What I think will happen to three young players I strongly believe will be traded in the offseason.

For today’s trade rumours I am giving my opinion on three younger forwards  who I think will be moved this offseason.

 #1) Victor Olofsson

The Sabres are a team that seems to be making noticeable strides in their teams play and I feel that this offseason they will need to improve on their roster and I can’t see one of their players being back. Olofsson took a bit of time to get to the NHL but has played three consecutive seasons with the Sabres scoring 20 goals twice and getting over 40 points twice but I think that with all of the young guys Buffalo will have coming up over the next few seasons and the fact that he has fell in the depth chart already leads me to believe he will be traded. Now while he has put up some good offensive numbers with 53 goals and 123 points over the past three years he has been a power play specialist having 25 of his goals come on the power play and 44 of his points and I think that he did finally produce more offensively 5v5 this season but with a qualifying offer of $3.25 and some people don’t think he’s lived up to that and could be traded to come to terms on a deal that is below the qualifying offer with a new team. Now I think a 2-3 year deal worth around $2.5 Million is actually pretty good for a player of his caliber and on most teams I would see him being a middle six forward mostly playing on the 3rd line but on the top power play unit to help a team. Now I think that given his production to get him out of Buffalo would probably take a 3RD or 2RD pick or maybe a mid level prospect who could become a NHL player in the future. Now some teams who I could see trading for him are some teams who didn’t do too well on the power play and I would think that Seattle who needs more offense and power play help should be interested, Los Angeles who has a hole to fill in my eyes at wing on the third line and didn’t do too well on the power play in the regular season or the playoffs, and the Penguins who i think could use a guy of his caliber in the middle six especially if Malkin walks, but this is what I think will happen with Olofsson as the Sabres head into the offseason. 

 #2) Travis Konecny

Another young guy who I think is in need of a change of scenery, as the Flyers sound like they are going to do yet another retool this season and I believe that in the forward group they will try to bring in a top 6 forward and Konecny will be moved to make that happen. Now I know that some people say that Konecny’s value is not the greatest at the moment but a beg to differ as he was one of the bright spots for that team this year in my opinion after putting 52 points which was his second best point total in the NHL and while he wasn’t as productive scoring as he was in previous years I do think that he is still a really good forward. Now I have no doubt that he is a top 6 forward in the NHL and I think that if he were able to be moved to a new team where he can play with different players I think he could produce even better then this year because I think he hasn’t hit his potential yet. Now his $5.5 Million dollar contract over the next three seasons might be difficult to trade and I think that he can be worth that contract but maybe the Flyers would be willing to retain a tiny bit to make a deal work. Now I don’t think it would take a first round pick to get him but I could see a 2RD pick and a mid level prospect being the piece that will go to the Flyers in a trade cause I think he is still a valuable trade piece. And finally where could he go and I would believe that he is young enough and can put up 50-60 points that he could be a teams plan B or C to trade for. So if LA can’t get a Forsberg maybe they consider Konecny, if a team who is reportedly in on Fiala like New Jersey, Ottawa or NYI, but don’t get him maybe they turn around and try to get Konecny, if Calgary loses Gaudreau or Vancouver moves Miller maybe Konecny could replace those guys and I wouldn’t even rule out a team like Detroit, Seattle or Buffalo who are clearly looking to get better and a young guy like Konecny could help them and I definitely believe Konecny will have plenty of interest in the offseason.

 #3) Dominik Kubalik

And lastly on to Kubalik who has played quite nicely over his time in Chicago but had a bit of a down year with the Blackhawks this past season, is a pending RFA due a major qualifying offer, and with the Blackhawks going into full sell mode this offseason there is a strong possibility that he could be on the move. Now Kubalik had a strong rookie year that showcased his scoring abilities as he put up 30 goals and 46 points. But since then hid production has dropped off last year only having 17 points and 38 points but did play less games and probably would’ve hit 20 goals or more in a full year, but last year he didn’t do too well only having 15 goals and 32 points playing the most games in a season of his career and I definitely think that even though he had a bad year that he can definitely bounce back and return to being a 20-30 goalscorer. Now he is due a $4 Million dollar qualifying offer although i think a 2-3 year deal at around $3 Million dollars per year is more likely given his production and although his value is not the best and he could try to sign the qualifying offer at $4 Million, I think that him being moved to another team who can give him a more prominent role might sway him to sign at less money next year. Now there was talk at the deadline of him moving and the return being a 2RD pick and I think that would be fair value for him maybe throw in a mid round pick or low level prospect and that trade I think would be good for both sides. Now what teams could be interested in a forward who could be a 30 goal scorer and is a middle six forward. Now I believe that some of the younger teams who have cap space like Anaheim (who was rumoured to be interested at the deadline), Buffalo, Seattle, Detroit maybe Ottawa if they don’t get Fiala, as well as some teams looking to rework their forward group such as LA, Nashville, and maybe NYI or Columbus could also be interested but with the direction of the Blackhawks I strongly feel that he will be moved in the offseason. 

And here is a list of all signings for the NHL from MAY 3rd to MAY 13th.

Pacific 

Anaheim 

Goaltender Calle Clang who was a 3RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Ducks and it caries a AAV of $.878 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Clang was acquired in a deadline by Anaheim from Pittsburgh and in my opinion as serious NHL potential.

Edmonton 

Left Winger Carter Savoie who was a 4RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Edmonton Oilers signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Ducks and it caries a AAV of $.925 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in this season. Savoie was one of the best players in the NCAA and I definitely think that he has top 9 potential in the NHL. 

San Jose 

Left Defender Jaycob Megna ans the San Jose Sharks have agreed to terms on a 2 year contract extension that caries a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars per year and the contract will kick in the 22-23 season. Megna got his first solid NHL opportunity this year and jumped on it having 2 goals and 8 points in 44 games and with the Sharks possibly making defensive moves I think he could get a roster spot next year. 

Winger Alexander Barabanov and the San Jose Sharks have agreed to terms on a 2 year contract extension that caries a AAV of $2.5 Million dollars per year and the contract will kick in the 22-23 season. Barabanov has found a home in the Sharks top 6 having 10 goals and 39 points in 70 games with San Jose this year and I suspect he will continue to be in the Sharks top 6 for the next few years.

Seattle 

Left Defender Peetro Seppälä who was a undrafted free agent signed a 2 year entry level contract with the Kraken that caries a AAV of $.855 Thousand dollars per year and had a good year in Liiga and will probably play there or in the AHL next year. 

Left Winger Max McCormick and the Seattle Kraken have agreed to terms on a 2 year contract extension that caries a AAV of $.763 Thousand dollars per year and the contract will kick in the 22-23 season. McCormick had limited NHL action this past year for Seattle having no points in 10 games but can be a good depth player that plays in the minors until there is a injury.

Central 

Arizona 

Right Winger Milos Kelemen who was a undrafted free agent signed a 2 year entry level contract with the Coyotes that caries a AAV of $.818 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season and had a good year in Czechia where I suspect he’ll play next year or in the AHL.

Minnesota 

Right Winger Pavel Novak who was a 5RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Minnesota Wild signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Wild and it caries a AAV of $.847 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Novak was a good forward in the WHL and I suspect he plays there or in the AHL next year.

Winnipeg 

Goaltender Oskari Salminen who was a undrafted free agent signed a 2 year entry level contract with the Jets that caries a AAV of $.855 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season and has some outstanding numbers in Liiga where I suspect he’ll play next year or in the AHL.

Atlantic 

Buffalo 

Left Winger Alexander Kisakov who was a 2RD pick in the 2021 draft by the Buffalo Sabres signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Sabres and it caries a AAV of $.859 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Kisakov has put up consecutive good seasons in the MHL but should play at the AHL level next year but I think he does have NHL potential. 

Montreal 

Center Riley Kidney who was a 2RD pick in the 2021 draft by the Montreal Canadiens signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Canadiens and it caries a AAV of $.859 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Kidney most recent year in the QMJHL has a huge improvement over the previous as he was very productive and while I think he has NHL potential I believe he will play in the QMJHL next year.

Toronto 

Center Roni Hirvonen who was a 2RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Maple Leafs and it caries a AAV of $.857 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Hirvonen had a rather productive season this year in Liiga and I suspect he will be playing there again next year.

 

Right Defender Topi Niemela who was a 3RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Maple Leafs and it caries a AAV of $.857 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Niemela had a very productive year in Liiga and I full expect him to become a NHL player at some point but I think he goes back to Liiga next year. 

Metro

Columbus 

Right Winger Kirill Marchenko who was a 2RD pick in the 2018 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets signed his 2 year entry level contract with the Blue Jackets and it caries a AAV of $.925 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Marchenko took some time developing in the KHL and has no signed his ELC and I do think that he will get a NHL opportunity but I believe he starts in the AHL next year.

Center Mikael Pyyhtiä who was a 4RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Blue Jackets and it caries a AAV of $.898 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Pyyhtiä has had a really good couple of years in Liiga and although I can see him challenging for a roster spot in a few years I do think that he will play in either Liiga or the AHL next year.

New Jersey 

Left Defender Topias Vilen who was a 5RD pick in the 2021 draft by the New Jersey Devils signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Devils and it caries a AAV of $.859 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Vilen has a okay season in Liiga and I suspect he goes back to Liiga for the next couple years.

New York R 

Center Ryder Korczak who was a 3RD pick in the 2021 draft by the New York Rangers signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Rangers and it caries a AAV of $.859 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Korczak is a future NHL player in my opinion if nothing more then a bottom six forward but I think that he will either go back to the WHL or play in the AHL next year.

Center Adam Edstrom who was a 6RD pick in the 2019 draft by the New York Rangers signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Rangers and it caries a AAV of $.847 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Edstrom has been a pretty good team in the SHL and he will probably play in either the SHL or AHL next year.

Goaltender Olof Lindbom who was a 2RD pick in the 2018 draft by the New York Rangers signed his 2 year entry level contract with the Rangers and it caries a AAV of $.855 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Lindbom has played very well over the past few years and I think could possibly be a NHL backup but I think that he probably plays either in the AHL or back in Hockeyallsvenskan.

Philadelphia 

Goaltender Ivan Fedotov who was a 7RD pick in the 2015 draft by the Philadelphia Flyers signed his 1 year entry level contract with the Flyers  and it caries a AAV of $.925 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Fedotov was a bit of a late bloomer and has played very well in Russia this year and I could see him playing in the NHL or AHL next season.

Washington 

Right Winger Bogdan Trineyev who was a 4RD pick in the 2020 draft by the Washington Capitals signed his 3 year entry level contract with the Capitals and it caries a AAV of $.859 Thousand dollars per year and will kick in the 22-23 season. Trineyev has played decently in Russia and while I don’t think he will go straight to the NHL I think he could at some point but I definitely think that he plays in the AHL next year.