Once the expansion draft is over and the Vegas Golden Knights have an active roster, the other 30 teams will be able to fully assess their strengths and weaknesses heading into the entry draft, which takes place June 23 and 24.
With each club's GM on hand and everybody in the mood to improve, the draft often acts as a quasi trade deadline. The biggest deal in recent memory was in 2009, when future Hall of Famer Chris Pronger was dealt from the Anaheim Ducks to the Philadelphia Flyers minutes before the first pick. So there's a chance that a blockbuster trade will be made before Gary Bettman announces the No. 1 selection.
And with a multitude of teams in their "winning window" and the salary cap staying stagnant, many teams will be on the hunt for the right deal.
What could the biggest deal of draft day look like? Here are five that make sense:
