A majority of the free agents have been signed, but that doesn't mean that teams are done making upgrades.
We are over a week into the offseason, and the trade rumors have been swirling. With an underwhelming free agent class, clubs may be pivoting to the trade market in order to find suitable options for their organizations.
Just last summer, some notable trades were made, including Matthew Tkachuk going to the Panthers from the Flames and Brent Burns moving on from the Sharks to the Hurricanes.
It's not just nobodies either. The defending Norris winner and one of the Vezina finalists are both likely to be on the move this summer, as well as a number of other 2024 free agents.
MORE: Free agency grades for all major signings this NHL offseason
The Sporting News takes a look at the biggest names that could be on the trade block in the 2023 offseason.
Top NHL trade targets for 2023 offseason
1. William Nylander, RW, Maple Leafs
- Age: 27
- Contract: 1 x $11.5 million
- FA Status: 2024 (UFA)
Ongoing extension talks have not been going well between the Leafs and Nylander's camp, with the two sides not close on AAV. Considering Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and John Tavares are all up for extensions within the next two seasons, Nylander could be an ideal trade piece if he's too expensive. There should be plenty of suitors for the talented winger, who has been one of the only consistent playoff producers for the Leafs.
2. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Jets
- Age: 30
- Contract: 1 x $6.16 million
- FA Status: 2024 (UFA)
Hellebuyck wants out of Winnipeg. He's made it clear he is not interested in signing an extension with the Jets, so it makes sense for Winnipeg to trade the starting goalie with his pending free agency looming next summer. Hellebuyck is one of the best goaltenders in the league, and there is no reason why the Jets shouldn't be able to get quite a nice package for the UMass Lowell product.
3. Erik Karlsson, D, Sharks
- Age: 33
- Contract: 4 x $11.5 million
- FA Status: 2027 (UFA)
A Karlsson trade is coming, it's only a matter of when and who. The value of the three-time Norris Trophy winner could not be any higher, as he's coming off a career year with over 100 points on a club that struggled immensely to produce on offense. Karlsson's contract is the big issue here, considering the $11.5 million cap hit for four more years. However, he's one of the best offensive defensemen that has ever played and based on his last campaign, Karlsson hasn't slowed down just yet.
MORE: The highest-paid NHL players in the 2023-24 season
4. Noah Hanifin, D, Flames
- Age: 26
- Contract: 1 x $4.95 million
- FA Status: 2024 (UFA)
There could be a fire sale in Calgary (no pun intended). There have been reports that Hanifin is not interested in staying long-term with the Flames, and could be traded this summer. The 26-year-old is a top-four defenseman who brings more on offense than he does in his own zone but isn't among the elite playmakers on the blue line.
5. Mark Scheifele, C, Jets
- Age: 30
- Contract: 1 x $6.125 million
- FA Status: 2024 (UFA)
Another Jet likely traded this summer is Scheifele. Like Hellebuyck, he has one more year left on his current contract and reportedly isn't interested in sticking around in Winnipeg for a rebuild. Scheifele is an above-average No. 1 center who hit a career-high 42 goals last season. He's a solid, two-way play driver that can certainly center a top line on a contender.
6. Linus Ullmark, G, Bruins
- Age: 30
- Contract: 2 x $5 million
- FA Status: 2025 (UFA)
Could the Bruins really trade the reigning Vezina winner? Due to the team's cap constraints, it may just happen. With Jeremy Swayman waiting in the wings, Ullmark might be on the move to free up some cap space for the Bruins. The 30-year-old helped backstop the Bruins to a record year, leading the league in wins, save percentage and goals-against average. With two more years on his deal at $5 million per year, he's an intriguing trade candidate, however, many teams have already fortified their crease for the fall.
7. Elias Lindholm, C, Flames
- Age: 28
- Contract: 1 x $4.85 million
- FA Status: 2024 (UFA)
Another Flame possibly getting shipped out is Lindholm. The two-way center has a 2024 free agent and while Calgary wants him back, it's reportedly unclear if he'll sign a long-term extension to stay in Alberta. Lindholm is one of the more underrated forwards in the league, however, he regressed last season once Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk left the Flames. Still, at 28 years old, there will be plenty of suitors if he's put on the trade block.
8. Travis Sanheim, D, Flyers
- Age: 27
- Contract: 8 x $5.125 million
- FA Status: 2031 (UFA)
It's crazy to think that Sanheim's eight-year extension with the Flyers just kicked in this offseason, yet he may not play another game with Philadelphia. The defenseman reportedly was going to be included in the Kevin Hayes trade to the Blues, but things fell apart with other parts of the deal, and Sanheim remains a Flyer for now. He's a steady, top-four defenseman that can be paired with someone more offensively gifted.
9. Brett Pesce, D, Hurricanes
- Age: 28
- Contract: 1 x $4.025 million
- FA Status: 2024 (UFA)
The Hurricanes reportedly were going to sign or trade Pesce by July 1st. That obviously did not happen, and now it's a waiting game to see what Carolina does with the defenseman. The Hurricanes added Dmitry Orlov, who reportedly will be re-acquiring Tony DeAngelo and are still in the mix for Karlsson. It could mean Pesce is a casualty. The 28-year-old is a top-four, right-shot defenseman who has brought a steady two-way presence to the Carolina blue line the last few seasons.
10. Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Capitals
- Age: 31
- Contract: 2 x $7.8 million
- FA Status: 2025 (UFA)
Once again, Kuznetsov is in trade rumors. A breakup between the Russian center and the Capitals has seemed inevitable for a couple of seasons now, so it may all be smoke, but it would make sense for Washington to move on from Kuznetsov. The 31-year-old regressed this past season and hasn't been worth his $7.8 million cap hit. He's a really good No. 2 center on a contender.
11. Travis Konecny, RW, Flyers
- Age: 26
- Contract: 2 x $5.5 million
- FA Status: 2025 (UFA)
Konency is another Flyer that has had his name thrown around in trade discussions. His value could be any higher, coming off a point-per-game season with 61 in 60 contests. Konency is a top-six winger who carries a bit of a reputation for being a pest but is very offensively talented. The 26-year-old is under contract for two more seasons.
MORE: What is salary arbitration in the NHL?
12. Carter Hart, G, Flyers
- Age: 24
- Contract: 1 x $3.979 million
- FA Status: 2024 (RFA)
Starting to notice a trend here with Flyers? Any and all pieces should be considered trade chips, and Briere has another potential one in Hart. The goaltender's emergence into an NHL stud coincided with the Flyers' free fall, putting a damper on his stats the last two seasons. If the Flyers aren't planning on being competitive anytime soon, it makes little sense to re-sign the young, elite goaltender now. Philadelphia could get quite the package for Hart.
13. John Gibson, G, Ducks
- Age: 29
- Contract: 4 x $6.4 million
- FA Status: 2027 (UFA)
We've reached another offseason where Gibson is in trade rumors. The starting goaltender of the Ducks reportedly wants out of Anaheim, having endured five consecutive seasons of missed postseasons while in his prime. It's harder to gauge how good Gibson is now considering how awful the defense and team has been in front of him the last two seasons, but he's still considered a bonafide No. 1. At 29 years old, there should be appeal for him.
14. Scott Laughton, C, Flyers
Yup, another Flyer. Like Sanheim, it was reported that Laughton was almost traded to the Blues before the NHL Draft, however, that fell through. The Flyers really like him, especially John Tortorella, and have been hesitant to move on from him. Laughton's appeal is his leadership and his versatility, as he can play both center and wing. He'd be a solid middle-six piece for a club, but more of a third-line option on a contender.
