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NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Top Affordable Forwards On Market

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Top Affordable Forwards On Market

Not every NHL general manager can afford to sign off on an acquisition of a star like Artemi Panarin and his $11.6 million cap hit.

Unlike the MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, most NHL franchises aim to build accountable business models. Stockpiling fiscally responsible producers often separates playoff teams from non-postseason qualifiers.

And with Kiefer Sherwood, one of the trade market’s top early bargains at $1.5 million, already jettisoned from the Vancouver Canucks to the San Jose Sharks, NHL trade rumors indicate a series of GMs will be looking elsewhere for middle-six forwards with cap hits below $5 million.

Here are three options:

Andrew Mangiapane, Edmonton Oilers

The Mangiapane experiment just didn’t work out in Edmonton. GM Stan Bowman reportedly remains committed to moving on from the winger. With a cap hit of $3.6 million, the 29-year-old could be viewed as a top-six forward for a rebuilding squad in search of experience. As a member of the Calgary Flames, he scored 35 goals in 2021-22.

Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres

What will Jarmo Kekalainen do with Tuch? The new GM wants to keep the 29-year-old left winger, but if the two camps do not come closer on contract extension talks, it may be time for a move. Tuch, who scored 36 goals in 2024-25. He ranks second on the Sabres in goals (17) and points (41) through 49 appearances. With a cap hit of $4.75 million, Kekalainen reportedly will trade Tuch to a team he’d be willing to sign long-term with.

Blake Coleman, Calgary Flames 

With defenseman Rasmus Andersson already playing with the Vegas Golden Knights, most league insiders expect Coleman to follow him out of Calgary. The 34-year-old winger remains a dependable two-way skater with a cap hit of $4.9 million. In the final year of his contract, playoff contenders have already made inquiries. NHL trade rumors suggest Flames GM Craig Conroy will need to be blown away by an offer.

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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