NHL Draft 2024: Will any (more) teams trade their first-round picks? (2024)

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2024 NHL Draft.

The NHL Draft’s first round is approaching in a hurry, and in the hours leading up to the 7 p.m. ET Friday start, the buzz around prospects can only be matched by the buzz around potential trades.

Some teams are looking to flip futures for win-now assets, while others look to do the opposite. The Boston Bruins opened draft week with a big splash Monday, sending 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a coveted first-round pick to help restock their system.

Will we see more first-round moves as the hours and minutes tick down? The Athletic asked its NHL staff for their expectations for each team.

First, a reminder of what the first round currently looks like:

Draft order

Anaheim Ducks

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: After collecting draft picks in recent years, the Ducks are in position to cash one in if it means fortifying their lineup with proven talent that will significantly upgrade their lineup. It is time to start taking the first steps out of a painful rebuilding process. Now, they won’t trade the No. 3 pick when they can add another high-upside young prospect. But putting the No. 31 pick in play, which came to them from Edmonton in the Adam Henrique/Sam Carrick trade, is something worth considering. As of now, they have the No. 35 pick early in the second round and the No. 58 selection that originally belonged to Boston. Assistant general manager Martin Madden said that second first-rounder dropping as a result of the Oilers reaching the Stanley Cup Final could result in a different level of prospect being available at that spot. Using that No. 31 pick as some form of tradable currency could be handy. — Eric Stephens

Boston Bruins

Not happening: The Bruins had to take Joonas Korpisalo’s contract to acquire the first-round pick from Ottawa. They paid a high price to get back into the first round. They’re not reversing course. — Fluto Shinzawa

Buffalo Sabres

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: Entering his fifth season as general manager, Kevyn Adams is under pressure to end Buffalo’s league-record, 13-season playoff drought. The Sabres have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL, so they can afford to trade the first-round pick for immediate help. Adams has said he’s open to trading the pick and open to trading prospects. But it’s not a foregone conclusion that he’ll find the right deal. —Matthew Fairburn

Calgary Flames

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Flames have two first-round picks. Don’t expect the first one, No. 9, to move as they know they can get a top-quality player with it. But what about that second first-rounder, No. 28, obtained in the Elias Lindholm trade? What if they used that pick to get a young player who is further along in his development? The Flames have mentioned Montreal as a guide for their retool, and the Canadiens have traded picks for those types of players in the past two drafts. The Flames could also just trade up in the draft, with eight picks in the first four rounds. Calgary has a ton of draft capital that could easily be in play heading into Friday. — Julian McKenzie

Carolina Hurricanes

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Hurricanes are always willing to listen if the price is right. With restricted free agent Martin Necas being shopped around the league, Carolina could use its first-round pick (No. 27) to sweeten the pot in a bigger deal. The team could also land another Day 1 selection if it trades Necas for a package of assets. Anything and everything should be on the table for new general manager Eric Tulsky and the Hurricanes this weekend as the team looks to retool. — Cory Lavalette

Chicago Blackhawks

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Blackhawks aren’t going to move the No. 2 pick, but I think they’d listen on No. 18. Considering they already moved up from 20 to 18 in a previous trade, it would have to be something really enticing. I do think they still want to add more first-round prospects to their pipeline, so I’d be surprised if they traded their pick to improve their current NHL roster. — Scott Powers

Colorado Avalanche

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Avalanche haven’t made a habit of trading first-round picks. They’ve made a first-round pick in every draft but one since 2013, when they took Nathan MacKinnon at No. 1. The organization has always built through the draft, but this could be the right timing for general manager Chris MacFarland to make a move. The uncertainty surrounding the futures of Valeri Nichushkin and Gabriel Landeskog makes things difficult to project, but if Colorado is without either for 2024-25, it leaves a major hole at forward that could be filled with a trade involving the 24th pick. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly likely the Avs move the pick, but the championship window is still open and the Golden Knights and Panthers have proven approaching that timeframe aggressively can pay off. — Jesse Granger

Columbus Blue Jackets

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Blue Jackets have the No. 4 pick, which is an intriguing position in a draft like this, with so much up in the air after No. 1. It’s hard to imagine they trade out of the first round, but it makes sense that they could trade down a spot or two if the two or three players they covet are all there at No. 4. I wouldn’t say it’s likely, but if they can add an extra pick or another prospect without backing up too much, they’d listen hard. — Aaron Portzline

Dallas Stars

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: In recent years, there have been a lot of glowing things said about the Stars’ prospect pipeline, and rightfully so. However, a lot of those names are now leaving prospect status and entering everyday NHL player status. Logan Stankoven has already made the jump, Mavrik Bourque should do it to start next season and Lian Bichsel isn’t too far behind. The Stars need to replenish the system for the next wave, so they’d like to add a worthy player at No. 29, but if another NHL prospect or the opportunity to trade back and add picks is there, they could consider it. — Saad Yousuf

Detroit Red Wings

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: Don’t expect Steve Yzerman to trade his pick outright — the general manager said last week, “I don’t anticipate, at this stage, us making a trade for a player that would involve the 15th pick” — but moving up or down feels perfectly possible. Detroit should be able to get a good player at 15, but moving up a few spots could make a big difference in the caliber of prospect available to them, and moving back a few spots might not lead to a big difference in potential selections. Any decisions around trading up or down typically happen on the draft floor, though, so it’ll all depend on who’s available — and if they have a dance partner. — Max Bultman

Edmonton Oilers

No, because they don’t have one: The Oilers traded their pick to acquire Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from the Ducks before the deadline. Both players came to Edmonton with salary retained by the Ducks, and, in Henrique’s case, the Tampa Bay Lightning. This will mark the second straight draft the Oilers won’t have their first-round pick. They dealt their 2023 selection to the Nashville Predators before last year’s deadline as part of a package to get Mattias Ekholm. Winger Reid Schaefer, their 2022 first-rounder, also went to Nashville in that trade. — Daniel Nugent-Bowman

Florida Panthers

No, because they don’t have one: Bill Zito, in the process of building a Cup-champion roster, made it his business to ship out first-round draft picks, so the Panthers don’t have one until 2026. They don’t have a second-rounder this year, either. They used that 2025 first-rounder, by the way, as part of the package that netted them Matthew Tkachuk. Not bad. — Sean Gentille

Los Angeles Kings

They’ll say they’re listening but won’t: The Kings haven’t made a first-round pick since taking Brandt Clarke eighth in 2021. In their push to become a Stanley Cup contender, they traded their 2022 first to the Minnesota Wild (which became Liam Ohgren) for Kevin Fiala and sent their 2023 pick to the Blue Jackets (who sent it to the Philadelphia Flyers, who picked Oliver Bonk) for Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo. With their once highly rated prospect pool now in need of a boost, general manager Rob Blake can’t deal away another first (No. 21 this year), particularly when the Kings don’t have another pick until the fourth round. The one caveat here is Blake doesn’t have a contract extension in place after 2024-25. If he knows that this could be his final run and there is pressure to win in the playoffs while past champions Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty are still vital forces, might Blake take another big swing to land a true franchise-changing difference-maker? — Eric Stephens

Minnesota Wild

They’ll definitely try: The best bet is moving down rather than up. At 13, if the Wild have a bunch of players they feel are equal and can drop down to get a high second-round pick and perhaps even a third for this year or next, they’d probably do it. One team to keep an eye on is Chicago at 18. The Hawks made a trade with the New York Islanders to move up a few spots, which could indicate they’d like to use that pick to move up even further. Could the Wild get 18 and 34, which would give them the second pick on Day 2? That’s an ideal spot to get a possible steal not drafted in the first round. — Michael Russo

Montreal Canadiens

They’ll definitely try: The Canadiens are extremely unlikely to trade the No. 5 pick, but they also have the Winnipeg Jets’ pick at No. 26, and that one is most definitely in play heading into the draft as Montreal attempts to find a young upgrade at forward, as they have in each of the past two drafts. — Arpon Basu

Nashville Predators

They’ll definitely try: General manager Barry Trotz is pretty locked in on signing goalie Juuse Saros to a long-term deal, based on his repeated comments and the state of the goalie market, and that means his timeline is compressed. Sign Saros, and you’ve got to elevate this roster quickly and somewhat dramatically to take advantage of Saros, Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg at their best. You need another name that belongs on the list with those players. Parting with a first-round pick, and then some, for a player like that is to be expected. — Joseph Rexrode

New Jersey Devils

They’ll definitely try: Tom Fitzgerald has been big-game hunting this offseason, already landing Jacob Markstrom at the expense of defenseman Kevin Bahl and a 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected). Would he move another first? Considering their only one is No. 10, it’d take a difference-maker to move it. But Hurricanes winger Martin Necas qualifies as a difference-maker, and he’s been linked to New Jersey. If Fitzgerald could get him back with an extension in place, the first-rounder could definitely be in play. — Peter Baugh

New York Islanders

They’ll definitely try: Have you met Lou Lamoriello? The Islanders may be bumping along the mediocrity line, but that won’t keep Lamoriello from trying everything he can to upgrade his roster. The Isles also sit with very little cap space heading into a free-agent market that’s filled with top-six wingers — exactly the spot the Isles want to improve. Lamoriello has two second-round picks to work with as well. If he doesn’t move one or both of those, he has a cushion to make a couple of selections if he chooses to move the first. — Arthur Staple

New York Rangers

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Rangers seem more likely to make a splash in free agency than on the trade market, but this is a big offseason for the team. If Chris Drury sees a chance to upgrade his roster, it’s possible he moves on from a late first-round pick to make it happen. — Peter Baugh

Ottawa Senators

They’ll say they’re listening but won’t: Well, technically speaking, the Senators have already traded a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Ottawa sent its second first-round pick (No. 25) to Boston as part of a deal involving Joonas Korpisalo and Linus Ullmark. But if we focus our attention on the Senators’ top selection — No. 7 — it’s impossible to imagine them shipping out that pick before Friday. Remember, Ottawa already traded its first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 to acquire Alex DeBrincat and Jakob Chychrun, respectively. And they also need to forfeit an additional first-rounder by 2026 for their role in the Evgenii Dadonov trade fiasco. — Ian Mendes

Philadelphia Flyers

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Flyers still need more high-end talent in their system, and considering they’re not likely to be an NHL bottom-feeder, that means taking big swings at the draft. If there’s a player they’re enamored with that they figure won’t be around at No. 12, they could get aggressive — much like they tried last year in Daniel Briere’s first draft, when he attempted to move up to get Matvei Michkov before the winger fell to No. 7. — Kevin Kurz

Pittsburgh Penguins

No, because they don’t have one: After a brief reprieve from sitting out the first round, the Penguins are back to being spectators. The Sharks have their pick as part of their compensation for acquiring Erik Karlsson last offseason. The pick was top-10 lottery-protected, and the Penguins were just good enough to not be that bad. Kind of the story of their season, actually. That said, don’t be surprised if they trade a player or two with the idea to add to their number of picks. — Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe

San Jose Sharks

They’ll say they’re listening but won’t: Nothing short of Connor McDavid being offered up would pry the Sharks away from the No. 1 pick and possibly having Macklin Celebrini lead them for the next 15 years. But they also have the No. 14 choice. General manager Mike Grier said he’d investigate possibilities to move up from there or use that spot to drop down and collect additional assets. Their prospect pool has been on the upswing and could be bolstered with more selections. (They’ve also got three picks in the second round, as well.) However, it’s hard to believe they’d use No. 14 to get a proven player as they’re much more than one piece away from playoff contention. — Eric Stephens

Seattle Kraken

Not happening: Ron Francis has made at least a first-round pick every single season he’s ever operated as a top hockey operations executive. His trademark patience is well established, as is his overall conservatism in team building. Perhaps the Kraken will move about the board, but they’ll be selecting a player in the first round, likely at No. 8. — Thomas Drance

St. Louis Blues

They’ll say they’re listening but won’t: The Blues have the No. 16 pick in the first round, and while general manager Doug Armstrong said he will entertain the idea of trading up or down, it’s extremely likely that the team will make the pick. The Blues could find the defensive prospect they need by moving into the top 10, or they could acquire another second-round pick (they already have two) by moving back. What Armstrong won’t do, he has said on multiple occasions, is trade his first-round pick for an NHL player to help next season’s roster. His sole focus remains on the future. — Jeremy Rutherford

Tampa Bay Lightning

No, because they don’t have one: The Lightning don’t have a 2024 or 2025 first to move. So at this point, it would have to be 2026 and onward. Should Tampa Bay move those picks out? Probably not, considering where this team could be at that point, between its aging stars and thin prospect pool. But management has shown a willingness to move picks to make this team better now and in the near future. If the Lightning want to extend their window around Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Andrei Vasilevskiy, there are legitimate areas of need after so many cap casualties in recent years. And that may require moving the few top picks they have left over the next three seasons, even if it further depletes them. — Shayna Goldman

Toronto Maple Leafs

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: It’s certainly something the Leafs will consider in the right deal. We know, for instance, that they were open to moving their first in a trade for Jacob Markstrom but ultimately lost out on the goaltender to New Jersey. So if they can use their first as part of a trade that nets them, say, impact help on defense, the Leafs will do that. They would also like to add more young talent to a relatively thin prospect pool. It’s not like they’re desperate to get rid of the pick, but they’re open to the possibility. — Jonas Siegel

Utah Hockey Club

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The financial landscape around the Utah HC has changed since relocating from Arizona, so nothing that happened in the past is going to help predict what happens in the future. Utah has a deep pipeline of prospects coming and lots of salary-cap space, so a scenario in which it gives up a first-rounder for the right player to help it get more competitive in its first season in Utah isn’t unreasonable. Still, it seems unlikely, given that they can be free spenders in free agency to get reinforcements without giving up an asset. Let’s call it possible, but not probable. — Eric Duhatschek

Vancouver Canucks

No, because they don’t have one: The Canucks don’t select until the third round, although that doesn’t mean the club won’t move a first-round pick. Vancouver is short on prospects but was reluctant to dip into its pool of Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Tom Willander and even Elias Pettersson (the defenseman) at the trade deadline. The Canucks are very high on the prospects they have. The club, however, has cap flexibility and believes it’s knocking on the door of credible Stanley Cup contention. That correlation of factors suggests that, perhaps, if the right opportunity comes knocking, their 2025 first-round pick — perhaps with protections — could be a chip they’d consider playing for the right acquisition. — Thomas Drance

Vegas Golden Knights

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Golden Knights have only existed for seven years, and they’ve already traded 10 first-round picks (either the selections themselves or the players drafted with them). Vegas does have its first-round pick this season but has already traded its firsts in 2025 and 2026. The Golden Knights are clearly in win-now mode, and if the right deal comes along to help the current roster, they won’t hesitate to move the No. 19 pick. If they end up making the selection, they could still trade that prospect to help the current roster, just as they did with Cody Glass, Nick Suzuki, Erik Brannstrom, Peyton Krebs, Zach Dean and David Edstrom. — Jesse Granger

Washington Capitals

They’ll listen if the right deal is there: The Caps clearly are trying to strengthen the roster for 2024-25 — otherwise, they wouldn’t have traded Pierre Luc-Dubois. There are still plenty of spots for potential improvement, so we shouldn’t discount the possibility that they move the No. 17 pick, unlikely as it might seem. — Sean Gentille

Winnipeg Jets

No, because they don’t have one: The Jets traded their first-round pick to Montreal for Sean Monahan. It’s possible they move top prospect Rutger McGroarty to get into the first round, though, and Nikolaj Ehlers is also on the market. McGroarty has made it clear to Winnipeg he’s not interested in beginning his career with the Jets. —Murat Ates

(Top photo of Gary Bettman: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)