Limited salary-cap space hasn't prevented some teams from making early moves during this NHL season.

Six trades have taken place since this campaign officially began on Oct. 4. The most recent moves saw the Pittsburgh Penguins send center Lars Eller back to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 12. Four days earlier, the Vancouver Canucks shipped winger Daniel Sprong back to the Seattle Kraken.

Meanwhile, the trade rumor mill continues churning away as pundits ponder which players could be next to change teams.

Some rumors surround a Western Conference club projected to be a playoff contender following a busy offseason adding talent via free agency. Meanwhile, two Eastern Conference teams are coming under scrutiny because of their stumbling starts to this season.

That's where we come in as we examine the most notable recent NHL trade rumors to determine if they're worth buying or selling. Let us know in the app comments below if you agree or disagree with our takes.

Could Rasmus Ristolainen Become A Trade Chip For The Philadelphia Flyers?

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has at times drawn criticism for his defensive play. However, his performance has improved this season filling in for the sidelined Cam York alongside Travis Sanheim. On Nov. 14, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Flyers associate coach Brad Shaw has been credited with upgrading Ristolainen's play.

That's also sparked reports suggesting Ristolainen could become a valuable trade chip this season for the rebuilding Flyers. On Nov. 5, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco suggested the 30-year-old blueliner could draw interest from other clubs. He also claimed the Flyers could set an asking price of a first-round pick or something with equivalent value.

Anthony SanFilippo of the Philadelphia sports site On Pattinson reported on Nov. 14 that Ristolainen was generating interest around the league. However, the Flyers hadn't received any suitable trade offers yet.

The following day, The Athletic's Kevin Kurz acknowledged the Flyers were getting calls about Ristolainen but weren't interested in moving him to shed his contract and hadn't set an asking price. He suggested Ristolainen's stock could rise as the March 7 trade deadline approaches but the return will depend on how much of his salary the Flyers will retain.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The Flyers can afford to wait and allow Ristolainen's stock to improve. Nevertheless, his contract could be a sticking point. He carries a $5.1 million average annual value through 2026-27. They could retain a portion if a trade offer includes a first-round pick.

Could the Buffalo Sabres Move Defenseman Bowen Byram?

On Mar. 6, 2024, the Buffalo Sabres shipped center Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Bowen Byram. It was a rare one-for-one swap of good players rather than the usual dump of a pending free agent for picks and prospects that are usually seen leading up to the annual NHL trade deadline.

Skating alongside team captain Rasmus Dahlin this season on the Sabres' top defense pairing, Byram has logged big minutes while netting 11 points in 18 games with a plus/minus (plus-seven) ranking among the team's best. However, the 23-year-old blueliner has become the subject of recent trade rumors.

During the Nov. 8 episode of Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman reported teams were calling Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams about Byram and struggling forward Dylan Cozens. However, Adams is only interested in adding to his roster now rather than jeopardizing his club's future.

However, the speculation about Byram persisted. On Nov. 14, TSN's Darren Dreger said Adams is willing to consider "something bigger" but doesn't want to move out any of his top young talent. He doesn't see the Sabres GM moving Byram unless it's for a "can't miss" return.

Buy or Sell: Sell

We can't dismiss the possibility of a blockbuster move involving Byram, but such moves are rare during the NHL regular season, especially with so many teams carrying limited cap space. Byram has become a solid addition to the Sabres blue line. It'll take a significant offer to pry him out of Buffalo.

Will The Boston Bruins Shake Things Up?

The Boston Bruins' shaky start to this season has left them clinging to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That's prompted speculation that changes could be afoot if things don't improve soon.

On Nov. 12, RG.org's James Murphy reported a "well-placed NHL executive" told him to be on the lookout for a potential shake-up by the Bruins. It remained to be seen if that would involve a trade or a coaching change.

Five days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman also said the Bruins were looking to see what they could do to shake things up. He claimed the intensity was rising within the organization.

Trent Frederic is one Bruin who surfaced in trade rumors. On Nov. 5, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported sources claiming several teams were interested in the 26-year-old forward, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has been waiting for his club to snap out of its early-season funk and regain its winning ways. However, his patience could soon run out if things don't improve. He won't make a hasty decision, but he's likely considering all his options, including a trade or shuffling the coaching staff.

Will the Nashville Predators Start to Rebuild?

The offseason additions of free-agent stars Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei have done little to improve the Nashville Predators. They're at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with little sign of imminent improvement.

On Nov. 5, The Tennessean's Alex Daugherty cited Predators general manager Barry Trotz telling a Nashville sports radio station he might commence his rebuilding process if things didn't improve. Trotz clarified those comments indicating he doesn't intend to tear things down but to maintain a competitive team while buying time for his young prospects.

Trotz also said he's trying to find a second-line center. Failing that, he could move Stamkos into the second-line center position and call up one or two promising young wingers from his farm team.

On Nov. 14, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Trotz had draft capital to use as trade bait to bring long-term solutions to his roster. He has three first-round picks and two second-rounders in the 2025 draft. Two days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Trotz remains in the market for a center but could also be looking to add a defense.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Trotz hasn't hidden that he's shopping around the trade market. However, he also indicated to Daugherty that it's difficult to address his needs because there isn't much currently available. Teams willing to talk trade likely aren't offering anything that can provide an immediate boost to the Predators.

Fire Sale for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Any illusions the Pittsburgh Penguins and their followers may have had about this club having one more playoff run left in them have been shattered by their poor play thus far. While this season remains young, the Penguins had only seven wins in their first 20 games, putting them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

On Nov. 14, the Penguins traded veteran checking-line center Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals in exchange for two draft picks. That prompted some observers to ponder whether general manager Kyle Dubas was getting an early jump in the trade market by staging a fire sale.

Two days before the Eller trade, Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports reported a league source claimed Dubas let it be known that everyone was available except for team captain Sidney Crosby. Following the Eller deal, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested that UFAs like Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor would be next.

Friedman cast doubt on any notion of Dubas shopping Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, or Erik Karlsson, citing their no-movement protection in their contracts. He also thinks the Penguins GM will prioritize young NHL players over prospects and draft picks for any players he moves.

Buy or Sell: Sell on the fire sale but more trades will come.

Dubas won't completely tear down his roster in part because so many veterans have various forms of no-trade clauses. Nevertheless, he's willing to entertain offers for veterans on expiring contracts who no longer fit into their long-term plans.

Stats and standings via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia. Line combinations via Daily Faceoff.