Breaking Down the Biggest Trade Rumors in the NHL in Early 2014-15

The 2014-15 NHL season isn't even a month old, but trade rumors are already flying around. Unsurprisingly, most involve teams struggling early in the campaign. 

Three Canadian NHL teams and a 2014 Stanley Cup finalist are a part of these rumors. Two teams that dominated their conference for several seasons could test the trade market. Of the players mentioned as trade candidates, several carry expensive contracts that could prove difficult to move.

In the following slides, I breakdown the biggest early-season trade rumors, analyzing them and predicting their possible outcomes. Player value and salaries, as well as roster needs, factored into this ranking. Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

10. Pittsburgh Penguins Seek a Scoring Winger

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The Rumor: In a recent appearance on the NHL Network, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Pittsburgh Penguins seek a scoring winger to complement superstar Evgeni Malkin.

Analysis: Dreger claims there's no sense of urgency by the Penguins to make this move, speculating it could take until February to get it done. Cap space is an issue, as the Penguins currently have only $141,000 available.

Taking on a scoring winger will mean moving out a salaried player. One option could be defenseman Paul Martin, who's eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Prediction: General manager Jim Rutherford will take his time assessing his club's needs. He could wait until the March 2 trade deadline to make this move.

9. Boston Bruins Need a First-Line Right Wing

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The Rumor: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty doesn't believe Loui Eriksson is an effective top-line right wing for the Boston Bruins. Haggerty speculates this will remain "a huge problem" for the Bruins until it is addressed. 

Analysis: Haggerty's colleague Michael Felger feels there's nothing the Bruins can do in the short term to address this situation. He points out there are no teams who are sellers at this time of year. The Bruins also have a little over $2.240 million in cap space, giving them little wiggle room to add a top-line right wing.

Prediction: Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli will likely wait until later in the season, perhaps up to the March 2 trade deadline, to address this issue. Such a player should be more affordable by then, and there will be more clubs becoming sellers as the deadline nears. 

8. Could the Rangers Seek a Defenseman?

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The Rumor: The New York Post's Larry Brooks cites sources claiming the New York Rangers seek a defenseman after losing Dan Boyle for up to six weeks to a broken right hand. Brooks claims pickings are slim in the trade market, meaning the Rangers could be forced to make due with their current crop of blueliners.

Analysis: The Rangers have won only two of their first five games. The (Bergen) Record's Andrew Gross reports Rangers coach Alain Vigneault called out rearguards Marc Staal, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi to improve their defensive play.

Defensemen like Buffalo's Tyler Myers, Florida's Brian Campbell, Tampa Bay's Eric Brewer and Edmonton's Jeff Petry are rumored to be available (see the upcoming slides). However, their respective contracts are worth more than the Rangers' $2.791 million in cap space.

Prediction: Unless an affordable option becomes available, the Rangers could simply suck it up and look to within to address Boyle's absence until his return sometime in November.

7. Florida Panthers Shopping Brian Campbell

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The Rumor: Sporstnet's Nick Kypreos reports the Florida Panthers want to trade veteran defenseman Brian Campbell, and the Detroit Red Wings are interested in him.

Analysis: The Panthers likely want to shed Campbell's expensive contract, which is worth over $7.142 million annually through 2015-16. However, he's a left-handed shot, which doesn't address the Wings need for a top-four right-handed blueliner.

If the Panthers hope to trade Campbell to Detroit, they'll have to pick up part of his salary and take on another salaried player in return. The Red Wings only have over $2.705 million in cap space.

Prediction: Unless the Wings are desperate, they could find more affordable options that better suit their needs than Campbell. Moving a player with his hefty contract this early in the season could prove difficult for the Panthers.

6. Could Eric Brewer Become Available?

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Rumor: The Tampa Tribune's Erik Erlendsson cited a report by TSN's Bob McKenzie claiming Lightning defenseman Eric Brewer was “out there” as a name that could be on the move.

Analysis: This was a result of Brewer being a healthy scratch for the Lightning's opening two games. However, Lightning coach Jon Cooper told Erlendsson he considers the 35-year-old defenseman “part of the big picture and part of our team.”

Prediction: Entering his 16th NHL season, Brewer's best days are behind him. He's also in the final season of his contract at a cap hit of $3.875 million. Unless the Lightning pick up part of that contract, Brewer will be difficult to move.

Brewer also carries a modified no-trade clause, giving him some control over possible trade destinations. If the Lightning trade him, it'll likely be closer to the March 2 trade deadline, when most of his salary for this season has been paid out.

5. Senators Could Move Marc Methot

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The Rumor: TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports Ottawa Senators management still hope to re-sign defenseman Marc Methot but could trade him if he's not signed in a month's time.

Analysis: LeBrun claims Methot, who's eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer,  seeks a five-year deal worth $5 million annually. The Senators' last offer was for four years at $4.7 million per season.

If the Sens are willing to come up in price, a deal could be reached. Methot's also recovering from a back injury, so they won't be able to move him until he's returned to action.

Prediction: If neither side is willing to move off its current position, Methot could be dealt once he's fully recovered from his back injury. He lacks a no-trade clause, giving the Senators a wide range of potential trade partners. 

4. Interest Growing in Hurricanes' Andrej Sekera

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The Rumor: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman believes teams will keep an eye on Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Andrej Sekera, who's eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. Friedman's colleague Chris Johnston claims a large number of NHL teams are scouting the 28-year-old defenseman, who's coming off a 44-point season.

Analysis: Acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in the summer of 2013, Sekera blossomed as a top-pairing defenseman last season. Yahoo Sports indicates he led the Hurricanes in blocked shots (127), was second overall in assists (33) and third in points.

No wonder there's so much interest in Sekera, especially with the Hurricanes off to a slow start this season. He also carries an affordable $2.75 million cap hit this season.

Prediction: While Hurricanes management could entertain offers for Sekera, it's unlikely they're in a rush to trade him. If they do deal him, it'll probably be closer to the March 2 trade deadline, when they'll get a better return.

Should they overcome their poor start and play themselves into playoff contention, Sekera won't be going anywhere.

3. Oilers Jeff Petry Could Be on the Trade Block

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The Rumor: TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jeff Petry's name has surfaced in the rumor mill.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman notes Petry was a healthy scratch for the Oilers' recent game against the Los Angeles Kings. He feels if Petry wasn't good enough to face the defending Stanley Cup champions, then it's time to trade him.

Analysis: Friedman believes Petry, a right-handed shot, would be of interest to the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings. He's also on a one-year contract worth $3.075 million and eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Prediction: Given the Oilers' horrible start to this season and uncertainty over Petry's future in Edmonton, it wouldn't be surprising if he's traded in the coming weeks. The Oilers could attempt to package him with a prospect for a second-line center.

2. Detroit Red Wings Pursuing Tyler Myers

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The Rumor: TSN's Darren Dreger reports Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers' name is “out there” in the rumor mill, though Sabres management is downplaying it.

Dreger speculates Myers could be dealt to improve the Sabres' chances in the 2015 NHL draft. He also claims the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks are interested in the 6'8”, 227-pound blueliner.

In an appearance on on NBC Sports, Dreger's colleague Bob McKenzie claims the Sabres initially sought prospect forward Anthony Mantha and then winger Gustav Nyquist. The Wings rejected both proposals.

Analysis: It's understandable why the Red Wings and Ducks are pursuing Myers. He's big, young (24), possesses a right-handed shot (which both clubs need) and still has the potential to blossom into a reliable top-pairing defenseman.

Sabres GM Tim Murray won't just give Myers away. Interested teams must be prepared to offer up a top prospect, a first-round pick or a good young player as part of the return. They must also clear sufficient cap space for his contract, which is worth $5.5 million annually through 2018-19.

Prediction: Murray could be listening to offers but appears in no hurry to move Myers. If he doesn't get an offer he likes, he can simply retain the blueliner for this season and revisit Myers' trade value in the offseason. That's when there will be more teams with available cap space willing to meet Murray's asking price.

1. Toronto Maple Leafs Interested in Eric Staal

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The Rumor: TSN's Bob McKenzie reports the Toronto Maple Leafs had offseason discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes regarding center Eric Staal. McKenzie believes the asking price would be “enormous,” speculating it could cost the Leafs Nazem Kadri or Tyler Bozak, defenseman Jake Gardiner and a first-round pick.

Staal, however, controls the situation, as he has a full no-trade clause and enjoys living and playing in Carolina with his brother Jordan.

Analysis: There's no harm in the Hurricanes entertaining offers for Staal, but it doesn't mean they're keen to move him. Should the Hurricanes change their minds, it will prove costly for the Leafs, or anyone else interested in Staal's services, to land him. 

Interested teams will also need plenty of cap space. Staal's earning an annual cap hit of $8.25 million through 2015-16, though in real salary he's earning $9.25 million this season and $9.5 million next season. Ultimately, it's up to Staal if he wants to move on and to where.

Prediction: It's doubtful the Hurricanes move Staal this season. It's certainly far too early to expect a player of his caliber to be dealt now unless he demands it.

Should the Hurricanes decide to trade Staal, provided he's willing to accept a deal, it will likely occur in the offseason. That's when there are more teams with cap space to invest, improving the Hurricanes' odds for a solid return.

Unless otherwise indicated all salary information via CapGeek.com.