BS Meter on Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors

Thanksgiving is just around the corner for American NHL fans. It's also an important milestone on the regular-season calendar for the league's 32 clubs.

As Hall of Fame player and current Columbus Blue Jackets assistant coach Mark Recchi pointed out last November, the coaching staff on every club stresses the importance of holding a playoff spot by Thanksgiving.

Citing NHL stats going back to 2005-06, Recchi indicated that 76.3 percent of the teams that were in playoff position by "Turkey Day" went on to qualify by season's end.

That could stir up trade activity among clubs hoping to improve their chances of securing a berth or those struggling to avoid falling further out of contention. Things have gone quiet again in the trade market since the Minnesota Wild shipped Calen Addison to the San Jose Sharks and acquired Zach Bogosian from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 8.

The Calgary Flames could be one of those teams looking to swing a deal. Following news that defenseman Nikita Zadorov had requested a trade came reports management is willing to listen to offers on other players.

This week could also see the last big name in the free-agent market find a new home as Patrick Kane could be close to deciding where he'll play this season.

Are these rumors on the level or not? Join us as we break out our trusty "BS Meter" to determine fact from fiction by examining the most notable rumors of the past week. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in our app comment section.

With a record of six wins, six losses and five overtime losses, the New York Islanders entered this week trying to avoid sliding further down the Eastern Conference standings. They recently emerged from a seven-game winless skid (0-4-3) that had their fans calling for general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Lane Lambert to be fired.

The Islanders' woes prompted Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman to speculate on Nov. 17 that Lamoriello is seeking help for his struggling club. He thinks the Isles GM seeks a scoring forward as well as some help on the blue line.

Sitting near the bottom of the league with a 2.53 goals-per-game, the Islanders could use some additional scoring punch. They're also struggling defensively, especially shorthanded. Their penalty-killing percentage (69.5) is the second-worst overall.

Friedman speculated that Lamoriello could be interested in some of the Calgary Flames defensemen. He thinks young winger Oliver Wahlstrom could tempt the Flames, suggesting the 23-year-old could use a move to a club where he'll get more opportunities to play a bigger role.

BS Meter: It's BS

The always-secretive Lamoriello could very well be looking around the league to bolster his roster. However, the New York Post's Ethan Sears doubted that a trade would take place, citing the Isles' lack of players who could be considered moveable right now. He believes a coaching change is more likely if this club doesn't improve soon.

Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman provide the Boston Bruins with the NHL's best goaltending tandem. Ullmark, 30, won the Vezina Trophy last season as the league's top netminder. He and Swayman also took home the William M Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals against in 2022-23.

The Bruins tandem has carried over that dominant performance into this season. In his first eight games, Ullmark had a record of six wins, one loss and one overtime loss with a 2.23 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. Swayman's stats were even better, with a record of 7-0-1 along with a GAA of 1.73 and a .941 SP.

With some teams struggling between the pipes during the early going, some pundits have suggested deals involving one of the Bruins goalies. On Nov. 8, NBC Sports Boston's Nick Goss noted one hypothetical rumor kicking around social media had the Edmonton Oilers offering up center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Ullmark.

Eight days later, Goss acknowledged the temptation to shop Ullmark or Swayman for a top-six center or wing. However, he pointed out that the goaltending duo's strong performance has offset the Bruins' leaky defensive play in recent games. Goss believes they'll be able to carry the load throughout this season while the club sorts out its issues.

BS Meter: Not BS

The Bruins are coming off an offseason that saw the retirements of long-time stars Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Having an all-star tandem between the pipes enables them to remain among the league's top teams during a transitional season as they work new players into the lineup.

The Nashville Predators find themselves near the bottom of the Western Conference standings heading toward Thanksgiving. Their struggles in recent weeks sparked some trade conjecture regarding starting goaltender Juuse Saros.

Saros, 28, is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $5 million and lacks a no-trade clause in his contract. He was mentioned among possible trade targets for the Edmonton Oilers by Sportsnet's Mark Spector and Gene Principe on Nov. 8.

The Hockey News' Ann Kimmel noted that Saros has struggled thus far this season. However, she pointed out that general manager Barry Trotz chalked that up to a reduced shot quantity he's faced this season compared to previous years. Saros also has a reputation as a goalie who needs some time at the start of a season before he finds his grove.

Speaking of Trotz, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported on Nov. 14 that the Predators GM acknowledged the trade rumors about Saros but has no intention of moving him. He told LeBrun that he's met with the netminder's agent and informed him that he intends to sign his starter to a contract extension.

BS Meter: Not BS

Teams seeking an experienced starting goalie this season will have to look elsewhere. Trotz told LeBrun that he's retooling rather than rebuilding his roster and sees Saros as an important part. Perhaps that changes if Saros decides to test the free-agent market in 2025 but if he prefers staying in Nashville, Trotz will do what he can to make it happen.

Patrick Kane has been rehabbing for months following a hip resurfacing procedure in June. Expected to be ready to return to action by the end of November at the earliest, it appears he could soon decide which team he'll sign with for the remainder of this season.

On Nov. 14, ESPN.com's Greg Wyshynski reported Kane had started meeting with up to eight potential suitors. TSN's Darren Dreger said the 35-year-old right winger hoped to decide by this week.

That sparked considerable speculation over which clubs are in the bidding for Kane. Wyshynski listed the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. The New York Post's Larry Brooks mentioned the Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. NHL analyst John Shannon reported Kane had spoken with the Leafs.

Brooks also reported that the New York Rangers (Kane's previous club) won't get into the bidding for his services. Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli explained that the reason is because of how their salary cap payroll is structured this season, making it difficult for them to bring him back for another season.

BS Meter: Not BS

While it's uncertain if Kane can return to form, his impressive resume over his 16 NHL seasons makes him a desirable target for teams with playoff ambitions. He's now nearing the end of his six-month recovery timeline and hopes to land with a new club as soon as possible to begin preparations for his return to action.

Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov made headlines on Nov. 10 when it was reported that he requested a trade through his agent. Four days later, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the club was not only listening to trade offers for Zadorov but also on fellow defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev as well as center Elias Lindholm.

All four are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July. LeBrun indicated the Flames weren't in a rush to move them as they have until the March 8 trade deadline to find suitable returns for those players.

LeBrun's colleague Darren Dreger said the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks were among the "primary teams" interested in the Flames' defensemen. The Leafs interest is understandable as Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is also the former Flames GM and knows each of those blueliners very well.

Dreger also mentioned that he believed veterans under long-term contracts such as Nazem Kadri might not be keen to stick around if the Flames intend to rebuild. That prompted the Calgary Sun's Daniel Austin to wonder about the futures of Jonathan Huberdeau, Jacob Markstrom, MacKenzie Weeger, Blake Coleman and Rasmus Anderson in Calgary.

BS Meter: Not BS, but pump the brakes

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Nov. 18 that there was nothing imminent regarding those Calgary defensemen getting moved. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Julian McKenzie noted that the Flames' recent improvement has dampened some of that speculation. If they remain competitive, he wondered how that might affect the futures of those pending free agents.

Stats (as of Nov. 19, 2023) via NHL.com with salary info via Cap Friendly.