With the expansion draft and free agency here — and a flat cap, to boot — the 2021 NHL offseason is expected to be a wheelin’-and-dealin’ one.
“There’s a number of teams that — there’s just really big decisions to be made,” former Lightning general manager Brian Lawton told The Associated Press’ Stephen Whyno. “Now it’s fast and furious trying to figure out what they can get done.”
With regard to the expansion draft, teams will be looking to get something for players they probably would lose otherwise in the draft. Then there is free agency, which begins July 28. A number of teams are cash-strapped and looking to free up space to not only re-sign their free agents but also reel in new players.
A number of big names are rumored to be on the trade block, including the Sabres’ Jack Eichel. One domino has already fallen: The Blackhawks shipped three-time Stanley Cup champion Duncan Keith to the Oilers on July 12.
NHL FREE AGENCY: All 31 teams’ UFAs, RFAs
The 2021 offseason is a short one as the new season is scheduled to begin in mid-October. Therefore, the expectation is that things will be fast and furious.
Sporting News is tracking every trade completed during the 2021 offseason.
NHL trade tracker 2021
| DATE | TEAM | PLAYERS | TEAM | PLAYERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1 | Kings | Viktor Arvidsson (F) | Predators | 2021 second-round pick, 2022 third-round pick |
| July 12 | Oilers | Ducan Keith (D), Tim Soderlund (F) | Blackhawks | Caleb Jones (D), 2022 conditional pick |
| July 14 | Oilers | Future considerations | Hurricanes | Dylan Wells (G) |
| July 15 | Devils | Ryan Graves (D) | Avalanche | Mikhail Maltsev (F), 2021 second-round pick |