NHL Trade Rumors and Speculation: Latest Draft-Related Chatter

The 2016 NHL draft will be held on Friday and Saturday in Buffalo, New York. As a result, there are growing rumors and speculation over possible player trades. Stars such as St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk have surfaced in recent trade chatter.

With the salary cap for 2016-17 rising by only $1.6 million to $73 million, clubs with limited salary-cap space will attempt to shed salary. They could be targeted by teams seeking to address specific roster needs.

Some teams could draw upon their depth at a certain positions as trade bait to bolster their rosters. Meanwhile, the possibility of expansion could force some clubs to move out players they cannot protect in an expansion draft next year.

Here's a look at the latest trade rumors and speculation as the NHL draft nears. Feel free to offer up your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.

Columbus Blue Jackets Listening to Offers for Nick Foligno?

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 18, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported the Columbus Blue Jackets were listening to offers for left wing Nick Foligno.

Analysis

With over $66.5 million invested in next season's payroll, the Blue Jackets lack sufficient salary-cap space to re-sign restricted free agents Seth Jones and William Karlsson. They must free up room to get those two under contract and avoid one of them receiving an offer sheet from a rival club. 

Foligno has an annual salary cap hit of $5.5 million through 2020-21. However, he's also the team captain, and moving him could leave a leadership void. He also has a no-trade clause.

The Jackets are also reportedly looking at other options to shed salary. On June 11, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported sources claimed left wing Scott Hartnell ($4.75 million annually through 2018-19) agreed to waive his no-movement clause, providing the Jackets with a list of suitable destinations. 

Conclusion

While the Jackets could be gauging interest in Foligno, they're more likely to move Hartnell to free up cap space. They could also trade or buy out defenseman Fedor Tyutin.

Zach Bogosian to the Edmonton Oilers?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 15, WGR 550's Matthew Coller reported a source claimed the Edmonton Oilers have had interest in Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian since last season.

Analysis

Coller cited Bogosian's no-movement clause as a reason why the Sabres should trade him. Players with no-movement clauses must be protected in an expansion draft, potentially leaving another valuable player exposed. 

The Oilers need a top-pairing defenseman with a right-handed shot. Bogosian shoots from the right, but he lacks the overall skills of a top-two blueliner.

On June 19, the Edmonton Sun's Jim Matheson reported there's talk of the Oilers swapping right wing Jordan Eberle for Bogosian. Given the Oilers' lack of depth on right wing, Matheson doubts that deal happens.

Matheson considers Bogosian a second-pairing defenseman. He also suggested Bogosian's contract ($5.14 million annually through 2019-20) is too expensive.

Conclusion

Bogosian doesn't suit the Oilers' requirement for a top-two rearguard. They will look elsewhere to address that need. 

Could the New York Rangers Move Derek Stepan?

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The Speculation

On June 19, the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported there's "lots of talk" New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton was listening to offers for center Derek Stepan.

Analysis

With the Rangers' Stanley Cup window of opportunity seemingly closed, Gorton could shake up his roster this summer.

Stepan isn't the only player the Rangers GM may be discussing in trade talk. On May 25, the New York Post's Larry Brooks claimed New York is "prepared to listen to offers for everyone."  

That doesn't mean Gorton's staging a major rebuild. However, he appears willing to consider all options to get the Blueshirts back into Cup contention as quickly as possible.

Stepan is completing the first season of a six-year, $39 million contract. His no-trade clause doesn't kick in until 2017-18.

Conclusion

There's no certainty Stepan will be moved. Even without a no-trade clause this season, his $6.5 million annual salary cap hit is a hefty investment for a center who's never reached the 60-point plateau.  

Boston Bruins Interested in Dmitry Kulikov

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 17, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported a source said the Boston Bruins have contacted the Florida Panthers expressing interest in defenseman Dmitry Kulikov. 

Analysis

The Bruins must bolster their defense. Captain Zdeno Chara is 39 and past his prime, while veteran Dennis Seidenberg hasn't been the same since suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2013-14.

According to Haggerty, the Bruins' interest in Kulikov is more of the tire-kicking kind. No serious trade discussions were held. He also claimed the 25-year-old isn't necessarily on the trade block.

However, Haggerty felt Kulikov could be a good Plan B if efforts to land other trade targets, such as Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues, fell through. 

The Panthers dealt defenseman Erik Gudbranson to the Vancouver Canucks in May. They risk losing Brian Campbell to unrestricted free agency on July 1. Concussion injuries could force Willie Mitchell into retirement. 

On June 20,  the Panthers acquired the contract rights of defenseman Keith Yandle from the New York Rangers. However, there's no certainty they can sign him before his eligibility for unrestricted free agency on July 1.

Conclusion

Trading Kulikov would leave the Panthers thin on experienced blue-line talent, especially if they fail to re-sign Yandle. The Bruins must look elsewhere for defensive help. 

On June 17, the Sun Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov claimed the Panthers often get inquiries about Kulikov. "He's not on trading block," said Fialkov.

Kevin Shattenkirk on the Trade Block?

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

The Speculation

On June 20, TSN's Darren Dreger took to Twitter stating the Kevin Shattenkirk trade watch is on. He believed the Boston Bruins are among the clubs most interested in the St. Louis Blues defenseman.

CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty feels Shattenkirk could be a good fit with the Bruins but that the return could be expensive.

Analysis

Shattenkirk is a skilled, puck-moving defenseman who's a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. His cap hit for next season is $4.25 million, and he lacks a no-trade clause. 

The emergence of young defensemen Colton Parayko and Joel Edmundson could make it easier for the Blues to part with Shattenkirk. He could command over $7 million per season on the open market next July.

His skills would be invaluable to the rebuilding Bruins, but they could face competitive bids from the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers. Both clubs also need a defenseman with Shattenkirk's abilities.

The Bruins could have an advantage, though, as the Blues might prefer shipping Shattenkirk to an Eastern Conference club.

With $12.6 million in cap space, the Blues can't afford to take back a lot of salary in return.

They have to re-sign restricted free agent left wing Jaden Schwartz. They might also re-sign either David Backes or Troy Brouwer, who are unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Conclusion

The Blues could trade Shattenkirk by the draft. Given their limited salary-cap space, they could seek a package consisting of an affordable young player with upside and a high draft pick or a top prospect.

Marc-Andre Fleury to the Calgary Flames?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 17, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun speculated over goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury's future with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For a team in need of a starting goalie, such as the Calgary Flames, LeBrun think Fleury would be worth pursuing. 

On June 20, the Calgary Sun's Eric Francis reported the Flames contacted the Penguins regarding Fleury. The asking price was the Flames' first-round pick (sixth overall) in the upcoming NHL draft. 

Analysis

Fleury had a strong performance during the 2015-16 regular season. Unfortunately, a concussion sidelined him down the stretch and through the opening two rounds of the 2016 playoffs. Rookie Matt Murray took over the starter's job, backstopping the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.

With an expansion draft possible next June, the Penguins can only protect one goaltender. They also carry over $74 million in payroll for 2016-17 and must free up some space. 

Fleury has an annual salary-cap hit of $5.75 million through 2018-19 with a partial no-trade clause. He could be shopped leading up to the draft.

The Flames parted ways with Jonas Hiller via free agency and aren't expected to re-sign Karri Ramo. They must land a proven starting goaltender for next season.

Conclusion

If the Penguins decide to ship out Fleury this summer, the Flames appear the prime destination. However, that would depend on whether Fleury agrees to go to Calgary. The Penguins must also lower their asking price. 

Could the Tampa Bay Lightning Trade Steven Stamkos' Rights?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 18, the Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons reported "a lot of hockey people" expect the Tampa Bay Lightning to trade the rights of center Steven Stamkos. 

Analysis

Stamkos, 26, is eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. 

On June 20, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reported Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman hoped to have a clearer picture on Stamkos' plans before the draft. Yzerman said he hasn't discussed a trade with the Stamkos camp, remaining focused on re-signing him.

Speaking with TSN 1050 on June 20, Darren Dreger (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) said Yzerman told people he can't go above $8.5 million per season in his offers to Stamkos. 

Yzerman requires Stamkos' permission to trade his rights. The Lightning captain carries a full no-movement clause to the end of June. Stamkos can begin speaking with other clubs on Saturday.

Conclusion

The Lightning could keep trying to work out a deal with Stamkos up until July 1. If it appears there's no chance of re-signing him before the draft, they could seek his permission to move his rights to another club.

Chicago Blackhawks Interested in Evgeni Malkin?

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Speculation

On June 21, Newsday's Steve Zipay reported hearing the Chicago Blackhawks were "kicking the tires" on Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin. He wondered how the Blackhawks would create cap space for Malkin's contract.

Analysis

Zipay subsequently claimed the Hawks were "doing due diligence." That could mean they were merely inquiring into Malkin's availability.

The Penguins have over $74 million invested in salary-cap payroll for 2016-17, so they must move out some dollars to be cap compliant for next season. Malkin's average annual salary is $9.5 million through 2021-22. He would also have to waive his no-movement clause. 

With over $66 million in cap payroll, the Blackhawks don't have the room to take on Malkin's contract. They must also shed salary, but the Penguins can't afford to take any back.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jenn Menendez reported Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said there's no truth to the rumor.

Conclusion

The Penguins aren't trading Malkin. Even if they were, the Blackhawks cannot afford him. 

Salary info per Cap Friendly.