It's been nearly a month since the NHL's March 3 trade deadline passed. While the trade market has grown quiet except for deals involving minor-league players and unsigned draft picks, the media rumor mill continues to churn over possible off-season moves.
One pundit mused over whether the Edmonton Oilers might revisit their interest in San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson. Another wondered if the Boston Bruins might be able to re-sign one of their recent trade deadline acquisitions.
How much stock should be put into such speculation? That's what we'll try to figure out as we look at whether to buy or sell the latest rumors involving NHL offseason free agency and trade rumors.
Can the Boston Bruins Retain Their Trade Deadline Acquisitions?
The Boston Bruins made three notable additions to their roster before the trade deadline. On Feb. 23, they acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals. A week later, on March 2, they traded for winger Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings.
They've fit in well so far with their new club. After scoring 19 points in 43 games this season with the Capitals, the 31-year-old Orlov has 13 points in 15 games with the Bruins. Bertuzzi, 28, has six points in 12 games on the Bruins' third line while Hathaway has fit in well as a checking line winger with five points in 16 games.
On March 17, The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa mused over the possibility of the Bruins retaining at least one of their trade deadline acquisitions. He pointed out that they signed previous deadline pick-ups such as Taylor Hall in 2021 and Hampus Lindholm last year to long-term contracts.
Keeping any one of them won't be easy. The Bruins have $73.7 million invested in 14 roster players for 2023-24. Shinzawa pointed out that they also face up to $4.5 million in potential bonus overage penalties for Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.
Retaining Orlov, Hathaway or Bertuzzi could depend on their willingness to accept less than market value to stay with a contender such as the Bruins. Shinzawa believes re-signing one or more could involve shedding some salary, speculating that could mean trading one or more defensemen like Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort or Mike Reilly.
Verdict: Sell
Orlov and Bertuzzi are slated to become unrestricted free agents for the first time. This could be their best opportunity to maximize their value, meaning the Bruins won't be able to afford them. Hathaway, 31, might be the easiest to resign, but the cap-strapped Bruins could still find it difficult to do so if they fail to move Grzelcyk, Forbort or Reilly.
Could the Arizona Coyotes Make a Big Move This Summer?
After months of speculation, the Arizona Coyotes finally traded Jakob Chychrun by shipping him to the Ottawa Senators on March 1. That could raise questions about the future of several other core members of the Coyotes.
On March 19, GOPHNX.com's Craig Morgan noted that Chychrun's frustration over the club's ongoing rebuild prompted his trade request. Morgan wondered if younger Coyotes such as Clayton Keller and Lawson Crouse might feel the same in a couple of years if the club continues on its current path.
Morgan also mused over the futures of center Nick Schmaltz and goaltender Karel Vejmelka. Both are in their late-20s and could be past their playing prime once the Coyotes' rebuild is completed. Morgan wondered if management should peddle them while their trade value is high for returns that could help with the rebuilding process.
Vejmelka surfaced in trade rumors leading up to the March 3 trade deadline. He's signed through 2024-25 at an affordable annual salary-cap hit of $2.7 million. Schmaltz appeared on TSN's and Daily Faceoff's final trade-bait lists on deadline day. He earns an average annual value of $5.85 million through 2025-26 with a 10-team no-trade list effective July 1.
Verdict: Sell on Keller and Crouse, Buy on Schmaltz and Vejmelka
Keller and Crouse won't be going anywhere this summer because of their ages, value to the Coyotes' offense and the longer term on their respective contracts. Schmaltz and Vejmelka, on the other hand, could resurface in the rumor mill this summer with one or both getting moved for the right return.