NHL Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz Surrounding Brayden Schenn, Chris Stewart and More

Though the 2014-15 NHL season is only two weeks old, the relatively stratified nature of the league means that some teams are already established sellers on the trade market.  The actual trade deadline sits months away, likely demurring any immediate activity, but seeds are already being planted for potential deals.

Teams in the middle are more likely to consider a wider range of possibilities at this stage of the season, as the gap between their floor and ceiling remains vast.  Therefore, expect to see plenty of names bandied about as organizations attempt to maintain a balance between long-term salary-cap health and short-term winning.

Again, all rumors at this point are preliminary, and numerous events need to fall into place for any transactions to manifest themselves in reality.  However, scouring the rumor mill, here are some of the most intriguing trade rumors that could shape the complexion of the playoff race this spring.

Schenn for D?

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With just a single win over their first five contests, the Philadelphia Flyers have been one of the league's most disappointing teams thus far.  Brayden Schenn has contributed to those woes, as Philly's experimentation with the center as a first-line wing failed to yield much offense.  Now, one Flyers reporter is suggesting that Philadelphia could trade away Schenn to address its defensive deficiencies:

The Flyers possess numerous needs at the moment, and their weak minor league system does not provide them the chips to address both the blue line and the top-six forward lines.  But only the Buffalo Sabres have allowed more than Philly's 21 goals so far, suggesting that the Flyers may attempt to improve the defense while hoping the likes of Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds can carry the offensive burden.

However, trading away Schenn may not represent the ideal solution to that problem.  As SB Nation's Travis Hughes illustrates, Schenn has led the team in creating scoring chances.  In reality, the negativity surrounding Schenn likely stems more from his demotion than any on-ice issues.

With just three points, it is hard to argue that Schenn has fulfilled his promise so far.  But after tallying 20 goals and 21 assists in his breakthrough campaign last year, it would seem impetuous for the Flyers to suddenly deal away the promising 23-year-old.

Stewart to Ottawa?

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Chris Stewart was once one of the game's premier power forwards, but between injuries and underachieving seasons, the 26-year-old is looking to re-establish his value during his first full season as a Sabre.  As Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports, the Ottawa Senators could bite on a potential Stewart trade, though Buffalo's asking price would need to come down:

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The Senators have been interested in Stewart since last year’s deadline. It’s believed the asking price for Stewart was Mark Stone or some other high-end prospect. If that hasn’t changed, Ottawa isn’t going to do it. The organization is seeing Stone come into his own in the NHL.

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Buffalo general manager Tim Murray is right to keep his asking price high at this point of the selling period, as he has also done with Tyler Myers.  The Sens were the only team mentioned in connection to Stewart, but a bruising, offensively starved team like the Boston Bruins may also eventually enter the sweepstakes and keep Stewart's value inflated.  That remains particularly true if Stewart sustains his promising start:

After sliding down the depth chart in his final St. Louis season, Stewart is receiving an important opportunity to thrive for the rebuilding Sabres.  So long as he stays healthy, there remains an excellent chance that Stewart is one of the more underrated names moved at the trade deadline.

Devils Shopping Larsson?

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Plenty of teams could use depth defensemen, and New Jersey's Adam Larsson could represent a low-risk, high-upside investment.  As Garrioch notes in his rumor dump above, the Devils might be able to find a taker for the 21-year-old, though there are enough questions to depress his value:

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New Jersey defenceman Adam Larsson had yet to suit up for a game going into Saturday night which has many thinking the 21-year-old may be moved. Making $900,000 on a one-way contract, Larsson has been bypassed on the depth chart by the likes of Damon Severson and Jon Merrill. There is a market for Larsson because of his age. “I’m just not sure what his value is,” says a league executive. “They can move him I’m just not sure what they’d get in return. The issue people have with him is he does stuff too slow and too methodical.” 

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Larsson's relegation to the seventh defenseman role has been curious, but the trade rumors could slow for a while if he cracks his way back into the lineup.  On Oct. 20, Larsson finally did break through for the first time this season:

That does not guarantee further playing time, of course, so if the Devils continue to flounder in mediocrity, they might seek to excise Larsson, who has not built upon his promising 65-game rookie campaign three seasons ago.  The Swede has some upside, though, making him a candidate to provide regular-season depth for a playoff roster.