As the NHL offseason heats up, general managers are shifting their focus from free agency to the trade market, where they hope to find the missing pieces to complete their rosters. With the salary cap set to rise significantly for the 2026-27 season, teams are eager to make deals before July 1, traditionally a slow period for trades. The NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo next week will be a hotbed of activity as 32 front offices converge to discuss and negotiate potential trades. In this year's Big Board, top prospects and assets are ranked by their potential impact and the buzz surrounding them, giving a glimpse into the most coveted players and the teams that may be willing to make a move to acquire them.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7313162/2026/05/28/nhl-offseason-trade-board-trocheck-knies-robertson/?unlocked_article_code=1.l1A.fQ6E.CN9jwpckLrIt&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta With summer fast approaching, the expectation from a number of NHL executives is that the trade market will be hotter than free agency. July 1 isn’t widely viewed as a place where general managers can find enough fixes for their rosters. So, with the salary cap set to make another major big leap for 2026-27, they’ll have to search out solutions amongst themselves. Expect trade talk to start heating up with 32 front offices descending on Buffalo next week for the NHL Draft Combine. With that in mind, the Big Board returns. As always, players and assets are listed by how closely they demand watching, based on their potential impact and the current amount of buzz around them. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7313162/2026/05/28/nhl-offseason-trade-board-trocheck-knies-robertson/?unlocked_article_code=1.l1A.fQ6E.CN9jwpckLrIt&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta submitted by /u/TheAthletic [link] [comments]