The excitement of the NHL’s offison is due to the pursuit of the defenders.
With the few notable non -restricted free agents already signed and the remaining transactions reduced to a net similar to a stream in the Arizona desert, the most intriguing action implies the trade winds.
And the most likely candidates to take in the storm are a trio of veteran defenders who could – or should – be in motion.
There may be more important names that have moved, but the spotlights shine the brightest on the flames of Calgary Rasmus Andersson. Dougie Hamilton of the Devils of New Jersey and Erik Karlsson of Pittsburgh Penguins are also at the head of a group which should be separated during the 2026 commercial deadline.
Andersson, a 29 -year -old free -free free agent susceptible to Sweden at the Olympic winter games of 2026, enters the last season of a contract with a ceiling of $ 4.55 million – a certain number of rival teams would find a way to absorb, even as a rental.
As much as the reconstruction flames would love to keep Andersson in the fold throughout his career, a new agreement does not seem to be in the cards. It has become an extremely precious commercial chip, with a long list of teams aligned to make an offer. In the long term, an agreement north of $ 8 million per season is the wait for Andersson.
The Vegas Golden Knights are a strong possibility, especially with the career of Alex Pietrangelo probably over, but this would require serious wage capitalization maneuvers to get there.
However, there are many other clubs in the queue that seek to consolidate their blue line.
Dallas stars are desperately needing a defender to consolidate their first four, and rumors abound according to which they could even be willing to exchange offensively gifted Jason Robertson to fill the void which prevented them from reaching the Stanley Cup final in recent seasons.
Speaking of teams below, the Red Wings of Detroit are on a nine -year drought in the playoffs and know that the time is now to repel. The Red Wings have been aggressive and Andersson could become a fundamental piece to restore them to the playoffs – and beyond.
Among the black horses clubs to watch: the Hurricanes of Caroline and the Blue Jackets Columbus. The two have a hood space and a desire to swing large. Carolina has championship aspirations, while Columbus seeks to build a surprising trip in playoffs last season.
The sales council does not end with Andersson, who has been in the rumor mill since the commercial deadline of last season. The future of Hamilton in New Jersey becomes troubled, despite three more years in his agreement. With Luke Hughes emerging like a franchise pillar, Devils can seek to reassign the $ 9 million Hamilton ceiling elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Penguins are heading for a complete dismantling, and Karlsson approaches the twilight of his career with two remaining seasons in his agreement. Although his defensive game can be (charitably) confusing, Karlsson’s offensive gifts are wasted – and have become stagnated – in a team of Moribond Penguins. A competitor could be able to rekindle this spark.
