NHL Trade Rumors: Offseason Questions That Need Answers

NHL Trade Rumors: 10 Offseason Storylines to Watch/Questions Needing Answers

NHL trade rumors should once again continue to heat up following a busy free agency period. We saw a pair of major deals last week with Edmonton shipping star winger Taylor Hall to New Jersey for defenseman Adam Larsson. Within the same hour, Montreal had shipped stud defender P.K. Subban to Nashville for Shea Weber.

In comparison to what we expect when all is said and done, activity on the trade front has been relatively quiet so far. Some teams have been actively shopping players looking for the right deal, while others are likely waiting until closer to Fall to figure out exactly what they have.

Today, we are going to explore 10 different scenarios/questions concerning individual players/or teams that are likely to be answered during the offseason.

NHL Trade Rumors: 10 Scenarios/Questions Needing Answers

Arizona Still Needs Another Goalie

If the Coyotes think moving forward with Mike Smith/Louis Domingue as their starter netminders is the answer, that hole will be quickly exposed. Arizona should be targeting one of Ben Bishop or Marc-Andre Fleury.

Cam Fowler Impending Trade

Fowler is sandwiched between Hampus Lindholm and Shea Theodore on the depth chart, and is essentially being squeezed out.

Call this move 90-plus percent likely to occur with several key RFAs still looking for new contracts in Anaheim.

Oilers Still Have a Log-Jam Up the Middle

More from Edmonton Oilers

The bad news? Edmonton wasn’t able to secure a quality RH defender in free agency.

The good news? They still have a log-jam up the middle with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Given the unexpected addition of Jesse Puljujarvi, that further opens up options to include Nail Yakupov in a trade.

At least one, if not both could be traded to address that hole underneath newly acquired Adam Larsson.

Bruins Still Need a Defenseman

May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) looks around the screen of St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) during the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

After newly signed David Backes told reporters he expects to play center, trade rumors began to swirl.

All of a sudden, the Bruins have the ability to trade one of David Krejci or Ryan Spooner to add another blueliner.

One way or another, GM Don Sweeney will trade for a d-man capable of playing 20-plus minutes/night before the dust settles.

Evander Kane to be Traded?

Speculation is beginning to suggest the signing of Kyle Okposo is writing on the wall for Evander Kane. After finding himself in trouble once again, it’s safe to say the experiment didn’t work. Finding a trade suitor could be the difficult part though. They could try to expose him in expansion, but that’s not the personality you want in that environment.

Marc-Andre Fleury/Matt Murray

More from Puck Prose

GM Jim Rutherford has expressed the possibility of keeping his tandem netminders together, although that makes little sense with expansion around the corner.

Behind the scenes, you can guarantee that Pittsburgh is working to find a trade partner. Worst case scenario, Pittsburgh opens the 2016-17 season with the duo, and waits for a team to struggle between the pipes.

Ben Bishop/Andrei Vasilevskiy

Much like the Penguins scenario, it makes little sense to keep a duo like this together when one is certain to be lost in expansion.

Vasilevskiy was recently signed to a new extension, and it seems likely TB turns to the young Russian. Bishop still has plenty of mileage left on the odometer, and should make for an attractive option to Cup contending teams.

Minnesota Still Needs to Move a Defenseman

They can only save three defenders in expansion, and currently own a total of five top four defenseman. Two are right-handed (Jared Spurgeon and Matt Dumba), the other three left (Ryan Suter, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella).

In a similar situation as Nashville in 2015-16, it’s almost inevitable that someone is dealt. Logic would suggest the return asking price was a top-six center, but perhaps that has changed with the recent signing of Eric Staal.

Winnipeg Facing Tough Decisions

Jan 26, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (30) watches a stray puck during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets face a pair of tough decisions that require an answer. First, it would be extremely difficult to keep both Tyler Myers and Jacob Trouba, so who’s the odd man out?

Second, the most inevitable move to happen since before the trade deadline, yet somehow is rarely spoken about is Winnipeg’s goaltending situation.

Connor Hellebuyck took over the starter role in the New Year, and was eventually forced back to AHL Manitoba. The Jets re-signed backup Michael Hutchinson since the season wrapped up, but the question still remains, who’s the odd man out?

If Kevin Cheveldayoff wants to keep both defenders listed above, maybe they look to shed Ondrej Pavelec‘s $3.9 million dollar cap hit.

Next: Trade Rumors: Oilers Defensive Options

Avs Making Room for Barrie Trade?

Given the recent signings of Patrick Wiercioch and Fedor Tyutin, while minor, raises further speculation towards a potential Tyson Barrie trade. An RFA, rumors suggest Joe Sakic and company are reluctant to give Barrie that lucrative long-term deal.

Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli made note they are seeking a RH puck-moving defenseman who can assume powerplay duties. A potential fit?