The 23-player roster limit has lifted, and teams are free to add as many players as they can afford as they address weaknesses and get the edge on other clubs hoping to do the same thing. The league is more open than usual with no clear front-runner, and the surge from the Florida Panthers last season has given plenty of teams confidence that a Stanley Cup is possible in 2024.
Trading really kicked off on Wednesday with many of the top names on the list of available players finding new homes, and that continued through Thursday. Vladimir Tarasenko, Adam Henrique, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Guentzel are some of the top players to have found new cities, but others are still available — or could be made available — as the arms race enters its final day.
Top players available (via TSN, as of Thursday night)
Jakob Chychrun (OTT)
Frank Vatrano (ANA)
Matt Dumba (ARI)
Jacob Markstrom (CGY)
Pavel Buchnevich (STL)
Tyler Toffoli (NJD)
Jake Allen (MTL)
Jordan Eberle (SEA)
Jack Roslovic (CBJ)
Reilly Smith (PIT)
