3 quality NHL players who could benefit from a trade this summer.

Just one week ago Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin shocked hockey fans when news leaked that he wanted out of Detroit, but after having had a few days to mull it over it doesn't seem all that surprising looking back on it. There are plenty of reasons for Larkin to want out of a tough situation in Detroit, but Larkin is hardly the only player who has had a tough time in recent years.

Today I will be looking at 3 other quality players from around the National Hockey League who I believe would benefit from a change of scenery sooner rather than later.

#1 Simon Nemec - New Jersey Devils

A highly talented Slovakian defenseman, Nemec's relationship with his team has seemingly rapidly deteriorated over the course of the past few seasons. Selected in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Devils, Nemec has developed into a talented young right-handed shot defenseman and he would be in high demand around the NHL should he become available.

Nemec previously expressed frustration with the Devils' decision to keep him in the American Hockey League as long as they did and there has been speculation more recently that Nemec's camp and the Devils don't see eye to eye on Nemec's next deal which he will need to sign prior to the start of next season.

"I believe I’ve proven multiple times that I belong in the NHL," said Nemec when speaking to the Slovakian media about his ice time.

While Nemec has walked those comments back, it may be best for both sides for Nemec to get a fresh start somewhere else.

#2 Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs

The speculation surrounding the future of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly reached a fever pitch this season as Rielly continued to struggle under the system implemented by head coach Craig Berube. Rielly was the subject of trade talk all season long despite having a full no movement clause, but more recently there have been indications that Rielly would consider waiving that clause for a fresh start elsewhere.

From Nick Kypreos:

The way it’s been told to me is that Toronto is looking into things, Rielly is aware of it, and that he will be presented with a few options if they arise. Rielly still has no-movement protection for the next two years, but the belief is that wouldn’t be a major hurdle to overcome.

The biggest obstacle in trading Rielly will be his contract, with Rielly carrying a cap hit of $7.5 million per season through the 2029-30 NHL season, but with a drastic rise in the salary cap team's around the league will have much more room to work with.

#3 Shane Wright - Seattle Kraken.

Once a projected first overall pick, Wright would fall 4 spots in the draft before being selected in the first round (4th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Seattle Kraken. Since that time Wright's trajectory to NHL development has been much slower than many would have anticipated with Wright still not occupying a top line role in Seattle now several seasons into his NHL career.

This past season Wright had 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points over 74 games and did so while still being featured in a very limited role. Wright averaged just 13 minutes and 40 seconds of ice time a night this past season and it's no surprise that there have been rumblings Wright isn't thrilled with how he is being developed. Wright was often deployed in a bottom six role this past season and it seems clear that a change of scenery would be best for both team and player.

Wright's contract status is the least complicated of the 3 with the 22 year old still on his entry level contract for one more season at a cap hit of just $886,666 for next season.