NHL Teams Looking to Make Trades Ahead of Market Picking Up

Typically, this is not the time of year where teams are eager to make trades. That's not stopping some teams from calling around.

The 2024-25 NHL regular season is barely a few weeks old. Teams haven’t even played 10 percent of their season, so trades aren’t exactly a top priority for most clubs. That said, recent reports have noted a handful of clubs have already identified a need and their respective GMs are calling around trying to see what’s available before the market really picks up.

The Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy is reportedly in active pursuit of a trade to strengthen his team’s middle-six depth with a younger right-shot center, according to Frank Seravalli on Amazon’s Sports on Prime. Despite initial speculation that Calgary might be a seller this season, the team’s strong start has Conroy looking to bolster the lineup for both immediate impact and future potential.

According to Conroy in an interview with Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, the Flames are aiming for a player who brings NHL experience and fits their needs, whether in the top-six or middle-six. This has been on Conroy’s wish list ever since the team lost Elias Lindholm. If the right deal comes along, Conroy even hinted at being open to parting with high-value assets, including a first-round pick.

Conroy has been working the phones focusing on finding a player who complements the Flames’ core but talk is no team is willing to part with this kind of player, at least not yet.

The idea that Calgary is open to moving draft picks for younger NHL-ready help says a lot about where management feels they are at with their rebuild.

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are also actively searching for a top center, but General Manager Barry Trotz wasn’t shy about revealing teams are shutting him down.

Speaking on 102.5 The Game on Tuesday— and confirmed in Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts column, Trotz stated, “No one is trading anyone right now. I would like to get a center, but no one is giving their centermen away.”

The Predators have started their season on less-than-ideal footing. They are 2-5-1 to start the year and after being pegged as the big winners of the offseason, Trotz is all-in. He needs to make sure the team doesn’t fall too far behind.

The Predators’ internal options include players like Colton Sissons, Tommy Novak, and Juuso Parssinen, but the Preds want an upgrade.

Montreal Canadiens