3 Intriguing New Names Near Top Of Updated Trade Targets Board
Chris Kreider and Erik Haula are gone from the previous edition, having found new addresses already, but several more are now there as names to keep an eye on.
Evander Kane, Edmonton Oilers
Coming in as the highest newcomer to the list, at No. 6, Kane's season finished in controversy in Edmonton after he snubbed the Stanley Cup handshake line, and we've already heard plenty of buzz around his name, for other reasons as well. Seravalli now confirms his trade candidate status, wondering if he has "worn out his welcome" in Oil Country.
Kane took several costly penalties in the Stanley Cup Final, and we've also heard from fellow insider Elliotte Friedman recently, who reported that the Oilers looked into trading Kane at the deadline, but because he'd been out all season due to injury, "there wasn't much to go on." But from all accounts, there will certainly be a market for the feisty forward.
Charlie Coyle, Colorado Avalanche
The former Boston Bruins center saw a dip in production this season after a career year in 2023-24, and was shipped to Colorado at the trade deadline. With one year to run on his $5.25 million cap hit, he appears to be a logical candidate to be on the move again for the second time in a few months. As noted by Seravalli, the Avs' salary cap situation is "precarious", and indeed, with just $1.2 million available to use at the moment, ditching Coyle's cap hit would be a huge help. The insider adds that Coyle's name "percolated at the Scouting Combine in Buffalo" earlier this month. He only produced two goals and 13 points in 19 games for Colorado and then just one point in their 7-game opening round playoff series loss.
The Rights to Isaac Howard
Coming in at #11 on the list, this is one of the most intriguing names to watch. Howard, the Hobey Baker Award winner as top player in NCAA hockey this year, made the unexpected decision last month to return to Michigan State for another season, rather than signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Howard was the Bolts' No. 2 prospect, and it doesn't appear that the team and Howard were on the same page on what his role would be. Now, he can become a free agent on August 15th, 2026 if he is still unsigned. A trade of his rights to another team that believes they can sign him is a near certainty this summer.
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