The NHL offseason is always filled with trade rumors and contract negotiations, and this summer is no different. With a notable player off the market, Brock Nelson has signed a three-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche, which is already affecting the team’s cap situation. The contract news has led to discussions about possible cost-cutting trades, with defenseman Samuel Girard emerging as a potential trade candidate. Meanwhile, young center Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild also finds himself at the center of trade talks after a career-high season.
Brock Nelson’s Contract Extension with Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche made a significant move this summer by signing 33-year-old center Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension. The deal, which carries an average annual value of $7.5 million, took a large chunk out of the Avalanche’s salary cap space. With only $1.2 million in cap space left for the 2025-26 season, the team is now in a position where they will likely need to make a trade to free up room for the rest of their roster.
Samuel Girard: Trade Rumors Heat Up
One of the names that has surfaced in trade discussions is Samuel Girard, the 27-year-old defenseman who is signed through the 2026-27 season at an average annual value of $5 million. While Girard has a nine-team no-trade list, it gives the Avalanche’s management flexibility in trade talks.
Girard is known for his puck-moving ability and underrated defensive skills, making him a valuable asset on the market. His team-friendly contract could attract a lot of attention if Colorado looks to make a cost-cutting move. Although replacing Girard would be difficult, especially considering his contributions to the team’s defense, his name is among the potential trade candidates now that Nelson’s contract has taken up more of the Avalanche’s cap space.
Charlie Coyle and Martin Necas: Trade Possibilities?
Along with Girard, two forwards, Charlie Coyle and Martin Necas, have also been mentioned as potential trade candidates by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. Coyle, a veteran center with a reasonable contract, could be an attractive option for teams looking for stability in their middle-six forward group.
Necas, on the other hand, was acquired by Colorado as part of the Mikko Rantanen trade in January. The 26-year-old right winger has one year left on his contract before he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos speculated that management may not have much patience with Necas if contract negotiations don’t progress smoothly this summer. Given his uncertainty and the fact that he didn’t seem fully comfortable in Colorado, Necas might be exploring his options elsewhere.
Marco Rossi: Future with the Minnesota Wild in Question?
In Minnesota, 23-year-old center Marco Rossi has been a hot topic this summer after posting a career-high 60 points in the 2024-25 season. Despite this solid performance, Rossi found himself playing on the fourth line in the final stretch of the season and into the playoffs. His status with the Minnesota Wild could be in doubt, especially considering he is a restricted free agent (RFA) without arbitration rights this summer.
Reports from Michael Russo of The Athletic suggest that contract talks between Rossi and the Wild have stalled. Earlier this season, the Wild reportedly offered Rossi a five-year, $25-million deal, which was rejected. More recently, the team proposed a shorter-term deal, but Rossi’s camp believes this offer no longer makes sense after he was relegated to a lower role at the end of the season.
Rossi’s camp is reportedly seeking a deal similar to that of teammate Matt Boldy, who signed a seven-year, $49-million extension. The Philadelphia Flyers have shown interest in Rossi, but there’s been no indication that trade talks have progressed between the two clubs.
The summer of 2025 could be an important one for several NHL teams and their key players. Brock Nelson’s contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche has left the team in a tight cap situation, leading to trade rumors surrounding players like Samuel Girard, Charlie Coyle, and Martin Necas. Meanwhile, Marco Rossi’s uncertain future with the Minnesota Wild, along with stalled contract negotiations, has many wondering if he will be traded or sign an extension.
As teams look to tweak their rosters and manage cap space, expect more movement and negotiations in the coming months. These players will likely play a significant role in shaping the NHL’s offseason, with teams looking to position themselves for a more successful 2025-26 season.
