NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Goaltenders Who Could Be On The Move Sooner Than Later

The Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche made a rare goaltender trade on Saturday, as the trade talks around the league have picked up in a major way. GM's normally use American Thanksgiving as a milestone in the NHL season, to truly get a feel for how their team is performing to start the year.

With Scott Wedgewood and Justus Annunen on the move, here's three goaltenders who are prime trade candidates and could be moved next:

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are Lukas Dostal's team and now they're likely trying to pump Gibson's tires as much as possible, to try and eventually move him before the March 7 trade deadline. Gibson's been linked to trade rumors for three straight seasons now, and at one point, there were conflicting reports that he asked GM Pat Verbeek for a trade. The 31-year-old netminder is off to a strong start this season, posting a 4-1-1 record, with a 2.32 GAA and .922 save percentage. Gibson has two seasons left on his deal at $6.4 million and owns a 10-team no trade clause. The Oilers, Avalanche (who may not be done), and Pittsburgh Penguins are three teams to keep an eye on.

Dan Vladar, Calgary Flames

The Flames are turned the keys to their crease over to Dustin Wolf, and with Vladar being a pending UFA, he's very likely getting moved at some point. Vladar, 27, is off to a 4-4-3 start, with a 2.59 GAA and .905 Sv.%. He's set to make $2.2 million this season and doesn't hold any trade protection. With the Flames looking for help up front, and with having Wolf, who is four years younger, locked in as their goaltender of the future, Vladar could be on the move sooner than later.

Vitek Vanecek, San Jose Sharks

With Mackenzie Blackwood off to a solid start this season and with Yaroslav Askarov getting a small taste of NHL action of late, Vanecek, who is a pending UFA, is a prime trade candidate for the Sharks. At $3.4 million, GM Mike Grier will likely have to retain some of his remaining salary in any deal, which will help the Sharks drive up the asking price. Vanecek hasn't been great in his short tenure in San Jose, and it's been much of the same this season, with a 3-5-1 record, and 3.52 GAA. He's certainly a goaltender to keep an eye on as a trade candidate heading into the holiday season and early 2025.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, USA Today