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The 2024 NHL off-season is nearly here, which means the league may soon see several trades.
The rumor mill is starting to create plenty of chatter, and many stars are being mentioned in it. Some big-name trade candidates heading into the summer include Mitch Marner, Linus Ullmark, Jacob Markstrom, Jakob Chychrun and Trevor Zegras.
That said, some solid under-the-radar trade candidates could be moved before the 2024-25 NHL season starts. Here are three of them.
Andrew Mangiapane, Calgary Flames
Andrew Mangiapane is starting to generate some trade buzz. It is understandable, as the skilled winger is entering the final season of his contract and will be a UFA in 2025.
After losing Johnny Gaudreau to free agency in 2022, the Flames have not been afraid to part ways with players who have expiring deals. Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev were all moved this year alone.
Mangiapane should generate plenty of interest around the NHL this summer. He is coming off another solid season, posting 14 goals, 40 points and a plus-7 rating in 75 games. However, he also has the potential to be a more significant scoring threat, as he was in 2021-22 with 35 goals and 55 points in 82 games.
Arthur Kaliyev, Los Angeles Kings
Arthur Kaliyev was the subject of trade rumors this season, but a move did not come to fruition before the NHL trade deadline.
Trade talk has now carried over to the summer, as David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently speculated the 22-year-old right winger has asked for a trade from the Los Angeles Kings.
Given how this year went for him, it is understandable if he wants a fresh start.
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After recording 13 goals and 28 points in 56 games in 2022-23, Kaliyev took a step back this campaign. In 51 games, he had just seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. Because of his offensive struggles, his placement on the Kings’ depth chart dropped significantly, and he was scratched several times. He also did not touch the ice during the post-season.
“He didn’t help us down the stretch here at all,” Kings GM Rob Blake told reporters on May 6. “So, we’ll have to figure something out with him for sure.”
While it was a down year for Kaliyev, he should be a popular target this summer. He has the potential to be an effective middle-six forward in the NHL, and rebuilders, in particular, should pursue him.
Tanner Jeannot, Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a big move when they re-acquired Ryan McDonagh from the Nashville Predators. But it also put them in a tough spot, as they only have more than $5 million of cap space, and Steven Stamkos is one of seven UFAs who played this season.
They’ll likely have to free up cap space, and Tanner Jeannot is their most prominent trade candidate in that regard.
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Jeannot, 27, had a rough season with the Lightning, recording seven goals, seven assists and a minus-10 rating in 55 games.
Yet, even after his disappointing campaign, there still should be some interest in him this summer. Teams value big forwards who provide plenty of grit and toughness, and Jeannot is just that.
He has also had past success in the NHL, which is why the Lightning wanted him in the first place. As a rookie with the Nashville Predators in 2021-22, he had 24 goals and 41 points in 81 games.
Jeannot carries a $2.665-million cap hit, so the Lightning would benefit by moving his contract. However, he also has a 16-team no-trade list, so that complicates things.
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News Summary:
- Three Under-the-Radar NHL Trade Candidates This Off-Season
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.