NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on P.K. Subban, Cam Fowler and More

With the NHL draft in the rearview mirror and free agency looming, this week is all about trade talk, as teams look to improve their rosters before entering bidding wars on the market.

Below, I've gathered a few of the juiciest trade rumors that are making the rounds.

P.K. Subban

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Without question, the biggest name attracting trade buzz at the moment is Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reported that the Canadiens were taking calls and that sources confirmed both the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks had inquired about the star. 

In an interview with TSN 1040 transcribed by Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot, TSN's Bob McKenzie said that the Canadiens were "entertaining offers on P.K. Subban":

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The notion that this is simply nothing more than, ‘Oh, you know what. He’s just a player who happens to have a no-move, no-trade clause that comes in July 1. We’re just doing our due diligence, just to see what’s out there.’

I believe—and this is an opinion, this is not based on fact—I believe that under the right circumstances, the Montreal Canadiens are prepared to trade P.K. Subban. Under the right circumstances. I don’t know if they’re going to get those right circumstances, to be honest. That’s a real hard deal to do. But that’s what the talks are aimed at happening. And those calls are legitimate.

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Nonetheless, getting a deal done will be complicated. And LeBrun also reported that Montreal, at least for the time being, seems unlikely to move him:

Still, other teams will be interested. Players like Subban are rare.

"How many true No. 1 D are there in the league?" Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli pondered, per LeBrun. "Maybe there’s 12. So there's 30 teams and maybe there's 12 No. 1 D. To think that you're going to get a No. 1 D, it's tough. It's tough."

Canucks general manager Jim Benning added, "There's 10 or 12 true No. 1 defensemen in the league."

And Subban, of course, is a bona fide star. The 27-year-old notched six goals, 45 assists and a plus-four rating in 68 games this season, his third straight season with 50 or more points. Few defensemen in the NHL offer his well-rounded game or offensive output, so it's hardly surprising that teams are inquiring about him.

The Canadiens won't move him without getting a king's ransom, but the fact they are reportedly even fielding offers and testing the market suggests they aren't averse to making a deal if the right one comes along. That would make a summer without a ton of star power in free agency outside of Steven Stamkos a bit more interesting. 

Cam Fowler

Ronald C. Modra/NHL/Getty Images

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported Sunday that the Detroit Red Wings and general manager Ken Holland are "involved in trade talks for a defenseman" and that "Holland has talked to Anaheim about 24-year-old defenseman Cam Fowler."

Kevin Allen of USA Today added that "multiple teams are in trade discussions with the Anaheim Ducks for Fowler" and listed the Buffalo Sabres, Canadiens, Red Wings and Oilers as suitors.

While there was some thought that Anaheim would move Fowler during the draft, he ultimately stayed put. Nonetheless, there is enough smoke to suggest there is a fire around Fowler, who could change teams this summer.

Certainly, he's an intriguing target. A talented blueliner, Fowler is young yet experienced—he has six seasons under his belt—and has scored 30 or more points in three campaigns. For teams that are looking to improve the blue line without entering the Subban bidding war, Fowler will be an excellent consolation prize. 

The Minnesota Wild

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According to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Minnesota Wild may be busy this summer on the trade market.

"Obviously, [general manager Chuck Fletcher] won’t say right this second what he has up his sleeve," Russo wrote. "But he didn’t buy out Thomas Vanek’s contract for no reason. He has his paws in multiple trade scenarios. Even [head coach Bruce Boudreau] conceded that: 'You guys are smart guys. You can read between the lines.'"

Per Russo, the Wild and Oilers have held discussions:

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The Wild has had trade talks with the Edmonton Oilers about center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, although all Oilers skilled forwards not named Connor McDavid are also said to be in play. The Oilers appear to want right-shot Matt Dumba and other pieces, including next year’s second-rounder. The problem is the Wild no longer owns that pick.

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Russo also reported the team had talks with the New York Rangers about Derek Stepan and the Arizona Coyotes about Martin Hanzal and prospect Christian Dvorak.

The Wild want to make a slight course correction after barely making the postseason as a No. 8 seed and bowing out in the first round to the Dallas Stars. The Wild have a talented core in place, but it seems clear at this point that the organization wants to bolster the roster and add some new blood to the mix.

Mixing up the roster and shuffling the deck, so to speak, is generally healthy for a locker room. So look for the Wild to remain busy on the trade market and potentially swing a deal or two.

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