BS Meter on the Latest NHL Offseason Trade and Free-Agency Rumors
The first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs is done. And as the postseason moves into the second round, activity in the NHL rumor mill is picking up.
Some of the chatter involves players on clubs recently eliminated from the playoffs such as Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos. Meanwhile, there's speculation over what the future could hold for Leon Draisaitl as his Edmonton Oilers continue their quest for the Cup.
Trying to determine whether these rumors have any basis in fact can be a difficult process. Fortunately, our trusty B/R "BS Meter" can help us as we look at the most notable trade and free-agent rumors of the past week.
Do you agree or disagree with our findings? Let us know in the app comments below.
Could Florida Panthers Trade Sam Bennett This Summer?
1 of 5
Acquired from the Calgary Flames at the 2021 NHL trade deadline, Sam Bennett has become a key factor in the Florida Panthers' rise as a Stanley Cup contender.
A physical two-way forward who can play center or on either wing, the 27-year-old is signed through 2024-25 with an annual average value of $4.4 million.
However, the Panthers could be forced to move Bennett this summer as a cost-cutting measure. They have a projected salary-cap space of $19.7 million with 14 active roster players under contract for next season.
Florida has three key players to re-sign this summer. Forward Sam Reinhart is coming off a career-high 57-goal performance and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, while puck-moving defenseman Brandon Montour is also UFA-eligible this summer, and versatile young forward Anton Lundell will be a restricted free agent.
Re-signing those three will take up most of that cap space for the Panthers. They'll have to shed some salary or risk losing Reinhart or Montour for nothing this summer to free agency. They could trade Lundell, but the 22-year-old's two-way skills could make him a replacement for Bennett.
James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now included Bennett on his list of proposed trade targets for the Devils to add more grit to their forward lines. He believes he could be a fine second-line center behind captain Nico Hischier and alongside high-scoring Jack Hughes.
BS Meter: Not BS
The Panthers could move out someone else besides Bennett to clear some cap space, but his lack of a no-trade clause and value as a gritty two-way forward make him an easy choice.
If the 27-year-old becomes available in this summer's trade market, the Devils could be among several clubs bidding for his services.
Washington Capitals Could Try to Trade Darcy Kuemper
2 of 5
The New York Rangers completed their sweep of the Washington Capitals from the opening round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 28. The following day, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculated over goaltender Darcy Kuemper's future with the team (h/t Sammi Silber of The Hockey News).
Kuemper signed a five-year, $26.3 million contract with the Capitals on July 13, 2022. Fresh off backstopping the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup, he was expected to fill the starting goalie job in Washington.
It hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped for the 34-year-old and the Capitals, though. He had a record of 22 wins, 26 losses and seven overtime losses in 2022-23 with a 2.87 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage as they missed the playoffs.
Kuemper's struggles continued this season, with a 13-14-3 record as his goals-against rose to a bloated 3.31 while his save percentage sank to .890. He lost the starter's job to Charlie Lindgren, who carried the team into the postseason and couldn't be faulted for its first-round exit at the hands of the Rangers.
Friedman questioned if Kuemper would be back with Washington next season and believes it will try to find a new home for him. Silber thinks it will be difficult given his declining stats and $5.3 million annual cap hit.
BS Meter: Not BS
Kuemper's 15-team no-trade list becomes a 10-team no-trade on June 1. Moving him remains difficult, but that will at least broaden the potential destinations. The Capitals will likely have to retain half of his cap hit to facilitate a deal, which could entice a team seeking experienced goaltending depth willing to take a chance on him.
Could Erik Karlsson Return to Ottawa Senators?
3 of 5
Following the March trade deadline, there was speculation about a reunion between Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators.
The 34-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Senators and still has ties to the city.
Karlsson swatted down that notion when talking to reporters on March 11, but some observers still think it's a possibility.
On April 30, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted Karlsson's denial about returning to the Senators. "I also don't believe it," he wrote. "What else do you expect him to say?" He went on to cite the blueliner's longstanding ties with Ottawa.
Karlsson's contract is a sticking point. He's signed through 2026-27 with the Penguins carrying $10.5 million of his annual cap hit and the San Jose Sharks carrying the remaining $1.5 million. The puck-moving blueliner also has a full no-movement clause giving him complete control over where he plays.
Mackey acknowledged the 33-year-old's contract could be difficult to move, suggesting the Penguins would have to retain a portion of their share of his cap hit to move him this summer. Nevertheless, he believes they should explore that possibility if there's a suitor for him in the trade market.
BS Meter: It's BS
Maybe another club will be willing to take Karlsson off the Penguins' hands this summer. It won't be Ottawa.
The Senators need a skilled defenseman on the right side of their blue line, but they now have new ownership and management with no previous ties to Karlsson. They will likely look to a young, more affordable rearguard who plays a more responsible defensive game.
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=256)
Could Leon Draisaitl Sign With Boston Bruins Next Summer?
4 of 5
Leon Draisaitl is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025.
The 28-year-old forward has spent his 10-season NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, forming an awesome offensive one-two punch with team captain and fellow NHL superstar Connor McDavid.
Signing Draisaitl to a contract extension will be a priority for the Oilers this summer, but former Edmonton star Georges Laraque told BPM Sports (h/t Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now) that the high-scoring forward could be interested in signing with the Boston Bruins if he doesn't re-up with the Oilers.
Laraque cited a source within the Oilers organization saying he didn't see the 28-year-old re-signing if they failed to go deep in the playoffs. Instead, he'd prefer to be a first-line center with the Bruins.
Murphy pointed out that acquiring Draisaitl via trade this summer or next season would drain the Bruins' already depleted farm system and cost them a high-end player. Signing him next summer as a free agent would likely break the bank.
BS Meter: It's BS
With respect to Laraque, Draisaitl is keeping his intentions beyond next season to himself. He and the Oilers could reach an agreement on an expensive long-term deal. If he does prefer playing for Boston, the factors pointed out by Murphy make it unlikely he'll land with the Bruins.
Will Steven Stamkos Sign with Montreal Canadiens?
5 of 5
Steven Stamkos has spent his 16-season NHL career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's led them to two Stanley Cups, two Finals in 2015 and 2022 and the Presidents' Trophy in 2019.
He's their franchise leader with 1,082 games played, 555 goals and 1,137 points, and their single-season goal leader with 60 in 2011-12.
This season could also be his last with the Lightning. The 34-year-old winger is in the final season of an eight-year, $64 million contract and eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.
On May 1, Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois told reporters he's opened contract talks with Stamkos and his agent. He remains hopeful of getting a deal done before July 1.
Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped pundits from speculating over potential destinations for the 34-year-old, with the Montreal Canadiens frequently surfacing as a possible landing spot.
NHL.com's Dan Rosen recently suggested the Canadiens made sense as a big-market club with a bright future. He also noted Habs head coach Martin St. Louis is a former teammate with whom Stamkos has maintained close ties.
During a May 1 appearance on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times noted Stamkos holds St. Louis in high regard.
BS Meter: It's BS
Stamkos will likely re-sign with the Lightning. If he hits the open market, he would be an expensive addition for a young team at least two or three years from playoff contention. He will be a fading star by then, carrying a big cap hit that could complicate the Habs' efforts to retain key players or add to their roster.
The Canadiens must add some scoring punch this summer. They have over $19.6 million in cap space, with Carey Price on permanent long-term injury reserve. But they'll likely seek a younger, more affordable scorer who could be a better long-term fit with their rebuilding plans.
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
