Playing Fact or Fiction with the Top Rumors Ahead of the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline

The NHL's March 2 trade deadline is a little over a week away. As a result, there's been a considerable increase in trade rumors.

It can be difficult separating which rumors have basis in fact from those which stand little chance of occurring by deadline day. Factors such as roster needs, salary-cap space, player value, availability and free-agent status must be taken into account. 

The following is an analysis of 10 notable NHL trade rumors ahead of the deadline to determine if they're based in fact or fiction. As always, your comments are encouraged.

10. Winnipeg Jets Have Interest in Sean Bergenheim

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The rumor: The Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov reports Florida Panthers forward Sean Bergenheim has requested a trade. The Winnipeg Free Press' Gary Lawless believes the Jets can offer up one of their extra defensemen (Paul Postma, Adam Pardy or Jay Harrison) for Bergenheim.

Analysis: The Jets recently lost forward Mathieu Perreault for the rest of the regular season to a lower-body injury. They're currently jockeying for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and must bolster their forward depth.

Fact or fiction: Fact. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports the Jets are among three teams (the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are the others) with interest in Bergenheim. The Panthers need defensive depth. Offering up a blueliner could give the Jets the inside track.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets Could Trade Cam Atkinson

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The rumor: The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reports the Columbus Blue Jackets could trade winger Cam Atkinson, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports the Boston Bruins contacted the Blue Jackets to express interest in Atkinson.

Analysis:  Atkinson, 25, is on pace to reach 20 goals and 40 points for the second straight season. He's earning $1.175 million this season and could seek a significant raise. Given Atkinson's restricted free agent status, there's no pressure on Jackets management to trade him now.

Fact or fiction: Fiction, as far as the trade deadline is concerned. The Jackets could consider moving Atkinson in the offseason if he proves difficult to re-sign, but that remains to be seen. Unless they get a terrific offer, Atkinson should finish this season in Columbus.

8. Calgary Flames Could Trade Curtis Glencross

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The rumor: The Calgary's Sun's Wes Gilbertson reports Calgary Flames management has requested a list of trade destinations from left winger Curtis Glencross. Kristen Odland of the Calgary Herald reports Flames general manager Brad Treliving claims Glencross hasn't requested a trade.

Analysis: Glencross is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July. He's been hampered by injury this season, and his playing time has been reduced in recent games. Gilbertson also reports Glencross and management can't agree on a contract extension. 

Fact or fiction. Fact. Treliving's asking for a list of trade destinations indicates he wants to entertain offers for Glencross. The Flames GM could try trading the veteran winger to an Eastern Conference playoff contender.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs Could Trade Tyler Bozak

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The rumor: On February 7, Sportsnet's Mike Johnston cited colleague Damien Cox claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs could deal center Tyler Bozak by the trade deadline.

Analysis: Johnston notes Bozak has three years left on his contract at an annual cap hit of $4.2 million. Trading Bozak will leave the Leafs thin at center. However, The Globe and Mail's Cathal Kelly reports the Leafs are engaging in a major roster overhaul. 

Fact or fiction: Fact. Be it at the trade deadline or in the offseason, Bozak could be on his way out of Toronto. If the Leafs get a solid offer before the trade deadline, which includes a good young player or a first-round pick, they'll probably go for it.

6. Arizona Coyotes Could Trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson

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The rumor: In a January 30 interview with TSN 1200 (cited by NBC Sports' Jason Brough), Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney appeared to suggest he could listen to offers for top defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Analysis: Maloney said Ekman-Larsson was a player he would be “very, very reluctant to part with” but added his team's poor record meant “everybody is up for grabs.” Though Brough noted Maloney was stating Ekman-Larsson was unlikely to be dealt, the comments created a stir in the NHL rumor mill.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. Ekman-Larsson is the Coyotes' most skilled defenseman and is signed through 2018-19. The Coyotes won't get a suitable return that adequately replaces the 23-year-old blueliner's abilities. Maloney is rebuilding his roster, and Ekman-Larsson will be a key part of it.

5. Chicago Blackhawks Could Trade Patrick Sharp or Bryan Bickell

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The rumor: The Chicago Blackhawks want to shed some salary while adding depth to the defense at the deadline by trading winger Patrick Sharp or Bryan Bickell.

Analysis: The Blackhawks have over $65 million invested in 14 players for next season. They must free up cap space to fill out the rest of their roster. However, there's no requirement to do so this season. The Blackhawks need Sharp and Bickell if they're to stage a run for the Stanley Cup this year.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. ESPN.com's Pierre Lebrun dismisses the rumor. He doesn't believe Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman will move any of his core players at the trade deadline. Sharp or Bickell might become salary-cap casualties this summer, but not now. 

4. Detroit Red Wings Could Look at Dion Phaneuf

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The rumor: Sportnet's Jeff Simmons reports colleague Damien Cox wonders if the Detroit Red Wings could have interest in Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf. Cox notes the Wings inquired about Cody Franson prior to his trade to Nashville but balked at the asking price of a first-round pick.

Analysis: The Red Wings could use a top-four defenseman with a right-handed shot. Phaneuf, however, is a left-handed shot. He also carries a $7 million-per-season cap hit through 2020-21. The Leafs are about to rebuild and could seek one of the Wings' top young prospects as part of the return.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. Phaneuf doesn't address the Wings' need for a right-handed shot. Even if the Leafs were to absorb part of Phaneuf's contract, it's still too expensive for too long for the Wings.

3. The Montreal Canadiens Could Pursue Jaromir Jagr

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The rumor: Sportsnet's Mike Johnston includes the Montreal Canadiens on a list of potential trade destinations for New Jersey Devils right wing Jaromir Jagr.

Analysis: The Canadiens could be in the market for additional scoring. Johnston notes the 42-year-old Jagr leads the Devils in scoring and protects the puck well in the offensive zone.  

Fact or fiction: Fiction. TSN's Bob McKenzie isn't convinced Jagr is a good fit with the Canadiens, citing his lack of speed. He also feels their priority is acquiring a defenseman.

2. Boston Bruins Should Consider Trading Zdeno Chara

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The rumor: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty believes a rebuild of the struggling Boston Bruins should commence by trading captain Zdeno Chara. The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson wonders if Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray could have interest in Chara.

Analysis: At 37 and coming off a knee injury, Chara isn't the dominant defenseman he once was. Despite the Bruins' decline this season, they're still jockeying for a wild-card berth. They stand a better chance of reaching the postseason with Chara than without him.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has considerable respect for Chara going back to their days with the Ottawa Senators. Chiarelli won't dump his captain now. Chara also has a full no-movement clause.

1. Florida Panthers Interested in Phil Kessel

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The rumor: The Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov recently told Sportsnet's Jeff Sammut he believes the Florida Panthers have interest in Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel. Fialkov claims Kessel would love to play for the Panthers, in part because his offseason home is in South Florida.

Analysis: While the Panthers have depth in promising forwards to tempt the Leafs, Fialkov doubts they would part with Jonathan Huberdeau, Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov or Brandon Pirri. The Panthers can afford Kessel's $8 million annual salary because they won't be re-signing veteran free agents like Tomas Fleischmann and Sean Bergenheim. 

Fact or fiction: Fiction, at least for the trade deadline. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon told Fialkov's colleague Craig Davis he intends to stay the course with his youth. However, it wouldn't be surprising if Tallon checks into Kessel's availability this summer.