NHL Offseason Trade Targets Big Board for April 2025 (2025)

Lyle RichardsonApr 1, 2025

After that date, the 16 teams that didn't qualify for the playoffs are allowed to resume making deals with one another. The list will expand as more teams are eliminated from the postseason, and at the end of the Stanley Cup Final, all 32 clubs will resume activity in the trade market.

Most non-playoff clubs will probably wait until the postseason concludes in June to make moves. However, they might engage in discussions to lay the groundwork for potential offseason trades.

Some of those moves could involve players featured in our NHL Trade Block Big Board before last month's trade deadline. They included such notables as Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn and Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson.

Those three were among a handful of players under contract beyond this season who featured in media rumors before the deadline. While they weren't moved, they could become the focus of offseason speculation from the hockey media.

Karlsson, Schenn and Gibson are among eight players who could become trade candidates in the offseason. Read on to find out why.

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

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A fixture in media trade rumors for the past two seasons, John Gibson was among the 15 players on our previous NHL Trade Block Big Board. His $6.4 million average annual value through 2026-27 and his 10-team no-trade list made it difficult for the Anaheim Ducks to move the 31-year-old goaltender.

On March 20, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported some frustration from Gibson, the Ducks, and the teams interested in him that a deal couldn't be reached before the deadline. He anticipated trade talks could resume in the offseason.

It was reported before the trade deadline that Gibson included the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers among his preferred destinations. He also wanted to join a club where he'd have the opportunity to be their clear-cut starting goalie.

That could rule out the Oilers. On March 18, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer saying he knows for a fact that the Oilers intend to seek a “1B” goalie this summer to battle backup Calvin Pickard for the job. That means they will stick with Stuart Skinner as their starter.

Erik Karlsson, Pittsburgh Penguins2 of 8

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A solid performance by Erik Karlsson for Sweden in February's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament saw the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman surface in the rumor mill before the March 7 trade deadline. While he wasn't moved, it's a good bet that he will be the topic of media conjecture during the offseason.

On March 10, Josh Yohe of The Athletic speculated that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas discussed moving the 34-year-old Karlsson with several teams. Yohe believes his puck-moving skills could be valuable on a good team where his defensive flaws can be offset.

The Penguins carry $10 million of Karlsson's $11.5 million annual salary cap hit through 2026-27, with the San Jose Sharks carrying the remainder. Yohe cited two NHL sources suggesting he could be moved this summer if Dubas is willing to retain part of his cap hit.

Dubas could do it if it'll add to his club's $24.6 million of projected cap space for 2025-26. He'll also want a return that will help him restock his prospect pipeline or add a young NHL-ready player to his roster.

Chris Kreider, New York Rangers3 of 8

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The New York Rangers were among the busiest teams in this season's trade market. Among their notable moves was trading Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, shipping Kappo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken, acquiring J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks, and sending Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche.

Following the Trouba and Kakko trades, Chris Kreider became a hot topic of trade speculation, topping our December Trade Block Big Board and sitting at No. 6 on our January board. However, his name gradually faded from media rumors as the trade deadline approached.

Following the trade deadline, Larry Brooks of the New York Post and Arthur Staple of The Athletic suggested Kreider could be moved during the offseason. Staple speculated they could buy out the final two years of the 33-year-old left winger's contract. He carries an annual cap hit of $6.5 million with a 15-team no-trade list.

Kreider sits third all-time among Rangers goal scorers with 323, but his production declined this season as he struggled with injuries. Nevertheless, clubs could take an interest in him if they have assurances his injury issues are behind him.

Simon Nemec, New Jersey Devils4 of 8

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The New Jersey Devils chose Šimon Nemec with the second overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. A skillful young puck-moving defenseman, he showed promise in his rookie campaign last season with 19 points in 60 games.

Nemec spent most of this season with the Devils' AHL affiliate in Utica. He raised eyebrows last December when he expressed displeasure with the situation, sparking trade speculation until he clarified his comments, claiming he still believes he has a future with the Devils.

However, New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols wondered about Nemec's future and that of prospect Seamus Casey after the Devils signed Johnathan Kovecevic to a five-year contract extension in early March. He believes that could make it harder for Nemec to crack the roster next season.

Nemec's situation could be worth monitoring this summer. He might become a trade chip if Devils management decides to make upgrades to their roster.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau, New York Islanders5 of 8

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Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri were the players featured most prominently in trade rumors involving the New York Islanders. Nelson was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche but Palmieri was retained amid reports he could receive a contract extension.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau was another Islander who surfaced in the media rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. However, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported on March 10 that the 32-year-old center was never floated in the trade market.

Staple noted that Pageau and team captain Anders Lee are entering the final seasons of their contracts. He believes that status could make them easier to move during the offseason or before next season's trade deadline.

Pageau could be the more likely to be moved as the Isles could be reluctant to part with their captain. His $5 million cap hit will be easier for clubs to absorb because of the rising salary cap, while his two-way skills will be attractive to clubs seeking a dependable third-line center.

Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers6 of 8

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Rasmus Ristolainen's play was among the few bright spots for the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers. His performance made the 6'4”, 208-pound defenseman the subject of trade rumors, frequently earning a spot on our trade block big boards.

Having improved his defensive play, Ristolainen became a steady and reliable presence on the Flyers blue line. An upper-body injury following the trade deadline knocked him out of the lineup, contributing to their free fall in the standings during March.

Before the trade deadline, it was reported the Flyers weren't receiving many inquiries about Ristolainen. That could be attributed to their high asking price, which included a first-round draft pick. He's signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.1 million.

Ristolainen could be enticing this summer for clubs seeking a top-four right-shot with term remaining on his contract. With the salary cap projected to reach $95.5 million next season, teams that balked at his cap hit could be more willing to acquire him.

Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild7 of 8

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After a promising 40-point NHL debut in 2023-24, Marco Rossi is having a strong sophomore campaign. With 22 goals and 55 points in 74 games, the 23-year-old center is second among Minnesota Wild scorers.

Despite his performance, Rossi was the subject of media trade conjecture earlier in this season. It reached the point where we had him at No. 7 on our December Trade Targets Big Board. However, the chatter faded after Wild general manager Bill Guerin said he wouldn't be traded.

Rossi is in the final season of his entry-level contract and lacks the leverage of arbitration rights. The Wild must ensure sufficient long-term cap space to sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to what is expected to be an expensive contract extension. That could mean a short-term bridge contract below market value for Rossi.

The Wild could get Rossi under contract this summer without much difficulty. Nevertheless, the previous trade chatter and questions over his long-term place in the Wild lineup could make him the subject of offseason trade chatter.

Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues8 of 8

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St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn regularly appeared in the media rumor mill before the trade deadline. It was reported the Blues received trade offers for the 33-year-old two-way center. However, they weren't shopping him nor was he asked to waive his no-movement clause.

Schenn indicated he was happy in St. Louis and wasn't looking to be moved. Following the trade deadline, The Hockey News' Lou Korac reported Blues general manager Doug Armstrong declined to comment about any trade talks he may have had regarding his captain.

Signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million, Schenn wouldn't have been a playoff rental. He would've had value for clubs seeking a skilled center with cap certainty beyond this season.

The Blues retained Schenn but his name could resurface in the rumor mill this summer. Teams that fail to land a talented center when the unrestricted free-agent market opens on July 1 could contact Armstrong.