Dmitri Voronkov Available as Five Pending UFAs Could Join Trade Watch

Columbus has Dmitri Voronkov available, and his situation offers an immediate trade question: can the Blue Jackets find help now while moving a forward who’s struggling to make an impact? Separately, five pending unrestricted free agents could become trade candidates later in the season if their teams fall out of contention or doubt they can re-sign them.

The Fourth Period reports that Voronkov is available. The 26-year-old has one assist through five games, carries a $4.175 million cap hit in the final year of his contract and was a healthy scratch over the weekend. Those details put a possible move in view, though they don’t establish that Columbus has held recent trade talks.

Voronkov’s name has circulated in rumors since last season, according to the report. The Blue Jackets have also been looking for immediate help. That creates a potential two-part roster decision: whether to move a player who hasn’t yet produced much this season, and whether a deal could address the club’s need for near-term support. The available information doesn’t identify a destination, a proposed return or any active negotiations.

The broader list of possible trade candidates comes from Harman Dayal of The Athletic. Each case depends on how a team’s season develops and whether it believes a contract extension is possible. Being named as a candidate doesn’t mean a player is being shopped or that a trade is imminent.

Minnesota’s decision on Quinn Hughes

Quinn Hughes is the most consequential name on the list because Minnesota’s choice would involve balancing its push to win against the possibility of losing a pending free agent without getting assets back. The Wild acquired him and, as Dayal’s report frames it, could consider recovering some of what they gave up if they don’t expect him to extend with the club.

That wouldn’t be an easy call for a team looking to compete. Minnesota could use a top-six center and more scoring depth up front, making the roster needs part of the calculation. Dayal raises whether adding Dylan Larkin could affect Hughes’ willingness to re-sign; the source presents that as a possibility, not a reported plan. If Hughes became a rental, the projected return could include a top prospect and a first-round pick.

Seattle’s two core players

For Seattle, the outlook on both Jared McCann and Vince Dunn is tied to the standings. Dayal describes McCann as the Kraken’s best scorer and Dunn as their best defenseman, and suggests Seattle would keep each if it remains in the playoff race. Moving either would mean weighing a potential return against the loss of a key contributor during a competitive season.

McCann is set to turn 31 next year, and the report says his skating is declining. Even with that concern, he could be among the leading wingers available in free agency next year. Dunn, also set to turn 31, could be the second-best defenseman in that group—or the top one if Hughes re-signs first. Dayal suggests Dunn could command $10 million, though the source doesn’t specify the term or structure of a potential contract.

Pittsburgh and Nashville face different questions

Erik Karlsson could become a question for Pittsburgh if the Penguins are out of contention by the deadline. Dayal says the defenseman may ask to be moved, but his full no-move clause gives him control over whether a deal proceeds. If he selects only one destination, that restriction could reduce his trade value; the report points to Artemi Panarin as a comparison. If Karlsson were open to more teams, a return resembling the John Carlson deal—a first- and third-round pick—could be a reference point.

Nashville’s decision on Ryan O’Reilly hinges on the Predators’ direction. Dayal asks whether Nashville will keep retooling or move toward a rebuild under Chris MacFarland. O’Reilly is 35 and has a $4.5 million cap hit; the report also points to his standing around the league. A first-round pick, a good prospect and possibly another pick are suggested as a potential return.

The next developments to watch are the teams’ position in the standings and their expectations for contract extensions. For Voronkov, Columbus’ search for immediate help makes the roster fit and any potential return central questions. For the five pending UFAs, a change in team direction could turn early-season speculation into a concrete deadline decision.