NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Mike Richards, Canucks Goalies and More

As the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks reach the climax of a thrilling Stanley Cup Final, the NHL's other 28 teams are well into the roster-construction phase of the offseason.

With the draft and free agency closely stacked together on the league calendar, we should see plenty of significant personnel overhaul over the next month.

On the veteran front, trade talks have picked up in earnest in recent weeks. Teams have increasingly been forced into tough decisions amid the league's flat salary cap. The Blackhawks themselves are one team that could face an offseason exodus this summer.

Thus, with so many teams at different points, there are plenty of prime opportunities for veterans to find new homes for next season.

Trade talks should see another wave after the draft, but roughly two weeks out, here are the latest whispers surrounding the biggest names purportedly on the block.

L.A. Dealing Richards?

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

The defending champion Los Angeles Kings were arguably the league's biggest disappointment this year, missing the postseason for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Now, a player who was once a cornerstone center could turn into a scapegoat this offseason, per ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun:

"

The Los Angeles Kings have talked to a few teams again about a potential Mike Richards trade, although certainly at this point nothing is imminent.

The Kings would dearly love to move Richards’ contract, which still has five more years on it at a $5.75 million cap hit. But to do that, they will need to sweeten the pot by adding another asset. Whether that’s a draft pick of value, a player or a prospect, the Kings will need to entice another team with another asset or two if they want to get a deal done.

"

That cap hit is massive for a player who has regressed severely in recent seasons. Richards netted a career-low five goals last season and has seen a decline in scoring and overall plus/minus each of his four seasons in Los Angeles.

Once an excellent two-way center, Richards' collapse had the Kings' general manager lamenting his decision to stick with the veteran after a disappointing 2013-14 campaign, per ESPN.com's Katie Strang (h/t CSNPhilly's John Boruk):

"

Kings GM Dean Lombardi on not buying out Mike Richards contract, "It could be the worst decision I ever made." http://t.co/DtD3dVQnu0

— John Boruk (@JohnBorukCSN) June 9, 2015"

The problem that could limit any deal is Richards' age. The 30-year-old is certainly no dinosaur, but given that his deal extends through the end of the 2019-20 season, it wouldn't be surprising to see him retire before the end of the deal—especially if his production doesn't bounce back.

If that happens, both the Kings and Richards' new team would face cap recapture penalties.

Los Angeles will likely be on the hook for something nonetheless, but if it gives up enough of an asset, perhaps it can experience some nice short-term cap relief.

With Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Jarret Stoll at center on the top three lines, Richards has become superfluous at this point. 

Vancouver's Choice

Gerry Thomas/Getty Images

Having acquired Ryan Miller, the Vancouver Canucks have an ostensible long-term solution in the net after the Roberto Luongo-Cory Schneider debacle blew up in their face.

Consequently, Vancouver could be in position to deal another promising young netminder this offseason, per ESPN.com's LeBrun:

"

The Canucks will conduct their pro scouting meetings over the next few days in Utica, New York, at which point a source says they will decide whether Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom will be put on the trade market ahead of the NHL draft. The Canucks don’t have a second- or third- round pick in the draft, so replenishing in that area will be a priority.

"

In two seasons, the 27-year-old Lack has started 69 games and compiled a .917 save percentage. The Swedish goalie received a two-year, $2.3 million extension after just five career games when he replaced Roberto Luongo, but that didn't stop the Canucks from inking Miller that offseason.  

Nevertheless, cost-controlled young goaltenders are a rare commodity, though Lack's new team will surely want assurance of a contract extension as he heads into the final year of his deal.

Nevertheless, with Vancouver missing multiple early-round picks this year, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch (h/t Canucks Misconduct) suggests a predraft trade could be in the offing based on the Canucks' asking price:

Lack could make sense for a team in need of a young goaltender to grow with its core like the Edmonton Oilers or Buffalo Sabres. Either of those teams would give Lack undisputed No. 1 playing time, something he's probably looking for after two promising seasons to start his NHL career.

Senators' Lehner Receiving Interest

Andre Ringuette/Getty Images

Vancouver isn't the only Canadian squad harboring a goalie market, as NHL.com's Chris Stevenson reported the Ottawa Senators have dangled Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner on the trade block ever since the end of their season.

With AHL lifer Andrew Hammond breaking out and seizing the No. 1 job down the stretch, the Sens are poised to cash in on their surplus in the net.

However, while Anderson has the more proven track record, it's the 23-year-old Lehner who has apparently drawn more interest. Though Lehner has never started more than 30 games in a season, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported that "six or seven" teams have expressed interest in the Swede:

"

Murray isn't feeling any heat to make a trade with either goaltender Robin Lehner, 23, or veteran Craig Anderson, 34, before the NHL entry draft is held June 26-27 in Fort Lauderdale, but the Senators would like to strike while the iron is hot and six or seven teams have called the club to express interest in both guys.

There is more interest in Lehner than Anderson and, let's face it, the Senators are going to get more in return for a young player who has upside potential than they would for a veteran who has three years left on his deal.

Sources say Murray would like a young player who has the potential to be top six forward and a high draft pick in return.

"

It helps that Lehner is also the cheaper goalie, with a $2.22 million cap hit for 2015-16 compared to Anderson's $3.19 million cap hit. However, that combination of youth and upside has the Ottawa Citizen's James Gordon wondering if the greater return from a potential Lehner trade usurps his actual value to the team:

"

I really do feel like, if that guy is Lehner, the Senators will rue the day they dealt him because of one lucky run. https://t.co/odJxUVHjIc

— James Gordon (@James_J_Gordon) June 4, 2015"

There's probably some reason for skepticism surrounding Hammond, given his lack of an NHL-caliber track record prior to last year, but Ottawa doesn't appear concerned about its 27-year-old starter.

Much like the aforementioned Lack, Lehner should appeal to young teams seeking a goaltender to nurture along with their other skater prospects.

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.