NHL Trade Rumors: Analyzing Most Significant Buzz on Road to 2015 Draft

The 2015 NHL draft kicks off what should develop into a highly active offseason. Along with adding new prospects to each organization, the trade market should also heat up starting on Friday as teams begin charting a path to build their rosters for next season.

On Tuesday, the league announced the 2015-16 salary cap would be $71.4 million, only a slight increase from the previous year ($69 million). That's going to force several teams, including the Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks, to make some tough decisions.

Not every move that's made over the next couple of months will be related to the cap, but it's certainly a driving force for some front offices. So let's check out some of the latest buzz from around the NHL with the draft just a few days away.

Phil Kessel

Kessel is a polarizing asset, which isn't uncommon for players in the media hotbed of Toronto. He's scored at least 20 goals in seven straight seasons and topped 35 goals three times. All told, the winger has scored 520 points in 668 career games.

There is no shortage of teams around the NHL that could use that type of offensive upgrade. Still, a few questions always linger: How good could he be if he dedicated himself more to being in peak physical condition? And how will his fitness (or lack thereof) impact him moving forward?

Kessel's contract is also a concern. He holds an $8 million cap hit through the 2021-22 season, according to Spotrac. In turn, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on how the Maple Leafs are approaching trade talks for the talented forward:

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Toronto's let it be known it will take salary back for Phil Kessel, but there is a limit. It's got to be less (in term and value) than Kessel's. The Maple Leafs are more interested in prospects and draft picks, but recognize that alone won't get a deal done. Since the idea is to help create cap flexibility, it doesn't make sense to receive a similar contract in return.

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There's little doubt Kessel would be worth the investment in the short term. The worry is that by the second half of the deal he'll be taking up a lot of cap space as his production decreases. It creates a situation where the Leafs might not get full market value if they want to dump the contract.

Patrick Sharp

The Blackhawks front office didn't have much time to celebrate another title. Not only did they have to finish preparing for the draft, but the cap situation is going to create headaches. It's an issue that could lead to one or two key departures before next season.

NHL Numbers projects the team to have around $7 million in cap space with 10 free agents (six unrestricted and four restricted). The most important one is winger Brandon Saad, who's restricted but is still likely to carve out a sizable portion of that available money.

Sharp is one veteran who could be on the move to create space. He's 33 and is coming off a down season with 43 points in 68 games. As B.D. Gallof of The Fourth Period highlights, however, Chicago's asking price remains sky high:

Quite simply, it's hard to imagine the Hawks getting anywhere close to that amount for Sharp. He's a solid player with plenty of playoff experience, but he's at the back end of his prime. If the team is serious about moving him, the price tag will need to come down significantly.

No. 3 Overall Pick

The Edmonton Oilers are going to select Connor McDavid with the first pick. The Buffalo Sabres are going to select Jack Eichel with the second pick. Everything after that, starting with the Arizona Coyotes at No. 3, is a mystery.

Coyotes general manager Don Maloney has talked about keeping his options open with the third selection, including a possible trade. Now Craig Custance of ESPN is reporting about one of the offers already on the table for the pick:

Moving completely out of the first round of a deep draft suggests that a true impact player is being offered. Perhaps one of the cap-strapped teams is willing to make that type of move to create some flexibility, but it's unknown where the offer came from at this point.

There are several terrific options for the Coyotes or whichever team trades up. Centers Dylan Strome and Mitch Marner as well as defenseman Noah Hanifin all have plenty of upside. At the very least, the trade talk adds some intrigue once Arizona is on the clock after two slam-dunk picks to start the draft.