NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Hypothetical Hockey Deals

NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Hypothetical Hockey Deals That Would Benefit Both Sides

Back on Wednesday, the hockey world was treated to its first impact trade of the 2015-16 NHL season. Oddly enough, it worked out to be one of those rare 1-for-1 hockey deals that we believed to be virtually extinct in our modern cap era.

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It’s not often a team can subtract a big piece to address a need at another position, without leaving a void to fill. Some would argue Columbus left a gaping void, but GM Jarmo Kekalainen believes it can be filled by one of Alexander Wennberg or Boone Jenner. During an interview with the Blue Jackets GM, in summation, he basically admitted that several teams attempted to take advantage of potential desperation with lowball offers for Ryan Johansen. Things got serious when Seth Jones name was thrown into trade talks.

The way negotiations transpired gives inspiration to today’s article. We know there’s some similar high-end quality talent rumored to be available in NHL trade speculation. It makes one wonder if there’s more straight-up hockey deals to be had with benefits for both sides. Putting on our GM cap, let’s explore five similar scenarios to the Johansen/Jones trade that would be highly beneficial for both teams involved.

These are simply fun hypothetical scenarios. Not every trade listed below would necessarily work from a cap point of view right now. Come offseason, those numbers are thrown out the window making any deal realistically possible. We’re also assuming a player would waive their trade clauses (if possessing one).

NHL Trade Speculation: 5 Hypothetical Hockey Deals

Edmonton Trades F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to New York Islanders for D Travis Hamonic

With Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins vying for two spots up the middle, it’s destiny that one is moved. Especially if you consider Edmonton’s need for help on the blueline.

There’s no guarantee Mathew Barzal or Anthony Beauvillier develop into 2c’s. With John Tavares at the top, RNH would be an excellent upgrade to New York’s top six.

A trade to Edmonton would honor Hamonic’s wishes of being closer to his Manitoba home. He’s got a cap friendly contract, and is one of the more complete defenseman in the NHL. He could eat up big minutes in Edmonton.

Tampa Bay Trades F Jonathan Drouin to Anaheim for D Cam Fowler

Everyone seems to point the finger at Drouin, suggesting he needs an attitude change, and needs to earn his roster spot. He’s not the first young player to be unhappy. We saw it with Kyle Turris. If the kid doesn’t enjoy the situation, it’s neither good for the player, nor the team to keep him around. GM Steve Yzerman is a smart man, and he knows this. Whether a trade comes this season, or in the summer, expect that Jonathan Drouin is dealt at some point.

After Tampa Bay’s epic run in the 2014-15 NHL playoffs, fans were treated to an underrated Lightning blueline. They’ve since fallen back to earth in 2015-16, looking like the average defensive group we knew them to be. Cam Fowler isn’t going to be your shutdown defender that you line match with other teams top lines. But he is an excellent offensively mobile defender that can play large chunks of minutes. You need guys that can get the puck to this talented offensive group, and Cam Fowler can do that.

Anaheim could subtract either a defender, goaltender, or both to address their needs up front. From a defensive standpoint, the Ducks have an abundance of offensive defenders. That’s not including Shea Theodore just starting to get his feet wet in the NHL. Around the corner is Brandon Montour, Jacob Larsson, and Marcus Pettersson. If there’s anything they can sacrifice, it’s defenseman.

The biggest need for Anaheim is up the left side. Hopes were that Nick Ritchie or Carl Hagelin would emerge alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, but once again it’s plug and play to find some chemistry (usually lasting for a few games). There’s no certainty Jonathan Drouin reaches his potential. If there’s one way to find out if he’s got a future in the NHL, put him alongside the Ducks dangerous duo on their top line.

Buffalo Trades G Linus Ullmark to Arizona for D Connor Murphy

Ideally, the Sabres would be more inclined to move pending free agent Chad Johnson, if they felt pressure to move a goaltender. Robin Lehner is on a conditioning stint in the AHL, and will soon force Linus Ullmark down to Rochester. Let’s make one thing clear about any potential Sabres goalie trade. The only way it occurs, is if Robin Lehner runs away with the starter’s role when he rejoins the team.

Arizona experienced an unfortunate epiphany over the course of the 2015-16 season. Mike Smith‘s expiration date in Arizona is coming sooner than expected. It’s been a rocky season for Smith before going down with injury. The Yotes are still a young rebuilding team, so it would make sense they’d target younger goaltenders (Linus Ullmark, Matt Murray, Malcolm Subban, etc). 

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Arizona isn’t openly shopping their young two-way defender (Murphy), but they’d have to give serious consideration to sacrificing a player of that caliber to address a more pressing need.

For Buffalo, 2015-16 is a year of growth for the Sabres. After a busy offseason last summer, this team looks headed in the right direction. Buffalo’s blueline is surprisingly better than expected halfway through the year, largely on the back of an emerging Rasmus Ristolainen. Guys like Josh Gorges and Carlo Colaiacovo, and even Cody Franson to an extent, are not long-term answers.

There’s promising defensive prospects on the way in coming years, but if you’re Tim Murray, you’d probably consider an offer to improve your blueline, especially if it means sacrificing something you’re not dependent upon.

Minnesota Trades D Matt Dumba to Toronto for F Nazem Kadri

It sounds like Minnesota is interested in adding a piece up front. Although, judging by fan boards, it doesn’t sound like they’re overly interested in sacrificing one of their many defenders. Nashville said the same thing before they dealt Seth Jones to Columbus. Reality is, the Wild at some point will be forced to move a defenseman, if there’s any hope of upgrading an offensive group that needs to score more.

Dumba and Kadri are restricted free agents at the end of the season, both looking for new contracts.

Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund simply aren’t good enough to win Minnesota a Stanley Cup. Koivu looks revitalized in 2015-16, while Granlund continues to struggle with the concept of shooting the puck more. Nazem Kadri would be an upgrade on Mikko Koivu, and arguably an upgrade on Mikael Granlund. Kadri is a low-end 1c, better suited as a top-tier 2c. There’d be an immediate overcrowding up the middle for the Wild, but it would work itself out fairly quickly.

Ideally, teams calling Minnesota are likely inquiring about Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, or Jared Spurgeon‘s availability. They’re proven defenders. Matt Dumba is still very young from a defensive perspective, so there’s been growing pains. He’d be the easiest defender to pry loose from the Minnesota Wild.

Toronto has a couple promising defenders in Morgan Reilly and Jake Gardiner. Both play somewhat similar styles, being more offensively inclined from the back-end. It’s good to have a mix of stay-at-home, two-way, and offensive defenseman. Dumba better falls under the two-way category. Stick him alongside Dion Phaneuf on the second pairing, and Dumba will have to learn to be more responsible defensively in a hurry.

Let’s make one thing clear. Toronto is not openly shopping Nazem Kadri. He’s likely part of their rebuild plan moving forward. But no player is untouchable on the Maple Leafs. If someone calls about Morgan Reilly, even he could be had for the right price (a massive price, of course).

Calgary Trades D Dennis Wideman to Tampa Bay for Ryan Callahan

There’s not a lot of teams lining up to trade veterans straight up for other veterans. The odds of a deal like this are fairly low, but for two teams that feel they’re right there ready to win, filling a hole can be the difference between getting knocked out in the first round, or going deep.

Callahan would need to waive his no-trade. A wealth of talent in Tampa Bay has pushed Ryan Callahan down the depth chart when he’s capable of a bigger role. The Flames have experimented with David Jones and Jiri Hudler, among others on their top-line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. It works for periods of time, but Calgary needs another guy that can be plugged in on that top line on a temporary basis, until a more permanent solution can be found.

Calgary possesses arguably, the most defensive depth of any NHL team. Rumors have already swirled around Dennis Wideman, who is still capable of playing big minutes, and adding solid production from the back-end.

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Tampa Bay is full of veterans on the blueline (Anton Stralman, Braydon Coburn, Matt Carle, and Jason Garrison). Adding another in Wideman isn’t exactly ideal, but if Stamkos plans to walk July 1st, the window to win is now. Plus, the Lightning could use another defender that can play big minutes. Wideman’s ability to join the rush, and make good first passes is exactly what Tampa Bay needs to get their high-octane offense back to where it was in the past couple seasons.

The Lightning could sacrifice Ryan Callahan and his massive contract without leaving a hole in the lineup. Calgary wouldn’t be excited about absorbing that much money at that length of term, but that’s the price paid for sending a similar contract the other way.