NHL Rumors: Top 5 Blockbuster Trade Candidates Listed for This Summer

Now that the regular season is coming to an end, teams around the NHL (in particular, those out of the playoffs) are looking at some bold moves for the summer to get themselves back into contention.

With the UFA market pretty depleted, however, the trade market will have to be the main source for significant roster upgrades. For that, analyst Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff has offered up this list of the top 5 blockbuster trade candidates for the offseason:

Auston Matthews

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain, from the latest reports, is still leaning towards staying with the Buds rather than asking out. But a lot of that will be determined after the team brings in a new president of hockey operations and/or GM.

The former Hart Trophy winner has been out for several weeks following knee surgery after being chopped down by The Butcher, Radko Gudas, while his teammates stood around and watched. Matthews has a lot to process this summer.

Brady Tkachuk

The Ottawa Senators captain might—or might not—also be weighing his future, after some trying times upon returning to the Canadian capital after winning Gold for Team USA at the Olympics. Tkachuk has claimed he wants to stay in Ottawa, but we all know his brother Matthew bailed on the Calgary Flames a few years ago to make his way back Stateside, and that's worked out pretty well for him. He's certainly in his younger brother's ear, trying to talk Brady into coming south as well.

Has 'Groundwork has already been laid' for a Robert Thomas deal this summer?

Robert Thomas

The St. Louis Blues center was the most notable name on the block at the trade deadline in March, but in the end, the price was set too high for any team to come close to a deal. But that could certainly be revisited this summer. As Di Marco notes, "groundwork may have already been laid for a potential deal in the summer." If so, it'll be new GM Alex Steen who'll have to pull the trigger, as POHO Doug Armstrong has relinquished those duties to him.

Bowen Byram

There was all sorts of trade talk surrounding Byram last season. But the Buffalo Sabres have finally turned the corner into an NHL power. Nevertheless, writes Di Marco, "Byram may still ultimately want a new destination in the long run. Signing just a two-year contract extension last summer and rumored to want to have more of an opportunity to be a legit No. 1 defender, he may chase another situation."

Mason McTavish

It's been a disappointing season for McTavish after finally signing a six-year extension after very contested talks last summer and fall. He even held out of camp for a bit until the deal was signed. But with five years to run at a $7 million cap hit, can the Ducks really afford to give up on him so soon?