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The dog days of NHL summer are winding down.

Which means it’s time to ramp up speculation about who is still (potentially) destined to be traded before fall is in full swing.

Because unless you’re Kyle Dubas giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a significant facelift — that three-team Erik Karlsson swap was a nifty piece of business — most general managers have been low-key enjoying the post-July 1 holidays without running up their respective phone bills gauging the trade market.

Or we can only assume that’s the case given the lack of movement over these past two months and the selection of tantalizingly trade-eligible players just begging to be moved.

Does that put us on track for a frantic start to September?

Before the offseason cottages are closed up and players head to training camps, we’re breaking the proverbial big board down (alphabetically!) into bite-sized trade categories — the ones that should happen, the ones that could happen and the ones that, given the right incentive, would just make too much sense not to happen.

It’s like the end-of-summer reading assignment you actually want to do!


The (seemingly) inevitable trades

It’s not often a true No. 1 goaltender is available on the trade market.

Hellebuyck could be the exception.

Winnipeg’s starter is in the final season of his six-year, $37 million contract (which includes zero trade protection) and reportedly hasn’t shown an interest in extending with the Jets long term prior to becoming a UFA on July 1. In that case, Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff must at least explore the option of moving Hellebuyck to pull in players who — ideally — improve the Jets’ roster now.

Hellebuyck isn’t down on the idea of being traded, either, although he has carefully toed the line with public commentary on the subject. When discussing the possibility of a move in June, Hellebuyck stuck to the facts:

“I’m a Winnipeg Jet right now,” he said. “And wherever I end up playing — it could be in Winnipeg — I’ll just give it my all. It doesn’t matter where I’m playing, I’m going after a [Stanley] Cup.”

The 30-year-old certainly could fetch a fine return for Winnipeg if the right deal materialized. Hellebuyck led the NHL in starts last season with 64 to go with a strong .920 save percentage. He also has a history of handling heavy workloads, appearing in more games (445) and making more saves (12,465) than any goaltender since entering the league in 2015-16. It won’t surprise anyone that he wants to be paid like a top netminder, somewhere in the range of a Sergei Bobrovsky (at $10 million per season) or Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9.5 million).

Winnipeg might not be in a full teardown, but it’s not primed to be a Cup contender right now, either. If the Jets can get better in the long run by shipping out Hellebuyck now, then Cheveldayoff can’t be afraid to pull the trigger on a trade.

The Capitals forward has reportedly asked for trades in the past, and GM Brian McLellan acknowledged an “aggressive” approach at the June entry draft to making a move (or two). So far, McLellan’s been unsuccessful in finding a suitable landing spot for Kuznetsov, or his teammate Anthony Mantha (another viable trade piece in the final season of a four-year, $22.8 million deal).

Naturally, Washington does lose leverage in negotiations when it’s widely known a player like Kuznetsov wants out. However, the Capitals should be able to net a solid return for their 31-year-old center with redeemable upside.

Kuznetsov is past his heyday, when the Russian produced a career-best 27 goals and 83 points in 79 games during the 2017-18 season. But he is still steady and skilled. He put up 12 goals and 55 points in 81 games last year — a decidedly down season for Washington — and with the right team (and in the right role) Kuznetsov could easily add to those totals in 2023-24.

Which brings us to the factor most likely slowing the trade process — Kuznetsov’s contract. He has two years remaining on his deal with an AAV of $7.8 million, plus there’s a 15-team no-trade list to grapple with, too. Unless Washington is willing to retain salary, it’ll be tough finding a contending club (or one Kuznetsov hasn’t vetoed) that’s able to shoulder the weight of his cap number.

There’s still time, though, and the closer teams get to camp, the more urgency there will be to fill out rosters. That could play out well for the Capitals, who look to be deep into a rebuilding mode.


The would-make-sense trades

Let it be known that Gibson denies having ever requested a trade from Anaheim (his agent released a statement to that effect last month).

However, that doesn’t preclude Gibson from actually being moved.

The Ducks are rebuilding, and Gibson is aging. He’s midway through an eight-year, $51.2 million contract that comes with a 10-team no-trade list. If Anaheim wants to capitalize on the many years of solid work on Gibson’s résumé, now is the time. The 30-year-old took a downturn in 2022-23 (14-31-8, .899 SV% and 3.99 GAA) but was among the NHL’s most consistent netminders before last season (Gibson has a career .912 SV% and 2.83 GAA).

Depending on where Anaheim sees itself heading in the next few years, it would make sense to kick the tires on a Gibson trade. It could provide the fresh start both player and team need to reach their fullest potential.

Back in early June, there was a flurry of conversation around Philadelphia about possibly trading Hart. In fact, it sounded like a move might be imminent — until suddenly, it wasn’t.

It’s feasible GM Danny Briere had a potential deal he liked in the works that simply didn’t make it over the finish line. The devil, as they say, is in the details. But past failure shouldn’t deter the Flyers from exploring another trade involving Hart before the start of this coming season.

The 25-year-old goalie will be a restricted free agent in July (with arbitration rights) when his three-year, $11.937 million deal expires. Hart’s qualifying offer will be a fairly reasonable $4.479 million. And there’s a good amount to appreciate about Hart’s game as well — he produced a 22-23-10 record last year with a .907 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average while backstopping a poor Flyers’ team. It’s likely Hart’s numbers will go up if he’s playing behind a more established roster. That could turn him into a trade commodity who, for the right price, spurs Briere into getting another deal for Hart over the hump.

This isn’t the first offseason in which Konecny’s name has floated around the trade sphere. And for good reason.

The Flyers forward has two seasons remaining on his six-year, $33 million deal. Given where the Flyers are in their rebuild — Briere has made no secret just about everyone is available for the right return — their priority is to bring along the next generation of skaters drafted and developed via the Flyers’ system. That leaves less room in the long term for players like Konecny — especially those likely to be gunning for lucrative deals when free agency eventually comes around.

Therefore, Philadelphia would be wise to listen on any offers for Konecny. The 26-year-old is capable of excelling in a top-six or top-nine role while making solid contributions on special teams and would fit nicely within a contender’s lineup. Konecny put up 31 goals and 61 points in 60 games last season, and those stats might skyrocket if he was surrounded by the right support.

If Philadelphia can haul in a decent return — think high draft choice or talented prospect — then trading Konecny to a team that needs depth to win now (St. Louis? Boston? Even Carolina?) wouldn’t be the worst idea.

Here’s another hot potato for Cheveldayoff to contend with.

Like Hellebuyck, Scheifele is in the final season of his eight-year, $49 million contract, with UFA status looming in July. And Scheifele has, in the past, publicly questioned where the Jets are headed and whether it’s toward Cup contention. If Scheifele isn’t all-in on remaining in Winnipeg, then Cheveldayoff should be scoping out interest for Scheifele’s services. Unlike Hellebuyck, though, Scheifele does have a modified no-trade clause. That could make a transaction harder to come by — although not entirely impossible.

Could Scheifele be intriguing as a rental for some club eyeing depth for a deep run this season? Definitely. The 30-year-old remains a highly productive center, producing 42 goals and 68 points in 81 games last season. Scheifele’s cap hit, clocking in at over $6 million, could get in the way. That’s a large number for some cap-strapped contenders to take on.

Still, does a team like Boston, which lost both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retirement, look at Scheifele and see a solution to its diminished options up front? It’s an enticing prospect.


The for-the-right-return trades

It’s not likely Hanifin will stick with Calgary when his six-year, $29.7 million contract runs out in July. That knowledge should rocket the blueliner up GM Craig Conroy’s trade board ASAP.

The 26-year-old is a top-pairing defenseman after all, who’s only now entering what projects to be the prime of his career. Hanifin put up seven goals and 38 points in 81 games last season and given his skill set would likely slot in well just about anywhere.

The sticking point is what Calgary can negotiate in return. While the Flames don’t want anyone walking away for free this summer, they won’t be fleeced in a Hanifin deal. It could be that once training camps are underway — and possible injuries pile up — teams will be more willing to open productive dialogues on a move for a player like Hanifin. Calgary can be patient, but Conroy should also be prudent in accepting a decent return if one reveals itself.

Calgary would do well to avoid another Johnny Gaudreau-like situation with Lindholm.

The Flames lost their former top forward for nothing in free agency two years ago. Now Lindholm — the club’s top center — is in the final season of his six-year, $29.1 million contract, and it’s unclear whether he intends to re-sign with Calgary. Conroy has called keeping the 28-year-old a priority, but will Lindholm feel the same about staying as he approaches unrestricted free agency? It’s (another) risky gamble for the Flames.

If Calgary gets an inkling Lindholm doesn’t see himself in the fold long term, then maximizing his trade value now should be a new priority. Getting that done might require moving a player like Hanifin first to free up some cap space (the Flames have less than zero room at the moment). Difficult, but possible.

One thing is for sure, though: Lindholm would have ample suitors in free agency. He’s recently removed from a career-best campaign in 2021-22 (42 goals and 82 points in 82 games) and can pitch in on both the power play and penalty kill.

The Flames might not want to trade him, but Conroy has to be strategic if there’s a better-than-good chance Lindholm is ready to move on as a free agent.

There has been all sorts of talk around Carolina trading Pesce if they can’t agree on a new contract before next season starts. As it is, the Hurricanes’ blueliner is in the sixth and final year of his $24.15 million contract (which includes a 15-team no-trade list) and Carolina wants to know now whether Pesce plans on re-signing.

The Hurricanes stacked their backend, acquiring Dmitry Orlov in free agency, and that will inevitably change Pesce’s role on the blueline come fall and beyond. The open market value for a currently 28-year-old right-shot defenseman could be high in July, and Pesce will have every right then to explore his own opportunities.

What will Carolina do with its dwindling chance to cash in on a possible Pesce trade? It’s a tricky spot. The Hurricanes are coming off a run to the Eastern Conference finals that they clearly want to try duplicate and improve on in 2023-24. Pesce helps them do that. Is losing Pesce for nothing in July worth retaining him as a short-term asset now? He is, after all, a solid stay-at-home defender who added five goals and 30 points in 82 games a year ago. But of course, Pesce does have some say in where he would land via trade.

One way or another, Pesce can have an impact on Carolina’s future — within the organization or by being moved outside it.

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Stanley Cup playoffs daily: The Battle of Florida finally begins!

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Stanley Cup playoffs daily: The Battle of Florida finally begins!

Seven of eight first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have begun, and No. 8 gets rolling on Tuesday.

The Battle of Florida between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers begins anew (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), with both clubs looking like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender if they can survive the intrastate showdown.

Cats-Bolts is the third game of four Tuesday on the ESPN family of networks, following New JerseyCarolina (6 p.m. ET, ESPN) and OttawaToronto (7:30 p.m., ESPN2), and preceding the nightcap, MinnesotaVegas (11 p.m. ET, ESPN).

What are the key storylines heading into Tuesday’s games? Who are the key players to watch?

Read on for game previews with statistical insights from ESPN Research, recaps of what went down Monday night, and the Three Stars of Monday Night from Arda Öcal.

Matchup notes

New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 2 (CAR leads 1-0) | 6 p.m. ET | ESPN

Game 1 sure did not go as planned for the Devils. A win at the legendarily loud Lenovo Center would’ve been stretching it, but losing Brenden Dillon, Cody Glass and Luke Hughes to injury was not an ideal outcome either.

They’ll hope to rebound Tuesday before the series shifts to Newark. Closing the shot attempt differential might help, as the famously possession-savvy Hurricanes held a 45-24 edge on shots on goal in Game 1.

For years, the knock on Carolina was that it lacked that one goal scorer who could get the Canes over the hump in the playoffs. Many observers thought the Canes had acquired such a player in Mikko Rantanen in January. Ironically, it was the player Carolina acquired in its subsequent trade of Rantanen to Dallas — Logan Stankoven — who scored two goals in Game 1. Will he add to that total in Game 2?

Of note heading into Tuesday’s game, the Devils have come back to win a playoff series after losing the first game 11 out of 26 times (42%); that figure drops to 20% if they fall behind 0-2. The Hurricanes have won six of their past seven series after winning Game 1.

Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
Game 2 (TOR leads 1-0) | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2

The atmosphere was intense for Game 1, and the Maple Leafs’ “Core Four” led the way: Mitch Marner (one goal, two assists), William Nylander (one goal, one assist), John Tavares (one goal, one assist) and Auston Matthews (two assists) each filled up the scoresheet. A continuation of that output will obviously help Toronto overwhelm its provincial neighbor.

Slowing down the Maple Leafs could depend on discipline, according to Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. “We took too many penalties, they scored on [them] and that’s the game,” Tkachuk told reporters after Game 1. “So that’s on us. We’ve got to be more disciplined.”

The Sens will also need to capitalize on their chances. According to Stathletes, Ottawa had five high-danger scoring chances in this game, and produced only two goals.

Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1 | 8:30 p.m ET | ESPN

This is the fourth time that the two Sunshine State franchises have met in the postseason, and all four of the meetings have occurred since 2021.

In each instance, the winner of the series has gone on to reach the Stanley Cup Final — Lightning in 2021 and 2022; Panthers in 2024 — while the 2021 Lightning and 2024 Panthers won it all.

Unsurprisingly, Nikita Kucherov is Tampa Bay’s leading scorer against Florida, with 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 15 games. Aleksander Barkov is the Panthers’ leading scorer against the Lightning, with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 15 games.

The two teams split their meetings in the regular season, with the Lightning winning the most recent, 5-1 on April 15.

Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 2 (VGK leads 1-0) | 11 p.m. ET | ESPN

The underdog Wild set a physical tone to the series in Game 1, outhitting the Golden Knights 54-29, but the hosts emerged with a 4-2 victory. Tomas Hertl, Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden (two) were the goal scorers for Vegas, and Matt Boldy was responsible for both Minnesota goals.

Howden, who had never scored double-digit goals until his 23 this season, earned praise from coach Bruce Cassidy after Game 1. “He didn’t change his game,” Cassidy told reporters. “He played physical. He’s part of our penalty kill. He’s always out when the goalie’s out, typically one of the six guys we use a lot because of his versatility. He can play wing. He can take draws as a center. He’s been real good for us all year and good again tonight.”

Sunday’s game was the NHL debut for 2024 first-round pick Zeev Buium, who just finished his season with the University of Denver. He played 13 minutes, 37 seconds and finished with one shot on goal.


Arda’s Three Stars of Monday

The greatest goal scorer in NHL history just keeps finding the back of the net. He had two goals, including the overtime winner, as the Caps take Game 1 3-2 despite a valiant third period effort from Montreal to send it to the extra frame.

Connor had the game-winning goal in the third period for the second straight game, as Winnipeg takes both games at home for the 2-0 series lead on the Blues.

Further proof that the Oilers are never out of the game, McDavid helped erase a 4-0 deficit with a goal and three assists, despite the Oilers falling 6-5 late in a thrilling Game 1.


Monday’s scores

Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Washington leads 1-0

Much of the regular season was spent focused on Alex Ovechkin‘s “Gr8 Chase” of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record, and he scored historic goal No. 895 on Sunday, April 6. It turns out, Ovi likes the spotlight. The Capitals superstar opened the scoring in the game, and bookended it with the overtime winner — his first ever, believe it or not — as the Caps survived a thriller in Game 1, following Nick Suzuki‘s tying goal with 4:15 remaining. Full recap.

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Alex Ovechkin’s OT goal wins Game 1 for Capitals

Alex Ovechkin’s second goal of the game is an overtime winner that gives the Capitals a 1-0 series lead vs. the Canadiens.

Jets 2, Blues 1
Winnipeg leads 2-0

Game 1 between the two clubs was tightly contested until the Jets took over in the third period. That trend took hold again on Monday — the score remained tied into 1-1 the third period, when Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor scored at the 1:43 mark, and the Jets were able to hold the Blues off the scoreboard for the duration. Connor’s linemate Mark Scheifele assisted on the game-winner and opened the scoring, giving him a league-leading five points this postseason. Full recap.

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Kyle Connor scores clutch goal to put Jets ahead in 3rd period

Kyle Connor extends Winnipeg’s lead after a clutch goal early in the 3rd period vs. St. Louis.

Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT)
Series tied 1-1

The series that every observer thought would be the closest in the first round didn’t look that way in Game 1, as the Avs ran over the Stars en route to a 5-1 win. Game 2 was much more in line with expectations, as the two Western powerhouses needed OT to settle things. Colin Blackwell was the hero for Dallas, scoring with 2:14 remaining in the first OT period. Full recap.

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Colin Blackwell comes up with big OT winner for Stars

Colin Blackwell sends the Stars faithful into jubilation with a great overtime winner to tie the series at 1-1 vs. the Avalanche.

Kings 6, Oilers 5
Los Angeles leads 1-0

Monday’s nightcap was a delight to those who like offensive hockey and were willing to stay up late. The Kings roared out to a four-goal lead late in the second period before Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl scored to pull within three with six seconds remaining. The two teams traded goals to start the third, before the Oilers notched three in a row to tie up the festivities with 1:28 remaining on Connor McDavid‘s first of the 2025 playoffs. L.A.’s Phillip Danault sent his club’s fans home happy, scoring the pivotal goal with 42 seconds left. Full recap.

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Kings retake lead on Phillip Danault’s goal in final minute

Phillip Danault restores the lead for the Kings with a goal vs. the Oilers in the closing moments.

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Stars’ Blackwell gets his chance with OT winner

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Stars' Blackwell gets his chance with OT winner

DALLAS — Colin Blackwell was hoping for another crack at the playoffs when he signed with the Dallas Stars in free agency last summer. This is his sixth team in seven NHL seasons, and he had been in the postseason only one other time.

After being a healthy scratch for the Stars’ playoff opener, he got his shot and changed the trajectory of their first-round series against Colorado with his overtime goal for a 4-3 win in Game 2 on Monday night.

“I always felt my game was kind of built for the playoffs and stuff along those lines. I love rising to the occasion and playing in moments like this,” Blackwell said. “That was a big win for us. I think if we go into Colorado down 2-0, it’s a different series. I think that’s why you’re only as good as your next win or your next shift.”

Blackwell’s only previous playoff experience was a seven-game series with Toronto in a first-round loss to Tampa Bay three years ago.

Stars coach Pete DeBoer talked to Blackwell when he didn’t play in Game 1 on Saturday.

“[I] said be ready, you’re not going to be out long,” DeBoer said. “I wanted to get him in Game 2. He’s one of those energy guys. I thought after losing Game 1 we needed a little shot of energy. He’s a competitive player and I thought he was effective all night. But it’s also great to see a guy like that get a goal, out Game 1, work with the black aces, and then come in and play a part in playoff hockey.”

Blackwell scored 17:46 into overtime after his initial shot ricocheted off teammate Sam Steel and Avs defenseman Samuel Girard in front of the net. But with the puck rolling loose on the ice, the fourth-line forward circled around and knocked it in for the winner.

The 32-year-old Blackwell, a Harvard graduate who played for Chicago the past two seasons, said he has often had to go in and out of lineups and has learned over the years to stay sharp mentally and keep working hard on and off the ice. In his first season for Dallas, he had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) over 63 regular-season games.

“It’s been a long season, and not playing the first game, stuff like that, just kind of been in and out of the lineup toward the end here,” he said. “I don’t really worry about making a mistake. I just go out there and play hockey and good things happen.”

And they certainly did for the Stars, who were in danger of dropping their first two games at home in the first round for the second year in a row before his winning shot. Game 3 is Wednesday night in Denver.

“Colin is one of those guys, especially me being out, I get to see how hard he works every day,” said Tyler Seguin, who missed 4½ months after hip surgery before returning last week. “I get to see how he is in the gym. I get to see how good of a basketball player he is. There’s many things that I get to see with some of these guys that are in and out of the lineup. You’re just proud of a guy like him and what he did.”

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Danault’s last-minute goal saves Kings in wild G1

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Danault's last-minute goal saves Kings in wild G1

LOS ANGELES — Phillip Danault scored his second goal with 42 seconds to play, and the Los Angeles Kings blew a four-goal lead before rallying for a 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the opener of the clubs’ fourth consecutive first-round playoff series Monday night.

The Kings led 5-3 in the final minutes before Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid tied it with an extra attacker. Los Angeles improbably responded, with Danault skating up the middle and chunking a fluttering shot home while a leaping Warren Foegele screened goalie Stuart Skinner.

Andrei Kuzmenko had a goal and two assists in his Stanley Cup playoff debut, and Adrian Kempe added another goal and two assists for the second-seeded Kings, who lost those last three series against Edmonton. Los Angeles became the fourth team in Stanley Cup playoffs history to win in regulation despite blowing a four-goal lead.

Quinton Byfield, Phillip Danault and Kevin Fiala also scored, and Darcy Kuemper made 20 saves in his first playoff start since raising the Cup with Colorado in 2022.

Los Angeles has home-ice advantage this spring for the first time in its tetralogy with Edmonton, and the Kings surged to a 4-0 lead late in the second period in the arena where they had the NHL’s best home record. That’s when the Oilers woke up and made it a memorable night: Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry scored before Hyman scored with 2:04 left and McDavid scored an exceptional tying goal with 1:28 remaining.

McDavid had a goal and three assists for the Oilers, who reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season. Skinner stopped 24 shots.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

Until Edmonton’s late rally, Kuzmenko was the star. Los Angeles went 0 for 12 on the power play against Edmonton last spring, but the 29-year-old Russian — who has energized the Kings since arriving last month — scored during a man advantage just 2:49 in.

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