What happened: ESPN published a roundup of hypothetical trades it would like to see executed during the 2026 NHL offseason. The piece pitches aspirational moves across the league rather than reporting deals that have been agreed to. It frames the offseason as a window for contenders and rebuilders to reshape their rosters.

Why it matters: Offseason trade speculation sets the tone for how front offices and fan bases approach the summer market ahead of the 2025-26 season. Wish-list exercises like this often preview the trade chips and roster gaps that drive real negotiations once free agency opens. They also gauge which stars could realistically be on the move.

What to watch: Watch whether any of the floated names surface in genuine trade talks as the offseason market develops. Concrete deals would confirm or deflate the speculation.