Three Eastern Conference teams in need of major trades this offseason
The offseason is officially under way, with the NHL Draft around the corner and trades starting to go down. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been the most active thus far, with GM John Chayka swinging deals with the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, acquiring defensemen Emil Andrae and Darren Raddysh in the respective deals.
The Leafs are one of many teams that needed to reshape their roster, and with the free agent crop as shallow as ever, problem solving roster needs via trade is going to be more common this summer.
In saying that, here are three Eastern Conference teams who need to get in on the trade market in the coming days. Next week, we’ll look at the Western Conference.
Philadelphia Flyers (Need: scoring-line center)
It was well documented for seasons that the Flyers had been targeting the summer of 2026 to make major additions. Unfortunately for GM Danny Briere, the free agent pool dried up real quick and there are slim pickings left over.
As mentioned before, the Flyers already got a little bit of business done earlier in the week, upgrading their backup goaltender with the addition of Joseph Woll from the Leafs. Adding a power-play defenseman (perhaps John Carlson?) is on the wishlist for the Flyers, but more of a pressing need is adding a top-six center.
We know Mason McTavish could be available, while Daily Faceoff reported earlier in the week that the Flyers like a trio of centers from the Ottawa Senators. The price for Robert Thomas from the St Louis Blues (presumably) remains astronomical and the Flyers are unwilling to meet the ask. No matter whom the Flyers ultimately add, it will take some creativity from Briere to get it done.
Detroit Red Wings (Need: Dylan Larkin’s replacement)
GM Steve Yzerman has already been forced into exploring the trade market due to his captain, Dylan Larkin, wanting out. But Yzerman can’t just move on from Larkin and call it a day – Yzerman needs to make additions.
Goaltender Sebastian Cossa’s name has been out there as a trade piece; with the Wings also having goaltender Trey Augustine turning pro, Cossa would be an intriguing piece for a league desperate for goaltenders. Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers has asked out and could be an interesting addition for the Wings on the back end to say nothing of the fact that Cossa is exactly what the Oilers could use. It is believed that the Oilers feel as though they don’t need to retain salary on Nurse, so it could be too much for Yzerman to digest – especially after acquiring Justin Faulk from the Blues at the deadline.
With Larkin on his way out, Yzerman needs to find a way to upgrade his club down the middle. If there is any team that should pay the piper for Thomas, it’s the Red Wings, as they will be as shallow down the middle as any club when Larkin is eventually shipped out.
With the Atlantic Division being as competitive as ever, Detroit must be aggressive on the trade front if they want to keep pace with their compatriots.
Ottawa Senators (Need: top-four, right-shot defenseman)
Much like the Wings, the Senators can’t be left behind the eight ball in their ultra competitive division. The Senators were one of the league’s best defensive teams this season but ultimately were offensively challenged in the playoffs.
The Senators are as deep as any team down the middle, even having Ridly Greig play predominantly on the wing due to the abundance of capable centers they have. It’s believed that GM Steve Staios is trying to land a top-four, right-shot defenseman and with Raddysh already off the free agent market, it may need to be solved via trade.
Staios has been reluctant to move any of his pivots, but those are valuable pieces in a league always desperate for centers. Top-four, right-shot defensemen are typically hard to come by as well, but there could be a good hockey trade available for Ottawa if they’re willing to entertain talks on Dylan Cozens or Greig. They have shown on and off interest in Rasmus Ristolainen in the past, while perhaps Brandon Carlo could be expendable now in Toronto with the addition of Raddysh.
Additionally, adding some talent on the wing wouldn’t hurt, as Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson are the only authentic top-six wingers the Senators currently have on their roster, though that could be addressed in free agency.
_____
PRESENTED BY THE DAILY FACEOFF NEWSLETTER
_____
Recently by Anthony Di Marco
- The Flyers want a center. Are the Senators an ideal trade partner?
- What trade packages could Panthers, Wild and Golden Knights offer for Dylan Larkin?
- NHL Mailbag: Don’t blame Dylan Larkin for his no-trade clause
- Steve Yzerman is the only one to blame for Larkin wanting out
- Are John Carlson and the Flyers a perfect match?