NHL Rumors: Examining Recent Trade Reports Before 2015 Draft

While the Chicago Blackhawks let the champagne dry from their Stanley Cup win, the NHL offseason kicks off in grand fashion on Friday with the first round of the 2015 NHL draft.

As teams begin to build their rosters for the future, one key component involves teams swapping assets—from players to draft picks. So much of the discussion before a draft is hearsay, specifically meant to force another team's hand, but there are instances when rumor turns into fact.

Whatever the case ends up being, the rumor mill is brimming with information. Here's the latest word coming from the ice about possible moves leading up to the draft.

The Champs Are Talking

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

With the NHL already announcing that the salary cap for next season will only see a slight increase from $69 million to $71.4 million, teams know the financial particulars they are playing with.

The Blackhawks are one team that will be forced to make at least one move, as they currently have $64 million in commitments for 2015-16.

One name being discussed in Chicago's front office is winger Bryan Bickell, according to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune:

However, in Kuc's full report on the Chicago Tribune's website, he suggests the Blackhawks could be hindered in trade discussions surrounding Bickell because of his contract.

"The 29-year-old has a limited no-trade clause in his contract and the Hawks have a list of eight teams they can send Bickell to without his permission," Kuc wrote. "If they strike a deal with a team not on the list, they must clear it with Bickell first."

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

One player Kuc notes as being discussed in deals is another winger: Patrick Sharp. He reportedly has at least three teams interested in him.

"One source said the three teams most interested in Sharp, who has been a mainstay in the Blackhawks' lineup for the last decade and finished with 16 goals and 27 assists in '14-15, are the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers," Kuc wrote.

Sharp has been a declining player in recent years. He's 33 years old, carries a cap hit of $5.9 million next season and posted the second-worst plus/minus rating of his career in 2014-15 (minus-eight).

Bickell isn't the same kind of scorer that Sharp is, but he's a more efficient player with a plus-five rating last season and carries a smaller cap hit at $4 million.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman may not be able to get away with trading away just one player this offseason, as the team has to worry about restricted free agents Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger.

Sharp is the most logical trade candidate, but Bickell is the better asset at this point in their respective careers.

Toronto's Rebuilding Effort

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

The sinking ship that has been the Toronto Maple Leafs finally bottomed out in 2014-15, as the franchise finally embraced a necessary rebuilding effort.

However, the Maple Leafs still have one glaring contract that needs to be dealt with this offseason. Phil Kessel is signed through 2021-22 with a cap hit of $8 million, which figures to be a problem because of the salary cap.

Kessel's expensive deal isn't precluding Toronto's front office from taking steps to ensure it can work out a deal involving the star winger, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.ca:

"

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.

"

Unlike the Blackhawks, who are in a situation in which they have to deal pieces for cap purposes, the Maple Leafs can play Kessel's market however they want because they have roughly $16.5 million in cap space for next season.

Kessel is still in the prime of his career at 27 years old and is a solid player with the puck, boasting 5.6 offensive point shares last season.

For perspective, Jonathan Toews had 6.2 offensive point shares for the Blackhawks in 2014-15. Kessel isn't the all-around player that Toews is, but teams know the Toronto star can be a difference-maker on offense.

Toronto is entering the second phase of its rebuild after hiring Mike Babcock as head coach and owning the fourth and 24th overall picks in the draft on Friday. The Maple Leafs need to hit with those selections if they want to get out of the doldrums in the next few years.

Finding a trade partner for Kessel is an essential part of Toronto's rebuilding effort.

He should find a new home before next season starts, though it'd be a surprise if something materialized during the draft because of the contract specifics that have to be worked out.

Shake Up Near the Top

Ross Franklin/Associated Press

One much-discussed possible deal on draft night involves the Arizona Coyotes moving off the No. 3 pick. General manager Don Maloney told Chris Johnston of Sportnet.ca the team has received multiple offers for that selection.

“There’s been so many different things kind of pushed my way of late I can honestly sit here and say I don’t know (what I’ll do),” Maloney said. “There’s one team really aggressively trying to get No. 3, and we’d trade down a bit. I’ve had two offers outright for that pick.”"

While Maloney wasn't going to give specifics on a potential deal, Craig Custance of ESPN The Magazine did offer this nugget about one of the offers Arizona has received:

Even though success has been difficult to come by in recent years for the Coyotes, who have missed the playoffs in each of the last three years, this team is trending in the right direction with strong prospects like Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Brendan Perlini in the pipeline.

With that nucleus to build around, as well as Oliver Ekman-Larsson already in Arizona, the Coyotes can afford to negotiate with the third overall pick to see if they can get an impact NHL-ready player back.

One reason to have so many young assets and draft picks is to help supplement a roster through trades. Arizona's front office knows it's in the driver's seat and able to explore all options before deciding what it wants to do.

If the Coyotes get the right offer for the third pick, they should trade it. If not, no one is going to blame a team for adding another potentially dynamic young piece.

Stats via Hockey-Reference.com. Contract information via Spotrac.