Oilers, Canucks, Canadiens Among Teams in Midsummer Trade Tangle

The NHL trade market is heating up as the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens juggle cap constraints and roster needs. With Darnell Nurse seeking a trade, the Canadiens circling Mason McTavish, and the Canucks eyeing Brendan Gallagher, three teams are shaping up for major moves before the draft.

Edmonton's Darnell Nurse has reportedly requested a trade, and his $9.25 million cap hit is complicating the equation. While some GMs are open to taking on the contract, others want Edmonton to retain or take back salary. Nurse, who played over 24 minutes per game last season, brings size, skating, and defensive reliability, but his net-front reads and occasional lapses have drawn scrutiny. If the Oilers want a pure hockey trade, expect them to take back a short-term overpay or a roster headache to get a middle-tier asset in return.

Montreal is once again circling Mason McTavish, the Anaheim Ducks' 24-year-old center. Though talks haven’t reached the proposal stage, the Canadiens are making their interest known. McTavish’s production dipped after his contract extension, and he was scratched late in the 2025 season. The Ducks are likely holding out for a top asset like Michael Hage, a 22-year-old forward who scored 18 goals and 43 points in 82 games last season. Montreal has been reluctant to move Hage, but with McTavish coming off a down year, the Habs may feel the time is right to gamble on a young, high-upside center.

Meanwhile, Vancouver is considering a one-year rental for Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens forward brings locker-room energy and a low $4.5 million cap hit, but the Canucks would need to clear a roster spot. Jake DeBrusk, who scored 20 goals in 2025, is the likely candidate to be moved. DeBrusk’s contract carries a $5.25 million cap hit through 2027, making him an attractive target for teams like Ottawa and Edmonton. If the Canucks want Gallagher, they’ll need to get a deal done quickly.

With the draft approaching and the trade deadline looming, all three teams are weighing their options. Nurse’s future is uncertain, McTavish is on the move again, and Gallagher could bring a spark to Vancouver. The next few weeks will determine whether these rumors become reality.