Calling Fact of Fiction on the Biggest NHL Speculation as the Playoffs Near
The 2017 NHL trade deadline is long past, but that doesn't mean the trade speculation has ceased. Notable players, such as Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene and Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson, continue to surface in the rumor mill.
As the trade status of Duchene and Johnson carries over into the offseason, there's also some media chatter over some of this summer's pending free agents. Talk of free agents such as Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and Montreal Canadiens right wing Alexander Radulov re-signing with their current clubs is garnering interest among fans and pundits.
How much of this is based on fact or fiction? Read on to find out as we examine the biggest NHL speculation as the playoffs approach.
Will the Dallas Stars Change Their Goaltending?
1 of 7
The speculation
During a March 6 live chat, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News said he didn't see the Stars continuing next season with their current goaltending tandem of Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. He wondered if Stars management is ready to bail on both goalies or if they'll retain one of them.
Analysis
The Stars goaltending is awful. The combined goals against per game (3.15) of Lehtonen and Niemi is fourth-worst in the league. Their poor play contributed to the Stars' disappointing performance this season. If this club is to rally back into playoff contention next season, changes are necessary between the pipes.
Fact or fiction?
Fact, though trading away one or both will be difficult. Lehtonen, 33, has a year left on his contract with a salary-cap hit of $5.9 million. The 33-year-old Niemi also has a year remaining on his deal worth $4.5 million. They could be exposed in June's expansion draft. If no trade partners can be found, one or both could be bought out in June.
Could the Los Angeles Kings Trade Dustin Brown or Marian Gaborik?
2 of 7
The speculation
On March 15, the Los Angeles Times' Kevin Baxter suggested the Los Angeles Kings might have to move a high-salaried veteran to free up salary-cap space to re-sign restricted free-agent forwards Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli. He proposed right wing Dustin Brown or right wing Marian Gaborik as possible trade candidates.
Analysis
Brown, 32, is under contract through 2021-22 at an annual salary-cap hit of $5.875 million. The 35-year-old Gaborik carries an annual cap hit of $4.875 million through 2020-21. Given those hefty deals and with their best seasons behind them, the Kings aren't likely to find many takers in the trade market this summer.
Fact or fiction?
Fiction, unless the Kings include a sweetener such as a first-round draft pick or a top prospect as part of the return. Even then, that's probably not enough to tempt a rival club into taking on one of those expensive contracts. The Kings could also leave both players unprotected in the expansion draft in hopes the Vegas Golden Knights selects one of them.
Will Alexander Radulov Get an 8-Year Contract from the Montreal Canadiens?
3 of 7
The speculation
On March 16, TSN's Tony Marinaro (via FanRag Sports Network's Chris Nichols) reported Radulov sought an eight-year contract extension from the Canadiens. The 30-year-old right wing is on a one-year contract worth $5.75 million and is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1.
Analysis
Nichols also cited TSN insider Pierre LeBrun doubted Radulov would get such a lengthy deal from the Canadiens. He and fellow insider Bob McKenzie speculated this was likely a starting point in negotiations between the two sides. Still, an eight-year contract is far too long for a winger who turns 31 on July 5. At best, he'll get a five-year deal from the Canadiens or another club via free agency.
Fact or fiction?
Fiction. On March 17, TSN's John Lu reported Radulov claimed there was no truth to the story. "It's not even close. I don't know where that came from," he told Lu.
Could the St. Louis Blues Target Colorado Avalanche Center Matt Duchene?
4 of 7
The speculation
Prior to the NHL's March 1 trade deadline, Duchene was the subject of considerable speculation. Some of it linked him to the St. Louis Blues. But during a March 10 live chat, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch said a scout told him the Blues weren't interested in the Avalanche center.
Analysis
The Blues could use depth at center. Paul Stastny is frequently sidelined by injury, and Jori Lehtera has been a disappointment. Duchene, 26, has reached or exceeded 55 points five times in his eight NHL seasons. However, Rutherford questioned Duchene's leadership.
Fact or fiction?
Fiction. Duchene's lack of leadership and poor performance this season are justifiable reasons for concern. The Avalanche will also want a hefty return for him. If the Blues seek additional depth at center this summer, they'll likely look elsewhere.
Will the Tampa Bay Lightning Shop Tyler Johnson?
5 of 7
The speculation
On March 4, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times speculated it wouldn't be surprising if the Tampa Bay Lightning shop a good young forward this summer for a top-four defenseman. Among the players on his list was center Tyler Johnson.
Analysis
With over $55 million tied up in 13 players, the Lightning won't have a lot of cap space to work with next season. Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin are restricted free agents in line for significant raises this summer. The emergence of rookie center Brayden Point could make the 26-year-old Johnson expendable.
Fact or fiction?
Fact. Johnson could be the Lightning's best trade chip to address their blue-line needs. They could target the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks. All of them carry depth in good young defensemen and need additional scoring punch at forward.
Could the Washington Capitals Re-Sign Kevin Shattenkirk?
6 of 7
The speculation
On Feb. 27, the Capitals acquired Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues. Four days later, the Washington Post's Isabelle Khrushudyan reported Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan "didn't sound closed off to the idea to the idea of re-signing Shattenkirk."
Analysis
Khurshudyan speculated Shattenkirk could get over $6 million per season on the open market. She also noted Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie and blueliner Karl Alzner are unrestricted free agents, while Evgeny Kuznetsov, Andre Burakovsky and Dmitry Orlov are restricted free agents.
Fact or fiction?
Fiction. The Capitals have over $50 million invested in 11 players. They can't afford to keep everyone. Shattenkirk could prove the most expensive to retain. Their priority will likely be to re-sign those restricted free agents, followed by Oshie and perhaps Alzner. Shattenkirk is merely a playoff rental.
Will the New York Islanders Trade John Tavares?
7 of 7
The speculation
On March 25, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said there were reports last week speculating the New York Islanders could trade center John Tavares if unable to re-sign him this summer. Tavares, 26, is eligible in July 2018 for unrestricted free agency. However, the Isles can re-sign him as early as July 1.
Analysis
Tavares is in line a substantial raise over his current $5.5 million annual salary-cap hit. However, the Isles immediate future could determine how long he stays with them. Tavares could seek assurances from ownership and management that they're still committed to building a championship contender with him as the foundation.
Fact or fiction?
Fiction. Sure, it's possible the Isles could move Tavares by late June if he doesn't appear willing to re-sign with them. But as Friedman's colleague Nick Kypreos observed, locking up Tavares to a long-term extension is a top priority for them.
Player and team stats (as of March 26) via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
.jpg?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Undrafted Free Agent Tracker ✍️")
