Isles fans believed Lamoriello should consider peddling Nelson while his trade value is high. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple thinks the veteran center could fetch a solid return at the trade deadline.

The odds are against Lamoriello shopping Nelson before the start of the season because they’ll need him if they hope to reach the playoffs next spring. Nevertheless, he could be someone worth watching in the rumor mill if his team ends up out of the postseason hunt leading up to the 2025 trade deadline.