While free-agent signings usually make NHL headlines at this time of year, it's been a busier than usual summer for trade activity. Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Ryan O'Reilly, Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton are among the notables dealt thus far.
One reason behind the trade traffic is the lack of top talent in this summer's free-agent market. Another is the limited increase of the salary cap for 2015-16, forcing some teams (Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers) to shed expensive players like Patrick Sharp and Vincent Lecavalier. Rebuilding clubs, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, could be shopping veterans like Tyler Bozak for promising youth.