Some big names could get traded during the NHL draft, with every team in one building. Jacob Stoller lists five players in particular who could be targeted in a trade. Nikolaj Ehlers [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3NDY1OTk4MTA0NjY3NTkx/usatsi_22600852_168400847_lowres.jpg] Nikolaj Ehlers Let’s be honest: seeing youngsters getting selected isn't the only allure of the NHL draft. The kicker is all the buzz that comes from it. Almost everybody in the NHL is in one building, which fuels some entertaining rumors and trades. As you’re getting set to watch the NHL draft on Friday and Saturday, don’t be surprised if the following five players get traded. MARTIN NECAS, F, CAROLINA HURRICANES It’s hard to envision a scenario where Martin Necas is still with the Carolina Hurricanes by July 1. Necas possesses game-breaking abilities and is now two seasons removed from a 71-point campaign, and he reportedly wants a change of scenery [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5559868/2024/06/12/nhl-trade-rumblings-laine-necas-ehlers/]. Given how his role and output declined this year, with 53 points in 77 games and averaging 17:21 of ice time per game, it’s not hard to see why. The 25-year-old pending RFA becomes eligible to sign an offer sheet as of July 1, which means the clock is ticking for new GM Eric Tulsky to trade him. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Monday [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5594383/2024/06/26/nhl-rumblings-necas-guentzel-tanev-kane/] the Hurricanes are believed to have the framework of a trade involving Necas mapped out with one team, and it involves a first-round pick. That same day, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff [https://x.com/frank_seravalli/status/1806113051701285161] reported the New Jersey Devils are dangling the 10th overall selection at the 2024 draft in their discussions for Necas. NIKOLAJ EHLERS, F, WINNIPEG JETS Nikolaj Ehlers is one of the most polarizing pieces of trade bait this summer. The 28-year-old forward is lightning-quick and downright lethal at generating transition chances. He's one of the NHL’s most efficient scorers, posting the eighth-most 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes of any skater (minimum 500 minutes played) since the 2021-22 season, according to naturalstattrick.com [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20212022&thruseason=20232024&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=std&rate=y&team=ALL&pos=S&loc=B&toi=500&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL]. But for whatever reason – be it durability concerns, his chaotic style of play or just Rick Bowness’ lack of trust in him — Ehlers was deployed as a middle-six forward over the last two years, averaging the ninth-most ice time per game of any forward (15:47). Ehlers, unsurprisingly, is reportedly [https://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/feverish-days-ahead-for-winnipeg-jets] uninterested in re-signing with the Jets. For teams looking to acquire high-impact talent on the trade market — Ehlers could be a worthy consolation prize to Necas. Some teams would maybe even rather have the Danish forward. Once Necas gets moved, keep an eye out on the runners-up in those sweepstakes — many of whom have also been linked to Ehlers — starting a trickle-down effect that creates a hot pursuit. JAKOB CHYCHRUN, D, OTTAWA SENATORS In what feels like deja vu, Jakob Chychrun is back at the forefront of trade chatter. This time, though, it might not drag out for long. The Chychrun acquisition didn't make too much sense for a Senators team that already has two $8 million defensemen on the left side in Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Sanderson isn’t going anywhere — he’s a franchise cornerstone, after all. Neither is Chabot, as Ottawa GM Steve Staois shot down trade rumors [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/steve-staios-shuts-downs-rumours-on-ottawa-senators-shopping-thomas-chabot-1.2140970]on Thursday. Chychrun is an intriguing option for teams trying to shore up their blueline this summer. He’s only 26, carries a reasonable $4.6-million cap hit for another year, and above all, his best days may be ahead of him after playing 82 games for the first time in his career. If Ottawa doesn’t want the market to cool on Chychrun, Statois’ best bet is to take the highest offer before free agency begins. JOHN GIBSON, G, ANAHEIM DUCKS It feels like John Gibson has been embroiled in trade rumors for an eternity now. Will it be different this time? Anaheim is reportedly [https://x.com/TheFourthPeriod/status/1806026097848631669] serious about trying to trade Gibson, who carries a $6.4-million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/report-teams-have-inquired-about-gibson-anaheim-uninterested-in-retaining-salary] Anaheim isn’t interested in retaining part of his contract, and if that’s the case, any interested team will want to acquire Gibson before free agency so they have an accurate idea of their budget. Friedman believes the Detroit Red Wings’ trade of Jake Walman — a cap dump in the purest sense – to the San Jose Sharks was a prelude to a goalie acquisition, and he named Gibson as a player of interest to the team. RUTGER MCGROARTY, F, WINNIPEG JETS The Winnipeg Jets’ 2022 first-round pick could be dealt any minute now. "Somebody told me, be ready right after the final," Friedman said on Tuesday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] podcast. McGroarty, 20, is coming off a stellar season that saw him earn a Hobey Baker Award nomination, lead Team USA to a world junior gold medal and record 52 points in 36 NCAA games. The 6-foot-1 power forward is reportedly not interested in signing with Winnipeg, and according to The Athletic’s Murat Ates, [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5583575/2024/06/22/winnipeg-jets-rutger-mcgroarty-trade/] the reason stems from a disconnect between the player and the organization's player development department regarding his NHL readiness. While the Jets are in win-now mode, their prospect cupboard is pretty barren, and they'd be silly not to recoup a first-round pick, if possible. 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