A notable player dropped off this summer's NHL UFA list, as Brock Nelson signed a three-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche.
Acquired from the New York Islanders before the March trade deadline, the 33-year-old center will earn an average annual value of $7.5 million.
Nelson's new contract takes a big chunk out of the Avalanche's cap space, leaving them with $1.2 million for 2025-26 with 19 active roster players under contract. That will force them to make a cost-cutting trade to create room to complete their roster for next season.
Samuel Girard could become a trade candidate. The 27-year-old defenseman is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5 million and carries a nine-team no-trade list, giving management considerable leeway in the trade market.
Earlier in the week, Corey Masisak of The Denver Post noted that Girard had surfaced in trade rumors over the past two seasons. He made the case that replacing their No. 3 blueliner wouldn't be easy, citing his puck-moving skills, his underrated defensive abilities and his team-friendly contract.
However, that was before the Avalanche re-signed Nelson. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli mentioned him among their potential trade candidates, along with forwards Charlie Coyle and Martin Necas.
Girard could be the easy choice as a cost-cutting trade option. His abilities and contract should draw plenty of attention if he becomes available in the trade market.
Necas was acquired as part of the return in the Mikko Rantanen trade in January. He has a year left on his deal and becomes UFA-eligible next summer unless he signs an extension.
Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos wondered how much patience management would have with Necas if negotiations go slowly this summer. He also felt that the 26-year-old right winger didn't enjoy his experience in Colorado and could explore other options.
Meanwhile, Marco Rossi remains a hot topic in the rumor mill. Despite a career-high 60 points this season, some pundits wondered about the 23-year-old center's future with the Minnesota Wild after seeing fourth-line duty down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Rossi is an RFA this summer and lacks arbitration rights. Michael Russo of The Athletic reports contract talks with the Wild have stalled. Teams are calling to inquire about the young center's availability, but GM Bill Guerin is in no hurry to move him.
Russo cited sources claiming the Rossi camp rejected a five-year, $25-million contract offer earlier this season. The Wild recently pitched a shorter-term deal, but the center's agent believes it no longer makes sense because he was buried on the fourth line at the end of the season.
Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco claimed Rossi seeks a deal comparable to teammate Matt Boldy's seven-year, $49-million deal. He indicated the Philadelphia Flyers had “lukewarm interest” in Rossi since last year, but there's no indication that trade talks have taken place between the two clubs.
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.