What happened: The Hockey News has published a ranking of the four netminders it sees as the most likely to be moved during the 2026 NHL off-season. The piece frames goaltending as one of the summer's most active markets as teams reset their depth charts following the conclusion of the playoffs.
Why it matters: Goalie movement tends to set the tempo for an entire offseason, since a single trade can reshape the crease for both the team acquiring a starter and the one opening a path for a younger option. With the 2025-26 postseason complete and the Stanley Cup decided, front offices now turn to roster construction ahead of the upcoming campaign, and the netminder market is often where the first dominoes fall.
What to watch: Watch for which clubs are linked as buyers and sellers as free agency and the draft approach, and whether any of the flagged candidates surface in concrete trade reports.