8 NHL Players Most Likely to be Traded During the 2023 Offseason

With the NHL's annual trade deadline completed for another season, the trade market remains quiet except for deals involving minor-league players on two-way contracts.

Trades involving NHL roster players won't take place until the end of the regular season, and then can only involve non-playoff clubs or those eliminated from the postseason. All teams can resume trading with each other following the 2023 playoffs.

A few noteworthy players, such as Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser and San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, were mentioned in trade rumors prior to deadline day. However, they remain with their current clubs.

That could change during the offseason as teams garner more salary-cap space. Interest in Boeser and Karlsson could resurface, as could rumblings surrounding other pre-deadline trade candidates such as the Montréal Canadiens' Joel Edmundson.

Here are eight NHL players most likely be on the move during the 2023 offseason. You can express your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.

The Vancouver Canucks shipped out Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders, Luke Schenn to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Curtis Lazar to the New Jersey Devils before the March 3 trade deadline. Brock Boeser was also mentioned in rumors as a trade candidate, earning the 26-year-old winger a spot on our pre-deadline NHL Trade Block Big Board.

On March 4, Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province observed that Boeser's struggles to score this season resulted in few teams showing interest in taking on his full salary-cap hit of $6.7 million annually through 2024-25. Nevertheless, he speculated that the trade rumors about the winger will carry over into the offseason.

That cap hit could also be an issue in offeseason efforts to move Boeser. Johnston cited sources claiming the Pittsburgh Penguins were interested in Boeser before the trade deadline. Instead, they settled on Mikael Granlund and his $5 million average annual value. He felt that interested clubs could find Boeser more enticing if the Canucks retained part of his cap hit.

The Canucks could remain unwilling to carry any portion of Boeser's cap hit over the next two years. Then again, perhaps they haven't received an offer tempting enough to convince them. They might also be willing to take on a comparable salary for the right deal.

A restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Pierre-Luc Dubois is on a one-year, $6 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets. The 25-year-old center is also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility, meaning he faces an uncertain future in Winnipeg.

Last summer, Dubois' agent indicated his client might one day be interested in playing for the Montréal Canadiens, making him the subject of offseason trade speculation. He downplayed those remarks after re-signing with the Jets, claiming if he wanted out of Winnipeg he would've asked for a trade.

Since then, Dubois is among the Jets' leading scorers with 55 points. Jets management will likely make re-signing him to a long-term extension a priority. However, he could opt for another one-year deal that takes him to UFA eligibility in 2024.

If that happens, the Jets might put Dubois on the trade block rather than have his contract situation become an unnecessary distraction next season. They could try to find a suitable trade partner willing to sign him to a long-term contract and provide the Jets with a suitable return.

A frequent subject of trade rumors this season, Joel Edmundson was among those on our pre-deadline NHL Trade Block Big Board. However, the 29-year-old defenseman was still with the Montréal Canadiens once the deadline had passed.

Following the deadline, The Athletic's Arpon Basu speculated the Canadiens could attempt to move Edmundson during the offseason if he can remain healthy and productive over the remainder of the season. The Montréal Gazette's Stu Cowan shared that view two days later.

A big shutdown defenseman with considerable playoff experience, Edmundson won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. He also played a key role in the Canadiens' march to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. He has one season remaining on his contract with an affordable $3.5 million cap hit but also carries a 10-team no-trade list.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes can afford to be patient in fielding suitable offers for Edmundson. A healthy finish to this season by the veteran blueliner could make it easier for Hughes to get a suitable deal during the offseason, perhaps in the days leading up to the opening round of the 2023 draft on June 28.

Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has been rebuilding his roster since taking over the job last March. He could spend the offseason looking to move out veterans eligible for unrestricted free agent status next summer, such as Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg, for draft picks and prospects.

Verbeek could also consider finding a new home for John Gibson. The 29-year-old goaltender will be halfway through his eight-year, $51.2 million contract at the end of this season. Gibson's stats have suffered over the past three seasons with the rebuilding Ducks. Perhaps he'll consider discussing a change of scenery with Verbeek.

Despite Gibson's recent stats, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported last Wednesday that there are teams that still consider him a difference-maker. He believes Gibson would entertain a move to a playoff contender. While no teams expressed an interest in him before the trade deadline, LeBrun thinks that could change in the offseason.

Gibson could be enticing to clubs seeking an upgrade between the pipes. He'd attract more interest if the Ducks consider retaining some salary for an offer that helps them accelerate their rebuild.

The Philadelphia Flyers' decline in the standings throughout February sparked trade rumors about Kevin Hayes. The conjecture landed him on our Trade Block Big Board one week before the deadline. While nothing came of it, the 31-year-old forward seems a likely offseason trade candidate.

Following deadline day, Sportsnet's Jeff Marek reported the Flyers had some conversations with the Columbus Blue Jackets regarding Hayes. However, they have a number of players (like Hayes) with terms remaining on their contracts. He anticipated that any major moves would have to wait until the offseason.

Hayes is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $7.1 million and a 12-team no-trade list. That contract was simply too hefty to move by deadline day unless the Flyers retained some salary. It'll be interesting to see what their intentions are after firing general manager Chuck Fletcher on Friday.

On March 9, Marek's colleague Elliotte Friedman noted there was speculation tying Hayes to the Carolina Hurricanes before the deadline, but he didn't put much stock in it. Like Marek, he considered the Blue Jackets as a more likely destination. Given the Jackets' longstanding need for skilled centers, perhaps the two clubs can work out a deal this summer.

One of the biggest names in last summer's trade rumor mill, J.T. Miller's decision to sign a seven-year contract extension last summer with the Vancouver Canucks seemed to put an end to the conjecture. However, the club's ongoing struggles this season saw the 29-year-old center resurface in media chatter leading up to the March 3 trade deadline.

Miller wasn't moved at the trade deadline, but Patrick Johnston of The Vancouver Province believes he'll remain a hot topic for offseason speculation. He cited sources claiming the Canucks had engaged in trade discussions regarding Miller. General manager Patrik Allvin acknowledged a club had expressed interest but didn't make a trade offer.

If the Canucks intend to move Miller, the opportune time would be before his new contract kicks in on July 1. He has a full no-movement clause in that deal but lacks no-trade protection until then.

That leaves the Canucks a narrow window to trade Miller without his consent. As they're all but certain to miss the playoffs, they could engage in trade discussions with interested clubs during the 2023 postseason. The intent would be to lay the groundwork for a deal leading up to the first round of the draft on June 28.

This season's leading scorer among NHL defensemen with 20 goals and a career-best 84 points, Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks has enjoyed a return to his high-scoring form from earlier in his career. However, the 32-year-old blueliner was also the subject of trade speculation leading up to this year's trade deadline.

Despite Karlsson's team-leading production, the Sharks are a rebuilding club currently mired near the bottom of the standings. On March 5, San Jose Hockey Now's Sheng Peng reported Sharks general manager Mike Grier confirmed he'd held talks regarding the blueliner with other teams during the season but never came close to a deal.

Karlsson's contract was a major obstacle. He's signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $11.5 million and a full no-movement clause. While the veteran rearguard could be willing to waive it for the right team, making the dollars fit will be difficult unless the Sharks retain part of it.

Grier's acknowledgment that there was a lot of interest in Karlsson indicates there are teams that might be able to make it work if they have more cap space to work with. The offseason seems a better opportunity to move him instead of during the season when cap payrolls are more limited.

In the first year of an eight-year contract with the St. Louis Blues, Colton Parayko seems an unlikely offseason trade candidate. The average annual value of his deal is $6.5 million plus he has a full no-trade clause through 2027-28.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old Parayko surfaced in the rumor mill two weeks before the March 3 trade deadline. It garnered him a place on our final NHL Trade Block Big Board one week before deadline day.

Two days before the deadline, The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford speculated Parayko's situation could carry over into the offseason if Blues general manager Doug Armstrong failed to find a suitable trade partner. He also cited a source close to the 6'6", 228-pound blueliner claiming he'd only waive his no-trade clause to join the Edmonton Oilers.

That's unlikely to keep Parayko's name out of this summer's rumor mill. He could be persuaded by Armstrong to provide a list of preferred destinations if the Blues GM is determined to reduce payroll and shake up his roster. A defenseman with his size, skills and playoff experience would draw plenty of interest in the trade market.

Stats (as of March 11, 2023) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.