NHL Players Who Would Benefit From Fresh Starts Elsewhere Before Next Season

Every summer, there are plenty of transactions around the NHL that not only give teams a fresh slate but also allow for certain players to find a new beginning elsewhere in the league. For whatever reason, sometimes things run their course with some organizations for players, and a change of scenery can provide them with a new lease on life, which can be the spark they needed to get things back on track. This year is no exception, and a few names jump out as strong candidates who could benefit from a change of scenery. Here are some players who I think would benefit the most from a new start elsewhere.

Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs

Let's get the most obvious one out of the way. After another embarrassing playoff exit, major changes finally seem to be underway in Toronto, and the most obvious one is with Mitch Marner's upcoming unrestricted free agency.

Throughout his time in Toronto, while the playoff losses have not solely been on him, Marner is the one who consistently underperforms the most come the postseason. With his production drop-off, he typically gets the brunt of criticism from the fans and media not only in Toronto but in the hockey world in general.

While it will hurt to lose a player of Marner's caliber for nothing when he inevitably leaves this summer, it is probably best for both sides to move on from one another. For Marner, it’s a chance to leave his hometown for the first time in his professional life and go to a smaller market where he isn't constantly under scrutiny. For the Leafs, it finally gives them the chance to experiment with a different type of roster and allocate their resources in a different way to create a new team identity to build around their captain, Auston Matthews, after nine years of early playoff exits.

Potential Fits: Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Florida Panthers

Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks

Despite signing the largest contract in Canucks history less than a year and a half ago, Pettersson's time in Vancouver feels unsecure, to say the least.

After a season in 2023-24 where the Canucks won the division and seemed poised to be contenders for a long time, this past season was a year where everything seemed to go wrong for the organization. The Canucks ended up missing the postseason this year, and a lot of that had to do with internal drama in the locker room, specifically regarding Pettersson and former Canuck, now New York Ranger, J.T. Miller. While Pettersson did pick up his play once Miller was gone, his season did end early due to injury, and General Manager Patrik Allvin has not been shy about stating that he will need to keep his options open when asked about whether he would deal Pettersson, especially with his no-trade clause set to kick in on July 1st.

Not to mention, at almost every press conference we get from Allvin and team president Jim Rutherford, I get a sense that management doesn't exactly trust Pettersson when it comes to work ethic or mentality, as we constantly hear them hint at their "dissatisfaction" with him behind the scenes.

While I do think there is still a top 20ish player and maybe even another 100-point season somewhere in Pettersson, I have come to the conclusion that I don't think we see that player again in Vancouver, especially since the Canucks won't exactly be changing their playing style a ton, as new head coach Adam Foote was an assistant for the team over the last two seasons.

For a player with Pettersson’s talent, it might just be time for a change in a quieter market. Not because he can't be a great player in the NHL, but because I just think there has been a lot of damage done behind closed doors between the player and the organization.

Potential Fits: Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets

Kirby Dach, Montreal Canadiens

Let's be honest, it's hard not to feel bad for Kirby Dach. When the Montreal Canadiens traded for him at the 2022 NHL Draft, the team's hope was that he would eventually be the number two center behind Nick Suzuki. Unfortunately, injuries have just derailed his time with the Habs, as in back-to-back years, his seasons have ended early due to major knee injuries that required season-ending surgeries.

Before he got injured this past season, Dach was starting to show flashes of potentially being a good top-six player for the team, but due to his health concerns, it's fair to ask if the Canadiens have run out of patience with him. Without Dach, the Canadiens were able to surge over the second half of the season to find a way into the playoffs, and based on the way the Habs built their roster around young forwards like Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, and now Ivan Demidov, Dach has become somewhat of an afterthought in Montreal.

A fresh start could give him the opportunity to reset and just focus on getting healthy rather than being asked to be a centerpiece for a young team in a major market.

Potential Fits: Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken

Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks

Trevor Zegras still has all the potential in the world to be a great forward in the NHL, and at 24 years old, I still do think he can be; I am just unsure we get that player in Anaheim.

For years now, we have heard about a disconnect between Zegras and the Ducks organization, so much so that trade rumors started back in 2023 when the team and player were in a contract dispute that did get quite ugly.

Over the last two seasons since that new contract was signed, Zegras has been unable to stay healthy, and his production has declined steadily, as over the last two years combined, he only has 47 points in 88 games.

With the Ducks bringing in Joel Quenneville, it is clear now that the organization is ready to start competing for a playoff spot, and with this new direction, perhaps it could be best for Zegras and the team to part ways.

Potential Fits: Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils

Alexis Lafrenière, New York Rangers

When Alexis Lafrenière was drafted first overall in 2020, he was touted as one of the best prospects of this century. While Lafrenière has been a solid player throughout his time with the Rangers, he has never quite reached those types of heights.

To his credit, 2023–24 was a major step, as Lafrenière posted a career-high 57 points and finally began to look like a legitimate top-six contributor. In fact, the Rangers rewarded their former first overall pick with a new 7-year, $52.15 million dollar extension last October. However, this past season was a step back for not just the team but Lafrenière, as he recorded just 45 points this season.

Even despite the contract extension, there have been rumors that the team could be willing to move Lafrenière for the right price, as with their new coach hiring Mike Sullivan, it's clear the team is still in win-now mode with players like Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, and Adam Fox not getting any younger.

At 23 years old, there's still plenty of time for Lafrenière to become an elite player in this league, but I think it would benefit him a ton if he could join a team more on his timeline where he could find an expanded role.

Potential Fits: Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Utah Mammoth