NHL trade candidates to watch this off-season: McTavish, Nemec and Wright draw interest
NHL trade candidates McTavish, Nemec and Wright top chatter as teams weigh contracts, cap space and roster fits ahead of a potentially active summer.
Three recent top-five picks at the centre of summer trade talk
The NHL trade candidates conversation heating up this off-season centers on Mason McTavish, Simon Nemec and Shane Wright. All three are recent top-five draft selections whose situations — from contract status to playing time — have made them attractive pieces for teams seeking youthful impact. Insiders and analysts point to a combination of cap pressure, positional need and fresh starts as the primary drivers behind the rumoured interest.
Each player presents a distinct value proposition for acquiring clubs, and each could move for different reasons depending on how negotiations and offers develop. Their profiles combine upside with questions that make them viable trade chips for teams willing to gamble on growth.
McTavish’s contract vulnerability and on-ice profile
Mason McTavish enters the summer with a six-year contract carrying a $7 million cap hit that could make him a candidate for trade despite his youth. The Anaheim forward struggled for consistent usage under new coach Joel Quenneville, seeing his average ice time reduced and even spending time as a healthy scratch during the club’s playoff return.
On the ice, McTavish still displays attributes of a power forward who can generate close-in chances and drive the forecheck. He finished the season among league leaders in forecheck scoring chances and slot-pass success rates, indicators that a change of scenery and a renewed role could quickly translate into production for a new club.
Nemec’s cap projection and role in New Jersey’s defence
Simon Nemec’s name surfaces largely because of New Jersey’s crowded and expensive blue line and his impending contract questions as a restricted free agent. Projections suggest his next deal could command a significant cap hit on a long-term contract, while a shorter bridge could lower the immediate number — a calculation that may influence whether the Devils keep him.
Nemec has shown offensive instincts from the back end, ranking well in offence-generating plays and controlled entries among qualified defencemen. Those qualities make him attractive for teams seeking a puck-moving right-side defenceman who can quarterback a power play, particularly if he is priced in a way that fits budget-constrained contenders.
Wright’s usage, shot profile and Seattle’s offseason expectations
Shane Wright’s trajectory since slipping to fourth overall in 2022 has been uneven, and Seattle’s search for a jolt makes him a headline name among NHL trade candidates. The young centre has produced respectable scoring rates despite limited minutes, averaging fewer than 14 minutes per game while concentrating his shot attempts in high-danger areas of the ice.
Wright’s shot-location profile — a high percentage of attempts from the slot and inner slot goals — underlines a finishing instinct that could blossom with more ice time or a different linemate mix. Seattle’s front office has publicly indicated that the franchise expects significant summer activity, and Wright could be viewed as either foundational or expendable depending on the Kraken’s broader strategy.
Who might pursue these players and what they could cost
Potential suitors for each player vary by need: teams seeking size and slot scoring may covet McTavish, clubs that need puck movement from the right side could target Nemec, and organizations hunting a younger centre with scoring instincts might pursue Wright. The returns required will reflect contract status, age and perceived upside, with prospects and mid-level NHL assets likely on the table.
Cap-strapped contenders could be aggressive if they believe a short-term bridge deal or retention can make the purchase price manageable. Conversely, teams with surplus cap space might pay a premium to acquire a player and lock him into a long-term arrangement that accelerates their competitive timeline.
Salary, timing and roster mechanics shaping the market
The off-season calendar — including restricted free agent negotiations and arbitration windows — will shape how and when NHL trade candidates move. The presence of other RFAs and incoming contracts on the Ducks and Devils, for example, increases the likelihood that front offices will test the market rather than waiting. Those roster mechanics often force decisions as teams balance long-term planning with immediate cap realities.
Trade protection clauses, retained salary rules and draft-pick valuations will also factor heavily into discussions. General managers balancing a playoff push against long-term sustainability may opt for trades that solve multiple needs, making the valuations of McTavish, Nemec and Wright dependent on specific offer structures.
The coming weeks will clarify whether the chatter becomes concrete movement, but the combination of cap pressures, roster architecture and clear skill sets suggests this will be an off-season where NHL trade candidates like McTavish, Nemec and Wright could change teams and tilt the balance for several clubs.
