The 2024 NHL offseason trade market was a busy one. Jacob Markstrom, Linus Ullmark, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jake Guentzel, Mikhail Sergachev, Patrik Laine and Jakob Chychrun were among the notable veterans to change teams between June 19 and Aug. 23.

Several promising young players were also on the move this summer.

They included the Nashville Predators trading goaltender Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks on Aug. 23, the Buffalo Sabres shipping winger Matthew Savoie to the Edmonton Oilers on July 5 and the Vegas Golden Knights acquiring forward Alexander Holtz on June 29 from the New Jersey Devils.

Askarov requested a trade rather than be stuck behind veterans Juuse Saros and Scott Wedgewood in the Predators' goaltending pecking order. The Sabres sacrificed the promising Savoie's offensive skill to add checking-line forward Ryan McLeod, while the Devils weren't happy with Holtz's overall game.

Askarov, Savoie and Holtz could get better opportunities to establish themselves as NHL regulars with their new teams.

They might not be the only young players who could benefit from a trade before the start of this season or at some point before the 2025 trade deadline. Earlier this summer, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson told management he was not interested in signing with them and requested a trade.

Robertson is among five players who need a trade immediately. Follow along as we examine why a change of scenery might be best for them.

Feel free to express your thoughts on this topic in our app comments below.

Kaapo Kakko, New York Rangers

The New York Rangers signed Kaapo Kakko to a one-year, $2.4 million contract on June 13. That was a surprising move as the 23-year-old winger had been the subject of frequent trade speculation leading up to last season's trade deadline and into the offseason.

Chosen second overall by the Rangers in 2019, Kakko seemed destined to become a top-six scoring winger in New York, especially after netting 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games in 2022-23. Instead, he struggled through an injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign, finishing with 13 goals and 19 points in 61 regular-season contests.

That performance fueled the trade speculation that dogged Kakko throughout the offseason. However, the Rangers have yet to move him, probably because the offers for the once-highly touted winger have been underwhelming.

Kakko could bounce back like teammate Alexis Lafrenière did last season following a disappointing performance, securing his place among the Rangers' leading scorers. However, he and the Blueshirts might be better off parting ways if the right deal can be found.

Given his youth, Kakko still has time to reach his full NHL potential. He might benefit from a move to a market where the spotlight isn't as bright, relieving pressure on him to play up to expectations.

Arthur Kaliyev, Los Angeles Kings

Chosen by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (33rd overall) in the 2019 draft, Arthur Kaliyev appeared to have a bright future in the City of Angels.

Making his full-time NHL debut in 2021-22, Kaliyev netted 14 goals and 27 points in 80 games. His sophomore campaign was promising, tallying 13 goals and 28 points in 56 games despite illness and a foot injury.

The stage seemed set last season for Kaliyev to take a big step forward in his NHL development. However, the 23-year-old winger regressed during an inconsistent season for the Kings, picking up 15 points in 51 games. He was a healthy scratch for all of the Kings' five playoff contests.

On May 29, The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta claimed Kaliyev requested a trade. The Kings winger also earned a spot on our August NHL Trade Block Big Board. As training camp approaches, however, it seems the Kings have found no takers.

Kaliyev completed his entry-level contract last season and received a qualifying offer from the Kings. He might have to accept before training camp opens if no deal can be found to send him to a new NHL city.

A better effort by Kaliyev this season could improve his value to the Kings. Nevertheless, he might need to move on to another club to reach his potential as an NHL player. He could become a reclamation project for a rebuilding team or a contender seeking younger, affordable scoring potential.

Peyton Krebs, Buffalo Sabres

A first-round pick (17th overall ) of the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2019 draft, Peyton Krebs was part of the return to the Buffalo Sabres in the Jack Eichel trade on Nov. 4, 2021. Fast forward three years, and the 23-year-old center wound up on our September 2024 NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Krebs showed potential as a scoring forward during his Junior career but those skills haven't carried over into the NHL. Despite playing on a young, rebuilding Sabres roster, he saw mostly fourth-line duty last season. He remains a restricted free agent as training camp approaches.

Recent speculation suggests Krebs could end up on a one-year, "prove-it" deal with the Sabres. Buffalo Hockey Now's Jason Moser believes he'll have little choice but to accept the club's qualifying offer.

Trade speculation stretching back to last season linked Krebs to the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers. Perhaps a trade to the Flyers or another club in the market for an affordable center with playmaking potential could help Krebs get his career on track.

Moser argues Krebs' trade value would be low. However, if he could be packaged in a larger deal, he might have a good opportunity to finally emerge with another club willing to give him a chance.

Nicholas Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs

On June 30, TSN's Chris Johnston reported that Nicholas Robertson informed Toronto Maple Leafs management he had no plans to re-sign with them this summer. The 22-year-old restricted free-agent winger also requested a trade.

Fast forward almost two months, and Johnston reported there's no indication the standoff between Robertson and the Leafs will end anytime soon. That's made Robertson a frequent subject of offseason trade speculation and earned him a spot on our September NHL Trade Block Big Board.

The younger brother of Dallas Stars scorer Jason Robertson, Nicholas was selected by the Leafs in the second round of the 2019 draft. He's spent the past four seasons bouncing between the Leafs and their AHL affiliate.

Robertson seemed to make progress last season while establishing himself as a Leafs regular, scoring a career-high 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points in 56 games seeing limited ice time. General manager Brad Treliving believes the young winger has a great opportunity to become a roster regular this season.

Nevertheless, Robertson believes he'll get a better chance with another NHL club. Even if he ends this standoff and accepts a one-year contract, this situation could continue to simmer, possibly becoming an in-season issue if he continues seeing limited action or is returned to the AHL at some point.

Oliver Wahlstrom, New York Islanders

The last two seasons weren't good ones for Oliver Wahstrom. The 24-year-old New York Islanders winger suffered a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2022-23 campaign. He struggled to regain his form last season and was a frequent healthy scratch.

Wahlstrom filed for salary arbitration in July, but he and the Islanders settled on a one-year, $1 million contract before his scheduled hearing. Nevertheless, questions about his future with the Islanders earned him a spot on our September 2024 NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Chosen in the first round (11th overall) by the Islanders in the 2018 draft, Wahlstrom had a promising rookie performance with 12 goals and 21 points in 49 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. However, he managed only 24 points in 73 games during his sophomore campaign.

Wahlstrom's new contract suggests the Islanders aren't ready to give up on him. A lot will depend on his performance during training camp and preseason play to ensure a roster spot for the coming season. He'll have his work cut out to ensure he maintains that spot.

It could be that Wahlstrom isn't a good fit within the Islanders system. A trade to a club that will provide him a better opportunity for top-six minutes could help him get his career back on track. He could draw interest from teams seeking affordable scoring depth, especially if injuries strike them during training camp and preseason.

Stats via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.