It's been hard, as a modern hockey fan, to dream up superstar trade scenarios without immediately worrying about the salary cap. The cap ceiling had been low and generally stagnant since the pandemic, and at this point, even most of the historically frugal NHL teams have caught up and are spending close to the cap.

A few weeks ago, our horizons expanded with the biggest in-season trade we'd seen in years: the Mikko Rantanen blockbuster. Since then, the NHL announced the cap ceiling will rise significantly over the next three years. The current $88 million cap ceiling is expected to reach $95.5 million in 2025-26, $104 million in 2026-27, and $113.5 million in 2027-28.

This news came in the same weekend the Mavericks shockingly traded 25-year-old star Luka Dončić, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, to the rival Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.

My knee-jerk reaction? Oh, another unhinged and glorious scenario NBA fans are treated to and meme-ing about that NHL fans couldn't even imagine. But then I remembered all that has changed the past few weeks: The "Why not?" attitude with the Rantanen deal, the Rangers going for J.T. Miller, and how the cap increase will swiftly and dramatically change the trade landscape.

Of course, it's not going to turn into a total free-for-all overnight (or ever), but as the cap rises, our imaginations can rise with it. It all had me thinking: What are some NHL trades that would be as earth-shattering as Dončić to the Lakers?

I'm not saying any of this will—or should—happen. But for the first time in a long time, it feels possible.

Connor McDavid to the Rangers, Maple Leafs, or Blackhawks

You're not going to find a perfect comparable to Dončić in the NHL—a trade featuring McDavid would be even bigger, considering McDavid is pretty unanimously the best active player in his league and will end up one of the best to ever do it on a very short list.

Still, this is the most similar comparison you're going to get: McDavid is a star in his prime who just fell short in the playoffs and is desperately seeking a ring. He's also going to be seeking a contract extension in the era of cap growth, and a team with some cap and money to blow might be willing to offer him around $20 million AAV.

McDavid, like Dončić, has made it clear he wants to win above all else, and the Oilers are extremely close. It's extremely unlikely McDavid will leave the Oilers at this point because they're so close, but it was extremely unlikely Dončić would be traded. Between Rantanen, Dončić, and the salary cap rising, the realm of possibility is expanding. More GMs are going to ask "Why not?" so why don't we start doing that as well?

You get the sense McDavid would hate walking in free agency, so it makes the trade route the most likely leaving scenario if Stan Bowman can't get an extension done. A trade to the Rangers, Maple Leafs, or Blackhawks would fit that bill, and it'd also look like the Dončić move given those are all big markets and the league benefits when they are relevant.

It's so hard to conceptualize a realistic return for the best player in the world, especially in new salary-cap territory. We'd be looking at something like when his predecessor Wayne Gretzky got traded: a handful of first-rounders, a handful of top prospects, and/or top roster players depending on needs and wants.

Sidney Crosby to the Avalanche

I can't emphasize enough that this is highly unlikely to actually happen. This one in particular needs that disclaimer, because it's the most talked-about as a genuine possibility these days. I get it: Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are great friends, the Penguins are on the decline and willing to sell, and now MacKinnon's right-hand man Rantanen has been traded along with his $9.25 million cap hit.

It's almost too perfect, especially since Crosby's contract is famously less expensive at an $8.7 million cap hit. But Crosby seems to want to retire a Penguin, and he's already one of the most accomplished and decorated hockey players ever. Still, humans are humans, and he could have a change of heart—or management could one day override his wishes and trade him anyway.

I'd call this something like a reverse Dončić; Crosby would be LeBron joining his MacKinnon-shaped Dončić.

Quinn Hughes to the Devils

Imagine if Dončić had two brothers and they played on the same team?

Quinn Hughes is 25 and in his prime like Doncic, and he's the best player on his Canucks. Let's be real, though: As erratic and dramatic as Vancouver has been this season, management has made it clear that almost everyone has been on the trade table at one point...except Hughes.

That's why this would be as earth-shattering and unbelievable as Dončić. The J.T. Miller trade had all of the anticipation of Jimmy Butler's current situation. Dončić was out of left field and disappointing for the fans. Maybe Dončić will move in with LeBron and Bronny and join the James family so we get a wholesome family trio scenario in the meantime.

Auston Matthews to the Canadiens

Did you think I forgot about the rivalry aspect of the Lakers and Mavericks doing gigantic business? That part would be akin to the Leafs dealing star center Auston Matthews to the Canadiens.

Here, we'd have a perennial playoff team struggling to get the job done dealing their centerpiece to an in-conference rival who is sort of on the playoff bubble. Jeez, when you put it like that, you're shaken by the Dončić trade once again.

The Leafs made Matthews captain this year, putting a vote of confidence in him to finally lead the team to a legit Cup run. We'll see how far they get this postseason, but Matthews will be due for a gigantic payday when his strategic bridge deal is up. If the Leafs—who've made serious moves toward defense and away from offense—put up the same disappointing results, maybe they'll blow it all up from the center out.

Stars Trading Jason Robertson

There's been a lot of talk of the failings of Dallas sports in light of the Dončić trade. Maybe it's time for the city to pay more attention to the consistent, top-contending Stars.

How funny would it be if folks started paying more attention, then the Stars followed suit and traded their own 25-year-old star in Jason Robertson? Hey, the team is hurting on defense without Miro Heiskanen, and the franchise down the street just said defense wins championships.

Maybe the Stars should see how that theory plays out before following suit and leaving the entirety of the Dallas sports scene in shambles.