Hypothetical Trades Based on the Latest NHL Speculation

The NHL playoffs are ongoing, but that hasn't stopped the media from speculating about potential trades this summer. Several notable players, including Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (pictured above) and Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, have recently surfaced in the rumor mill. We've put together a few hypothetical deals based on the latest NHL speculation.

In the following slideshow, we'll list the basis for these proposed trades and provide analysis of each one. Several factors, including player skill and experience, roster needs and salary cap space, went into the compilation of this list. 

You can express your opinion on these hypothetical deals in the comments section below. 

Nail Yakupov for Marcus Foligno

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The Edmonton Oilers trade right wing Nail Yakupov to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for left wing Marcus Foligno and a third-round draft pick. 

Basis: On April 10, the Edmonton Sun's Jim Matheson mused over the possibility of the struggling Yakupov being dealt this summer. Believing Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli could prefer a bigger, physical forward in return, Matheson suggested the 6'3", 226-pound Foligno plus a draft pick as a possible return. 

Analysis: Yakupov, the former 2012 first-overall pick, needs a fresh start elsewhere. The same could be said for Foligno, who's yet to establish himself as a reliable power forward. This move could benefit both rebuilding clubs. The Oilers could seek a second-round selection in return. However, the Sabres are deep in third rounders this year. They could surrender their own third-round selection as part of the deal. 

Jonathan Drouin for Matt Dumba

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Hypothetical trade: The Tampa Bay Lightning trade left wing Jonathan Drouin to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Matt Dumba.

Basis: On April 15, Sportsnet's Luke Fox claimed the 21-year-old Dumba was reportedly offered to the Lightning in a midseason deal for Drouin. The Wild defender is a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract. Earlier this season, Drouin was demoted to the minors and briefly withheld his services hoping to force a trade. He was recalled by the Lightning late in the season. 

Analysis: The Wild need more skilled scoring forwards, and Drouin could address that issue. Given what's transpired this season, he might benefit from a fresh start with another club. The Lightning could use an affordable right-handed shot like Dumba's on their blue line. 

Frederik Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The Anaheim Ducks trade goaltender Frederik Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a second- and third-round draft pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Basis: On April 15, Sportsnet's Luke Fox reported Andersen could become a trade chip following the playoffs. He's a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer with a salary-cap hit this season of $1.15 million. Fox cited colleague Chris Johnston's report on March 24 claiming Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello was scouting the Ducks netminder. 

Analysis: The Ducks could consider Andersen expendable if they believe John Gibson is ready to become their full-time starter. The Leafs are in need of experienced goaltending depth. The 26-year-old Andersen could take over the starter's job from Jonathan Bernier. The Leafs possess considerable depth in draft picks to offer up to the Ducks, who lack a second-round selection in this year's draft. 

Pavel Datsyuk's Contract to the Carolina Hurricanes

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The Detroit Red Wings trade Pavel Datsyuk and their 2016 second-round draft pick to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the Hurricanes' third-round pick in 2016.

Basis: On Thursday, ESPN.com's Craig Custance reported Datsyuk could depart for Russia at the end of this season. That would leave the Wings with the remaining year of his contract (worth a salary-cap hit of $7.5 million) on their books. Custance suggested that the Red Wings could trade that contract to a club that can absorb it. However, they might have to include a draft pick to sweeten the deal.

Analysis: The rebuilding Hurricanes have over $34 million in projected salary-cap space for 2016-17. They can afford Datsyuk's cap hit. Adding the Red Wings' second-rounder would give them three in this year's draft. The Wings would free up cap space to pursue a replacement for Datsyuk, such as Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos.

Sami Vatanen to the Boston Bruins for Jimmy Hayes

Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The Anaheim Ducks trade defenseman Sami Vatanen to the Boston Bruins in exchange for right wing Jimmy Hayes.

Basis: On April 20, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported that Boston Bruins team president Cam Neely said improving his club's defense was a top priority. Haggerty listed Vatanen among the blueliners he expects the Bruins to pursue this summer. He's a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who's due a significant raise over his current $1.262 million annual salary.

Analysis: The Ducks possess considerable blue-line depth and can afford to part with Vatanen if his asking price proves expensive. The 24-year-old would provide some much-needed skilled youth to the Bruins defense. The 6'5", 215-pound Hayes struggled this season in Boston. He might have better luck with the Ducks perhaps as a replacement for pending free-agent right wing.  

Kevin Shattenkirk to the Arizona Coyotes

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The St. Louis Blues trade defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Klas Dahlbeck, a first-round pick in 2016 and a prospect. 

Basis: On April 14, Arizona Sports' Craig Morgan reported that the Coyotes' biggest need is boosting their defense. He believes they'd like to add a right-handed shot to pair with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. With the Coyotes holding over $40 million in projected cap space for 2016-17, Morgan thinks they'll target cap-strapped clubs, including Shattenkirk among his list of candidates. 

Analysis: Shattenkirk has a year left on his contract. He might be too expensive for the Blues to re-sign. The emergence of young defenders Colton Parayko and Joel Edmundson could also make him expendable. The Coyotes won't part with their own first-round pick in this move, but they could offer up the first rounder they acquired last season from the Rangers. 

Ben Bishop to the Calgary Flames

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The Tampa Bay Lightning trade goaltender Ben Bishop to the Calgary Flames in exchange for center Sam Bennett plus a second-round and a fourth-round pick in 2016.

Basis: On April 7, the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson reported of talk that the Flames could try to acquire Bishop this summer from the Lightning. The Bolts would then promote backup Andrei Vasilevskiy into the starter's role. He speculates the Flames would have to part with Bennett as part of the return.  

Analysis: Bishop is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency and could prove too expensive to re-sign. He must waive his no-movement clause to accept a trade to the Flames, who need an experienced starting goalie. They could re-sign him to a lucrative deal. Bennett would be an affordable addition at center for the Lightning if they lose Steven Stamkos to free agency. 

Zdeno Chara to the Florida Panthers

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Hypothetical trade: The Boston Bruins trade defenseman Zdeno Chara to the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Alex Petrovic and a second-round pick in 2017. 

Basis: On April 10, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty called for sweeping changes for the Boston Bruins following another disappointing season. Chara was among those he believed should be traded, pointing out that the 39-year-old blueliner has a home in Florida. 

Analysis: Provided Chara agrees to waive his no-movement clause, he could be a good short-term replacement for pending free agent Brian Campbell. The Panthers have the salary cap space to absorb the remaining two years of Chara's contract. The 24-year-old Petrovic adds some youth to the Bruins defensive corps. This move also frees up much-needed cap room to pursue additional roster depth. 

Player and team stats via NHL.com. Salary information via Cap Friendly.