The Hottest NHL Trade Speculation Early in the 2016-17 NHL Season

The 2016-17 NHL season is finally underway. The start of the new campaign also brings a fresh helping of trade speculation. Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks and Jacob Trouba of the Winnipeg Jets were fixtures in the offseason rumor mill. They remain hot topics for trade chatter. 

In addition to Trouba, the Jets could face moving one of their goaltenders this season. Meanwhile, New York Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath recently surfaced as a possible trade candidate. 

This slideshow examines the hottest early season NHL trade speculation. As always, you can voice your opinion in the comments section below. 

New York Rangers Shopping Dylan McIlrath

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Since selecting McIlrath 10th overall in the 2010 NHL draft, the Rangers waited for him to blossom into a quality big-league defenseman. Though McIlrath entered this season with only 37 NHL games under his belt, management could be running out of patience.

On Oct. 10, the New York Post's Larry Brooks reported it's believed the Rangers seek a trade partner for McIlrath. He pointed out the 24-year-old had a disappointing training camp. The 6'5", 236-pounder seems to be struggling to adjust to a fast-paced style head coach Alain Vigneault favors.  

Brooks wrote the Rangers prefer not to lose McIlrath to waivers, so they could deter a decision on his future. Still, it seems unlikely he'll become a blue-line regular.

McIlrath's size, physical style and right-handed shot could interest clubs lacking such attributes on their defenses. His one-year, $800,000 contract makes him an affordable gamble. If McIlrath is being shopped, the Rangers might get a third-round pick in return. 

Could the Dallas Stars Target A Winnipeg Jets Goaltender?

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On Oct. 10, the Winnipeg Jets demoted veteran goaltender Ondrej Pavelec to the Manitoba Moose. They opened the season with promising Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson as their goalie tandem. The duo, however, could attract the interest of a Western Conference rival. 

In his Oct. 11 column, TSN's Frank Seravalli speculated Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill could target Hellebuyck or Hutchinson if his current goalies (Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi) struggle this season. He believes either one would make more salary-cap sense for the Stars. 

Seravalli also noted next June's NHL expansion draft could force the Jets to part with Hellebuyck or Hutchinson this season. Expansion draft rules stipulate teams can only protect one goalie. The Jets, however, could wait until June to address this issue.

Pavelec seems a most likely candidate for the Jets. He's an unrestricted free agent in July and no longer has a future in Winnipeg. Considering his demotion, it's doubtful the Stars will be interested in him. 

Were the Buffalo Sabres Trying to Improve Evander Kane's Trade Value?

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane suffered cracked ribs during his club's season opener on Oct. 13. The Canadian Press (via TSN) subsequently reported Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma expected Kane to be sidelined for weeks.

Offseason trade speculation frequently included Kane, prior to his injury. On July 22, Buffalo police levied several misdemeanor charges against Kane, stemming from an incident in a Buffalo bar on June 24. On Aug. 3, Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News suggested the Sabres would be better off trading Kane. 

On Oct. 9, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted Kane played alongside young stars Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart in the Sabres' final preseason game. He wondered if that move was permanent or an attempt to bolster the winger's trade value. Friedman reported the Vancouver Canucks were interested in Kane, but a deal failed to materialize.

Kane's injury ensures he'll remains with the Sabres for the foreseeable future. Once he returns to action, they could reunite him with Eichel and Reinhart. If he plays well enough, perhaps they'll consider moving him later in the season. 

Jacob Trouba to the Detroit Red Wings?

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Since making a trade request to the Jets on Sept. 24, Trouba became a hot topic in the NHL rumor mill. While the Rochester, Michigan native didn't publicly indicate any preferable trade destinations, he could have his eye on the Detroit Red Wings.

On Oct. 12, TSN's Darren Dreger appeared on WGR 550 (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot), discussing Trouba's status among several NHL topics. Dreger said he knew Trouba would love to play for the Red Wings, but they lack the assets to interest the Jets. He added the Wings aren't trading promising center Dylan Larkin.

Nichols noted Dreger, in previous interviews, said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff received several offers this summer for Trouba. One of them came from Wings GM Ken Holland, but the Jets' asking price was two of the Wings higher-level forwards. 

The Wings need to get younger and bolster their blue-line depth. While Trouba would be a good fit, they probably can't afford him. They placed Johan Franzen, Joe Vitale and Tomas Jurco on long-term injured reserve ($5.971 million combined cap hit) to get under the $73 million cap ceiling. They'll have to shed over $6 million to free up sufficient room for Trouba's new contract.

Cam Fowler to the Boston Bruins?

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

With only $365,836 remaining in salary-cap space, the Ducks must free up room to re-sign defenseman Hampus Lindholm. On Sept. 21, the Orange County Register's Eric Stephens reported blueliner Fowler ($4 million cap hit) was the subject of trade speculation. 

The Boston Bruins could be a trade destination. On Oct. 11, Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe suggested Fowler as a perfect fit for the Bruins. He speculated it could take a package offer that includes promising center Danton Heinen and blueliner Brandon Carlo to tempt the Ducks. 

Considering the Ducks can't afford to take back much salary in a Fowler trade, a package of promising and affordable young players could fit the bill. The combined average cap hit of Heinen and Carlo is just over $1.66 million. 

The Bruins need a skilled, young defenseman such as Fowler. He would provide invaluable puck-moving skills for their blue line. The only stumbling block is Fowler's a left-handed shot, while the Bruins could use a right-handed shot among their top four defensemen.

Player stats via NHL.com. Salary info via Cap Friendly.