Calling Fact or Fiction on the Latest NHL Rumors

With the 2015 Stanley Cup Final under way, the end of the NHL playoffs is fast approaching. So is the draft (June 26-27) and the start of unrestricted free agency (July 1), giving rise to increased trade and free-agent speculation.

Some of the recent trade chatter concerns recently eliminated playoff teams like the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks. A couple involve the current Cup finalists. Others relate to teams bounced from the earlier postseason rounds and those that failed to make the cut.

The following slideshow examines the latest NHL rumors to determine their basis in fact or fiction. Player value, roster needs and salary-cap space factored into the ranking. Feel free to weigh in with your comments.

10. Avalanche Could Pursue a Defenseman

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The Rumor: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports one of the Colorado Avalanche's main projects this summer is finding a suitable defensive partner for top blueliner Erik Johnson.

Analysis: Johnson has blossomed into a top-two defenseman for the Avalanche, but he definitely needs a quality partner. The Avs lack depth in skilled, experienced rearguards. It's among the reasons their defensive stats were so poor last season. 

Fact or Fiction: Fact. If finding one via this summer's thin free-agent market proves expensive, the Avalanche have depth in promising young forwards to dangle as trade bait.

9. Ducks to Shop James Wisniewski?

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The Rumor: Following the Anaheim Ducks' elimination from the Western Conference Final, ESPN.com's Craig Custance suggested the team could trade little-used defenseman James Wisniewski this summer.

Analysis: The Ducks acquired Wisniewski at the trade deadline to provide experienced depth to their defense, but he was a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs. Custance doubts they can continue carrying Wisniewski but believes he could have value for clubs lacking blue-line depth.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. While Wisniewski's average cap hit is $5.5 million, he's only signed through 2016-17. As Custance notes, his actual salary drops to $3 million in the final year of his deal. That could prove attractive for clubs in need of reaching next season's salary-cap floor.

8. Toronto or Vancouver for Cody Franson?

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The Rumor: In an interview with TSN Radio (cited by Sportsnet's Luke Fox), Nashville Predators free-agent defenseman Cody Franson expressed interest in returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Franson also told Vancouver's News 1130 Sports he was interested in joining the Vancouver Canucks.

Analysis: Franson had his best numbers while playing for the Maple Leafs. Their recent hiring of Mike Babcock as head coach also interests the 27-year-old blueliner. But as a native of Sicamous, British Columbia, joining the Canucks would mean a return to his home province.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction on the Leafs part, perhaps fact regarding the Canucks. The Leafs are rebuilding and could be unwilling to bring back a player they dealt away before the trade deadline. The Canucks defense, meanwhile, must get young and fast. The Province's Jason Botchford believes Franson could be a good fit. 

7. Senators Could Trade Anderson or Lehner

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The Rumor: The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reports the Ottawa Senators must decide between moving out Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner. 

Analysis: Having re-signed Andrew Hammond to a three-year contract, the Senators now have three goalies under one-way contracts. Garrioch speculates the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs could be suitors for Anderson or Lehner. 

Fact or Fiction: Fact. The Senators cannot afford to carry three goaltenders next season. The lack of depth in the free-agent market means teams seeking goaltenders could be very interested in Anderson or Lehner.

6. Blackhawks Could Move a Forward or Two

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The Rumor: ESPN.com's Scott Powers reports limited salary-cap space will force the Chicago Blackhawks to make some tough decisions this summer. Among them could be trading a forward or two. Patrick Sharp ($5.9 million annual cap hit), Bryan Bickell ($4 million), Kris Versteeg ($2.2 million) and Andrew Shaw ($2 million) are among the trade candidates.

Analysis: The Blackhawks have over $63 million invested in cap payroll next season. They must re-sign restricted free agents Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger. Management has little choice but to shed salary this summer. They won't dump stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and an aging Marian Hossa's contract is too lengthy to move.

Fact or Fiction: Fact. The only question is which of those forwards on Powers' list might be dealt. Sharp and Bickell could have the best trade value. Moving both would also free up nearly $10 million in cap space.

5. Matt Beleskey to the Maple Leafs?

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The Rumor: Sportsnet's Doug MacLean (via Emily Sadler) told Sportsnet 590 The Fan's Dean Blundell & Co. the Toronto Maple Leafs should acquire Anaheim Ducks winger Matt Beleskey this summer.

Analysis: Beleskey, 26, is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. He's coming off a career-best season, netting 22 regular-season goals and eight (including three game-winners) in the postseason. MacLean believes Beleskey's physical offensive style is just what the rebuilding Leafs need.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. MacLean assesses Beleskey's free-agent value between $3 million and $5 million annually. That's a steep price for a winger who could prove a one-year wonder. The Leafs' previous management got burned by overpaying David Clarkson two years ago. It's doubtful their new regime will repeat that mistake. 

4. Martin St. Louis to the New Jersey Devils?

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The Rumor: If New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wonders if the New Jersey Devils might take a run at him.

Analysis: Friedman notes when St. Louis was traded from Tampa Bay last year, the Rangers were the only team he wanted to go to. He points out the Devils' proximity to Manhattan as a selling point. He also believes they need short-term veterans to bridge the gap with their young players.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. The Devils' biggest need is scoring depth. St. Louis turns 40 on June 18, and it was obvious this season that age has caught up with him. Devils general manager Ray Shero could seek younger options via trade or free agency. 

3. Dustin Brown on the Trade Block?

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The Rumor: John Hoven of the well-connected Los Angeles Kings' blog Mayor's Manor cites sources claiming captain Dustin Brown's contract was among those being reviewed by management. 

Analysis: The Kings must free up salary-cap space this summer to re-sign some key free agents. Among their forward contracts, Brown's is one of the longest and most expensive. Hoven points out the Kings aren't shopping their captain, but the right deal could spark discussion.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. If the Kings consider moving Brown in a cost-cutting deal, his contract is a significant stumbling block. He's signed through 2021-22 at an annual cap hit of $5.875 million. Factor in the 30-year-old's declining production, and it's unlikely the Kings will have many takers.

2. Could the Rangers Trade Rick Nash?

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The Rumor: In the aftermath of the New York Rangers' elimination from the Eastern Conference Final, the New York Post's Larry Brooks suggested the possibility of trading right wing Rick Nash.

Analysis: Nash had a decent postseason this year, but he wasn't the game-breaking scorer the Rangers needed him to be. Brooks isn't making the 30-year-old winger a scapegoat, but he feels he could be moved if management believes a shakeup is in order. Brooks also suggests the St. Louis Blues as a trade partner.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. As Brooks notes, Nash has three years left on his contract ($7.8 million average cap hit) with a partial no-trade clause. That type of deal is tough to move. The Blues also have postseason issues and are unlikely to consider Nash as a solution.

1. Could the Lightning Trade Steven Stamkos?

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The Rumor: The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa wonders if the Tampa Bay Lightning might trade captain Steven Stamkos this summer. The 25-year-old Stamkos is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer and could prove expensive to retain.

Analysis: Shinzawa believes re-signing Stamkos could cost the Lighting $10.5 annually, perhaps more. Young forwards like Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Nikita Kucherov and Jonathan Drouin will all be due significant raises within the next couple of years. That could max out the Lightning's salary-cap space.

Fact or Fiction: Fiction. Even Shinzawa acknowledges moving Stamkos is a wild thought. The Lightning will re-sign him and deal with the possible cap crunch down the road.

Player and team stats via NHL.com. Salary info via NHLNumbers.com.