10 Hottest Trade Rumors Leading Up to NHL Draft
With the Stanley Cup playoffs completed, the attention of hockey fans and pundits alike shifts to the NHL draft on June 26 and 27 in Sunrise, Florida. While most of the focus is upon the potential destinations of the top prospects, speculation is brewing over which established NHL stars could be traded.
The days leading up to, and including, the draft are typically when a considerable amount of trade activity takes place. Because of the limited depth of talent in this summer's free-agent market, some teams could go the trade route to bolster their rosters. Toronto's Phil Kessel and Colorado's Ryan O'Reilly are just several notable players believed to be available.
Here's a look at the 10 hottest trade rumors leading up to the NHL draft, along with analysis of each rumor and predicted outcomes. Player value, salary and roster needs are factored into this ranking.
10. Teams Interested in Cam Talbot
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The rumor: Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports sources claiming there's "significant" interest in New York Rangers backup goaltender Cam Talbot. Brooks expects Talbot could be dealt by the draft weekend.
Analysis: Talbot, who turns 28 on July 5, played very well this season when starter Henrik Lundqvist missed several weeks with an injury. Signed to a one-year, $1.45 million contract, Talbot is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. He has no chance of displacing Lundqvist as the Rangers' starting goalie.
Prediction: Talbot will be dealt before the draft weekend. He displayed starter potential filling in for Lundqvist. Teams in need of goaltending depth, notably Buffalo, Edmonton and San Jose, will be very interested in his services. Talbot could fetch a high second-round pick or perhaps a prospect or young player.
9. Brandon Sutter Could Be Trade Bait
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The rumor: TSN's Bob McKenzie reports the Pittsburgh Penguins could use center Brandon Sutter as a trade chip to land a top-six scoring winger.
Analysis: Penguins wingers Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis are aging, while midseason acquisition David Perron is a year away from unrestricted free agency. Over the past two seasons, Sutter has come into his own as a two-way third-line center. Like Perron, Sutter's also eligible next summer for UFA status and could prove too expensive to re-sign.
Prediction: If Penguins management can't find a quality winger by shopping one of their promising young defensemen, Sutter seems a reasonable alternative. While such a move leaves the Penguins thin at center, they could offset it with an affordable acquisition via trade or free agency this summer.
8. Dallas Stars Could Be in the Goalie Market
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The rumor: The Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika reports that Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is “intensely studying” his goaltending situation. Nill denies he's “shopping” starting goalie Kari Lehtonen.
Analysis: Nill has good reason to study his goaltending because it was lousy in 2014-15. They could trade the inconsistent Lehtonen, but he's got three years left on his contract at an annual cap hit of $5.9 million. Backup Jhonas Enroth is eligible for unrestricted free agency and Jussi Rynnas is heading to the KHL.
Prediction: The Stars will stick with Lehtonen for this season but could get into the trade market for a quality netminder who can eventually take over as starter. If Nill's interested, Cam Talbot of the New York Rangers, Robin Lehner of the Ottawa Senators or Eddie Lack of the Vancouver Canucks could be available.
7. Montreal Canadiens Could Shed Salary
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The rumor: Sportsnet's Eric Engels notes the Montreal Canadiens have limited cap space for 2015-16. He lists several Canadiens—Tom Gilbert, Alexei Emelin, Tomas Plekanec, David Desharnais and Lars Eller—as possible trade candidates.
Analysis: Following the recent re-signings of Jeff Petry, Nathan Beaulieu and Torrey Mitchell, the Canadiens, as per General Fanager, have more than $66 million invested in next season's payroll. They must also re-sign restricted free agents Alex Galchenyuk and Brian Flynn. That won't leave much room for other moves if required.
Prediction: The Canadiens could make a salary-dumping deal. Plekanec ($5 million) or Emelin (three years left with a $4.1 million annual cap hit) might fetch the best returns, but they also hold no-trade clauses. Eller, who's failed to blossom into a reliable top-six scorer, could be a likely candidate.
6. Vancouver Canucks Could Move Bieksa or Hamhuis
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The rumor: Given the Vancouver Canucks need to shed salary for 2015-16, the Province's Jim Jamieson suggests defenseman Kevin Bieksa or blueliner Dan Hamhuis as trade candidates. Citing NHLNumbers.com, Jamieson noted the Canucks have almost $66 million invested in 17 players.
Analysis: Jamieson assumes next season's cap ceiling could be $70 million. The Canucks won't have much room to bolster their depth or promote young prospects. General manager Jim Benning was willing to make cost-cutting deals last June, notably trading center Ryan Kesler to Anaheim. He could pull the trigger again.
Prediction: Bieksa or Hamhuis will be dealt for younger, more affordable assets. Each has a year left on his contract for around the same cap hit ($4.6 million). It depends upon who attracts the most interest and if they're willing to waive their respective no-trade clauses. Teams in need of experienced defenders, such as Colorado or Dallas, might pursue Bieska or Hamhuis.
5. Ottawa Senators Still Shopping a Goaltender
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The rumor: Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports the Ottawa Senators hope to trade starting goaltender Craig Anderson or backup Robin Lehner before the NHL draft. He claims six or seven teams, including Buffalo, Edmonton and Calgary, have expressed interest in Lehner, while St. Louis and San Jose could be looking at Anderson.
Analysis: Garrioch also reports the Senators' asking price is a top-six winger and a draft pick. That could change if they haven't found what they seek as the draft approaches. Anderson, 34, has the experience, while the 23-year-old Lehner has more potential. Both have injury histories.
Prediction: Lehner is the most likely be traded by draft weekend. However, he'll have to be part of a package deal if the Senators seriously hope to land a top-six winger. On his own, Lehner fetches a second-round pick and a prospect at best.
4. Los Angeles Kings Hope to Trade Mike Richards
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The rumor: ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports the Los Angeles Kings have spoken with several teams about center Mike Richards. The Kings hope to move Richards' contract, which has five years remaining at an annual cap hit of $5.75 million.
Analysis: The Kings are pressed for cap space and can't afford to take much salary back. Once among the NHL's best two-way forwards, Richards' performance has significantly declined. LeBrun speculates the Kings might have to add an asset or two—player or draft pick—to improve their chances of trading him.
Prediction: Unless the Kings add a quality asset in the deal or pick up a big chunk of Richards' remaining salary, they won't find any takers. They'll then have to consider a contract buyout before June 30 to free up valuable cap space for next season.
3. Patrick Sharp to the Washington Capitals?
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The rumor: Appearing on Montreal's TSN 960 Radio, cited by Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot, Pierre LeBrun speculates the Washington Capitals could be a trade destination for Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp.
Analysis: The Blackhawks must shed salary this summer to become cap compliant for next season. Sharp, who has two years on this contract at an annual cap hit of $5.9 million, seems a likely trade candidate. The Capitals lack scoring depth at right wing. The 32-year-old Sharp could address that need.
Prediction: Prior to the March trade deadline, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reported that the Blackhawks and Capitals discussed a deal involving Sharp. They could revisit those talks leading up to the draft. The Hawks can't afford to take much salary back. The Capitals might be able to land Sharp with picks and prospects.
2. Colorado Avalanche Gauging Ryan O'Reilly's Trade Value
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The rumor: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, cited by colleague Mike Johnston, claims the Colorado Avalanche could entertain offers for center Ryan O'Reilly. Friedman said this was among the options being considered for the 24-year-old.
Analysis: O'Reilly has a year remaining on his contract at an annual cap hit of $6 million. He's eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. The 2014 Lady Byng Trophy winner is a skilled two-way center who could command over $7 million annually as a free agent.
Prediction: If the Avalanche get an offer to their liking, perhaps a return that includes a skilled defenseman, O'Reilly could be dealt. Last summer, they weren't willing to invest too much for too long in Paul Stastny and lost him for nothing to free agency. The Avs could try to avoid that scenario with O'Reilly by trading him.
1. Could Phil Kessel Return to the Boston Bruins?
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The rumor: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty cited a report from TSN's Bob McKenzie noting the Boston Bruins were among the clubs on the trade list of Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel. Haggerty wondered if a return to the Bruins for Kessel was possible.
Analysis: Haggerty's first reaction was: “Not a chance.” Still, he examined the advantages and disadvantages of Kessel's potential return to where his NHL career began. Given the Bruins' need for scoring punch, Haggerty suggests it's something worth considering by management.
Prediction: Haggerty's first reaction was the correct one. The Bruins have limited cap space next season and must re-sign rising young defenseman Dougie Hamilton. They would have to move a lot of salary to absorb Kessel's $8 million annual cap hit for the next seven seasons.
Player and team statistics via NHL.com. Unless otherwise indicated, salary information via NHLNumbers.com.
