Playing "Fact or Fiction" with the Latest NHL Rumors and Speculation

The NHL draft will take place in Buffalo, New York, on June 24 and 25, and the start of unrestricted free agency is July 1. As a result, there's an increase in trade and free-agent rumors.

Even players on this year's Stanley Cup finalists—such as San Jose Sharks winger Patrick Marleau and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin—have appeared in recent trade speculation.

Teams with limited salary-cap space could be forced to make cost-cutting trades. Some clubs could trade players this summer that they risk losing in a possible expansion draft next June.

Potential destinations for unrestricted free agents are also a hot topic for the hockey media. 

In this slideshow, we'll examine the latest NHL trade and free-agent rumors and speculation to determine if they are fact or fiction. You can express your views on this topic in the comments section below. 

Will the Coyotes Try to Acquire the First Overall Pick?

Matt York/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 9, Dirty Water Sports' Jimmy Murphy, citing a reliable source, reported the Arizona Coyotes were attempting to acquire the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Coyotes would then use that pick to select Arizona native and top prospect Auston Matthews.

Analysis

Murphy reported the Coyotes could offer up their two first-round picks (seventh and 20th overall) in this year's draft and either left wing Max Domi or prospect Christian Dvorak to the Leafs for the top draft pick. He also said there's no indication the Leafs would accept that offer. 

On June 3, TSN's Bob McKenzie (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) said he'd also heard talk of the Coyotes pursuing the top pick. However, he doesn't believe the Leafs have any intention of parting with it. He also doubted the Coyotes would part with a foundation player such as Domi.

Fact or Fiction?

Fiction. On June 14, Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported Coyotes general manager John Chayka dismissed these rumors. He said he found some of the reports to be ridiculous speculation. 

Chayka could attempt to move one or both of his first-round selections, either to move up in the draft order or for a return that immediately boosts his roster. Chasing the top pick, however, appears out of the question.

Dustin Brown a Trade or Buyout Candidate?

Harry How/Getty Images

The Speculation

On June 2, TSN's Frank Seravalli included Los Angeles Kings left wing Dustin Brown among his list of offseason trade bait.

Meanwhile, the Hockey News' Jared Clinton had Brown on his June 14 list of potential buyout candidates.

Analysis

On May 27, Seravalli reported the Kings intended to relieve Brown of the team captaincy. While the club has not responded to that report, it's likely the basis for much of this speculation. (Update: TSN reports the Kings named Anze Kopitar as their new captain.)

Brown's production has steadily declined since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. He managed only 28 points in 2015-16 and 27 in each of his two prior campaigns. 

The 31-year-old winger has an average annual salary of $5.875 million. He's signed through 2021-22 and carries a modified no-trade clause.

The Kings carry limited salary-cap space ($3.7 million) for next season and need room to re-sign unrestricted free agent Milan Lucic.

Fact or Fiction?

It's closer to fact that he could be bought out. Given Brown's declining numbers and expensive contract, the Kings probably won't find many takers for his services. 

A buyout, however, will be costly. While it'll only count as just over $680,000 against the Kings' cap for next season, it rises to over $1.18 million in 2017-18, over $2.18 million for 2018-19 and 2019-20 and over $3.68 million for 2020-21 and 2021-22. After that, it counts as over $1.805 million per season to 2027-28. 

Will the Rangers Lose Keith Yandle to Free Agency?

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 15, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wrote he believed the New York Rangers would love to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Keith Yandle. However, unless they can clear some salary-cap room, LeBrun felt the 29-year-old is headed to free agency on July 1.

Analysis

Yandle was the Rangers' best puck-moving defenseman this season, so it's understandable why they wish to re-sign him. 

The Rangers have a projected $15.3 million of salary-cap space for 2016-17. However, they must also re-sign restricted free agents Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes and Dylan McIlrath.

With this summer's free-agent pool the deepest in years, they could prefer pursuing one of the top available players.

Yandle's completing a five-year, $26.25 million contract. It could cost around $6.5 million per season to re-sign him.

Fact or Fiction?

Fact. The Rangers must clear around $7 million to free up enough room to re-sign Yandle and their key restricted free agents. If they cannot do that before July 1, Yandle's a goner. 

Could the Sharks Trade Patrick Marleau?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 13, CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz reported left wing Patrick Marleau stated his intent to return with the San Jose Sharks next season. Kurz, however, suggested the 36-year-old's response wasn't "overly convincing."

Analysis

Kurz noted there were signs during the season that Marleau and Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer weren't seeing eye-to-eye.

While Marleau put up a respectable 25 goals and 49 points this season and 13 points in 24 playoff games, it's obvious age is catching up to him. 

Marleau has one season remaining on his contract at a salary-cap hit of $6.67 million. He also has a no-trade clause.

Kurz noted Marleau was willing to waive the clause earlier this season to join the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks or New York Rangers.

Fact or Fiction?

Unless Marleau is willing to accept a trade or broaden his list of trade destinations, it's fiction. The Kings, Ducks and Rangers have limited salary-cap space and cannot afford his cap hit. 

The Sharks came within two games of winning the Stanley Cup. Marleau stands a better chance of winning that elusive championship by staying in San Jose. 

Milan Lucic to the Canucks or Oilers?

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 3, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun (via the Edmonton Journal's Bruce McCurdy) reported on TSN's Insider Trading that Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic had grown open to the possibility of hitting the free-agent market. LeBrun believed the Vancouver Canucks (Lucic's hometown team) and Edmonton Oilers could pursue him.

Analysis

Lucic, 28, is completing a three-year, $18 million contract. The Kings currently have over $3.7 million in projected salary-cap space.

They should get an additional $2.25 million if center Vincent Lecavalier announces his retirement. Still, that won't be enough to re-sign Lucic, who could command over $7 million per season on the open market.

The Canucks lack a physical scoring presence on their second line. Though they have more of a need at right wing, Lucic could prove enticing to them.

Lucic has ties with Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli from their days with the Boston Bruins. However, the Oilers' biggest need is to add a top-two defenseman with a right-handed shot.

Fact or Fiction?

If Lucic becomes a free agent, it's a fact he would be a better fit with the Canucks than the Oilers.

Unless Chiarelli trades left wing Taylor Hall and his $6 million annual cap hit for a top-two defenseman, he has no reason to acquire Lucic. 

Matt Duchene for Jacob Trouba?

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 6, CSN New England's Joe Haggerty reported the Colorado Avalanche were dangling center Matt Duchene to the Winnipeg Jets. Their target was free-agent defenseman Jacob Trouba.

Analysis

Trouba is completing a three-year, entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights. He first appeared in the trade-rumor mill following a Dec. 14 report by the Winnipeg Free Press' Tim Campbell, who said the blueliner sought an eight-year deal worth $56 million. 

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman subsequently reported Trouba's agent claimed that information was incorrect. Still, it failed to keep the 22-year-old defenseman out of recent trade speculation. 

The Avalanche need blue-line depth. Duchene, 25, would be enticing trade bait. He briefly surfaced in trade chatter last November, but the talk faded as his performance improved. 

On June 8, TSN's Darren Dreger (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) said he was told by both parties (Jets management and Trouba's agent) that Trouba was willing to sign and stay with the Jets.

Fact or Fiction?

Fiction. On June 14, the Winnipeg Sun's Paul Friesen reported Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said he's not trying to trade Trouba. 

Granted, Cheveldayoff didn't say anything about listening to offers. Perhaps the Avalanche or other clubs are inquiring into the young defenseman's trade status.

Friesen, however, noted the Jets GM is working to re-sign Trouba and fellow RFA Mark Scheifele. 

Could the Lightning Trade Ben Bishop?

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 14, the Hockey News' Matt Larkin included Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop on his list of top-10 trade candidates at the 2016 NHL draft. 

Larkin cited the emergence of promising young goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and the need to protect him in a possible expansion draft next summer as key factors in moving Bishop.

Analysis

Larkin also cited Bishop's contract ($5.95 million cap hit) and injury history as other reasons to move him.

The Lightning have over $18.8 million in salary-cap room and several key players (Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn) to re-sign. Moving Bishop could free up much-needed cap room to retain them. 

A sticking point, however, is Bishop's full no-movement clause for next season. Another is his eligibility next summer for unrestricted free agency.

Fact or Fiction?

It's a fact the Lightning must consider where Bishop fits into their future. They also must re-sign defenseman Victor Hedman and forwards Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat next summer. 

Even without an expansion draft, the Lightning probably cannot afford to retain Bishop beyond next season. 

He's a nominee for the 2016 Vezina Trophy, which helps his trade value. Several clubs, including the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs, could use a proven starting goalie such as Bishop.

Evgeni Malkin to the Florida Panthers?

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The speculation

On June 1, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos (via Fansided's Glen Whitfield) suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins could trade center Evgeni Malkin this summer. He and colleague Doug MacLean believed Malkin looked like he wanted to play a slower game than his teammates during their recent playoff run. 

MacLean suggested Malkin would look good with the Montreal Canadiens or Vancouver Canucks, but Kypreos believed he'd be a better fit with the Florida Panthers.

Analysis

Kypreos said Malkin could slide right in as a potential replacement for Jaromir Jagr, who's on a one-year contract next season. He also noted the Penguins need to shed salary for 2016-17. Their current payroll is over $73.9 million.

The Panthers, however, are already deep at center with younger, more affordable centers such as Aleksander Barkov, Nick Bjugstad, Vincent Trochek and the recently acquired Jared McCann. 

Malkin also has a full no-movement clause in his contract.

Fact or Fiction?

Big-time fiction. Malkin is part of the Penguins core and played a key role in their 2016 Stanley Cup championship. He's not going anywhere. 

With Matt Murray supplanting Marc-Andre Fleury as the Penguins' starting goalie, they're more likely to put Fleury on the trade block to free up cap space than Malkin. 

Stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.