The Biggest NHL Trade Speculation Heading into the Expansion Draft
The NHL expansion draft takes place June 21 in Las Vegas. As that date approaches, there's growing trade speculation involving notable stars such as Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene and Edmonton Oilers right wing Jordan Eberle.
The waiver freeze for all but the expansion Vegas Golden Knights begins at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday and ends at 8 a.m. ET on June 22. Any trades made before that period could affect the protection lists of the established 30 clubs, as well as which players are available to the Golden Knights in the expansion draft.
Some players, such as Duchene, could be traded by clubs seeking to shake up their rosters. Several, such as Eberle, could be moved in cost-cutting deals. Others, such as Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen, could be dealt by clubs not wishing to lose good players for nothing in the expansion draft.
Here's a look at the trade speculation involving the most notable names heading into the draft. Feel free to express your opinion on this topic in the comments section below.
Kruger and Van Riemsdyk to the Golden Knights?
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Carrying over $77.5 million invested in 22 players for next season, the Chicago Blackhawks face a significant salary-cap crunch this summer.
On May 31, TSN's Frank Seravalli reported the Blackhawks could be working on a trade that would send Marcus Kruger to the Vegas Golden Knights. That would clear the 27-year-old center's $3.08 million annual salary-cap hit from the books.
Seravalli noted the Blackhawks may then let the Golden Knights select defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk in the expansion draft on the condition they take Kruger. The 25-year-old's departure would free up an additional $825,000 for next season.
Though Seravalli said this deal isn't done, he believed it looked likely to happen. It would free up some dollars for Chicago while providing the Golden Knights with two established NHL players for their roster.
Jonas Brodin to the Boston Bruins?
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The Minnesota Wild risk losing a quality defenseman like Jonas Brodin to the Golden Knights in the expansion draft. The Boston Bruins, meanwhile, need a top-four defenseman. That prompted speculation about a deal to send the 23-year-old Brodin to Boston.
On June 7, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported discussions between the two clubs stretched back to before the March 1 trade deadline. He believes Brodin could be a good fit alongside 2016 first-round pick Charlie McAvoy.
Haggerty noted Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is also willing to trade his 2017 first-round pick. The Wild don't have a first-rounder and could be keen to trade back into the opening round. Moving Brodin would also free up over $4 million annually for the Wild, making it easier to re-sign restricted free agents Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter.
A trade isn't a certainty, however. According to the Star Tribune's Michael Russo, Wild senior vice president of hockey operations Brent Flahr said his club could be willing to lose a player in the expansion draft rather than risk a bad trade.
If the Wild deal Brodin, they'll want a solid return. A first-round pick could get it done, but they could also seek a top prospect or a promising young player exempt from the expansion draft.
Mike Smith to the Calgary Flames?
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The lack of quality goaltenders available via free agency this summer could push teams in need of depth between the pipes into the trade market. That's made Arizona Coyotes netminder Mike Smith the subject of recent rumors.
On June 3, Sportsnet's Rory Boylen cited colleague Nick Kypreos, who reported a number of teams contacted the Coyotes about the 35-year-old Smith. Kypreos speculated they could try to shed salary for next season and that there's a feeling they want to get younger in goal.
Two days later, Coyotes general manager John Chayka denied trying to drum up trade interest for Smith, per Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports. Chayka added Smith was highly valuable to his club, hinting he'd command an expensive asking price.
Boylen noted the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers are in need of a starting goalie. The Flames ($21.8 million in salary-cap space) and Jets ($17.9 million) have room to absorb Smith's $5.7 million cap hit. However, they must be on his eight-team list of preferred trade destinations.
Trading Smith would leave the Coyotes without a proven starting goaltender for 2017-18. If Chayka makes this move, he must find a suitable replacement or Arizona can forget about contending for a playoff berth next season.
Evander Kane to the Kings?
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Trade speculation dogged Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane throughout the past season. He remains a fixture in the offseason rumor mill. The most notable chatter of late linked the 25-year-old to the Los Angeles Kings.
On June 3, Sportsnet's Rory Boylen cited colleague Elliotte Friedman in saying the word is the Kings are interested in Kane, who's a year away from unrestricted free agency. He also felt the Sabres might be willing to do it if the two clubs can swing a deal.
Three days later, WGR 550's Howard Simon suggested the time could be right for the Sabres to move Kane while his trade value is up. Simon wondered whether Buffalo could pry Jake Muzzin from the Kings, suggesting Muzzin could be a good fit alongside Rasmus Ristolainen.
The Sabres need help on their blue line. They gave up the most shot against per game (34.3) this season. The Kings, meanwhile, must bolster their offense. Averaging 2.43 goals for per game, they were 25th in that category.
A swap of Kane for Muzzin could work for both clubs. Muzzin is signed through 2019-20 with a cap hit of $4 million. However, Kane's $5.25 million salary-cap hit and eligibility for UFA status next summer could be a problem for Los Angeles.
Sami Vatanen on the Trade Block?
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The Ducks face the possibility of losing a quality defenseman in the expansion draft. Rather than lose one for nothing to the Vegas Golden Knights, they could trade one for an asset who is exempt from the draft. Vatanen could be the trade candidate.
Vatanen underwent offseason shoulder surgery that could force him to miss the start of next season. However, that hasn't dampened interest in him from rival clubs.
On June 8, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported being told teams are lining up with interest in Vatanen (stick tap to FanRag Sports Network's Chris Nichols). He speculated the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils could be among the suitors.
The Finn, 26, is a skilled puck-moving defenseman with a right-handed shot capable of logging over 20 minutes per game. Those attributes make him valuable in this summer's trade market. He's entering the second year of a four-year deal with a reasonable $4.875 million annual salary-cap hit.
If the Ducks trade Vatanen, they could seek a high draft pick or a top prospect as part of the return. Should Patrick Eaves depart via free agency, they'll also have a need for a scoring winger.
Jordan Eberle to the Islanders?
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The Oilers face re-signing superstar forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to expensive new contracts. That could force them to clear some salary-cap space, making Eberle a possible trade candidate.
During a June 6 appearance on Edmonton's TSN 1260 (via Nichols of FanRag Sports Network), Darren Dreger said it sounds like the 27-year-old winger will definitely get dealt this summer. He said the Oilers had received offers for Eberle, though not one thus far was to their liking. He also suggested the New York Islanders as a potential trade partner.
The Islanders risk losing a defenseman such as Travis Hamonic or Calvin de Haan in the expansion draft. If they move Hamonic, Dreger feels they'd want a top-six forward in return. He proposed the possibility of the Oilers shipping Eberle and his $6 million salary to the Isles for Hamonic and his $3.8 million salary-cap hit.
Dreger raised this as a hypothetical scenario to give some idea of the possible parameters necessary for such a move to take place. Still, it's an option that could address the needs of both clubs. The Oilers would add a quality defenseman and shed some cap room. In return, the Islanders add some experienced scoring depth at right wing.
Matt Duchene for Alex Galchenyuk?
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Leading up to the March 1 trade deadline, Duchene was considered a prime trade candidate by the Colorado Avalanche. The Montreal Canadiens, meanwhile, need a first-line center to bolster their offense. That's given rise to a suggested swap of Duchene for Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk, who's struggled to reach his potential as a scorer.
During a June 8 appearance on Edmonton's 630 CHED (via FanRag Sports Network's Nichols), Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was asked whether a Duchene-for-Galchenyuk swap was possible. He felt it was likely the Canadiens could move the 23-year-old forward but declined to say whether they would peddle him for Duchene.
Duchene, 26, has two years remaining on his contract at an annual salary-cap hit of $6 million. He's scored 20 goals and 50 points five times but struggled through a 41-point effort this season.
Galchenyuk is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He had a career-best 30-goal performance in 2015-16. He tallied 44 points in 61 games this past season.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin made a bold trade last June by shipping P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber. A Duchene-for-Galchenyuk swap would certainly be another audacious move. However, Avalanche GM Joe Sakic could seek a larger return for one of his best players.
Player info via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.
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