NHL Rumors: 5 Forwards Expected to Be Traded This Summer

The NHL offseason is upon us as the NHL Draft is set for this weekend and free agency opens up July 13. There's going to be a ton of movement across the league as team's try to alter their rosters for next season. While the draft and free agency always brings tons of excitement, the trade market may be the wildest of the bunch. Let's look at five forwards who are expected to be traded this summer:

Alex DeBrincat

The conversations have begun and the Chicago Blackhawks are in full rebuild mode as they are trying to unload a 24-year-old 40-goal scorer. This move is going to piss off Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane so much, they mid as well be the next two names on the list after this deal goes down. The New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings are all teams who have been in contact with the Blackhawks and look for a deal to go down this weekend at the draft. 

J.T Miller

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The Canucks signed Brock Boeser and now turn their attention to J.T Miller. The versatile forward had himself a monster season and the team may be better suited to cash in on their asset then to wait and lock up the veteran forward long term. It's a weird one for sure in Vancouver as he's a great player who apparently they want no part of. The trade rumors have been rampant all season long and they continue into the summer. The New Jersey Devils are doing whatever they can to acquire him which means the #2 pick could be in play here. 

Mike Hoffman

Montreal Canadiens forward Mike Hoffman is someone general manager Kent Hughes would love to move as the Habs are trying to re-tool on the fly. Hoffman hasn't quite fit into the Canadiens plans as one would hope and the 32-year-old has two seasons left on his deal at $4.5 million per. Look for the Canadiens to essentially give Hoffman away to a welcoming team as they'd frankly just like to get the money off the books. Last season he scored 35 points in 67 games, his first in Montreal.

Josh Bailey

The New York Islanders don't have a ton of options when it comes to trade assets or players who don't hold trade protection. Bailey is essentially one of their only trade chips and the 32-year-old won't be easy to move with two seasons left on his deal at $5 million annually. The playmaker recorded 44 points in 74 games last season and is expected to start next season in new colors. 

James van Riemsdyk

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The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to start a new era with Claude Giroux out of the picture and moving JVR and his $7 million would certainly help them get a jump start on the festivities. He's not the fastest skater in the league, however around the net, there's not many who can do it better. Last season the 33-year-old winger scored 24 goals in 82 games, however his -33 rating is hard to swallow. Look for the Flyers to retain some salary here to make a deal work and the Seattle Kraken and Los Angeles Kings are two teams to watch here.

Photo credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports