NHL Rumors: Analyzing Trade Talk on TJ Oshie, Patrick Sharp and More

With the draft now in the rear-view mirror, the focus of front offices around the NHL shifts toward free agency and the trade market. Based on the early buzz, both avenues present opportunities to upgrade as general managers prep their rosters for next season.

It's already been a busy offseason in terms of trades. Ryan O'Reilly, Dougie Hamilton, Milan Lucic, Carl Hagelin and Carl Soderberg are just some of the players who were already moved, and several more high-profile deals are likely on the horizon.

So let's check out some of the latest trade talk from around the league. The market could heat up even further once the initial wave of free agency is complete.

T.J. Oshie

Oshie became a household name after his memorable shootout performance in the Olympics last year to help lead the United States past Russia. In the NHL, he's proved himself as a strong secondary scoring option with 40 goals over the past two seasons.

Yet after spending the first seven years of his career with the St. Louis Blues, it sounds like the 28-year-old winger may be on the move in the near future. TheFourthPeriod.com reports he's one of two forwards the team has been floating into the market:

"The Blues explored trading [Patrik] Berglund and Oshie during the season, but were unable to come to terms on a deal. The Montreal Canadiens expressed interest in Oshie mid-season and could revisit talks with the Blues."

The Canadiens link doesn't come as much of a surprise. They are certainly in need of another top-six winger, and the options on the free-agent market are limited in that area. Going after a player such as Oshie via trade is the best route available.

Of course, now the question is price. The report doesn't mention what the Blues are asking in return, but wingers in their prime who score 20 goals don't come cheap. So if the Canadiens can nab him for some of their defensive and prospect depth, he would be an ideal fit.

Patrick Sharp

Sharp's name ended up in the rumor mill even before the Chicago Blackhawks completed their latest run to the Stanley Cup. It was clear during the season that the team would be forced into some tough calls this offseason due to the salary cap.

NHL Numbers notes the team has just $2.1 million in cap space with several free agents to deal with in the days ahead. In turn, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times states several teams are showing interest in Sharp:

"But not entirely intact. Patrick Sharp is still the focal point of trade discussions for the Hawks, with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens among the interested suitors."

The report also notes the Hawks were unable to find a trade partner based on their original asking price of a first-round pick, a defenseman and a prospect. Now they have to decide whether to drop the price tag or look to move a different veteran.

As for Sharp, once again the Canadiens are involved as part of their pursuit of a top-six winger. That said, landing with the Penguins, where he could play with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, or Alex Ovechkin's Capitals would be the best options from a personal production standpoint.

Phil Kessel

There's no doubting Kessel's talent. He's scored 247 goals in 668 career games and reached the 30-goal plateau five times. The question is whether the long-term concerns about his fitness level will become more of a problem as he heads toward age 30.

The winger, who will be 28 when next season opens, should still generate a lot of interest on the trade market, though. One interested team is the Penguins, who's lack of scoring depth has been exposed in recent postseasons. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet provided word on the current state of negotiations:

"No one will comment on how close it was (or still may be), but Kessel to Pittsburgh had serious traction. Toronto was willing to ease the Penguins' contract burden. But there was no consensus on the reward."

Kessel scored 25 goals last season while playing with a merely average group of centers in Toronto. Put him on a line with either Crosby or Malkin, and he's a virtual lock for 30. He could even push for 40 if he stays healthy.

A limited number of 30-goal scorers exist and even fewer are available, so the Leafs are surely going to command a big return. But since Pittsburgh currently finds itself in a championship window, paying a high price for somebody who can boost those title odds is worth taking a risk.