NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Goalies Who Are Prime Offseason Trade Candidates

The NHL's silly season is upon us as we've already seen a couple of trades go down during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is certainly rare business practices and the NHL doesn't exactly love the fact there's attention being pulled away from the ice. Don't expect to see any deals going down while the Stanley Cup Final starts next week, however, once the Cup has been handed out, get ready for a slew of moves ahead of the NHL Draft.

The trade market is heating up and this summer more specifically, goaltending trades are going to be early and often. Here's three netminders who are very likely getting dealt this summer:

Jacob Markstrom

It's well documented how much the Calgary Flames had Markstrom involved in trade talks last season and a deal was very close to going down sending the Swedish goaltender to the New Jersey Devils. It sounded like the deal broke off due to some financials and it's very likely talks pick back up this summer. Markstrom has a full no-movement clause and has to approve any move, meanwhile has two seasons left on his contract at $6 million. If it's not the Devils, the Los Angeles Kings could swoop in with a strong offer.

Filip Gustavsson

Gustavsson is all over trade boards at the moment due to the Wild needing more cap space to upgrade their roster and the fact the re-signed Marc-Andre Fleury and also have Jesper Wallstedt ready for NHL action. Gustavsson had an off year in 2023-24, however the season before posted one of the best save percentages in the league with a .931 in the regular season and a .921 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 25-year-old is under contract for two more seasons at $3.75 million and does not own any trade protection. He's very likely to be moved around the NHL Draft in June.

Linus Ullmark

The Bruins approached Ullmark last season about a move to LA but he wanted no part of splitting up from bestie Jeremy Swayman and his teammates in Boston. It's going to be tough for Don Sweeney to finagle the finances this summer if they don't get out from under Ullmark's $5 million cap hit. Boston has Swayman to re-sign as he's a pending restricted free agent and they also have Jake DeBrusk to potential bring back and he'll be looking for a significant pay day. Ullmark's modified no-trade clause is a list of 15 teams he'd like to avoid, so there's certainly some options for Sweeney and company to get a deal done.

photo credit:  Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports