NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Tyson Barrie, P.K. Subban and More

The NHL season is nearing its close. That means it's almost time for other teams to retool and reload so that they can end up in the same position as the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks next year.

Chatter on the trade front has been quiet so far. It's sure to pick up when the NHL draft draws near, but only two notable names have come up in serious trade talk. One of them is All-Star defenseman P.K. Subban.

Here's the latest trade chatter in the hockey world, including the chance that a team swoops in for the No. 1 overall draft pick.

Chances of Subban Getting Traded Increasing

Moving Subban once looked like a long shot, but much has changed.

Craig Custance of ESPN.com reported that the chances of the Canadiens trading Subban could be greater than the 5 percent ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported earlier in the week.

Subban's no-trade clause doesn't go into effect until July 1. Montreal has less than a month to strike a deal with a team. 

Custance's report does not coincide with that of TSN's Darren Dreger. Appearing on TSN 690 (h/t Today's Slapshot), he said one Western Conference general manager told him Subban was not available.

“But a lot can change," Dreger said. "If the right offer surfaces, Bergevin doing his job has to listen. If that opportunity surfaces between now and July 1, then obviously the Montreal Canadiens consider something."

Subban is a stellar defenseman who would improve a lot of top pairings. The Dallas Stars would be a viable option if they can scrounge up enough talent in return for an All-Star. Either way, it'll take a hefty price to pry Subban away.

Bob McKenzie Thinks Barrie Could Be Traded

The Colorado Avalanche don't have a lot going for them. So, would trading Tyson Barrie be a legitimate idea on the table?

Bob McKenzie from TSN thinks so. Here's what he told TSN 1260, per Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot:

"

Yeah. Here’s what I think. This is not going to make any sense, but I’m going to say it anyways. Colorado is looking for a defenseman. But I don’t think they like the economic leverage that Tyson Barrie has right now. Tyson Barrie has got a very strong arbitration case. I think he’s going to be looking for a sum of money that Colorado doesn’t feel comfortable in giving him. Therefore I think they’re looking for somebody who—looking for a different type of defenseman maybe, or one that’s not going to cost them as much money.

"

McKenzie noted that the Edmonton Oilers could be a team that would take Barrie off Colorado's hands. 

Barrie has been Colorado's best scoring defenseman in the last two years, tallying 102 points. He scored a career-high 13 goals last year and was the team's fifth-leading scorer.

It makes sense why the Avs would want to make a move and improve the immediate roster, but Barrie has been such a solid offensive weapon on defense that it wouldn't make sense to move away from that. Colorado is rebuilding with a youth movement, and Barrie needs to be a part of that.

Coyotes Want No. 1 Pick, Hometown Hero Matthews

Speaking of rebuilds, the Arizona Coyotes want the whole enchilada, according to Jimmy Murphy of DW Sports Boston:

The Coyotes want Scottsdale native Auston Matthews with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft and want to figure out any possible way to make a move happen with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Coyotes are looking to move up from No. 7, which could require a major haul of draft picks and immediate return of on-ice production for the Leafs to even consider a deal.

The Coyotes need help, but so do the Leafs. It would be highly unlikely for Toronto to even consider trading the pick knowing it's the team that can grab an instant-impact talent like Matthews.