NHL Trade Rumors: Marc-Andre Fleury, Colorado Avalanche

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NHL Trade Rumors: Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) reacts after giving up the game winning goal to Florida Panthers right wing Reilly Smith (not pictured) in the third period at BB&T Center. The Panthers won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Bold Predictions (Marc-Andre Fleury, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, and More)

While there has been no shortage of NHL trade rumors over the past couple of months, we’ve seen very little movement of significance. It might have something to do with the looming expansion draft and the need to make careful decisions. Money also plays a major role with so many teams pressed up against the salary cap.

There is one other factor that could be at play here. It might also explain why we haven’t seen any coaches relieved of their duties yet. Parity in the NHL has never been stronger than it is right now. We’re talking about a 6-7 point difference from Conference basement dwellers to that final Wild-Card spot. A team can easily play themselves out of contention after 15-16 games, but instead, it’s difficult to say any club is out of reach at this point.

Nov 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) squirts water onto his face during a time out against the Minnesota Wild in the first period at the PPG Paints Arena. Minnesota won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s only a matter of time before the floodgates open on the trade market. Fans have been waiting eagerly for what everyone knows to be inevitable trades. GMs such as Steve Yzerman and Jim Rutherford say all the right things (i.e. inferring they could keep their tandems together) to preserve the trade value. When it comes down to mathematics though, the numbers simply don’t work for an expansion protection list.

Sure, you could offer Las Vegas a quality player, prospects, or maybe even draft picks. But it’s a pipe dream to believe that George McPhee would be satisfied accepting a bunch of unknowns to allow TB or PIT to protect both of their goalies. Yzerman and Rutherford are simply doing their part to ensure they don’t get hosed and thrown into a corner the way Edmonton was with Taylor Hall.

As our regular readers know, every now and then, I like to throw out segment called five bold predictions. In today’s edition, the focus will be NHL trade rumors since it feels as though the ice is cracking in what could be an eventful flurry of trades leading all the way up to the trade deadline.

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