Playing Fact or Fiction with the Latest NHL Speculation

The NHL playoffs are ongoing, but that isn't stopping activity in the trade rumor mill. Even players whose teams remain active in the postseason, such as Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, are subjects of recent speculation. 

Once the playoffs end in mid-June, the trade market will return to life. With the NHL draft weekend set for June 24-25 and free agency beginning on July 1, general managers will be busy swinging deals. 

The following slideshow examines the latest NHL trade speculation to determine its basis in fact or fiction. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below. 

Could the Islanders Move Jaroslav Halak?

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

The speculation: On May 10, the New York Post's Brett Cyrgalis suggested New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak could be "a possible trade piece" this summer. Backup Thomas Greiss filled in admirably for the sidelined Halak during the playoffs and promising Jean-Francois Berube is waiting in the wings.

Analysis: Cyrgalis noted Halak's injuries sidelined him at the start of the season and down the stretch. He also pointed out the 31-year-old has two seasons remaining on his contract at an annual salary-cap hit of $4.5 million.

On May 18, Newsday's Arthur Staple reported Halak required sports hernia surgery. He'll require six to eight weeks of recovery. 

Fact or fiction: Fact, once Halak is fully healed from his surgery. Carrying three goalies creates an unnecessary distraction for Isles management next season.

Given Halak's injury history, they could be forced to absorb part of his salary-cap hit to generate interest in the trade market. A contract buyout won't be possible in June if he's still recovering from surgery. 

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the Minnesota Wild?

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

The speculation: On May 14, Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe reported the Minnesota Wild were already in the market for a center before hiring Bruce Boudreau as their new head coach. He suggested Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers could interest them.

Analysis: Shinzawa noted the Oilers already have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at center. That could make Nugent-Hopkins expendable.

The Oilers must boost their defense, an area in which the Wild have depth. While Ryan Suter is untouchable, trade options could include Matt Dumba, Jared Spurgeon, Marco Scandella or Jonas Brodin. 

Fact or fiction: Fiction. On May 16, the Edmonton Journal's Jonathan Willis didn't see how the Wild could be a good fit for the Oilers' defensive needs. He pointed out the Oilers need a top-four, right-shooting defender.

Of those on the Wild, Spurgeon is the best option. However, Willis doesn't consider him worth an asset such as Nugent-Hopkins.

Jimmy Howard for Antti Niemi?

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The speculation: On May 12, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported the Dallas Stars' weak goaltending played a part in their second-round playoff elimination. She suggested their collapse could help the Red Wings move Jimmy Howard.

Analysis: Howard lost the Red Wings' starting goalie job to Petr Mrazek, but he's under contract through 2018-19 at an annual salary-cap hit of $5.291 million. She wondered if a three-team swap involving the Wings and Stars could be possible.

Her scenario sees the Wings shipping Howard to the Stars for Niemi, then shipping the latter to a team that needs a goaltender, "such as Toronto, Calgary or Carolina." Failing that, the Wings could keep Niemi as his contract is shorter and more affordable than Howard's. 

Fact or fiction. Kudos to St. James for an imaginative trade scenario, but this is fiction. Howard isn't much of an improvement over Niemi for the Stars. It makes no sense for them to take on a more expensive goalie who won't improve their goaltending. 

Tyson Barrie to the New York Rangers?

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The speculation: On May 16, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claiming Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie was "definitely in play" on the trade market. Leonard believes the 24-year-old blueliner would be a good fit with the New York Rangers. 

Analysis: Friedman speculated the Avalanche and Barrie's agents aren't close to working out a new contract. He's a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and could seek a big raise over his current annual salary-cap hit of $2.6 million. 

The Rangers could lose blueliner Keith Yandle to free agency in July. Barrie could be a suitable replacement. He's young, skates well and would provide the Blueshirts with a right-handed shot on the blue line. Leonard speculates it could cost the Rangers a forward like Rick Nash or Chris Kreider. 

Fact or fiction: Fiction. If Barrie hits the trade block, the Rangers could be interested. However, there's no certainty they can absorb his new contract or the Avs' asking price.

Other clubs with more salary-cap space (Boston Bruins) and depth in assets (Edmonton Oilers) are also seeking a top-two puck-moving blueliner. They are better positioned to out-bid the Rangers.

Justin Faulk to the Edmonton Oilers?

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

The speculation: On May 13, the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson noted Carolina Hurricanes assistant general manager Ricky Olczyk used to hold a similar position with the Edmonton Oilers.

If the two clubs are discussing defenseman Justin Faulk, Matheson believed Olczyk could be a "sounding board" for Hurricanes GM Ron Francis on Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or right wing Jordan Eberle.

Analysis: The Oilers need a top-four defenseman with a right-handed shot. Faulk, 25, would more than fill that need. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, lack depth among their scoring forwards. Nugent-Hopkins or Eberle could be a good fit in Carolina.

Fact or fiction: Fiction. Yes, the Hurricanes have depth in young defenseman and need scoring punch. However, Faulk is their top blueliner and carries an affordable $4.833 million annual salary-cap hit through 2019-20. They're not parting with him. 

Kevin Shattenkirk to the Boston Bruins?

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The speculation: CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty believes St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is the player the Boston Bruins are most likely to pursue via trade this summer. He claims the Blues and Bruins discussed the 27-year-old blueliner at the trade deadline. 

Analysis: With Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg aging and past their prime, the Bruins need a younger, experienced defensemen with puck-moving skills.

Shattenkirk has a year remaining on his contract worth an annual average salary of $4.25 million. He could be expensive for the Bruins to both acquire and re-sign. 

Fact or fiction: Fact. With the rise of young defensemen Colton Parayko and Joel Edmundson, the Blues can afford to ship out Shattenkirk.

The Bruins could be among the suitors, but the asking price might be steep. The Blues could seek a good young roster player and either a top prospect or one of the Bruins' two first-round picks in this year's NHL draft. 

Could the Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Marc-Andre Fleury?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The speculation: On May 3, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston suggested goaltender Matt Murray is entrenching himself as the Pittsburgh Penguins' starter over veteran Marc-Andre Fleury.

The following day, NBC Sports' Ryan Dadoun wondered which goaltender the Penguins might protect in a potential expansion draft next year. 

Analysis: Johnston noted teams can only protect one goalie in an expansion draft. He also reported players with full no-movement clauses must be protected. 

Johnston pointed out Fleury's no-movement only applies to waivers and demotion. That means he wouldn't be exempt from the expansion draft. He also has a modified no-trade clause allowing him to select 18 preferred trade destinations.

Fact or fiction: Fact. If there is an expansion draft at the end of next season, the Penguins will be forced to choose between Fleury and Murray. If they believe Murray is ready to be their full-time starter, they could place Fleury on the trade block this summer.

Henrik Lundqvist to the Dallas Stars?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The speculation: On May 12, The Hockey News' Matt Larkin suggested the Dallas Stars should try to acquire goaltender Henrik Lundqvist from the New York Rangers. He cited the poor playoff stats of Stars netminders Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi as justification behind this proposed move. 

Analysis: Larkin made the case that a Lundqvist-to-Dallas deal could help both clubs. He noted the Stars' championship window is opening while the Rangers has closed.

The Stars would land a true starting goalie with plenty of postseason experience. They also have depth in young players and prospects to help the Blueshirts restock for the future. 

Fact or fiction: Pure fiction. Lundqvist has a full no-movement clause and it's doubtful he'll agree to leave New York. On May 14, the New York Post's Larry Brooks put it best: "No. Henrik Lundqvist is not being traded to Dallas. So stop."

Player stats via NHL.com and salary info via Cap Friendly.