7 NHL Teams That Could Make Big Moves This Summer

In the salary cap era of the National Hockey League, summer player movement is increasingly tied to whether teams have the financial flexibility to make moves. With COVID-19 seasons pushing a relatively flat salary cap, that flexibility is even more challenging.

How active some teams are going to be this summer could depend a great deal on what happens with their own free agents. If the Calgary Flames, for example, manage to keep Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in the fold, they won’t have a lot of room to move, but if one or both of those guys leave, the Flames will suddenly have money to spend.

Additionally, just because a team has cap space, does not necessarily mean that they are going to use it. 

Most NHL teams are still in a position in which they can make a significant move or two in the offseason, even if it requires shedding salary in a separate deal. Nevertheless, some teams are in a better position to swing for the fences immediately, as they are unencumbered by cap space limitations.

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Here is a look at seven teams that have the ability to be spenders through trades or free agency this summer:

Salary cap information comes from the always amazing Cap Friendly.

Anaheim Ducks

While the Ducks only have 14 players signed, they have more than $39 million in cap space. Even if Anaheim is not going to be pushing up against the salary cap, they have the wherewithal to make significant moves.

Forward Isac Lundestrom, Sonny Milano, and Sam Steel are all restricted free agents with arbitration rights, but none should really break the bank. Anaheim needs quite a bit of help on the blueline and could bring back Josh Manson, fresh off his Stanley Cup win in Colorado.

Rising star forwards Trevor Zegras and Troy Terry will need new deals that kick in after next season, so there is some preparation needed, but Anaheim also needs help now. Even if the Ducks are not likely to be contenders next season, new GM Pat Verbeek is in the position to make some big moves.

Detroit Red Wings

Even as the Red Wings employ a patient approach under GM Steve Yzerman, they could be in position to make some noise this summer. Detroit has 15 players signed with more than $35 million in cap space.

Aside from a contract extension that they might want for Dylan Larkin (or possibly Tyler Bertuzzi), the Red Wings have very few long-term financial commitments. The question for Yzerman will be if the Red Wings are close enough to competing for a playoff spot that it would make sense to take some shots at premier free agents or high-end trade possibilities to augment the young core that they are trying to build around Rookie of the Year defenseman Moritz Seider and winger Lucas Raymond.

The Red Wings are a prime team that is in position to make some moves, but Yzerman keeps things so under the radar, it is hard to know if they are prepared to spend big this summer.

New Jersey Devils

A promising young team, the Devils have 15 players signed and more than $25 million in cap space. Now, they will need to spend some of that money on a goaltender and they are likely to seek upgrades on the wings, but New Jersey has a good foundation down the middle of the ice with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer, as well as a blueline that was bolstered by last summer’s big ticket free agent addition, Dougie Hamilton.

Some of New Jersey’s cap space could go to Jesper Bratt and Pavel Zacha, a pair of productive forwards who are both arbitration eligible restricted free agents. Bratt might cost quite a bit, but he just had 73 points in 76 games. That won’t be easily replaced if he does not return.

Holding the second pick in the draft, the Devils have the potential to deal for an established star if they believe that it is time to take their rebuilding process into the next stage.

Ottawa Senators

The Senators have almost always had cap space but have rarely used it, and there is naturally some uncertainty about the financial plans for the team following the death of owner Eugene Melnyk.

Nevertheless, the Senators have 14 players signed and have $27 million in cap space, which will give them some options. Ottawa does have some restricted free agents including center Josh Norris and left winger Alex Formenton but the Sens should be in position to add star talent, if they are prepared to pay for it.

Buffalo Sabres

While the Sabres have been rebuilding seemingly forever, it might be time for them to take the next step. Buffalo has 16 players signed and still more than $34 million in cap space. They can’t just blindly spend all of it because a number of young players are going to be in line for contract extensions in the coming seasons, but that is a lot of cap space if the Sabres want to get bold.

They will need a goaltender to pair with veteran Craig Anderson and could use some veteran help for a blueline led by Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, but a big ticket forward could be in the cards, too. Much like the Red Wings, the Sabres need to decide if they are ready to take the next step in their development.

Seattle Kraken

Following a disappointing expansion season, the Kraken will surely look to upgrade this summer and they need help around both nets – a goal scorer or two to juice the offense and goaltending help because Philipp Grubauer had a really tough season in 2021-2022 and Chris Driedger suffered a torn ACL at the World Championships, so he could miss most or all of next season.

The Kraken have 14 players signed and still have more than $22 million in cap space to make moves that will upgrade the skill level on an otherwise solid enough roster.

Arizona Coyotes

This might be one of the most challenging situations in NHL history when it comes to luring free agents.

The Coyotes have 17 players signed and more than $33 million in cap space so, all things being equal, they could be big players in free agency, but all things are not equal.

Arizona’s biggest challenge will be convincing players that this is a legit franchise. They will not win next season, starting 20 of their first 24 games on the road, and they are going to be playing in a college arena for at least the next three seasons. Their No. 1 defenseman, Jakob Chychrun, has also been on the trade block for most of the past year. Even if the Coyotes are offering big money to free agents, the circumstances will complicate any potential deals.

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While the Coyotes need some players committed to the long-term plan that seems unlikely via free agency, so the Coyotes could find themselves as a mover and shaker this summer as a potential landing spot for big contracts that teams are trying to trade.Make sure to keep an eye on our Live Odds page throughout the week to get the best lines possible and connect with others in the SBR community on our popular sports betting forum