NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Reports and Speculation Following 2015 Draft

The NHL draft is over and that means general managers, scouts, coaches and players have to continue to improve their teams through the trade and free agent signings.

One of the hottest names on the free-agent market will be Anaheim forward Matt Beleskey. The 27-year-old power forward scored 22 goals and 10 assists during the regular season and then made an even bigger contribution during the postseason with eight goals and an assist.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press speculates that "at least a dozen" teams will go after Beleskey because of his grinding and effective style. However, while Beleskey was quite effective late in the year, will he be a consistent performer from this point on in his career? Beleskey had never scored more than 11 goals in any season prior to the 2014/15 season.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Pittsburgh Penguins were fairly quiet during the draft, but don't expect general manager Jim Rutherford to merely sit on the sidelines throughout the offseason.

Jason Mackey of Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that the Penguins "had been linked" to Toronto's Phil Kessel, Carolina's Jeff Skinner, St. Louis' T.J. Oshie and Chicago's Patrick Sharp. There has also been some speculation that the Pens could have a possible interest in Martin St. Louis of the New York Rangers.

The Chicago Blackhawks may be celebrating their third Stanley Cup in the last six seasons, but general manager Stan Bowman has quite a bit of work to do because the team is hemmed in by the salary cap. With the signings of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to long-term contract extensions last summer that kicked in during the 2015/16 season, several veteran players are expected to be moved.

One of those is Kris Versteeg, and veteran hockey writer Steve Zipay of Newsday reported that Versteeg rejected a trade to the Montreal Canadiens. 

John Raoux/Associated Press

Patrick Sharp has been a part of all three of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup teams, and while he did not have a great season in 2014/15—16 goals and 27 assists; five goals and 10 assists in the playoffs—Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reported that the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers are both interested in his services.

While Blackhawks fans were highly critical of Sharp's production this season, injuries prevented him from playing at his best, and he missed 14 games. Sharp had exceeded the 30-goal mark in three of the previous four seasons. 

The Vancouver Canucks continue to explore their options with veteran defenseman Kevin Bieksa. General manager Jim Benning said the Canucks were not able to complete a trade with San Jose, since the Sharks were unwilling to part with a second-round draft pick.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reported that Benning will "continue to explore options" with Bieksa, but he remains a part of the team.

LeBrun also mentioned the Pittsburgh Penguins were among the teams that would be interested in making a move for Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Team president Brendan Shanahan said the Maple Leafs want to get "their price" for Kessel, and they would not get rid of him just to get him off the roster. However, new coach Mike Babcock said that the Maple Leaf players have to be good people first and foremost (2:52 mark), and that was not exactly a warm embrace for the enigmatic Kessel.