Trade talk involving draft picks should start to pick up
NHL Media: Elliotte Friedman said that now that teams have a better idea of draft slots, trade talk could start to pick up. Teams will have their own draft tiers, and now know which teams will be drafting in those slots.
Host: “Probably not the best free agent market this summer, who quickly are teams going to get to making some moves here.
Friedman: “Well, it’s always tough, because there’s teams in the playoffs, Michael, but I do think that once draft position is known, things do pick up. Now, at least you know where everybody’s taking.
Also, like there’s draft tiers, and I’m not an expert at this, Michael, I don’t follow the prospect so close. But I was talking to our two guys that really do, Jason Bukala and Sam Constantino. And Sam is like, he’s got a group that goes from like one to six and then six to 12. And then Bukala’s got like, one to four and four to nine and nine to 15.
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So like, how do teams see it? And now, you know, you know, who’s one. You know who’s two. You know who’s three. You know, where do you think you can start calling. Okay, if I want to move, what’s it going to cost me? And you know, stuff like that.
Like, I think, I don’t know if you’ll see any trades now, it’s simply because not everybody is set and not everybody is settled. But at least people start doing their due diligence, Michael, about, ‘Okay, I know this person’s at three. I think one and two might like this guy, if I want to get to three. Okay, let’s make my introductory conversation and see what are you thinking.’ So that I do think will pick up .”
Four potential trade targets for the New Jersey Devils if dangling the No. 12 pick
James Nichols of NJ Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils hold the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, and they should be aggressively dangling it for a top-six winger. They’ll be looking to add some size to their roster as well. A look at some potential candidates.
Matthew Knies – Toronto Maple Leafs – Which direction will they go in – a rebuild or retool? What about Auston Matthews future? The Devils showed interest at the trade deadline. The Maple Leafs are looking to change their blue line. Could offer up the No. 12 and Simon Nemec.
Jordan Kyrou – St. Louis Blues – The Blues also hold the No. 11 and 15 picks. Kyrou would fit nicely with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt.
Jason Robertson – Dallas Stars – Pending RFA in line for a big contract. The Stars don’t have a first-round pick, and could use a right-handed defenseman. Could be the No. 12, Nemec, plus something else.
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Alex DeBrincat – Detroit Red Wings – Would the Wings want to get back into the first round after sending their pick to the Blues for Justin Faulk. One year left at $7.875 million, and is a three-time 40-goal scorer.
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