The Cap Landscape
The NHL's salary cap has risen steadily over the past few seasons, giving teams more financial flexibility than ever before.
That extra room has turned what once looked like immovable contracts into potential trade assets, as franchises look to reshape rosters without sacrificing competitive edge.
General managers are now weighing buyouts, retention bonuses and creative packaging of picks to free up space for emerging talent.
Players Poised for Relocation
Among the names surfacing in trade chatter are veterans whose performances have dipped or whose salaries no longer match their on‑ice contributions.
Brendan Gallagher, once a relentless scorer for Montreal, has seen his production dip in the 2025‑26 campaign, prompting speculation that the Canadiens might consider a buyout or a move to a club seeking a proven goal‑getter at a reduced cap hit.
Similarly, Ilya Lyubushkin’s contract, while modest in size, is viewed as overpriced for a depth defenseman, yet his shutdown skill set could attract a team needing a reliable penalty‑killer.
Jordan Greenway’s injury‑riddled career and limited offensive output have made his deal a burden for Minnesota, leading analysts to suggest the Wild could explore a trade or a restructuring to accommodate younger forwards.
Anthony Duclair’s inconsistent scoring has left his contract looking increasingly untenable, and the forward could be packaged in a deal to acquire a more reliable secondary scorer.
Goalie Joonas Korpisalo’s recent struggles have put his contract under the microscope, with several clubs eyeing a swap for a fresh net‑minder who might fit a different system.
Meanwhile, J.T. Compher’s pricey deal continues to draw attention; despite a solid season, his cap hit may not reflect his on‑ice value, leaving the Avalanche with a decision between retention and trade.
Other names on the radar include Michael Rasmussen, Andre Burakovsky, Yakov Trenin and Jake Middleton, each presenting a unique blend of contract size, performance trends and team fit.