Hypothetical Trades Based on the Latest NHL Speculation

Though it's still early in the 2016-17 NHL season, a handful of players have become subject to trade speculation. Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba and New York Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak are among the notables to surface of late in the rumor mill.

It remains to be seen if those players get dealt soon. Regardless, it gives fans and pundits the opportunity to ponder possible trade scenarios.

The following slideshow proposes some hypothetical trades based upon the latest media speculation. We'll list the basis for each deal and the factors behind each proposal.

You can weigh in with your opinion on this topic in the comments section below.

Mike Condon to the Los Angeles Kings

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Trade proposal

The Pittsburgh Penguins trade goaltender Mike Condon to the Los Angeles Kings for a draft pick or prospect.

Basis

With goalie Matt Murray returning from a hand injury, the Penguins now carry three goaltenders. On Wednesday, TSN's Bob McKenzie (via Chris Nichols of Today's Slapshot) reported the Penguins aren't adverse to trading Condon, but they don't want to put him on waivers.

Analysis

With starter Marc-Andre Fleury playing well, the Penguins aren't moving him. Murray, the 2016 playoff hero, is also considered a key part of their goalie tandem. That leaves Condon the odd man out.

If the Penguins attempt to send Condon to the minors, a rival club could pluck him off the waiver wire. By attempting to trade him, they could at least get something in return.

Kings starter Jonathan Quick is sidelined up to three months by a lower-body injury. They're relying on backup Jeff Zatkoff and call-ups Peter Budaj and Jack Campbell to carry the load. It could be worthwhile adding Condon, who did a decent job filling in for a sidelined Carey Price last season with the Montreal Canadiens.

Condon carries an affordable $575,000 salary-cap hit for this season. He'd be an affordable acquisition for the cap-strapped Kings, who carry only $950K in cap space. They could go with a tandem of Budaj and Condon and demote Campbell and Zatkoff, who is also on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, once he returns from injury.

Jaroslav Halak to the Carolina Hurricanes

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Trade proposal

The New York Islanders trade goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Ryan Murphy.

Basis

On Saturday, Sportsnet.ca's Rory Boylen reported agent Allan Walsh, who represents New York Islanders goaltenders Jaroslav Halak and Jean-Francois Berube, questioned the club's rationale for carrying three goalies this season. Boylen cited colleague Elliotte Friedman reporting Islanders general manager Garth Snow informed the other 29 NHL teams that Halak was available.

Two days earlier, TSN's Darren Dreger (via Nichols) speculated the Hurricanes could trade Murphy. Noting the oft-injured rearguard needs fewer than 40 games-played for exposure in next June's NHL expansion draft, Dreger suggested Hurricanes GM Ron Francis could move him before then.

Analysis

Hurricanes goalies Cam Ward and Eddie Lack struggled through October. While Halak's stats (3.04 goals-against average, .901 save percentage) are marginally better, he's coming off a strong performance with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Moving on to a club where Halak will get more playing time could improve his play. The Hurricanes could then demote either Ward or Lack.

With over $15 million in salary-cap space, the Hurricanes are the only team that can comfortably afford Halak's $4.5 million annual cap hit. The rise of young blueliners Noah Hanifin and Jaccob Slavin makes the 23-year-old Murphy expendable.

Moving Halak will rectify the Islanders' log jam in the crease. Murphy could be a promising and affordable ($787,500 annually through 2017-18) depth addition to their blue line. This trade would also free up nearly $4 million in cap space for the Isles to put toward other moves if needed.

Cam Fowler for Gabriel Landeskog

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Trade proposal

The Anaheim Ducks trade defenseman Cam Fowler to the Colorado Avalanche for left wing Gabriel Landeskog.

Basis

On Thursday, Boylen speculated over which defenseman the Ducks should trade to bolster their depth at forward. He considered Fowler and his $4 million salary-cap hit their most movable asset.

On June 30, Dreger (via Nichols) reported the Ducks and Colorado Avalanche had a conversation regarding a swap of Hampus Lindholm for Landeskog. However, Ducks general manager Bob Murray didn't want to move Lindholm. 

Analysis

The Ducks are deep at defense but lack seasoned scoring depth at left wing. They're relying on an inexperienced Nick Ritchie on the first line, while second-line winger Andrew Cogliano is better suited for checking-line duty. 

Should the Ducks struggle to score as the season progresses, Murray could have little choice but to shop a blueliner for a scorer. As Boylen suggested, Fowler could fetch the best return—perhaps someone as talented as Landeskog. He could prove tempting for the Ducks. 

The Avs need more top-four skill and experience on the left side of their blue line. Fowler would fill that need, but acquiring him means parting with a skilled player.

Should the Avalanche find themselves falling out of playoff contention as the March 1 trade deadline approaches, a roster shakeup could be necessary. Swapping Landeskog for Fowler by that point could prove worthwhile for both clubs.

Jacob Trouba to the Boston Bruins

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Trade Proposal

The Winnipeg Jets ship defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Boston Bruins in exchange for blueliner Torey Krug and forward Ryan Spooner.

Basis

A restricted free agent, Trouba requested a trade on Sept. 24 from the Jets, per the NHL's website. His desire is to play on the right side of the blue line. He won't get that opportunity with the Jets, as Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers skate in those positions.

On Oct. 4, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported Boston Bruins president Cam Neely said his club was in the market for a top-four defenseman. Haggerty also reported the Jets' asking price was believed to be a left-side defenseman comparable to Trouba. He noted Krug was the only Bruins blueliner close to fitting that description.

Fast forward to Saturday. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Bruins will listen to offers for Spooner, a center who can also skate on the wing. He believes they could move him for a top-four rearguard. His colleague Nick Kypreos wondered if a deal could be made for Trouba. He believed a package of Spooner, young defenseman Brandon Carlo and a first-round pick could be too expensive for Trouba.

Analysis

Trouba must be under contract before the Dec. 1 deadline to re-sign restricted free agents or become ineligible to play the rest of the season. If he's unwilling to change his mind about a trade, the Jets could be forced to deal him by late-November.

Krug is under contract through 2019-20 at an annual salary-cap hit of $5.25 million. Though not as comparable to Trouba in size, overall skills and potential, he's a good offensive defenseman who plays on the left side of the blue line. His salary could be comparable to what it could cost the Jets to re-sign Trouba.

With this move, the Bruins could retain Carlo and their first-round pick in 2017. They get a much-needed upgrade on their defense, while the Jets get a puck-moving top-four blueliner who skates on the left side. They also get an affordable, versatile forward in Spooner who could become a key part of their forward lines. 

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