Trades involving notable NHL players often take place during the offseason. That's when teams have more salary-cap space to work with and a willingness to invest it in the free-agent and trade markets.

Sometimes, those offseason moves involve an NHL star. In recent years, such notables as Artemi Panarin (2017), Ryan O'Reilly (2018) and Nazem Kadri (2019) have changed teams via summer deals. Most were either at the height of their stardom or approaching it when they were moved.

Last summer was no different. Among the noteworthy moves were the Columbus Blue Jackets trading Seth Jones to the Chicago Blackhawks and Marc-Andre Fleury being acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks from the Vegas Golden Knights.

The coming offseason could see another handful of stars change clubs. Some, such as the Vancouver Canucks' J.T. Miller, have been the subject of trade speculation for a while.

A variety of factors can go into moving a star player. In some cases, a veteran player might not be keen to spend the remainder of his playing prime with a rebuilding club. Sometimes, a player who's a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility could prove too expensive to re-sign. In other cases, a team could attempt to unload an expensive player to free up cap room for other moves.

Here's a look at five NHL stars who should be on trade watch this summer. You can express your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.

Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have just $3.9 million in salary-cap space and 16 players under contract for 2022-23. They must shed salary if they hope to re-sign or replace pending free agents such as Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot.

Sergei Bobrovsky could be a trade candidate. At the 22:42 point of the May 25 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said he suspected the Panthers tried hard to trade the 33-year-old goaltender this season, or at least lay the groundwork to do so. He added he didn't know if it was possible but heard they worked hard on it.

Bobrovsky's contract is the reason moving him would be difficult. He has four more seasons remaining with an annual salary-cap hit of $10 million plus a full no-movement clause. If he were to agree to be traded, it would only be to a select number of teams. The Panthers might have to retain part of his annual cap hit to make him more palatable to potential trade partners.

A Bobrovsky trade this summer seems like a long shot, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Perhaps a team with cap room seeking an experienced starter would have an interest in a two-time Vezina Trophy winner.

Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

Changes are coming to the San Jose Sharks front office after general manager Doug Wilson stepped down earlier this season. Whoever takes over the role on a full-time basis could attempt to shake things up with a big cost-cutting deal involving a high-priced defenseman such as Brent Burns or Erik Karlsson.

On May 7, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Sharks had “very preliminary” trade discussions with a couple of teams regarding the 32-year-old Karlsson. However, he carries an $11.5 million cap hit through 2026-27 with a full no-movement clause and a long history of injuries.

Burns seems the more likely trade candidate. His annual cap hit is less expensive ($8 million), plus he has only three years remaining on his contract. The 37-year-old rearguard has a three-team trade list, but perhaps he'd consider expanding it for an opportunity to join a playoff contender. Burns' skills could bring the Sharks a nice package of futures to build around.

Burns has an active streak of 679 consecutive games played that's 10th all-time. The 6'5”, 225-pounder remains an effective puck-moving defenseman, sitting 12th overall among all NHL blueliners this season with 54 points. Winner of the Norris Trophy in 2017, he could draw plenty of interest if he becomes available in this summer's trade market.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks missed the playoffs this season for the fourth time in the last five years. New general manager Kyle Davidson has indicated the club will undergo a rebuild that could take some time to complete. That could result in longtime superstar Patrick Kane changing teams this summer.

Kane, 33, has a year remaining on his contract with an annual average value of $10.5 million and a full no-movement clause. Davidson has indicated he still has a place in the Blackhawks' future plans. However, the gifted right winger might be unwilling to spend the remainder of his prime years on a rebuilding team and miss a chance to pursue his fourth Stanley Cup ring.

Despite his age, Kane remains among the NHL's elite stars. He led the Blackhawks with 92 points in 78 games, finishing tied for 14th overall. His scoring prowess and championship experience would make him an enticing trade target for contenders.

Kane would have to agree to a trade and the Blackhawks could be forced to retain up to half of his salary-cap hit to make the deal palatable to interested clubs. Nevertheless, it would be a worthwhile move for the rebuilding Hawks if he were to fetch a package of futures, including a first-round pick and a top prospect.

J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks

In a season of upheaval for the Vancouver Canucks, J.T. Miller was their reliable star throughout the campaign. Finishing ninth in the NHL with a team-leading (and career-best) 99 points, the 29-year-old center's versatility and strong two-way performance played a crucial role in keeping the Canucks in playoff contention until the final week of the regular season.

Miller has a year remaining on his contract with an affordable annual cap hit of $5.25 million. He'll be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. That's what made him the subject of trade speculation during the regular season. The Canucks could attempt to sign him to a contract extension this summer, but his performance this season will make him expensive to retain.

On May 17, the Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma speculated Miller would draw plenty of attention in this summer's trade market if the Canucks cannot clear enough long-term cap space to re-sign him. Kuzma believes the cost of acquiring Miller will be higher this summer than it was during this season. The Canucks could seek at least a first-round pick, a top prospect and a good young NHL-ready player.

Miller would draw attention from Stanley Cup contenders looking for an affordable one-year rental. He would also be enticing to clubs on the verge of playoff contention with the cap space to sign him to a lucrative long-term extension.

Max Pacioretty, Vegas Golden Knights

Having missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, the Vegas Golden Knights face a challenging offseason. They're pressed against the $82.5 million salary-cap ceiling for 2022-23 with 17 players under contract. They'll have to make a cost-cutting trade or two in order to fill out the remainder of their roster, especially if they hope to re-sign pending free-agent winger Reilly Smith.

ESPN.com's Greg Wyshynski wondered if the Golden Knights will look into moving Max Pacioretty. The 33-year-old left winger is a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. He carries a $7 million salary-cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause on his current contract.

Injuries limited Pacioretty to just 39 games this season, but he still managed 19 goals and 37 points. When healthy, however, he's among the league's most productive left wings. Since his breakout performance with the Montreal Canadiens in 2011-12, he's third in total goals with 303 and seventh with 593 points.

The Golden Knights won't seek a contract in return if they move Pacioretty solely to shed salary. He could be enticing for contenders or clubs with postseason aspirations seeking to shore up their scoring punch on the left side.

Stats via NHL.com. Salary information via Cap Friendly.