That might not be possible given their cap constraints.Īndrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesĬhosen first overall in the 2020 NHL draft by the New York Rangers, Alexis Lafrenière was projected to become a scoring forward. If the Wild had more cap space, they'd likely sign Addison to an affordable two-year bridge deal and give him more time to develop. They consider it likely that he'll be traded. Russo and Smith noted that Addison was frequently scratched from the lineup after the Wild acquired the more experienced Klingberg at the trade deadline. They must also re-sign or replace unrestricted free agents such as Oskar Sundqvist, Ryan Reaves, Gustav Nyquist, Matt Dumba and John Klingberg. Addison, goaltender Filip Gustavsson and center Sam Steel are slated to become restricted free agents this summer. However, the Wild have only $8.2 million in project salary-cap space for 2023-24. There's always the risk that he could blossom into a star elsewhere while whatever return the Wild received in a trade might not pan out as hoped. Trading a promising puck-moving blueliner like Addison following his rookie season seems unreasonable. On it is the possibility of trading Addison. Though he put up a respectable 29 points in 62 games, the 23-year-old defenseman was a frequent healthy scratch down the stretch and didn't play in the Wild's first-round series against the Dallas Stars.įollowing the Wild's elimination from the postseason, The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith examined what could be an extensive offseason checklist for general manager Bill Guerin. However, the 30-year-old has a long injury history.īailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesĪfter 18 NHL games over the past two seasons, Calen Addison played his first full campaign with the Minnesota Wild in 2022-23. Chicago is rebuilding its roster and could entertain offers for Murphy. They are invaluable top-four blueliners with their respective clubs. They possess plenty of salary-cap space to sign a free agent who might be keen to skate alongside a rising defense star like Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power.Īndersson and Theodore, however, are unlikely to be available in the trade market. The Sabres are a promising club with exciting young talent. Verdict: Buy on the free agents, sell on the trade targets Turning to the trade market, Lysowski's suggested options include the Calgary Flames' Rasmus Andersson, Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Murphy or Vegas Golden Knights' Shea Theodore. They include the Minnesota Wild's Matt Dumba, New Jersey Devils' Ryan Graves, New York Islanders' Scott Mayfield or Seattle Kraken's Carson Soucy. Lysowski listed several potential free-agent options for the Sabres. The Buffalo News Lance Lysowski also anticipates they'll look to bolster their blue line via the trade or free-agent markets. The Sabres could add an affordable veteran goaltender on a short-term contract to mentor young netminders Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. Despite sitting third overall in goals per game (3.57), their 3.62 goals-against per game was the seventh-highest. Inconsistent goaltending and a porous defense cost the Buffalo Sabres a shot at reaching the playoffs this season for the first time since 2011. Feel free to express your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below. Is any of the speculation worth buying into or rejecting? That's what we'll determine with our take on the latest trade rumors. Others involve players on recently eliminated playoff clubs like the Winnipeg Jets' Pierre-Luc Dubois. Some of the speculations involve non-contenders like the Buffalo Sabres looking to bolster their rosters for next season. They'll use this time to start laying the groundwork for potential trades. Most general managers will likely wait until the playoffs have ended to make their moves, likely in the days leading up to the draft in Nashville. Teams not participating in the postseason are allowed to make trades among themselves over the course of the 2023 playoffs. Meanwhile, the trade rumor mill is grinding back into action involving teams that failed to qualify for the postseason and those eliminated from the opening round. Only the 16 teams that failed to qualify for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs are eligible and only the top 11 seeds have the opportunity to win the first overall selection. The 2023 NHL Draft Lottery will be held on Monday, May 8, at 8 pm ET. Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images
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