Trade Watch: 3 Teams Who Could Make Early Deals This Season

The 2024-25 NHL season is only a week old and already there's several teams who are working the phones in trade talks. Some teams are dealing with injury troubles, while others are trying to move players to create more salary cap flexibility.

Here's a list of three teams to watch in the first couple months on the trade market:

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings lost Drew Doughty for a couple of months due to an ankle injury, and if Brandt Clarke can't step up for LA, look for the Kings to find another veteran right-handed defenseman. The Kings have $10.2 million in current cap space and a number of NHL ready prospects who will draw interest from other teams. GM Rob Blake isn't shy to make a bold move, another one could be coming early on this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are trying hard to move Timothy Liljegren, who was re-signed during the summer for two-years, at $3 million per year. Liljegren has been leap frogged by Conor Timmins on the Leafs' depth chart, and head coach Craig Berube is excited to get Jani Hakanpaa into the lineup, once he returns from a knee injury. It's going to be tough for Toronto to move Liljegren, based on his contract and fall from grace in the preseason, but they are certainly trying hard at the moment.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres are already hitting the panic button. The team is winless in their first three games, blowing a third-period lead in their home opener, and losing twice during the NHL Global Series. GM Kevyn Adams is on thin ice, as the Sabres have disappointed for a couple of years now. They are expecting to make the playoffs this season, but if they can't get out of their early funk, look for Adams to pull the trigger on a deal.

Photo credit:  Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images