Most Likely Trade Candidate From Every Atlantic Division Team
The NHL's Atlantic Division has a lot of competition in it again this season. Five teams, the maximum from one division, made the playoffs last season, holding the top three spots and both wildcard spots. There will surely still be moves this summer and even more into the season for everyone to improve, so this is every team's most likely trade candidate.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins don't have a very good forward group, but one name that continues to come up in rumors is Pavel Zacha. This could be because the Bruins can play Casey Mittelstadt at center, or because Zacha has two years left at a good cap hit of $4.75 million AAV, plays in all situations and is a solid two-way player, and also finished last season with 14 goals and 47 points.
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres could still use some upgrading up front and they desperately need to get back into the playoffs. While JJ Peterka was traded earlier this offseason, the newly re-signed Bowen Byram is still a likely trade candidate that will fetch the Sabres a nice return. He is under contract for two more years at $6.25 million AAV before becoming a UFA, scored seven goals and 37 points last season, and is only 24 years old.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings need a few upgrades if they want to have a chance at sneaking into the playoffs next season, while they don't necessarily have to move players out to do that, there is a younger forward that isn't going to get the opportunity in Detroit and hasn't to this point. I'm talking about Jonatan Berggren. His rookie season saw him produce 15 goals and 28 points in 67 games, but then the Red Wings only played in 12 games the season after before he put up 12 goals and 24 points in a limited role last season. He needs a fresh start and could be a trade chip to help get Detroit something more.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers managed to bring everyone important back from their Stanley Cup run last season, but now Matthew Tkachuk's injury could be pretty serious and keep him out a chunk of the 2025-26 season. Evan Rodrigues was a trade candidate before that news and may have to be traded at some point next season. Florida doesn't need any more additions right now, but they could still add without having to ship anyone out until Tkachuk is healthy.
Montreal Canadiens
It is no secret that the Montreal Canadiens desperately need a second line center and even though they have some cap space to add once Carey Price's contract goes to LTIR, Josh Anderson's name is on some trade boards as a potential player to ship out to get it done. He scored 15 goals last season and is overpaid for his role as a third liner, but he kills penalties and plays physically. He has a cap hit of $5.5 million AAV for two more years and a five-team no-trade clause, so it's doable.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators will likely look to upgrade the right side of their defense at one point, and to do that, one of those defensemen will have to be shipped out to free up space and cap space. The most likely of the group is Nick Jensen as he is heading into the last year of his deal, has a cap hit of $4.05 million AAV, and is a solid piece. There may not be a great chance he returns to Ottawa after next season anyways.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning has a pretty solid lineup of players playing where they should, but with some of the additions of late last season and this offseason, it likely pushes Mitchell Chaffee out of the lineup. The 27-year-old scored 12 goals in 66 games and isn't worth that much, but if the Lightning can't find a role for him next season, maybe another team could.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a number of changes this offseason for the better, but aren't done yet. There are players like Nick Robertson, David Kampf, and Calle Jarnkrok all over trade rumors. Based on how easy it is to move any of them and what value that would bring, the most likely would have to be Kampf because of his two-way play and alright contract. Jarnkrok gets injured and Robertson would require a team to pay more to acquire.
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