The NHL draft puts the sport's late-June focus on the top prospects and the clubs that will select them.

But with the general managers of the 32 teams in the same location at the same time, the draft is also when trades involving current NHL players tend to take place.

Look no further than the 2022 draft for a recent example. The notable moves saw the Ottawa Senators acquire Alex DeBrincat, the New York Islanders deal for Alex Romanov, the Montréal Canadiens land Kirby Dach and the Colorado Avalanche bring in Alexandar Georgiev.

While teams are limited by their salary-cap constraints for the coming season, there is always the possibility of a blockbuster move involving a star player. DeBrincat has surfaced in recent rumors, while trade speculation has dogged San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson for months.

Here's a look at five trades we'd love to see happen at the 2023 draft based on factors such as roster need and salary-cap space. Each involves players who've been the subject of media trade speculation this season. We're not predicting that these moves will take place, but we believe they would add even more excitement to the June 28-29 draft if they did.

As always, you can voice your opinion on these proposed moves in the B/R app comments section.

Alexis Lafrenière to the Vancouver Canucks

Following the New York Rangers' first-round playoff exit, speculation emerged regarding Alexis Lafrenière's future. Chosen first overall in the 2020 draft, the 21-year-old winger has struggled to play up to expectations after three seasons with the Blueshirts.

During the series against the New Jersey Devils, The Athletic's Arthur Staple suggested that trading Lafrenière could be among the changes the Rangers might face if eliminated from the opening round. The New York Post's Mollie Walker made a similar proposal following the series. He'll be a restricted free agent this summer coming off his entry-level contract.

Shopping the No. 1 overall pick from three years ago at this year's draft would generate plenty of buzz. With February trade acquisitions Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko likely to depart this summer as unrestricted free agents, the Rangers once again must address their lack of scoring punch on right wing.

Perhaps Lafrenière could be used as a trade chip to address that need. On Dec. 30, The Athletic's Eric Duhatshek suggested shipping the young winger to the Vancouver Canucks might help him restore his confidence and get his career back on track. He noted that Lafrenière's former agent, Émilie Castonguay, is now part of the Canucks front office.

With $83.3 million already invested in 17 players for 2023-24, the Canucks must shed salary to fill out the remainder of their roster. They might garner some cap relief if sidelined players Tanner Pearson, Ilya Mikheyev or Tucker Poolman remain on long-term injury reserve next season. Nevertheless, it would be beneficial to make a cost-cutting deal or two.

Perhaps the Canucks and Rangers can address their needs with a trade. A deal that could work would see Lafrenière shipped to Vancouver for winger Brock Boeser, who was frequently mentioned as a trade candidate leading up to the March 3 trade deadline.

The Canucks could shed Boeser's $6.7 million cap hit while signing Lafrenière to an affordable bridge deal. With $11.8 million in projected cap space, the Rangers might want the Canucks to retain part of Boeser's cap hit. If so, the Canucks could shed another contract in a separate trade to free up more room.

John Gibson to the Pittsburgh Penguins

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006, the Pittsburgh Penguins fired general manager Ron Hextall. Whoever replaces him will have to decide whether to re-sign impending free-agent goaltender Tristan Jarry or seek a new starting goaltender.

In April, the Hockey News' Nick Horwat suggested Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson as a replacement. With a veteran-laden roster that includes Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, the Penguins could eye a quick turnaround rather than a rebuild. Gibson, 29, could help them achieve a bounce-back season in 2023-24.

The Penguins have $20.2 million in cap space with 15 active roster players signed for next season. They have room to take on Gibson's $6.4. million annual cap hit. He has a 10-team no-trade clause, but since he hails from Pittsburgh, he could be open to joining his hometown club.

Gibson's stats have declined over the past three seasons, but that can be attributed to the poor quality of the rebuilding Ducks roster. Horwat noted the Ducks gave up the most shots of any team in one season in league history this past year. His numbers should improve on a deeper club such as Pittsburgh.

The Penguins don't have much trade capital to offer except their first-round pick in this year's draft. Horwat, however, suggested using that pick to make a push for Gibson. The rebuilding Ducks could be open to that pitch if they're attempting to clear his contract from their books.

Alex DeBrincat to the Detroit Red Wings

The Ottawa Senators made the biggest trade at last year's draft by acquiring Alex DeBrincat from Chicago for three picks, including a first-rounder. However, the 25-year-old winger could be on the move again at this year's event.

Last month, Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch told TSN that DeBrincat was noncommittal about signing a new contract with the Senators. He's set to be a restricted free agent who's a year away from unrestricted eligibility. Garrioch thinks there's a chance he could be moved at this year's draft if a contract extension isn't in place.

Perhaps the Detroit Red Wings will come calling. In April, Detroit Hockey Now's Bob Duff cited Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Derek Lalonde expressing their need for more offense. Their 2.98 goals-per-game average ranked 24th overall this season. That's a good reason to pursue a scorer such as DeBrincat if he's available.

Hailing from Farmington Hills, Michigan, DeBrincat is a two-time 41-goal scorer who would fit in well with the Wings' younger stars. While the 5'8", 178-pound left winger lacks the physical presence Yzerman and Lalonde would like to add, they could make a separate deal for another player to address that issue.

The Wings have $30.6 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 with 15 active roster players under contract. They also possess considerable depth in draft picks and promising players within their prospect pipeline. From that, they can make a competitive offer and easily afford to sign him to a long-term contract.

Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Montréal Canadiens

Speculation linking Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Montréal Canadiens stretches back to last July, when his agent mentioned his client had an interest in one day playing for the Habs. The 24-year-old center downplayed those remarks after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Jets, but the speculation persists.

There were reports that Dubois attended last year's draft in Montréal in anticipation of a trade to his hometown Canadiens. He subsequently told reporters he was only there because he lives 15 minutes from the Bell Centre and was invited by his bank to attend.

A Dubois-to-Montréal trade may have failed to materialize last year, but perhaps it'll happen this year in Nashville, Tennessee. He's an impending restricted free agent who's a year away from unrestricted status. If he declines to sign beyond next season, the Jets could trade him for the best possible return rather than lose him for nothing next summer.

If Dubois wants to play for the Canadiens, he could accelerate their rebuilding process. He would fill their second-line center role and is the right age to fit in with their other young players. It would also enable the Habs to keep Kirby Dach on their first line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

The Canadiens have plenty of assets to offer in return. A package could include the 2023 first-round pick they acquired from the Florida Panthers along with one or two young players from their deep prospect pool. If the Jets prefer more immediate help, perhaps winger Josh Anderson and a draft pick might entice them.

Erik Karlsson to the Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers were rumored to have looked into acquiring Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks prior to the March 3 trade deadline. It's believed the Oilers' limited cap space and the 32-year-old defenseman's hefty contract proved to be significant obstacles. They instead acquired blueliner Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators.

That should be the end of any interest the Oilers may have had in Karlsson. With just $2.9 million in projected salary-cap space for 2023-24 and 21 active roster players under contract, there doesn't appear to be any room for him within their cap constraints.

Last month, however, The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek pondered the possibility of the Oilers finding a way to acquire Karlsson during the offseason. He suggested they offer goaltender Jack Campbell and a couple of quality prospects, with the Sharks retaining $2 million of Karlsson's $11.5 million cap hit.

Signed by the Oilers last July to a five-year, $25 million contract, Campbell struggled this season in Edmonton. He carries a 10-team no-trade list but could be moved to San Jose if the Sharks aren't on that list or if he agrees to the move. Karlsson, meanwhile, might waive his no-movement clause to play with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Campbell could help the Sharks shore up their goaltending as they rebuild. The Oilers could also include defenseman Cody Ceci or winger Kailer Yamamoto in that deal to free additional cap space. If the Sharks aren't interested, perhaps Ceci or Yamamoto could be shipped elsewhere in a separate cost-cutting move.

Stats via NHL.com and salary info via CapFriendly.