BS Meter on Early 2024 NHL Offseason Rumors and Buzz

Opening-round action of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs is well underway. Much of the focus is on the drama taking place on the ice.

Meanwhile, speculation persists regarding the offseason plans for the 16 teams that failed to qualify for the postseason. Some pundits covering those clubs are musing over possible trade candidates and destinations.

Several names being tossed about as potential trade chips, like Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markström, frequently appeared in the rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. Others, such as Philadelphia Flyers winger Joel Farabee, have surfaced lately as questions arose over their futures.

How much stock should be placed in these rumors? We'll try to sort that out by applying our trust BS Meter to the latest offseason trade chatter.

You can express your views on this topic in the app comments below.

Projected to go first overall in the 2022 NHL draft, Shane Wright dropped to fourth overall. The Seattle Kraken selected him after Montreal, New Jersey and Arizona passed him over. Now 20, the young center spent the past two seasons between the Kraken, the OHL's Windsor Spitfires and the Kraken's AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley.

As the Kraken's season wound down, the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker and Kate Shefte examined possible options to improve the club's sputtering offense. Baker suggested Wright could become a trade candidate.

Baker acknowledged Wright showed promise in his late-season call-up, tallying four goals and five points in eight games. However, he wondered if the young center was a future star or a good complementary piece. If Kraken management believes it's the latter, Baker felt this is the time to move him while his value is high.

Shefte disagreed, saying she doesn't see Wright going anywhere. She proposed prospect Jagger Firkus as a trade chip, noting he led the Canadian Hockey League in scoring.

BS Meter: It's BS

Baker was merely speculating and wasn't saying Wright would be traded. Anything's possible, of course, but Kraken general manager Ron Francis seems willing to remain patient with the young center. The worst-case scenario would be trading him for immediate help only to watch him blossom into stardom elsewhere.

In his April 20 "32 Thoughts" column, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman wondered about Joel Farabee's future with the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite a career-best performance (22 goals, 28 assists, 50 points), the 24-year-old winger struggled with consistency, managing one point in his final 11 games this season.

Philly Hockey Now's Jonathan Bailey observed that Farabee didn't sound happy during his end-of-season interview regarding his role with the club. He pointed out that he played up and down the lineup, including time on the third and fourth lines.

Bailey noted the Flyers have depth in wingers including Farabee, Travis Konecny, Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, and Bobby Brink. Farabee is in the second season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million but lacks no-trade protection.

According to Bailey, the Flyers have plenty of needs on defense and at center. They could draw on their depth on the wings to address that issue.

BS Meter: Not BS

Bailey believes Farabee's future will depend on where Flyers management sees the winger in their plans. He's not well suited for checking-line duty and could become a good bargaining chip to address their other roster needs.

One of Kyle Dubas' first acts last year as Pittsburgh Penguins general manager was signing Tristan Jarry to a five-year, $26.9 million contract last July 1. However, the 28-year-old goaltender's inconsistent performance this season has Pittsburgh pundits suggesting Dubas should consider trading him.

Matt Venzel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wondered about Jarry's future with the Penguins after backup Alex Nedeljkovic took over the starter's job down the stretch. His colleague Joe Starkey called for Dubas to trade Jarry, suggesting the Penguins retain part of his $5.4 million cap hit if necessary.

The Athletic's Rob Rossi felt the Penguins should move on from Jarry even if it meant making a bad trade to do so. However, he subsequently walked that back a bit, indicating Jarry's contract won't be easily moved, at least for a quality return.

Dubas and head coach Mike Sullivan gave Jarry a vote of confidence during their end-of-season press conference. Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski believes Nedeljkovic is unlikely to return given his eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.

BS Meter: It's BS

Most musings over the Penguins shopping Jarry seemed more like wishful thinking. His inconsistent play and his contract would be difficult to move anyway. Dubas and Sullivan seem prepared to bring back Jarry next season backed up by promising young netminder Joel Blomqvist.

Acquired from the Arizona Coyotes by the Ottawa Senators before the 2023 NHL trade deadline, Jakob Chychrun enjoyed a healthy and productive 2023-24 campaign. The 26-year-old defenseman played all 82 games for the first time, set a career high with 27 assists, and matched his career high of 41 points.

Nevertheless, Chychrun again became the subject of trade speculation as the Senators once again finished near the bottom of the standings. He has a year left on his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, 2025.

The Athletic's Ian Mendes pointed out the Senators have three skilled left-shot defensemen in Chychrun, Thomas Chabot, and rising star Jake Sanderson. They also lack depth in right-shot blueliners. Mendes speculated general manager Steve Staios might have to choose between Chychrun and Chabot, signed through 2027-28.

Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun reported that Chychrun was unsure about his future with the Senators. During his end-of-season interview, he indicated that contract extension talks hadn't started yet, adding he intends to take things day by day.

BS Meter: Not BS

Staios has to address the imbalance on his blue line. Chabot carries an $8 million annual cap hit, which could be difficult to move. Chychrun has a 10-team no-trade clause but his $4.6 million cap hit could be more enticing in the trade market.

We observed last month that Jacob Markström regularly appeared in the rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. The 34-year-old Calgary Flames goaltender did little to quell that speculation during his April 19 end-of-season interview with the Calgary media.

TSN's Salim Valji reported Markström was non-committal about his future in the Stampede City. Sportsnet's Eric Francis noted that the netminder had little to reveal about his exit interview with Flames general manager Craig Conroy. "Season just ended, and I saw Connie, and leave it at that," he said.

Speaking to Conroy, Valji reported the Flames GM said time would tell when asked about Markström's future. Based on both men's comments, Francis believes the goalie has played his last game for the Flames.

Markström was reportedly close to being traded to the New Jersey Devils in February but the deal fell through. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald indicated he intends to go "big-game hunting" for a starting goalie this summer. Markström could be among those in his sights.

BS Meter: It's not BS

Markström has two years remaining on his contract with an annual average value of $6 million and a full no-movement clause. Based on his and Conroy's cryptic remarks, the 2022 Vezina Trophy finalist could waive that clause if the right teams step up with suitable offers to tempt the Flames GM.

Salary info via CapFriendly.