Playing Fact or Fiction with the Top Rumors After the 2014-15 NHL Regular Season

The 2014-15 NHL regular season has come to an end. While the trade deadline occurred over a month ago, there have been plenty of rumors since about possible offseason moves.

Most of these speculations involve teams that failed to qualify for the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. Some relate to notable players who figured prominently in rumor chatter prior to the March trade deadline. Several involve teams in need of shedding salary this summer.

Here's a look at the top season-ending NHL trade rumors, with analysis determining if they are fact or fiction. Player value, team needs and salary-cap space factored into the ranking. 

10. New Jersey Devils Will Shop for Offensive Depth

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The Rumor: On March 31, NorthJersey.com's Tom Gulitti reported New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello stated multiple times his intention to add two scoring forwards to bolster his club's sagging offense. The Devils are among this season's lowest-scoring teams.

Analysis:  Gulitti noted Lamoriello unsuccessfully tried to acquire a scoring forward at the trade deadline. He could go the free-agent route, but better options could be had through trades. Lamoriello could also use one of his young defensemen or his first-round pick as trade bait. He's dealt his first-round pick before, having shipped his 2013 pick to Vancouver for goalie Cory Schneider.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. After missing the playoffs three straight years, the Devils must address their anemic offense. Expect Lamoriello to be busy in this summer's trade and free-agent markets. Unless the Devils win the NHL draft lottery, don't be surprised if their first-round pick is used to land a scorer. 

9. Boston Bruins Could Trade Marc Savard

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The Rumor: Sportsnet's Mike Johnston cites Elliotte Friedman reporting the Boston Bruins could trade sidelined center Marc Savard this summer to a club in need of reaching the salary-cap minimum for 2015-16. Savard, who has two years left on his contract, suffered a career-ending concussion in 2011 but hasn't officially retired. His $4.007 million cap hit remains on the Bruins' books.

Analysis: The Bruins annually place Savard on long-term injured reserve. They could eliminate that difficulty by trading his contract to a team which can afford the dead cap space for the next two seasons. As per Nichols on Hockey, Friedman suggests the Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres as potential trade targets. 

Fact or Fiction: Fact, depending upon how much those clubs with considerable cap space spend on payroll this summer. The current cap floor is $51 million and could reach $53 million for 2015-16. If the Coyotes and Sabres invest heavily in re-signing key players and acquiring others, they could reach the cap floor without taking on Savard's contract.

8. Florida Panthers Could Make Chicago Blackhawks a Trade Target

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

The Rumor: The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa speculates Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon could once again deal with the Chicago Blackhawks this summer. Shinzawa notes several former Blackhawks (Brian Campbell, Dave Bolland, Brandon Pirri, Jimmy Hayes, Dylan Olsen) are now with the Panthers.

Analysis: The Blackhawks have over $65 million invested in 14 players next season. With the salary cap expected to come in between $71 - $73 million, the Blackhawks must free up cap space. Shinzawa speculates wingers Patrick Sharp ($5.9 million annually) and Bryan Bickell ($4 million per season) could head to Florida this summer. 

Fact or Fiction: Fact. Tallon is a former Blackhawks general manager who's frequently dealt with his former club. He has sufficient cap space to take on one or two high-salaried players this summer. He possesses depth in blue-line prospects, which could interest the Blackhawks. It won't be surprising if Sharp or Bickell ends up skating with the Panthers next season.

7. Blues, Senators Could Have Interest in Joffrey Lupul

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The Rumor: On March 24, TSN's Darren Dreger (via Nichols on Hockey) said there are some teams that could pursue Toronto Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul. Dreger claimed the St. Louis Blues and Ottawa Senators expressed some interest in Lupul before the trade deadline.

Analysis: Dreger thinks it's possible the Leafs could find some clubs willing to take a chance on Lupul, who's an effective scoring winger when healthy. Unfortunately, Lupul is often injured and carries a $5.25 million annual cap hit through 2017-18. 

Fact or Fiction: Fiction, unless the Leafs pick up part of Lupul's salary or take on a toxic contract in return. They could find him difficult to trade. The Blues and Senators may have had mild interest in the 31-year-old before the deadline, but it's unlikely they'll seriously pursue him this summer. His ongoing injury woes makes him too risky. 

6. Philadelphia Flyers Could Try Again to Trade Vincent Lecavalier

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

The Rumor: On March 29, the Philadelphia Daily News' Frank Seravalli speculated the Philadelphia Flyers could attempt again to trade expensive and declining center Vincent Lecavalier. He suggests small-market teams seeking value could be possible trade destinations.  

Analysis: While the 34-year-old Lecavalier's annual cap hit is $4.5 million for three more years, Seravalli notes $12 million in actual salary has already been paid. That could make him more attractive on the trade market. NJ.com's Randy Miller believes it's still possible to trade Lecavalier, citing sources claiming the Flyers were close to dealing him last summer to the Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators.

Fact or Fiction: Fact, provided Lecavalier retires before his contract expires. Miller reported agent Kent Hughes suggested his client might be willing to retire in a year or two if dealt to a team where he'd be a good fit. Still, the Flyers could be forced to pick up part of his remaining salary. Given the decline in Lecavalier's play, it's doubtful the Panthers and Predators revisit their interest.

5. New York Rangers Could Trade Cam Talbot

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

The Rumor: On March 7, the New York Post's Larry Brooks noted Rangers backup goalie Cam Talbot will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2016. Brooks speculates Talbot could be traded before then, perhaps as early as this summer if there's sufficient interest.

Analysis: Talbot did an outstanding job filling in for sidelined starter Henrik Lundqvist this season. However, Lundqvist remains the Rangers' starting goalie. If Talbot wants a starter's job, he'll find it elsewhere via free agency unless he's traded before then. While he's slated to earn $1.45 million next season, the Rangers could move Talbot if necessary to free up cap space for other signings. 

Fact or Fiction: Fact. Be it this summer, before next season's trade deadline or prior to July 2016, the Rangers could trade Talbot. He will fetch them an affordable return of a good young player, top prospect or perhaps a first-round draft pick from a club desperate for quality goaltending.

4. Buffalo Sabres Could Target Ottawa Senators Goalie Andrew Hammond

Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

The Rumor: TSN's Pierre LeBrun (via Nichols on Hockey) speculates the Buffalo Sabres could be among the clubs to pursue Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond if the Senators fail to re-sign him before July 1. Hammond is due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Analysis: LeBrun reports Sabres general manager Tim Murray was instrumental in Ottawa signing Hammond during his tenure as Senators assistant GM. The Sabres lack quality goaltending and only have one netminder (Chad Johnson) under contract next season. The Senators already have regular goaltending tandem Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner signed through 2015-16. 

Fact or Fiction: Fact. If Hammond tests the free-agent market, the Sabres could be among several clubs with serious interest in the 27-year-old goalie. While there's a risk Hammond could be a one-year wonder, his superb numbers and the major role he played in saving the Senators' season makes him an attractive free-agent target.

3. The Colorado Avalanche Could Trade Ryan O'Reilly

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The Rumor: On March 8, The Denver Post's Terry Frei reported the Colorado Avalanche could face difficulty attempting to re-sign forward Ryan O'Reilly this summer. If unable to agree to a deal, the Avs could be forced to trade him.

Analysis: O'Reilly is earning $6 million per season and is eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2016. Frei reports general manager Joe Sakic stated his intention to re-sign O'Reilly, who is a key part of the Avalanche's core. He put up good numbers this season, but they're not those expected of a $6 million player.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. Unless O'Reilly is willing to accept a slight pay raise on a longer term, Sakic might have to move him. It could cost the Avalanche over $7 million per season to retain O'Reilly. Sakic will find it difficult to justify that expense.

2. Detroit Red Wings Could Revisit Interest in Toronto Maple Leafs' Dion Phaneuf

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

The Rumor: On March 8, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported serious trade discussions between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs regarding Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf fell through before the trade deadline. Garrioch claimed it's believed the two clubs could revisit those talks in the offseason. 

Analysis: On April 3, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claimed Wings director of pro scouting took in a recent Leafs-Buffalo Sabres game, perhaps to check out “a particular player.” It can be assumed he was referring to Phaneuf. The Wings have the salary-cap space to pursue the Leafs captain, but Friedman notes they must ensure sufficient room to re-sign key players this summer and next.

Fact or Fiction: Fact, under certain conditions. The Leafs might have to retain part of Phaneuf's $7 million annual salary over the remaining six years of his contract or accept a toxic contract like Stephen Weiss' as part of the deal. The Leafs must also accept a lesser prospect than Anthony Mantha or Dylan Larkin in return. 

1. Pittsburgh Penguins Could Trade Evgeni Malkin

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

The Rumor: TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports there could be significant changes coming to the Pittsburgh Penguins if they are eliminated early from the postseason. Management could consider shaking up their core, leading LeBrun to suggest Evgeni Malkin might hit the trade block. 

Analysis: The Penguins have nearly $60 million invested in 14 players next season. Should the salary cap reach $72-$73 million for 2015-16, it won't leave much room to improve the roster. Shedding some salary could be an option. As LeBrun points out, it remains to be seen if Malkin gets moved.

Fact or Fiction: Unless Malkin is willing to waive his no-movement, this is fiction. If there are core players to be moved, management will likely look elsewhere.