BS Meter on the Latest NHL Trade Rumors
We are well entrenched in the dog days of the NHL offseason. With the best unrestricted free agents under contract and the salary-arbitration period ending on Aug. 4, all that remains for offseason media speculation is chatter about possible trade candidates.
It's been quiet in the trade market with the last deal occurring on July 15. Now that the best UFA talent is gone, teams needing roster improvements could look into making deals with other clubs.
Trade activity is usually slow in August, but significant deals can still happen.
On Aug. 6, 2023, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team swap that included the Montreal Canadiens. Speaking of the Canadiens, they landed Sean Monahan from the Calgary Flames on Aug. 18, 2022.
Sometimes a seemingly minor deal in August can pay significant dividends later in the season. On Aug. 29, 2022, the Vegas Golden Knights acquired then-third-string goaltender Adin Hill from the San Jose Sharks. Hill went on to backstop the Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup, becoming their starting netminder.
The rumor mill isn't lacking for potential trade candidates. Some of them, like Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine, are among the 10 players on our August Trade Block Big Board.
Which of these rumors is worth believing? Follow along as we use our trusty BS meter to separate fact from fiction. Feel free to express your views in the app comments section.
Could the Montréal Canadiens Attempt to Land a Scoring Forward?
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A popgun offense was a concern for the rebuilding Montréal Canadiens last season. It's sparked speculation suggesting they could pursue a scoring forward during the offseason, linking them to such notables as Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Nečas and Anaheim Ducks winger Trevor Zegras.
Nečas recently re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes and there's no indication the Ducks intend to part with the talented if inconsistent Zegras. Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped media conjecture that general manager Kent Hughes could pursue a scorer.
Writing for RG.org, Montréal Hockey Now's Marco D'Amico reported sources claiming the Canadiens could be well-positioned cap-wise to shop for a scorer. He pointed out they already have $5.4 million in cap room and if necessary can free up another $10.5 million by placing permanently sidelined goaltender Carey Price on long-term injury reserve.
D'Amico also reported Hughes could use one of his two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft as trade bait. The Canadiens carry the Calgary Flames' first-rounder, which could end up becoming a high pick if the rebuilding Flames finish near the bottom of the standings.
BS Meter: Not BS
Hughes has made summer moves in the past to bolster his roster, including acquiring Sean Monahan two years ago from the Flames and prying away defenseman Mike Matheson from the Pittsburgh Penguins. He could weaponize his cap room this summer to pry away a scorer from a cap-strapped team.
Did the Anaheim Ducks Try to Trade John Gibson?
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Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson regularly surfaced in trade speculation over the last two years, particularly during the offseason. With the Ducks rebuilding, it's believed they'd like to shed the 30-year-old's contract, which runs through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million.
Gibson surfaced on our June NHL Trade Block Big Board following reports claiming the Ottawa Senators had looked into acquiring him. However, it was believed the Ducks were unwilling to retain a portion of the goaltender's cap hit.
On July 24, The Athletic's Ducks' beat writer Eric Stephens was asked by his readers why Gibson remains with the club. Some questioned the Ducks' inability to find a suitable trade, slamming their lack of creativity.
Stephens believes Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has attempted to trade Gibson on multiple occasions. However, he believes the club's unwillingness to retain part of his annual cap hit is a major stumbling block.
BS Meter: Not BS
The number of times Gibson surfaced in the rumor mill since 2022 suggests there's no smoke without fire. Nevertheless, the veteran netminder will remain in Anaheim until Verbeek finds a team willing to take on his full cap hit or agrees to retain part of it to facilitate a trade.
Did Winnipeg Offer Cole Perfetti to the Carolina for Martin Nečas?
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Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Nečas was considered the notable player most likely to be traded this summer, topping our June NHL Trade Block Big Board and July Trade Block Rankings. Reports of his unhappiness over his role with the Hurricanes fueled the speculation.
Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, Jets center Cole Perfetti became the subject of trade chatter earlier in the offseason. Chosen 10th overall by the Jets in the 2020 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old Perfetti struggled to establish himself as a scoring forward under former head coach Rick Bowness.
As the Nečas saga dragged on, the Jets were mentioned as a possible trade destination during the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Draft. Ultimately, nothing came of the conjecture and Nečas signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes on July 29.
However, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli was surprised that Nečas wasn't traded. On the July 29 episode of The DFO Rundown (stick tap to The Hockey News' Carter Brooks), Seravalli expressed his belief that the Jets offered up Perfetti, prospect forward Rutger McGroarty, and a draft pick.
BS Meter: It's BS
The Winnipeg Sun's Scott Billeck reported on X.com that the Jets didn't offer Perfetti. The Hurricanes wanted him in a possible trade but the Jets didn't want to part with the promising youngster. Billeck also noted any deal involving Nečas to Winnipeg wouldn't happen because he didn't want to sign a contract extension with the Jets.
Will the Florida Panthers Attempt to Trade Aaron Ekblad This Summer?
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Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad and his teammates continue to bask in the warm glow of their recent Stanley Cup championship. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old blueliner has been a frequent subject of offseason media trade chatter, sitting at No. 9 on our August NHL Trade Block Big Board.
Part of the reason behind the speculation is Ekblad's contract status. He's earning $7.5 million this season and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. With the Panthers facing a salary cap crunch next summer and forwards Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett also UFA-eligible, they can't afford to re-sign all three.
Panthers general manager Bill Zito doesn't have to trade Ekblad now. However, he is known for making aggressive moves to improve this club. Some observers feel Zito could use Ekblad as a trade chip before the start of the season for a return that helps his club now and in the future before the blueliner's trade value starts to decline.
Another factor is Ekblad's no-movement clause changed on July 1 to a 12-team no-trade list. While that is still restrictive, it opens up options for Zito if he decides to shop the long-time Panthers rearguard.
BS Meter: It's BS
Florida Hockey Now's Alan Greenberg acknowledged the Ekblad trade speculation but doubted he'll be moved. The offseason departures of Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson leave him as their best right-shot defenseman, meaning he'll see an increase in playing time this season, especially on the power play.
Could The Vegas Golden Knights Pursue Patrik Laine?
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A fixture in the rumor mill since June, Patrik Laine's emergence last month from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program increased the trade speculation swirling about him. As a result, the 26-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets winger topped our August Trade Block Big Board.
Potential trade partners include the Carolina Hurricanes, Montréal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and the Utah Hockey Club. The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner looked at the New York Islanders as a suitor. The Score's Josh Wegman included the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres on his list of possible destinations.
Wegman also suggested the Vegas Golden Knights as a trade partner. He noted they always seem to be in on every big name in the trade market. They've sometimes successfully landed some of them, such as winger Mark Stone, centers Jack Eichel and Tomáš Hertl, and defenseman Noah Hanifin.
The Golden Knights are above the salary cap by $3.6 million but placing Robin Lehner and his $5 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve will give them around $1.4 million in cap space. Wegman suggested offering up Nicolas Roy ($3 million) and/or Brett Howden ($1.9 million) as part of the return if the Blue Jackets retain half of Laine's $8.7 million cap hit.
BS Meter: It's BS
The Hockey News' Anthony Larocco believes there are possible paths available to the Golden Knights to acquire Laine, but their cap crunch makes it unlikely. They'd have to part with a more consequential player like William Karlsson or defenseman Shea Theodore. Laine's injury history and inconsistency make him a risky acquisition for Vegas.
Stats via NHL.com, salary info via PuckPedia.com, and line combinations via The Hockey News.
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