Playing Fact or Fiction with the Latest NHL Offseason Speculation
In the midst of the NHL offseason dog days, most trade and free-agent activity has significantly slowed. However, speculation still persists regarding the future of such notable players as St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Some of the players noted in this slideshow, such as Shattenkirk and Nugent-Hopkins, have been fixtures for months in the NHL rumor mill. Others, such as Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane, have emerged of late as possible trade candidates.
Recent and pending contract signings have the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning facing the necessity of becoming salary-cap compliant before the start of 2016-17. They could be forced to make cost-cutting trades.
Here's a look at the latest notable NHL speculation to determine if they're based in fact or fiction. Feel free to weigh in on this topic in the comments section below.
Detroit Red Wings to Pursue a Defenseman?
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Speculation
On July 26, NBC Sports' Jason Brough speculated the Detroit Red Wings' recent re-signing of defenseman Danny DeKeyser (six years, $30 million) isn't expected to stop general manager Ken Holland from trying to boost his blue line.
Brough noted the Red Wings have a glut of forwards. He also pointed out Holland said earlier in the offseason he'd like to acquire a top-three defenseman before the start of next season.
Analysis
On June 26, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported the Wings had interest in St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk but weren't willing to part with rising young star Dylan Larkin. Two days earlier, St. James wondered if the Wings should pursue Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler.
The Red Wings recent re-signings of DeKeyser and goaltender Petr Mrazek (two years, $8 million) pushed them above the NHL's salary-cap ceiling for 2016-17 by over $4.2 million.
On July 28, Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News reported the Wings could get cap compliant if sidelined forwards Johan Franzen, Joe Vitale and Teemu Pulkkinen are placed on long-term injured reserve to start the season.
Fact or Fiction?
It's a fact Holland will attempt to land a skilled defenseman. That's a pursuit that could stretch into next season.
The Wings will have to find a deal that also fits within their limited cap space. Holland could be forced to part with a winger such as Tomas Tatar or Gustav Nyquist.
Radim Vrbata Returning to the Arizona Coyotes?
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Speculation
On July 18, Arizona Sports' Craig Morgan reported agent Rich Evans, who represents unrestricted free agent right wing Radim Vrbata, claimed to be in contract discussions with four teams. While Evans wouldn't name those teams, Morgan said it's believed the Arizona Coyotes had some interest in Vrbata.
Analysis
Vrbata, 35, played for the Coyotes in 2007-08, followed by five more seasons from 2009-10 to 2013-14. In 2014, he signed a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
During his time with the Coyotes, Vrbata was a consistent offensive performer. He reached or exceeded 43 points five times. While he managed only 27 points in 63 games last season, he tallied a career-high 63 points in 2014-15.
Fact or Fiction?
Fact. With Shane Doan aging, the Coyotes lack experienced top-six depth at right wing. They could consider bringing in Vrbata or another veteran winger to take some pressure off promising young wingers Anthony Duclair and Dylan Strome.
Can the Edmonton Oilers Trade Nail Yakupov This Summer?
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Speculation
On July 19, Harvey Fiakov of Sun-Sentinel.com reported there was no truth to speculation suggesting the Florida Panthers would ship defenseman Alex Petrovic to the Edmonton Oilers for right wing Nail Yakupov.
Two days later, Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal reported on the difficulty the Oilers face in attempting to trade Yakupov. Willis believes the 22-year-old winger's trade value remains low.
Analysis
Willis suggested next summer's expansion draft is one factor hurting Yakupov's trade value. A club giving up an asset to acquire him would have to protect him in that draft or risk losing him for nothing.
Another factor is the Oilers aren't dealing from a position of strength. As a result, they probably won't get anything of real value. Yakupov's performance in recent years hasn't done much to make him a tempting trade target.
Fact or Fiction?
Fact. Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli will likely continue to shop around hoping to find somebody to take Yakupov off his hands. However, it could take until sometime during next season to get a deal done.
Tampa Bay Lightning to Trade Valtteri Filppula?
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Speculation
On July 26, the Tampa Bay Lighting re-signed center Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year, $3.875 million contract. The Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith reported the Lightning had about $6 million in salary cap space.
The Lightning still must re-sign restricted free agents Nikita Kucherov and Nikita Nestorov. Smith speculated they could make a trade to ensure they're cap compliant for next season. He suggested center Valtteri Filppula as a possible trade candidate.
Analysis
The reason the Lightning could find themselves over the cap ceiling is the cost of Kucherov. On July 27, Smith suggested he could receive a deal comparable the six-year, $36 million contract of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg.
Filppula, 32, has two seasons remaining on his contract worth an annual salary-cap hit of $5 million. He also has a modified no-trade clause.
Fact or Fiction?
Its a fact the Lightning will need to free up cap space once they re-sign Kucherov and Nestorov. In addition to Filppula, other trade options include goaltender Ben Bishop and defensemen Jason Garrison and Braydon Coburn.
Bishop has a full no-movement clause while Garrison and Coburn are listed as having full no-trade clauses. Filppula could indeed become the most likely to be shopped.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the Senators or Wild?
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Speculation
On July 11, the Edmonton Journal's David Staples dismissed a rumor from Hockeybuzz.com suggesting the Edmonton Oilers could ship center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the Ottawa Senators for defenseman Cody Ceci.
On July 25, Danny Lambert of Gone Puck Wild cited the rumor blog The Hockey Press claiming the Minnesota Wild sought a package of Nugent-Hopkins and left wing Benoit Pouliot in exchange for defenseman Matt Dumba and winger Jason Zucker.
Analysis
The Senators addressed their need for a more-seasoned top-six center on July 18, shipping Mika Zibanejad to the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard. Even if they hadn't made that move, trading away the promising Ceci for a center would've left a big hole to fill on their blue line.
Dumba and Zucker earn a combined salary-cap hit of $4.55 million. The combined cap hit of Nugent-Hopkins and Pouliot is $10 million. With $2.1 million in salary-cap space, the Wild cannot afford this deal. Even if the Oilers agreed to retain some salary, this deal is still too expensive for the Wild.
Fact or Fiction?
Fiction on both counts.
Will the Anaheim Ducks Trade Cam Fowler?
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Speculation
On July 12, Steve Fryer of the Orange County Register observed the Anaheim Ducks have nine defensemen on their roster for 2016-17. Observing the Ducks lack of depth at left wing, he reported there's talk they could trade blueliner Cam Fowler.
Analysis
On June 29, NHL.com (citing ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun) reported the 24-year-old Fowler was surprised he wasn't dealt during the 2016 NHL Draft in June. Among the Ducks' best puck-moving blueliners, Fowler could attract considerable interest in the trade market.
Having recently re-signed Sami Vatanen to a long-term deal, the Ducks still must re-sign restricted free agent rearguard Hampus Lindholm and center Rickard Rakell. Once they're under contract, it could spur Ducks general manager Bob Murray to gauge Fowler's market value.
Fact or Fiction?
Fact. The Ducks are loaded with depth on defense, but they need a skilled scoring left wing. The Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers need a good young top-two blueliner such as Fowler. There's a market for him. Whichever club is willing to part with that left wing the Ducks need could cash in before the start of the season.
Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks?
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Speculation
On July 27, NBC Sports' Jason Brough cited Vancouver Province columnist Jason Botchford telling TSN 1040 radio the Vancouver Canucks could be interested in troubled Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane. Botchford claimed Canucks ownership loves the 24-year-old and general manager Jim Benning "really likes Kane".
Brough also noted Trevor Linden, the Canucks president of hockey operations, wouldn't say if a player with Kane's history would not be welcome on his club.
Analysis
On July 22, Kane was charged with several misdemeanor counts stemming from an incident on June 24 in a Buffalo bar. If found guilty, he won't face jail time. On July 23, TSN 1040's Matthew Sekeres reported hearing the Sabres could consider trading Kane if they can sign prospect left wing Jimmy Vesey.
The Canucks lack skilled second-line depth at left wing. Kane is a physical offensive forward who tallied 30 goals in 2011-12 and exceeded 40 points three times in his seven-year NHL career. He's also a Vancouver native and could thrive playing in his hometown.
Fact or Fiction?
Fiction. Given Kane's current off-ice troubles, his injury history and $5.25 million salary-cap hit through 2017-18, it's unlikely the Canucks will make a pitch for him now.
Should Kane get his life away from the rink under control and improve his on-ice performance, the Canucks might be willing to take the plunge. Right now, he's too much of a risk.
Kevin Shattenkirk to the Boston Bruins?
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Speculation
In a July 25 mailbag segment, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty envisioned the most realistic scenario for the Boston Bruins to improve their defense. Should they sign pending free-agent prospect left wing Jimmy Vesey, he speculated they could attempt to acquire St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
Haggerty suggested two scenarios. The first has the Bruins offering center Ryan Spooner or Frank Vatrano and a first-round draft pick to the Blues for Shattenkirk. The second sees the Bruins offering center David Krejci for Shattenkirk once he's proven he's fully recovered from hip surgery.
Analysis
The Bruins need a young, skilled top-two defenseman with puck-moving skills. Shattenkirk, 27, would address that need. He's eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency and could cost more to re-sign than the Blues can afford.
Krejci, 30, carries a $7.25 million annual salary-cap hit through 2020-21 and a full no-movement clause for 2016-17. Even if he agrees to a trade, his salary is probably too expensive for the Blues' liking.
Spooner or Vatrano plus a first-round pick would be a more affordable deal for the Blues. However, they can afford to be patient and field offers from other clubs.
Fact or Fiction?
It's a fact the Bruins have interest in Shattenkirk. On June 21, TSN's Darren Dreger (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) reported they offered up a first-round pick for him. It's apparent the Bruins must part with more to tempt the Blues, but it remains to be seen if they're willing to do it.
Player info via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
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