NHL Trade Speculation: Latest Draft-Related Chatter

The NHL has implemented a roster freeze from Saturday until 8 a.m. ET Thursday for the expansion draft. However, that hasn't put an end to trade speculation approaching the annual NHL draft on Friday and Saturday. Several notable players, such as Montreal Canadiens left wing Alex Galchenyuk and New York Rangers center Derek Stepan could be on the move. 

During the roster freeze, the expansion Vegas Golden Knights are the only team allowed to make trades with other clubs during the roster freeze. They could attempt to load up on draft picks heading into the draft weekend. 

Once the freeze is lifted, Galchenyuk and Stepan could be peddled by their respective clubs to address other roster issues. 

Here's a look at the latest trade speculation approaching the NHL draft. Feel free to weigh in with your views in the comments section below. 

The Vegas Golden Knights have the sixth overall selection in the opening round of the draft. They also hold the third overall pick in each of the successive rounds. General manager George McPhee could have deals in place with several NHL clubs to secure some extra picks in the draft.

Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal Tuesday reported the New York Islanders will ship their first-round pick (15th overall) and injured center Mikhail Grabovski to the Golden Knights. In return, McPhee will select left wing Nikolay Kulemin in the expansion draft. 

Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reported Sunday that the Blue Jackets could part with their first-rounder (24th overall) as part of a deal with the Golden Knights. McPhee would agree not to select Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson, backup goaltender Joonas Korpisalo or defenseman Jack Johnson.

The same day, Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register reported Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray is believed to have worked out a trade ensuring McPhee bypasses exposed Ducks defensemen Sami Vatanen and Josh Manson in the expansion draft. Stephen speculated Murray could part with "a good, young defensive prospect and a high-round draft pick." 

The Canadiens' acquisition last week of left wing Jonathan Drouin from the Tampa Bay Lightning raised questions over Galchenyuk's future in Montreal. He's a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights coming off a two-year, $5.6 million contract with an annual cap hit of $2.8 million. With the Habs re-signing Drouin to a six-year, $33 million deal, they could lack sufficient room for Galchenyuk. 

On June 15, Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported multiple sources said Galchenyuk could soon be on the move. Noting the Canadiens' need for an elite defenseman, Engels suggested the 23-year-old winger could be their best trade chip to address that issue. 

The following day, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman told Edmonton's 630 CHED (h/t FanRag's Chris Nichols) he knew the Minnesota Wild had some interest in Galchenyuk in the past. He also suggested the Vancouver Canucks could make inquiries. 

Notable defensemen potentially available include the Anaheim Ducks' Sami Vatanen, Colorado Avalanche's Tyson Barrie, New York Islanders' Travis Hamonic or the Minnesota Wild's Marco Scandella. Those clubs could benefit from a young scorer such as Galchenyuk, who's only a year removed from a career-best 30-goal campaign. 

Since his NHL debut in 2010-11, Stepan's been a key part of the Rangers roster. However, on June 14, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported the 27-year-old center was on the trade market. 

Stepan is entering the third season of a six-year, $39 million contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $6.5 million. If the Rangers intend to move him, McKenzie suggested they must do so before his full no-trade clause goes into effect on July 1. 

McKenzie followed up on Friday reporting the Arizona Coyotes were among "multiple teams with serious interest in Stepan." The Coyotes have sufficient cap room to absorb Stepan's annual average salary and are in serious need of a first-line center. 

The New York Post's Larry Brooks Tuesday acknowledged Stepan's obvious trade value. He envisioned several possible trade scenarios involving the Coyotes, Winnipeg Jets or Carolina Hurricanes that could bring the Rangers a top-pairing right-side defenseman. However, if those moves aren't possible, Brooks feels the Blueshirts are better off retaining Stepan.  

The Edmonton Oilers must re-sign young superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and will soon need to free up salary-cap space to accommodate their expensive new deals. With the NHL draft weekend fast approaching, right wing Jordan Eberle could be joining a new club soon. 

During a Thursday appearance on Edmonton's TSN 1260, NHL insider Darren Dreger reported (h/t Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports) six or seven teams were interested in the 27-year-old Eberle. He felt the Colorado Avalanche and New York Islanders could be among the front-runners. 

The following day, the Edmonton Sun's Jim Matheson speculated Eberle could fetch right wing Ryan Strome and defenseman Calvin de Haan from the Islanders. He believed the Oilers would want blueliner Tyson Barrie from the Avalanche. He also suggested the possibility of shipping Eberle to the Dallas Stars for center Cody Eakin.

A significant sticking point, however, could be Eberle's contract. While only two years remaining on the deal, he's earning $6 million per season. Suitors could insist the Oilers pick up part of his salary-cap hit. 

Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene was a hot topic in the rumor mill leading up to the March 1 trade deadline. There's speculation suggesting the New York Islanders could be interested in the 26-year-old forward.

The Islanders must re-sign team captain John Tavares to a long-term contract extension before his current deal expires July 2018. During a June 16 appearance on Calgary's Sportsnet 960, Elliotte Friedman noted Tavares and Duchene have the same agent (h/t Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports). He wondered if the Isles would consider uniting the pair. 

On the same day, however, Newsday's Arthur Staple cast doubt over the Isles chances of landing Duchene. While acknowledging the club's longtime interest in the Avs center, Staple felt land him "would be a taller task to pull off."

One reason could be Duchene's $6 million annual salary-cap hit through 2018-19. With Tavares' new deal expected to be expensive, taking on Duchene's contract would bite deeply into the Islanders' cap payroll. The Avalanche could also set an expensive asking price, perhaps seeking a good young defenseman or forward along with a first-round pick or top prospect. 

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