BS Meter on the Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agent Rumors

We're down to the final four teams in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Eastern and Western Conference Finals begin this week. Meanwhile, the rumor mill is picking up steam ahead of the offseason.

Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks and Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche are two of the notable players potentially available in this summer's free-agent market.

As for trade rumors, there's conjecture suggesting the Ottawa Senators could entertain offers for one of their wingers. Meanwhile, some fans wonder if Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby might consider moving on from the rebuilding club.

Fortunately, we've got our trusty BS meter to determine whether these rumors have any basis in fact or fiction.

The Ottawa Senators Could Trade Drake Batherson

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The Ottawa Senators made a notable deal before the March trade deadline, shipping center Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres for center Dylan Cozens. Adding Cozens' two-way game helped the Senators reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

Despite falling in the first round to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Senators are finally trending in the right direction. Management could be in this summer's trade market to add players to ensure they remain a contender next season.

On May 5, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported that his sources claimed the Senators could search for a top-six right wing and a right-shot defenseman. He noted that winger Drake Batherson surfaced in the rumor mill before the deadline, adding some teams wondered if the 26-year-old winger might be available.

Nine days later, The Athletic's Julian McKenzie expressed skepticism about the Batherson rumor. He noted the 26-year-old is in his prime with a team-friendly contract, adding that trading him would exacerbate the Senators' need to add more scoring.

BS Meter: It's BS

It doesn't make sense to move Batherson unless they're getting a scoring winger who brings something extra to his game, like a more physical style. Otherwise, they're better off hanging onto him and his reliable 60-plus points per season.

The Minnesota Wild Could Sign Brock Nelson

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It's been an eventful season for Brock Nelson. After spending nearly 12 seasons with the New York Islanders, the 33-year-old center was shipped to the Colorado Avalanche before the March trade deadline.

Nelson's eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1 forced the Islanders to move him when the two sides couldn't agree to a contract extension. The two-way center is completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million.

On May 15, The Athletic's Michael Russo and Joe Smith reported that the Avalanche will attempt to re-sign Nelson. However, they also indicated his agent said the Minnesota native is intrigued about signing with the Wild.

Russo and Smith cited Wild general manager Bill Guerin saying he's likely to bolster his club's depth at center during the offseason. They believe Guerin could seek a second-line center if he trades restricted free agent Marco Rossi.

BS Meter: Not BS

Bringing Nelson home appears to be a natural fit for the Wild. They must also ensure sufficient long-term cap space to sign Kirill Kaprizov to a long-term extension. Adding Nelson would also show Kaprizov that they're serious about building a winner around him.

Brock Boeser Could Return to the Vancouver Canucks

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After nine seasons, Brock Boeser's tenure with the Vancouver Canucks appears to be ending. The 28-year-old winger can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He's completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $6.7 million.

On April 19, Steve Ewen of The Province cited a report claiming Boeser rejected a five-year extension worth an AAV of $8 million. He also indicated that Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the sticking point was the length of the deal and not the dollar, with Boeser preferring a longer term.

Two days later, TSN's Farhan Lalji reported management informed the 28-year-old right winger that he'd earned the right to test the free-agent market. Lalji also indicated the Canucks weren't fully closing the door on bringing back Boeser if he doesn't find a suitable offer in the free-agent market.

On May 9, Ewen's colleague Patrick Johnston reported Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin remained hopeful of bringing back the popular winger. Johnston considers the possibility unlikely, partly because of the unhappiness from Boeser's camp over Allvin's comments about his value at the March trade deadline.

BS Meter: It's BS

Boeser could return to the Canucks if the free-agent market doesn't pan out, but it sounds like wishful thinking. He's only a year away from a career-best 40-goal performance. Teams seeking a proven top-six winger should be willing to provide him with the long-term security he seeks.

This the End of the Toronto Maple Leafs' 'Core Four' Era

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Toronto Maple Leafs forwards John Tavares (left), Auston Matthews, and Mitch Marner.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' elimination from their second-round series with the Florida Panthers cast a pall of gloom over Leafs Nation. It also raised speculation over whether a shake-up could be coming.

Since 2018-19, the Leafs have been led by their “Core Four” of forwards Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares. Matthews and Nylander are under long-term contracts, but Marner and Tavares are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun and James Mirtle of The Athletic believe Marner and Tavares won't return. Mirtle's colleague Chris Johnston thinks the 28-year-old Marner needs a fresh start after bearing the brunt of the criticism from Leafs followers for the club's playoff shortcomings.

Tavares is completing a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $11 million. The 34-year-old center wants to finish his career in Toronto and would take a pay cut. However, Hornby speculated that his idea of a hometown discount could differ from management's.

BS Meter: Not BS

Marner's AAV is $10.9 million, and he could seek at least a raise comparable to Matthews' $13.3 million if he wanted to stay in Toronto. However, he could get more than that elsewhere. Tavares would be more affordable to re-sign, but management could invest that money instead in younger talent.

Sidney Crosby Could Move to the Montreal Canadiens

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For 20 seasons, Sidney Crosby has been the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The future Hall of Famer led them to three Stanley Cups and a 16-season streak of postseason appearances. Last September, he signed a two-year contract extension that begins on July 1, 2025.

However, the Penguins have fallen on difficult times, missing the playoffs for the third straight season. They're rebuilding their roster, and some observers are calling for the club to trade Crosby to a contender like the Colorado Avalanche, uniting him with friend and fellow Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native Nathan MacKinnon.

On May 7, The Hockey News' Karine Hains cited some Montreal pundits kicking around trade scenarios that would see the Canadiens acquire Crosby. They cited the well-known story of his father being a former Canadiens draft pick and how he grew up a Habs fan.

Hains dismissed the possibility of the Canadiens acquiring Crosby, as did Sportsnet's Eric Engels. Even if such a deal were possible, Engels pointed out how expensive it would be to take on his $8.7 million annual cap hit and paying the Penguins' expensive asking price.

BS Meter: It's BS

This is a pipe dream that won't happen. If Crosby wanted out of Pittsburgh, he wouldn't have signed that extension and instead would've become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. That contract also has a full no-movement clause.

Regular-season stats via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.