Anticipation for a bustling NHL off-season filled with major trades and offer sheets largely went unfulfilled. The period saw a notable lack of offer sheets, and only one significant trade occurred between mid-July and September 4th: the Colorado Avalanche`s acquisition of Danil Gushchin from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Oskar Olausson – hardly a headline-grabbing move. Overall, it has been an exceptionally quiet summer, even compared to typical NHL off-season activity.
Despite expectations that a rising salary cap, a shallow free-agent pool, and numerous team roster gaps would lead to a flurry of summer transactions, this largely failed to materialize. A key factor appears to be the scarcity of genuine “selling” teams. Most teams currently struggling in the standings either didn`t plan to be there or are actively working to improve quickly, making few organizations eager to trade proven players for draft picks and future assets.
Consider the Buffalo Sabres, for instance, whose playoff drought persisted after they finished with the third-lowest point total in the Eastern Conference during the 2024-25 season. While rumors circulated about the Sabres potentially trading Bowen Byram during the off-season, they ultimately extended his contract for two years, reportedly due to dissatisfaction with the available trade offers. Although some teams would likely have offered a draft pick or prospect for Byram, the Sabres seemingly prioritized assets that could provide immediate impact.
However, circumstances might soon shift for certain teams. Any team experiencing a poor start to the season, especially one with an aging roster, might be compelled to reconsider its strategic direction. The highly anticipated 2026 draft class, rumored to be quite deep, could serve as a strong incentive for teams to pivot towards accumulating draft capital.
Below are a few teams that ought to contemplate becoming sellers this upcoming season.
Nashville Predators
Nashville endured a disastrous year, concluding the season with a minus-60 goal differential and their lowest point total in a full season since their inaugural year. Despite some optimism following a strong finish to the 2023-24 campaign, the Predators have now failed to reach the playoffs in two of the last three seasons and haven`t advanced beyond the first round since 2017-18. Furthermore, their roster is among the league`s oldest, with an average age approaching 30.
Nashville is ideally positioned to become a seller for several compelling reasons, primarily due to the current high demand for top-six forwards, a category in which the Predators are well-stocked. Players like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly would attract significant interest, although facilitating their trades might prove complex. While Stamkos and Marchessault possess no-move clauses, both are in their mid-thirties and might be open to moving if Nashville commits to a multi-season re-tooling. O’Reilly, lacking trade protection and having an additional year on his contract, presents an attractive option for a contending team seeking a middle-six center. Additionally, the Predators could look to move Michael Bunting and Erik Haula as rental assets closer to the trade deadline.
Furthermore, this period offers an opportune moment for Nashville to divest itself of some existing contracts. With the salary cap experiencing a significant increase, deals that would have been difficult to move during a stagnant cap era, such as Marchessault`s $5.5 million and O’Reilly’s $4.5 million average annual values (AAVs), become far more manageable for most teams. While moving Stamkos might be more challenging, the Predators still retain one salary retention slot they could utilize. The retention commitments for Colton Sissons and Mattias Ekholm will also expire next summer, further enhancing their future financial flexibility.
It is also crucial to acknowledge the 2026 draft class, which is widely projected to be deeper than the 2025 class, notably featuring a potential generational talent at the top in Gavin McKenna. The Predators have a clear need to inject young talent into their system, and acquiring an additional first-round pick or two next June would significantly boost their chances of securing a franchise-altering player.