The opening month of the 2023-24 season is nearly complete with little activity to speak of in the trade market. The only move took place on the opening day of the season, Oct. 10, when the Carolina Hurricanes shipped defenseman Caleb Jones to the Colorado Avalanche for minor league forward Callahan Burke.
Salary-cap constraints around the league are one reason behind the lack of player movement. While early-season trades have dropped off since the implementation of the salary cap in 2005-06, the high number of clubs with limited cap room to start this season is more of a hindrance than usual for this time of year.