NHL Rumors: Notable Trade Reports on Road to 2015 Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks had their Stanley Cup parade, and summer officially began on June 21. But that doesn't mean hockey is over. With the 2015 NHL draft fast approaching, on June 26-27 in Sunrise, Florida, the league is abuzz with trade talks leading up to the big day.   

NHL general managers are wheeling and dealing, trying to unload cap casualties and acquire weapons at their teams' biggest positions of need ahead of the draft, especially if they pick late.

Let's take a look at three trade rumors that have surfaced about the New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings. 

Islanders Winger Kyle Okposo Could Be on the Trading Block 

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When the New York Islanders acquired left winger Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres in October 2013, they gave up Matt Moulson, a first-round pick in 2014 and a 2015 second-round pick. How did that work out for general manager Garth Snow?

Well, Vanek is now a Montreal Canadien, and the Senators do not have a selection until No. 72 in the draft, putting them in a difficult spot if they're looking to acquire a top wing or backup goaltender. 

To gain some capital, Snow could be looking to part with Okposo, according to Arthur Staple of Newsday, citing league sources.  

"Kyle Okposo, who is entering the final season of a five-year, $14 million contract, could be on the trading block, according to two league sources outside the Islanders' organization," Staple wrote. 

Okposo only has a cap hit of $2.8 million, but he missed 22 games of the regular season after he had surgery to repair a detached retina in January. Teams may be wary of the eye injury in talking trades with Snow.

What does Snow want in return for the longtime winger? 

"Snow would not discuss specific players, but he told Newsday he will be busy fielding and making trade proposals, either to move players or maneuver up the draft board with only a pair of picks among the first 100 selections at his disposal," Staple reported. 

With the missed time in 2014-15, Okposo finished the regular season with 18 goals, 33 assists and 51 points in 60 games. 

Senators Looking to Move Goaltenders  

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The Senators have a pair of goaltenders on offer, and they're interested in seeing what they can get for them in return.

Ottawa is willing to part with either Robin Lehner or Craig Anderson for the right deal, reported Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. 

Per Garrioch: 

"

...You can expect Senators' GM Bryan Murray to get busy trying to see exactly what he can get for either goaltender Robin Lehner or veteran Craig Anderson with the NHL entry draft set for June 26-27 in Sunrise, [Florida]. After sitting down with the club's pro scouts last week at the Canadian Tire Centre, Murray along with assistant GM's Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee will be trying to get to the bottom of what teams are seriously interested in either netminder to see if a deal can be made sometime next week.

"

As for what the Senators are looking to get in return, Garrioch reported that the asking price is a top-six forward and a pick, but that if no teams bite as the draft approaches, those asks could become flexible. 

"For now, the Senators are trying to sell high because they believe they've got a good asset here," Garrioch wrote. 

Lehner has an age advantage at only 23 years old, but he's proved to be only a backup in Ottawa, unable to win the starting job from Anderson. The latter is an experienced veteran who could be a nice fit for a team in need of a short-term fix at goaltender, but at 34 years old he's not a long-term solution. 

In 2014-15, Anderson had a 2.49 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 35 games. 

Per Garrioch, six or seven teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, have contacted Murray to discuss interest in Lehnr, while the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues have expressed interest in Anderson. 

Kings Talking to Teams about Possible Mike Richards Trade

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The Kings have spoken with a few teams about a trade involving center Mike Richards, according to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun, but it's not yet a certainty that they'll move him before the draft. 

From LeBrun:

"

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.

"

It's no question that the Kings need to get out from under Richards' deal. Once netting upward of 75 points a season, Richards had five goals, 11 assists and 16 points in 2014-15, playing in 53 games. His shooting percentage was just 7.9, the second season in a row it's been below 8.0 percent. 

Though Richards cleared waivers during the season, he went unclaimed and spent 16 games with the AHL Manchester Monarchs before Los Angeles recalled him.    

Even if the Kings could unload Richards, if he retires before the end of his contract, Los Angeles could still be hit with cap-recapture penalties.

Thus, LeBrun laid out the best-case scenario for the Kings: "What I think might be at play here is the Kings are hoping that if they can complete a Richards deal, the team involved turns around and buys him out. The point of the deal for that team would be to acquire whatever other asset is involved."

Thus, if the Kings are really serious about moving Richards, they can't be stingy about what other asset they add.