Calling Fact or Fiction on the Latest NHL Trade Rumors

With the NHL trade deadline less than five weeks away, we can expect an increase in trade speculation from the media. Some of the rumors will seem sensible while others will raise eyebrows.  

Various factors determine if a rumor has basis in fact or fiction. Roster needs, available players, performance, salary-cap implications, no-trade clauses and quality of return are among the issues to be taken into account.

The following slideshow examines 10 recent NHL trade rumors to determine if they're based in fact or fiction. Feel free to post your comments below.

10. Ottawa Senators Could Trade Chris Neil or Chris Phillips

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The rumor: The Ottawa Citizen's Wayne Scanlan reports Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray could consider trading longtime Senators Chris Neil and Chris Phillips. No word yet on possible trade destinations.

Analysis: Phillips and Neil have spent their entire NHL careers with the Senators. Murray told Scanlan he's received some interest in his veterans. The duo have limited no-trade clauses. Murray said he owes it to Neil and Phillips to discuss a trade with them first.

Fact or fiction: Based on Murray's comments, this rumor is obviously fact. The Senators are still rebuilding. Neil and Phillips have a year remaining on their contracts and might prefer moving on to playoff contenders. If there's a decent deal to be had for either player, Murray will pursue it. 

9. Boston Bruins Remain Interested in Chris Stewart

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The rumor: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty believes the Boston Bruins should pursue a veteran right winger. Among his list of suitable candidates is Buffalo Sabres winger Chris Stewart. The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa reports the Bruins haven't given up interest in Stewart if the price is right.

Analysis: The Bruins haven't suitably replaced Jarome Iginla, who departed last summer via free agency. Shinzawa notes general manager Peter Chiarelli had interest in Stewart earlier this season. Haggerty thinks Stewart's rugged style would complement the Bruins' physical game. 

Fact or fiction: It's a fact the Bruins have had interest in Stewart for some time. As Shinzawa suggests, if the Sabres are willing to lower their asking price, Chiarelli could pursue the Sabres winger as a playoff rental.

8. New Jersey Devils Could Trade Some Veterans

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The rumor: NorthJersey.com's Tom Gulitti believes New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello must start shopping his pending free-agent veterans.

Analysis: Mired near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Devils are poised to miss the playoffs for the third straight season. Lamoriello must rebuild with younger talent. Pending free agents like Jaromir Jagr, Marek Zidlicky, Michael Ryder, Martin Havlat and Bryce Salvador are unlikely to be re-signed.

Fact or fiction: Fact. Those aforementioned players are aging and past their prime. Don't be surprised if Lamoriello stages a housecleaning of unrestricted free agents by the trade deadline. 

7. Dallas Stars Have Interest in Cody Franson

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The rumor: The Toronto Sun's Mike Zeisberger cited various reports claiming Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson could be a trade target for the Dallas Stars. Franson is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July.

Analysis: On Jan. 24, The Dallas Morning News' Mike Heika listed Franson among several blueliners (including Franson's teammate Dion Phaneuf) who could interest the Stars. Heika never stated the Stars were actively pursuing Franson.

Fact or fiction: Based on Heika's column, it's fiction. The Stars lack an experienced right-handed shot on defense, but there's no reports yet that they're talking to the Leafs about Franson.

6. Los Angeles Kings Could Find a Trade Partner for Mike Richards

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The rumor: Prior to the Los Angeles Kings demoting center Mike Richards, TSN's Scott Cullen compiled several trade possibilities. Suggesting the Kings absorb part of Richards' contract or acquire another toxic contract in return, Cullen listed the Calgary Flames, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Edmonton Oilers, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets as trade options.

Analysis: Cullen's proposed returns included Mason Raymond or Matt Stajan from the Flames, Alexander Semin from the Hurricanes, Vincent Lecavalier or Andrew MacDonald from the Flyers, David Clarkson from the Leafs or Ondrej Pavelec and Grant Clitsome from the Jets. He also suggested sending Richards to the Oilers for a low-round draft pick.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. The Kings need cap space to re-sign key players like Tyler Toffoli, Tanner Pearson and Justin Williams this summer and Anze Kopitar in 2016. They cannot afford to take back a big contract or absorb too much of Richards' salary. The Oilers passed on claiming Richards off waivers so they probably won't trade for him.

5. Arizona Coyotes Could Trade Keith Yandle

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The rumor: NBC Sports' Jason Brough reports that the media consensus suggests the Arizona Coyotes could trade defenseman Keith Yandle by the March trade deadline. Brough lists the Colorado Avalanche, the Detroit Red Wings, the Minnesota Wild and the Boston Bruins as potential trade destinations.

Analysis: The Coyotes are among this season's worst teams and are in need of a rebuild. Yandle is among the Coyotes' leading scorers and has a year left on his contract. He could be their most valuable trade chip.

Fact or fiction: Fact. While the Coyotes could wait until the offseason to entertain offers for Yandle, he could be dealt at the trade deadline for the right price. The Coyotes need scoring depth and could seek a quality young forward in return.

4. Colorado Avalanche Could Trade Ryan O'Reilly

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The rumor: Sportsnet's Luke Fox reports that colleague Elliotte Friedman believes Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O'Reilly could be available. Fox also notes that Nick Kypreos claims the Avalanche have put out trade feelers on the 2014 Lady Byng Trophy winner.

Analysis: The Avalanche lack experienced blue-line depth. Top defenseman Erik Johnson is sidelined three to eight weeks following arthroscopic knee surgery. O'Reilly is eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2016. He's earning $6 million per season and will be expensive to re-sign. 

Fact or fiction: Fact. For the right offer, O'Reilly could be dealt at the trade deadline. The Avalanche must bolster their defense, and he's their best trade chip to land a top-two blueliner. 

3. Eric Staal Might Waive His No-Trade Clause

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The rumor: ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wonders if Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal would waive his no-movement clause if management wanted to move him for young assets at the trade deadline.

Analysis: It's a fair question. The Hurricanes are poised to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season. The team needs a rebuild and general manager Ron Francis must determine if Staal wants to be part of it. He also has a year left on his contract at a cap hit of $8.25 million and could be expensive to re-sign.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. LeBrun notes Staal loves living and playing in Carolina. While Staal's future with the Hurricanes must be determined, such an important topic is best left for the offseason. 

2. Edmonton Oilers Could Trade 1 of Their Young Stars

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The rumor: Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey cites Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculating that at some point, the Edmonton Oilers could consider moving Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Jordan Eberle. 

Analysis: Friedman believes the Oilers could wait until they see what first-round pick they get in the 2015 NHL draft lottery. They're near the bottom of the standings and could land the first- or second-overall pick. The Oilers' rebuild has stalled, and management must do something to shake things up. 

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish has resisted the temptation to move one of his young stars. It will take a significant return to change his mind. Unless Hall, Eberle or Nugent-Hopkins requests a move, it's doubtful the Oilers shop one of them at the trade deadline or during the offseason. 

1. Toronto Maple Leafs Could Trade Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf

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The rumor: The Toronto Star's Kevin McGran reports a source who claims the Toronto Maple Leafs are quietly shopping leading scorer Phil Kessel, captain Dion Phaneuf “and others.” Though McGran said there's nothing imminent, he claims they're only being offered to Western Conference clubs. 

Analysis: McGran believes the Leafs could wait until the trade deadline to move Kessel or Phaneuf because of their expensive contracts. He acknowledged their limited no-trade clauses could also make them difficult to move.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. In today's salary-cap world, players in the first year of long and expensive deals (like Kessel and Phaneuf) are rarely moved at the trade deadline. If the Leafs decide to move either guy, it will be in the offseason when the trade market could improve.

Player and team statistics via NHL.com. Player salary information via NHLNumbers.com.